Quick Take
- Ronin’s builder reputation layer is being prioritized over grants and validator-only rewards
- Axie MMO, Atia’s Legacy is now playable internally, with hands-on tests coming by late summer
- Angry Dynamites shows how post-launch games can thrive on Ronin without major upfront hype
In the 190th episode of Ronin Radio, Sky Mavis co-founder Jeffrey “Jihoz” Zirlin joined hosts Gila and Theeban “1437” Siva for a comprehensive update on where the Ronin Network is heading. The discussion spanned Ronin’s evolving ecosystem mechanics, Sky Mavis’ internal roadmap, and the status of several games both launched and in development.
At the center of Jihoz’s message was a structural shift away from static token distributions and toward what he described as “proof of distribution” models. The team is experimenting with a Ronin-wide score and reputation system that would quantify user and developer contributions to the chain.
“Right now, we’re only incentivizing validators and LPs,” Jihoz said. “But on a gaming-centric chain, that’s not the most aligned use of token rewards.” He described a future where builders, players, creators, and referrers all receive on-chain rewards based on measurable value generation like inflows, activity, and gas usage.
This system would also feed into a revamp of how Ronin’s RON token is distributed. Jihoz hinted that Sky Mavis is designing mechanisms that shift emissions toward those actively growing the network, not just supplying liquidity. That includes early concepts for app-level tokens and unlock schedules based on user behavior and time, mirroring models used in traditional equity vesting or dividend systems.
As for Ronin’s game slate, Jihoz pointed to Angry Dynamites as a standout example of the chain’s ability to surface titles post-launch and give them new life. The game, which arrived on Ronin without a pre-launch campaign or whitelist, has shown that on-chain engagement and rapid adoption can happen with minimal marketing.
The Axie MMO was another focal point. Jihoz confirmed the game is playable and being tested internally. “You guys will get hands-on by end of summer,” he told the hosts, referencing a group of early community testers. The MMO is being built with mobile devices in mind from day one, an adjustment made after earlier Axie projects struggled with mobile onboarding.
The first round of public testing for the MMO, Atia’s Legacy, is scheduled to begin this summer. Access will be limited. Players eligible to opt into the playtest include those in the Top 200 Axie Score rankings and users who have maintained an unbroken Atia’s Blessing streak since its release.
Theeban, a former Dota 2 pro and Axie Origins world champion, raised concerns about content depth in current Web3 games, saying few titles offer enough to truly dedicate oneself to. Jihoz agreed, saying the MMO is designed to fill that gap while also testing new economic models inspired by EVE Online and RuneScape.
Outside the MMO, Jihoz highlighted Fableborne, Cambria, Fishing Frenzy, and Lumiterra as active projects feeding into Ronin’s broader learnings. Cambria in particular was mentioned for its “risk-to-earn” economy design, a loop Jihoz sees as potentially key to onboarding higher-quality spenders and players.
The show also touched on decentralized finance. Jihoz acknowledged that DeFi apps like Compound and Katana generate fees, but noted they haven’t sparked major user growth. “We need DeFi that plays to our strengths,” he said, suggesting more community-led experimentation. He pointed out that DeFi on Ronin has strong potential if tied into the planned reputation and incentive layers, though it will require careful coordination and risk awareness.
Toward the end of the episode, Jihoz teased future Sky Mavis marketing and brand partnerships, referencing past collaborations with Samsung and Google as examples of scale they aim to reach again. He confirmed new hires are joining the Sky Mavis team, with details to come.
“Right now we’re in R&D mode,” he said. “We’re planning the next big push, focused on innovation, reputation, and giving Ronin users a reason to come back every day.”
