Pixelverse has revealed that the popular Pudgy Penguin character will soon be available in its Telegram mini-game, marking a significant milestone for the NFT community. The character "Pudgy" will join other crypto favorites, including Doge from Dogecoin and Mew from Solana, enhancing player engagement and setting the stage for the full launch of the Pudgy Penguins game in 2025.

The NFT market faced a substantial decline in the second quarter of 2024, with sales volumes dropping by 45% compared to the first quarter. According to CryptoSlam, NFT sales fell from $4.1 billion in Q1 to $2.24 billion in Q2, marking the lowest quarter since Q3 2023. Experts suggest this decline reflects a market correction phase, indicating a maturing industry.

Despite the NFT market downturn, Web3 gaming continues to thrive, with Pixelverse and Pudgy Penguins leading the charge. Pixelverse's Telegram mini-game, PixelTap, amassed over 50 million users in its first month. Kori Leon, co-founder of Pixelverse, emphasized the importance of community in Web3 projects, stating that the ecosystem's success hinges on community, culture, and distribution. Leon warned that projects neglecting these aspects risk faltering in the next cycle, as users grow weary of unfulfilled promises.

The Pudgy Penguins NFT collection remains a standout in the Ethereum-based NFT market, boasting an all-time sales volume of nearly $400 million, as reported by CryptoSlam. Despite the market downturn, the collection recorded $12 million in sales last month. CEO Luca Schnetzler highlighted the global success of Pudgy Penguins, noting the sale of one million plushies inspired by the NFTs.

In a related development, the TON-based game Hamster Kombat achieved a staggering 239 million users within three months. Telegram founder Pavel Durov praised the game’s potential to onboard 200 million users into blockchain technology, showcasing the growing intersection of gaming and blockchain.

This strategic integration of Pudgy Penguins into Pixelverse’s game on Telegram underscores the enduring appeal of NFTs and the evolving landscape of Web3 gaming.

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