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Gala Games and AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead: Empires’ Begins First Public Playtest

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Gala’s Web3 massively multiplayer survival game set in the world of AMC’s The Walking Dead will fully launch in 2023.

Jackson, Wyoming–(Newsfile Corp. – August 31, 2022) – Today marks the beginning of the first pre-alpha, open playtest for The Walking Dead: Empires. Developed by leading Web3 game publisher Gala Games in partnership with AMC, the game lets players fight for survival in the world of AMC’s The Walking Dead. In the game, players will gather resources and fortify their base to defend against other players and Walkers alike.

A small group of players took part in a closed playtest for convention attendees at this summer’s Galaverse in Malta, but this will be the first opportunity for anyone in the public with a Gala account to test the new game. The playtest will run through September 1st.

The Walking Dead: Empires takes place in the post-apocalyptic world of AMC’s The Walking Dead. Players are survivors, working to create a life in the ruins of society. Players will need to gather resources and craft tools, weapons, and defenses to defend their home from any who would try to take it – whether they be human or Walker.

As a Web3 title, The Walking Dead: Empires allows players ownership of certain in-game items represented as NFTs; such as land, crafting tables and Hero Cards. Land allows players ownership over a digital plot to build and defend, and crafting tables can be used to craft gear, weapons, tools, and other supplies. Hero Cards let players change their avatar’s appearance and grant special abilities – some will be original characters to the game, but many more are based on characters from the iconic AMC series.

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The demo represents the game in a pre-alpha state, giving players an up-close look at the game world in development. Much of the art and gameplay are not in their final state, and are subject to change. But gamers will have an early chance to experience the core game and see the initial vision of the developers before the full game launches in 2023.

The Walking Dead has such a rich and well-developed world already that it was important our art direction stayed true to the source material, while also creating a deep and immersive experience within the world. Bringing the world of The Walking Dead to life in this game has been a delight and I can’t wait for players to experience what we’ve built.”
– Christopher Miller, Lead Artist

The game will be free to play, both in the playtest and eventual full launch. While players can choose to own and collect in-game assets, they will not be required to enjoy the game. Players can craft rudimentary tools without a Crafting Table, or use NFT Crafting Tables owned by other players placed throughout the world. Landowners can allow others to access and live on their plot with them to forge a stronger alliance and defense.

“It’s been amazing helping to craft a totally unique experience where players can be a part of the struggle for survival in AMC’s The Walking Dead. We’re very excited to see players inside the game and working together – or against each other – in this very immersive world.”
– Zach Peterson, Development Director

“The world of The Walking Dead is brutal, unforgiving, and a constant struggle for survival. It’s not for the faint of heart, and yet it’s one that our fans have consistently yearned to experience for themselves. Be careful what you wish for! We’re excited to present this first look at what we’ve been cooking up with Gala Games – and even more so to immerse our fans in the world of the show when the full game releases next year.”
– Clayton Neuman, VP of Games, AMC Networks.

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The Walking Dead: Empires is being developed by a dedicated team within Gala Games, one of the largest Web3 gaming platforms in the world. The game will join Town Star, Gala’s flagship release, along with 26 other titles currently in development. Like other games on the platform, the game will feature player-owned game assets, and be supported by Gala’s Founder’s Node Network of over 42,000 player-owned, decentralized gaming Nodes.

ABOUT GALA

As the global leader of Web3 Entertainment, Gala is building a massive world of rewarding entertainment upon their three pillars of Games, Music, and Film. From the AAA quality video games produced by Gala Games to the emerging artists whose careers are kick-started by the opportunities of Gala Music, everything Gala creates is built for user empowerment and ownership. With dozens of games from top-tier developers in the pipeline, yet-unannounced deals with well-known musicians, and the recent announcement of the upcoming Gala Film platform, Gala is paving the way for an entire universe of Web3 entertainment.

ABOUT AMC

AMC is home to some of the most popular and acclaimed programs on television. AMC was the first basic cable network to ever win the Emmy® Award for Outstanding Drama Series with Mad Men in 2008, which then went on to win the coveted award four years in a row, before Breaking Bad won it in 2013 and 2014. The network’s series The Walking Dead is the highest-rated series in cable history. AMC’s current original drama series are Better Call Saul, Fear the Walking Dead, Kevin Can F*** Himself, The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: World Beyond and the forthcoming series 61st Street, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches, Dark Winds, Moonhaven, Pantheon, Ragdoll and Tales of the Walking Dead, among others. AMC also explores authentic worlds and discussion with original shows like Talking Dead, AMC Visionaries and Ride with Norman Reedus. AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, SundanceTV, BBC America and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile.

