Ronin, a prominent gaming blockchain, is set to launch its revolutionary Ronin zkEVM, a zero-knowledge (ZK) Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) layer-2 chain. Built with a Sky Mavis-modified version of the Polygon Chain Development Kit (CDK), this new technology aims to enhance the blockchain’s gaming capabilities.
On June 18, Ronin announced its plans to introduce a dedicated ZK chain. This innovation is expected to attract more users and assist game studio partners in expanding their reach. The Ronin zkEVM will offer a permissionless environment, enabling seamless integration of diverse gaming experiences within the network.
A key feature of the new system is the inclusion of a built-in Polygon ZK prover, which allows game studios to develop their own zkEVM blockchains without the need to establish independent security and consensus mechanisms.
Originally developed for the popular play-to-earn game Axie Infinity, the Ronin blockchain now supports a broader gaming ecosystem. Data from the Ronin blockchain explorer shows the network has reached 1.4 million daily active addresses. Jeff Zirlin, co-founder at Sky Mavis, revealed that Ronin is gearing up to manage billions of transactions, stating:
“At 1.5 million daily active users, Ronin is the largest gaming blockchain globally. Currently, Ronin can handle up to 40 million transactions per day, but we are preparing for a future where we handle 400 million or even four billion transactions, and zkEVM is key to this.”
The enhanced scalability of Ronin zkEVM will empower partner studios to innovate and expand. Major blockchain games have already benefited from the network’s substantial player base, with Web3 game Pixels surpassing 4.4 million users since migrating to Ronin in October 2023.
Trung Nguyen, CEO and co-founder of Sky Mavis, aims to create a unified gaming ecosystem that facilitates asset transfers, token swaps, and non-fungible token (NFT) trading between layer-1 and layer-2 games. Nguyen emphasized the significance of Ronin zkEVM in onboarding billions of gamers, marking a new era in Web3 gaming.
Polygon Co-founder Sandeep Nailwal highlighted the impact of the Polygon CDK, stating that Ronin is “leading the way” by combining cutting-edge technology with substantial distribution power and user engagement. Nailwal added that the Polygon CDK would support Ronin’s gaming ecosystem, making it a more attractive destination for game studios.
Ronin zkEVM’s introduction marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Web3 gaming, promising a scalable, innovative future for the industry.