Nexus, formerly known as Action Square, has been actively contributing to CROSS Protocol, a framework designed to enable each game to issue its own token. The initiative aims to provide a transparent and secure gaming environment where players have complete control over their in-game assets. The company is led by Henry Chang, who serves as both the CEO of Nexus and the founder of CROSS Protocol. With extensive experience at WeMade, where he was recognized as the driving force behind Wemix, he has shifted his focus towards decentralization in gaming after observing the limitations of centralized asset control.
Unlike previous blockchain gaming projects that required years of development, Nexus benefits from an already established team and advanced technology, accelerating blockchain adoption in the industry. Blockchain gaming is widely recognized for decentralizing the sector, yet many projects have struggled to balance developer ease of use, true ownership, and swift deployment. CROSS Protocol differentiates itself by adopting an integrated approach that simplifies these challenges.
Enhanced Development Framework and Faster Game Deployment
CROSS Protocol offers a framework that includes smart contract templates, software development kits (SDKs), and application programming interfaces (APIs), ensuring a developer-friendly ecosystem while maintaining true player ownership. One of its key advantages is the ability to launch new games within three months, significantly reducing development time from previous multi-year cycles. Additionally, governance and regulatory compliance are integral components of its structure. The Swiss-based Opengame Foundation oversees its ecosystem, ensuring adherence to the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations while promoting transparency and scalability for developers and players alike.
A major shift introduced by CROSS Protocol is the concept of true asset ownership in gaming. Traditionally, game developers maintain complete control over in-game assets, restricting players from trading, transferring, or using them outside the game. CROSS Protocol transforms this model by tokenizing all in-game assets on the blockchain, allowing players to manage and exchange them freely.
Standardized Tokenization for Seamless Interoperability
One of the biggest challenges in blockchain gaming is maintaining separate in-game economies while ensuring interoperability. CROSS Protocol addresses this issue by enabling each game to issue its own token within a standardized framework. Developers are not required to have in-depth blockchain knowledge, as the platform simplifies complex processes such as smart contract deployment, gas fee management, and wallet integration. Furthermore, its pre-built infrastructure accelerates game launches and reduces costs.
CROSS Protocol prioritizes usability and mass adoption by streamlining blockchain integration through comprehensive toolkits. These tools simplify smart contracts, gas fee handling, and wallet management, allowing developers to focus on creating engaging gameplay experiences. Additionally, detailed documentation supports traditional game developers in transitioning to Web3.
The Role of the CROSS Token in the Ecosystem
The CROSS token plays a vital role within the protocol, serving multiple purposes for both players and developers. As a transactional currency, it facilitates in-game purchases and asset trading. It also acts as an incentive mechanism, rewarding players through staking and engagement activities. Beyond gameplay, the token empowers players with true ownership, enabling their assets to appreciate in value and be freely traded. For developers, it provides an avenue for monetization with reduced transaction fees and infrastructure costs.
The sustainability and growth of CROSS Protocol are further supported by the Opengame Foundation, which focuses on ecosystem development, research funding, and regulatory oversight. By fostering innovation and compliance, the foundation ensures long-term viability while promoting transparency and security within the protocol.
Expansion Strategy and Future Game Launches
CROSS Protocol is actively engaging with both traditional gaming companies and Web3-native developers to expand its ecosystem. It provides SDKs, APIs, and smart contract templates to facilitate blockchain integration for studios unfamiliar with the technology. Additionally, consulting services and technical support enable seamless adoption. The ability to develop blockchain games within a significantly shorter timeframe enhances its appeal among game developers.
The protocol is already collaborating with major gaming studios worldwide, having signed agreements with over ten game companies. These partnerships aim to pioneer new in-game economies, enable cross-game asset transfers, and explore mergers and acquisitions for internal game development.
As part of its growth strategy, CROSS Protocol has planned several game launches for 2025. The mainnet launch is scheduled for the first quarter, followed by three blockchain-powered games in the second quarter. Dragon Flight will serve as a reimagined mobile casual game integrating blockchain for asset trading. Ragnarok: Monster World will utilize an established intellectual property to implement on-chain tokenization, allowing players to own and trade in-game items. Lastly, Rappelz M will focus on cross-game asset interoperability and new monetization models. By the end of 2025, CROSS Protocol aims to onboard over 20 games into its ecosystem.
Overcoming Challenges in Blockchain Gaming
Despite the immense potential of blockchain gaming, key challenges remain. Technical scalability is a crucial factor, as the infrastructure must support high transaction volumes. Regulatory compliance presents another hurdle, requiring projects to align with global standards like MiCA. Furthermore, mass adoption necessitates user education, intuitive interfaces, and comprehensive community support.
A common misconception about blockchain gaming is that it is solely driven by speculation and financial motives. However, CROSS Protocol aims to redefine this narrative by emphasizing genuine asset ownership and innovative monetization models. Instead of relying on traditional microtransactions, it is exploring a subscription-based framework similar to established gaming platforms, which could reshape gaming economics and drive mainstream adoption.
With its developer-friendly ecosystem, strategic partnerships, and commitment to scalability and compliance, CROSS Protocol is positioned to bridge traditional gaming with Web3. Its roadmap, backed by the Opengame Foundation, includes a mainnet launch, new game integrations, and global collaborations. By prioritizing asset ownership and interoperability, the protocol is set to reshape how players and developers interact with blockchain gaming.