Want to earn playing Web3 games? This week’s GameFi digest covers STEPN GO’s marathon, crucial privacy updates, and token shifts you need to know. #GameFi #Web3Gaming #NFTGaming
Quick Video Brief! This Week’s News Explained
We break down this week’s top news stories in an easy-to-follow video format.
Even if you don’t have time to read, you can quickly grasp the key points through the video. Don’t miss it!
GameFi, NFT Gaming & Play-to-Earn — Weekly News Digest (2025-10-17 to 2025-10-24, JST)
John: Hi everyone, I’m John, your go-to blogger for the latest in GameFi, NFT games, and play-to-earn innovation. This week’s digest zeroes in on big launches, reward updates, policy shifts, and gameplay changes from Asia and beyond. Whether you play, build, or just want to keep up, these trends matter because they directly impact how you earn, play, and interact with Web3 games. If you’d like a simple starter guide to exchanges, take a look at this beginner-friendly overview.
Lila: I’ve been hearing players talk about new reward systems and some major partnerships. Are there any fresh launches or changes I should watch for this week? Could you break down the headlines?
Top Game Launches & Major In-Game Events
John: The highlight this week (2025-10-20, JST) was STEPN GO’s marathon event at Japan National Stadium, drawing over 8,000 runners and fans. STEPN GO is a move-to-earn platform—so users earn crypto rewards for physical activity. This event marked the kickoff for Japan’s new season, with exclusive digital collectibles and bonus GMT token rewards for active participants. For builders, it signals increasing real-world integrations in NFT gaming platforms, which can boost user engagement and token circulation[2].
Lila: What’s the difference between “move-to-earn” and regular play-to-earn?
John: “Move-to-earn” lets players earn rewards by moving in real life (walking, jogging, etc.), while “play-to-earn” rewards in-game achievements, quests, or battles.
Lila: Are there upcoming seasons or events?
John: Yes, STEPN GO confirmed a series of city-based runs through November, plus a Halloween virtual event with double token rewards on 2025-10-31, JST. Official event schedules are posted on the project’s X (Twitter) feed, and it’s open to all registered users[2]. