Pokémon-inspired blockchain game Pixelmon is gearing up to launch its highly anticipated role-playing adventure mobile game, Warden’s Ascent, on the Avalanche network. This move comes as part of an exclusive partnership deal with Avalanche, despite Pixelmon’s core assets remaining on Ethereum and its previously released game, Monster Tycoon, being built on the Immutable zkEVM blockchain.
Giulio Xiloyannis, CEO of Pixelmon, explained to Decrypt that the decision to partner with Avalanche was driven by the need for a partner aligned with their ambitions to expand beyond the current Web3 user base. Warden’s Ascent, set for a full public launch in the second half of 2025, is now being hailed as Pixelmon’s flagship title.
Pixelmon had initially tested the waters with three hyper-casual games on various platforms before settling on Avalanche as the ideal fit for their scale, ambition, and target audience. The partnership with Ava Labs, the developers of Avalanche, ensures that all future Pixelmon projects will be launched on the network.
In addition to Warden’s Ascent, Pixelmon plans to release two to three other titles on the Avalanche network, including the idle role-playing mobile game Nova Thera Chronicles and the real-time battler Warriors of Nova Thera. However, Monster Tycoon will remain on Immutable as per their agreement with the network, with no plans for expansions.
Despite a rocky start in 2022, Pixelmon has since undergone a leadership change and successfully launched multiple games, raised significant funding, and introduced a token. The franchise is now shifting its focus to a mobile-first publishing strategy, with Warden’s Ascent and Nova Thera Chronicles taking center stage.
Warden’s Ascent, a turn-based role-playing adventure game, will feature over 100 unique monsters for players to discover, hatch, and evolve as they progress through the campaign. The game aims to broaden the Pixelmon franchise’s appeal beyond the confines of Web3.
By starting on Avalanche’s C-Chain, Pixelmon can quickly enter the market while laying the foundation for a dedicated Avalanche-based Layer 1 as the player base expands. This move will provide full control over performance, fees, user experience, and governance, crucial for a mobile-first title targeting millions of players globally.
The successful launches of games like Off the Grid and MapleStory Universe on Avalanche convinced Pixelmon that the network was the right choice. Avalanche’s ability to onboard multi-platform games and millions of gamers, along with its strong marketing and brand execution, solidified the decision for Pixelmon.
Currently, an early access version of Warden’s Ascent is available for download on the Play Store, with pre-launch campaigns and user onboarding initiatives planned in the coming months. Once fully live in the second half of the year, Pixelmon will continue to provide season updates and long-term content to engage players.
Stay tuned for the official launch of Warden’s Ascent and the exciting future of Pixelmon’s gaming universe on the Avalanche network.