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# # #

To learn more about Gala Games, visit https://app.gala.games

To learn more about The Walking Dead: Empires, visit https://twdempires.game

Media Contact:
Gala Games
[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/135549

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Newsfile is a customer-focused newswire team that delivers press releases and corporate announcements to the global financial community. Approved by all stock exchanges, Newsfile offers broad access to media, analysts, investors and market participants. With agile services, proactive customer care and affordable pricing; Newsfile makes it easy for companies to tell their story to the audiences they need to reach.

Blockchain

Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – April 24, 2025 (Decrypt, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph, 80 Level, UNDP/BGA)

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In an era defined by rapid innovation and ever-shifting regulatory landscapes, blockchain continues to prove its mettle across diverse sectors—from data privacy and prediction markets to gaming and sustainable development. Today in Blockchain, we explore five major developments shaping the decentralized world on April 24, 2025:

  1. Europe’s New Privacy Guidelines: How the EDPB’s draft rules may redefine on-chain data handling.

  2. Canada’s Blockchain Advantage: Lessons from Consensus Toronto on agility, talent, and national strategy.

  3. Prediction Markets for Science: DeSci’s leap toward crowdsourced validation and the reproducibility crisis.

  4. Ubisoft’s NFT Gaming Gamble: Yet another Web3 pivot in mainstream video games—and why it matters.

  5. Blockchain for Good Accelerator: The UNDP joins forces with the Blockchain for Good Alliance to fuel SDG-focused innovation.

This op-ed–style briefing strips away the noise to deliver concise yet detailed coverage, incisive commentary, and big-picture implications for developers, entrepreneurs, regulators, and enthusiasts alike. Strap in as we decode today’s key blockchain headlines.


1. Europe’s Data Privacy Guardrails: EDPB’s Draft Blockchain Guidelines

What happened:
On April 22, 2025, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) published draft guidelines clarifying how personal data must be stored and accessed on blockchain networks to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Key takeaways include:

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  • Minimize on-chain data: Avoid embedding personally identifiable information directly into immutable ledgers.

  • Data Protection by Design & by Default: Mandate early-stage DPIAs (Data Protection Impact Assessments) for any blockchain project touching personal data.

  • Controlled access & erasure mechanisms: Develop off-chain storage layers and governance protocols to satisfy “right to rectification” and “right to be forgotten” requirements.

Source: Decrypt

Why it matters:
GDPR’s foundational principles clash with blockchain’s inherent immutability and transparency. By issuing these guidelines, the EDPB seeks to preserve individual privacy rights without stifling decentralized innovation. However, the tension between censorship-resistant networks and regulator-mandated mutability raises profound design challenges.

Analysis & Commentary:
Today’s guidance is overdue but pivotal. As Bryn Bennett of Hacken reminds us, “Privacy isn’t an add-on—it’s infrastructure.” Projects that ignore privacy-by-design risk not only fines but also eroded user trust. Conversely, decentralized privacy pioneers like Nym Technologies warn that retrofitting GDPR onto public blockchains can compromise both privacy and sovereignty. In my view, the next frontier lies in hybrid architectures—leveraging off-chain zero-knowledge proofs, secure enclaves, and permissioned sidechains—to reconcile transparency with confidentiality. Europe’s blueprint could become a global reference, influencing regulators in Asia-Pacific, North America, and beyond to articulate their own blockchain-specific data rules.


2. Canada’s Blockchain Advantage: Small Enough to Move Fast, Big Enough to Matter

What happened:
At Consensus Toronto 2025, CoinDesk columnist William Mougayar argued that Canada is uniquely positioned to outpace other G7 nations in blockchain adoption, thanks to:

  • Homegrown talent & heritage: Ethereum’s origins in Toronto and thriving developer ecosystems in Montreal and Vancouver.

  • Regulatory agility: Streamlined federal-provincial coordination, pro-innovation tax credits, and pilot sandbox frameworks.

  • Strategic national vision: Proposals to mandate crypto access in Canadian banks, integrate digital assets into capital markets, and even explore a national cryptocurrency reserve.

Source: CoinDesk

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Why it matters:
While the U.S. grapples with interagency turf wars between the SEC, CFTC, and others, Canada’s structural simplicity offers a template for coherent blockchain policymaking. This could accelerate capital inflows, enterprise pilots, and global competition for fintech talent.

Analysis & Commentary:
Canada’s playbook hinges on being “small enough to pivot, yet big enough to impact”. As blockchain matures beyond niche use cases, national champions will emerge from jurisdictions that marry regulatory clarity with creative incentives. I predict that within two years, Toronto and Montreal will rival Miami and Dubai as leading hubs for DeFi, tokenization, and digital-asset custody. But execution is everything—if Canada can streamline licensing, shore up AML/CTF safeguards, and embed digital literacy into its education system, it could truly leapfrog entrenched incumbents.


3. Prediction Markets in Science: DeSci’s Bold Experiment

What happened:
In an opinion piece for Cointelegraph, Dr. Sasha Shilina explored how blockchain-powered prediction markets (e.g., Polymarket, Pump.science) are being repurposed to address the scientific reproducibility crisis. Highlights include:

  • Crowdsourced forecasting: Researchers and investors stake tokens to bet on experimental outcomes, incentivizing rigorous study design.

  • Financial accountability: Monetary losses for flawed work create a rapid feedback loop, potentially weeding out irreproducible findings.

  • Regulatory hurdles: Jurisdictions still classify these markets as gambling, complicating mainstream adoption.

Source: Cointelegraph

Why it matters:
Traditional peer review can take months or years to expose methodological flaws. Decentralized prediction markets promise near-real-time validation, democratizing scientific oversight and reducing wasteful replication studies.

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Analysis & Commentary:
Prediction markets offer an “open-science complement”—not a replacement—to scholarly publishing. By aligning economic incentives with truth-seeking, they could elevate data integrity and funders’ confidence. However, unchecked speculation risks gaming the system, especially if liquidity pools are dominated by a handful of whales. The solution lies in multi-stakeholder governance: academic consortia, journal publishers, and veteran researchers collaborating to set market parameters, oracle standards, and dispute-resolution mechanisms. In my view, the coming year will determine whether DeSci moves from proof-of-concept to institutional legitimacy—or remains a fascinating experiment.


4. Ubisoft’s NFT Gaming Bet: Might & Magic Fates

What happened:
On April 24, 2025, gaming giant Ubisoft announced Might & Magic Fates, its third blockchain game in under six months, developed in partnership with Immutable. Key features:

  • NFT trading cards: Creatures, spells, and artifacts minted as on-chain assets.

  • Optional Web3 layer: Players can choose between traditional gameplay or unlocking digital ownership via NFTs.

  • Community backlash: Early reactions decry “Web3 slop,” with seasoned gamers lamenting lack of gameplay previews.

Source: 80 Level

Why it matters:
Ubisoft’s persistence underscores a broader corporate push into play-to-earn and digital-ownership models. Despite vocal skepticism, top publishers see NFTs as a path to new revenue streams and player engagement metrics.

Analysis & Commentary:
I admire Ubisoft’s willingness to iterate—but will “third time be the charm”? Past misfires suggest they’ve yet to nail the balance between token mechanics and fun. If Fates can deliver rich narrative, balanced tokenomics, and genuine secondary-market value, it might convert skeptics. Otherwise, gamers will continue associating NFTs with pump-and-dump schemes. Successful blockchain gaming will require tight integration of on-chain assets with deep, off-chain gameplay loops—think on-chain skins that evolve with player achievements or governance tokens that shape in-game lore. Ubisoft’s true test will be fostering an ecosystem where NFT ownership enhances, rather than distracts from, core gameplay.

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5. Blockchain for Good: UNDP & Alliance Launch Global Accelerator

What happened:
The Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and EMURGO Labs, launched the SDG Blockchain Accelerator on April 24, 2025. Program highlights:

  • 4-month accelerator: Tailored training, mentorship, and technical support via UNDP AltFinLab and EMURGO Labs.

  • Multi-chain innovation: Encourages solutions across Cardano, Ethereum, and other protocols.

  • Up to $1.5 million in post-acceleration grants: Equity-free funding to scale blockchain solutions addressing the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Source: UNDP Innovation

Why it matters:
This initiative bridges Web3 technology with humanitarian impact, channeling blockchain’s transparency and efficiency into real-world challenges—financial inclusion, supply-chain traceability, carbon credits, and more.

Analysis & Commentary:
SDG-focused accelerators signal a shift from speculative token swaps to impact-driven development. By equipping UNDP personnel and global innovators with blockchain toolkits, the program can catalyze projects that deliver measurable social value. Success stories—like transparent vaccine distribution chains or micro-loan platforms for underserved communities—will validate blockchain’s promise beyond hype cycles. I urge stakeholders to watch for pilots that blend on-chain verification with off-chain delivery, ensuring that funding flows transparently and outcomes are independently audited. If this Alliance proves out, it could redefine public-private partnerships in digital development.


