Gala Games to Conclude The Walking Dead: Empires NFT Game
Gala Games has revealed that it will discontinue The Walking Dead: Empires, an NFT-based game, with the final playable date set for July 31, 2025. This announcement has drawn criticism from players regarding the company’s handling of compensation for their NFT investments. The game, which debuted in November 2023, received a mixed response. While some fans of the popular comic and television series were excited about its entry into the Web3 space, others expressed disappointment, accusing Gala Games of exploiting the franchise and transforming it into an Ethereum-based NFT game. Just under two years after its launch, Gala Games confirmed its decision to shut down the game. The company stated, “After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to sunset The Walking Dead: Empires, with the last playable date set for July 31, 2025.” The reasons for the termination remain unclear, but Gala suggested that the project failed to achieve its “ambitious goals.” This sentiment aligns with the broader trend of declining public interest in NFT games, which many players view as prioritizing profit over player satisfaction.
The Walking Dead: Empires Attracts Initial Interest
Despite a decline in interest in the associated TV show due to viewer fatigue, The Walking Dead: Empires initially generated significant buzz among dedicated fans and NFT collectors when it was announced in 2021. The excitement surrounding the game was reflected in exorbitant land deed claims, with prices reaching as high as $67,000 on the OpenSea platform. This enthusiasm was further fueled by the 2021 “NFT boom,” which saw NFTs gaining substantial traction in mainstream culture. By the time the game launched in 2023, there were still offers for rare in-game NFT items reaching up to $30,000 and lower-tier assets priced around $1,000. While Gala Games introduced TWD:E with free-to-play options, it also provided avenues for paying players to enhance their gameplay through NFT-based resources such as weapons, armor, and land. These unique in-game items were designed to be indestructible, and the lands offered protection from zombies and other players.
Backlash from the Crypto Community
In light of the impending closure, Gala Games has promised to compensate players of The Walking Dead: Empires, stating that NFTs will be converted into digital assets usable across other Gala Games titles. “While the game’s journey is coming to an end, we remain committed to ensuring that these NFTs continue to have utility,” the company announced. “As part of the sunset process, we will be distributing new NFTs of equal functionality in other Gala Games products to TWD:E NFT holders.” However, prominent crypto gaming influencer Jesus Martinez voiced strong criticism of Gala Games for abandoning the project, alleging that the platform was engaging in a form of rug pull and offering players who had invested significant sums in NFTs little more than inexpensive mystery boxes. “The Walking Dead: Empires officially rugs on Gala,” Martinez stated. “People paid upwards of $10K+ for lands and are now getting $2 mystery boxes.” His remarks resonated with many in the community, leading to discussions about the risks associated with centralized gaming platforms. Observers noted that this incident serves as a crucial reminder that players do not truly own their assets in these environments and are subject to the unpredictable nature of corporate decision-making when financial incentives wane.
