Web 3 gaming has brought us some of the wildest stories in tech—massive hacks, NFT disasters, and million-dollar virtual land sales. Here are the 10 craziest Web 3 gaming stories ever!
1. The $625 Million Axie Infinity Hack
In 2022, hackers stole $625 million from Ronin Network, the blockchain behind Axie Infinity. The attack, linked to North Korea’s Lazarus Group, was one of the biggest crypto heists in history.
2. The Rise and Fall of Play-to-Earn (P2E)
At its peak, Axie Infinity and Pegaxy allowed players to earn a living. Some quit their jobs to play full-time—until the market crashed, leaving many with worthless NFTs and drained savings.
3. Virtual Land Sells for $1.6 Million
A company called Republic Realm bought virtual land in The Sandbox for $1.6 million. Later, another buyer spent $2.43 million on Decentraland land, proving that digital real estate was becoming serious business.
4. The Gala Games Hack & Panic Sell
A hacker minted $1 billion worth of Gala tokens, causing panic. Some whales dumped their holdings before realizing the funds were recoverable. The market plummeted overnight.
5. The ‘Squid Game’ Crypto Scam
A Squid Game-inspired Web 3 game launched a token that skyrocketed to $2,800 before crashing to $0 in seconds. The developers rug-pulled, vanishing with $3.3 million.
6. Illuvium’s $72,000 DAO Bet
Illuvium, a blockchain RPG, held a live-streamed battle where its DAO staked $72,000 in NFTs. This showcased decentralized gaming governance, but many were skeptical of its long-term sustainability.
7. The Pixelmon NFT Disaster (‘Kevin’ Meme)
The Pixelmon project raised $70 million, promising AAA-quality gaming. Instead, buyers received ugly, low-quality NFTs, including the infamous ‘Kevin’, which became a meme overnight.
8. Dr Disrespect’s Web 3 Shooter Controversy
Gaming icon Dr Disrespect launched a Web 3 shooter, Deadrop, integrating NFTs. Traditional gamers were furious, accusing him of promoting a cash grab.
9. Web 3 Games That Vanished Overnight
Several Web 3 games raised millions, only to disappear overnight. Notable examples:
- Evolved Apes ($2.7 million stolen)
- CryptoCars ($5 million exit scam)
- Jungle Freaks (abandoned after backlash)
10. The Web 3 ‘Sleep-to-Earn’ Gaming Craze
Beyond play-to-earn, Sleep-to-Earn apps like Sleepagotchi and SleeFi paid users for getting good sleep. Some called it a Ponzi scheme for naps, yet it attracted thousands of users.