Conclusion: Today’s Takeaways & Tomorrow’s Roadmap

These five headlines illustrate blockchain’s multifaceted evolution:

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  1. Regulatory Maturation: Europe’s privacy guidelines spotlight the need for nuanced frameworks to guide on-chain data use.

  2. National Strategies: Canada’s agile approach demonstrates how government policy can catalyze ecosystem growth without heavy-handed bureaucracy.

  3. Decentralized Science: Prediction markets could revolutionize research validation, forging new alliances between academia and DeFi.

  4. Corporate Experimentation: Ubisoft’s repeated NFT forays reveal both the promise and pitfalls of integrating blockchain into mainstream entertainment.

  5. Mission-Driven Innovation: The SDG Blockchain Accelerator aligns decentralized tech with societal goals, charting a course for truly “blockchain for good” outcomes.

As blockchain technology accelerates, the imperative for thoughtful design, cross-sector collaboration, and impact measurement has never been clearer. Whether tackling data privacy conflicts, mobilizing global talent, democratizing scientific rigor, reinventing digital ownership, or driving sustainable development, today’s stories offer a roadmap for the next chapter of decentralized innovation.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s edition of Blocks & Headlines, where we continue decoding the daily pulse of the blockchain revolution.

The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – April 24, 2025 (Decrypt, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph, 80 Level, UNDP/BGA) appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.

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Blockchain

World Chess and the Algorand Foundation propose leveling the playing field with a “chess passport”

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In a whitepaper published today, World Chess (LSE: CHSS) and the Algorand Foundation (ALGO) conceptualize a new blockchain-based system that would establish secure, private, and verifiable credentials for global sports organizations, including chess. Grandmaster Evgenij Miroshnichenko contributed to the paper alongside the Algorand Foundation and World Chess.

The move comes as interest in chess hits a new high, driven by popular television series on Netflix and the BBC, the 2024 awarding of the youngest-ever world chess champion, and the inclusion of chess for the first time in the Esports World Cup later this year.

If adopted, the system would allow chess players to independently manage their identity and credentials across all chess platforms and organizations with a single decentralized ID, and one login credential for everywhere they play. They could then easily “port” their identity, achievements, records of play, rankings, and rewards across online chess platforms, as well as seamlessly from the digital world to in-person games and tournaments. This provides them with a much easier way to prove their identity, no matter their status or documentation; it would also reduce tournament application times significantly. Chess organizations would then be able to welcome even more players to their competitions, including those who have built their chess career solely online, as well as players who have previously only competed in tournaments held by other organizations.

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Among other benefits, the adoption of a “global chess passport” would make it much easier for organizers and chess clubs and federations alike to onboard and register players, both online and offline.

Another benefit of the proposed system is to safeguard fair play. As chess becomes increasingly integrated into e-sports and online competitions, the use of AI programs or player fraud (one player representing another) is an increasing concern. Being able to confirm player integrity (including whether they have been banned for cheating on any other platform) ensures credibility of chess contests and competitions. These verifiable credentials also preserve player privacy. They can be used to confirm player eligibility and relevant identity data without providing access to sensitive documentation, such as passports. Finally, identity verification also prevents fraud in tournament payouts. Phishing and other attempts to steal winnings are on the rise; this ensures only the rightful winner can access their prize funds.

“I think that chess needs its version of the global e-version of drivers license. It’s a global game, and using blockchain for the benefit of having one universal independently verifiable ID is something that both players and organizers will certainly benefit from,” says Ilya Merenzon, CEO of World Chess.

“This initiative is not just about chess; it’s about the future of fair play and verifiable achievement across all sports and esports,” said Bruno Martins, principal architect at the Algorand Foundation and co-author of the whitepaper. “Chess has a rich history of proving the usefulness of new technologies. In this case, World Chess is showing the integrity, privacy, and portability of records in any competitive arena is not only possible – it’s in the best interest of every player, everywhere.”

Statista estimates that the market for esports should reach $4.8 billion in 2025, with nearly 900 million players by 2029 (source), all of which could benefit from better cross-platform registration for online and in-person competitions.

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The full whitepaper and more information about the proposed open-source system can be found here. Chess platforms, esports organizations and other parties interested in contributing to the project can get involved by contacting [email protected].

The post World Chess and the Algorand Foundation propose leveling the playing field with a “chess passport” appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.

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Blockchain

Blaqclouds Board Approves 30-Day Revenue Acceleration and Ecosystem Monetization Plan

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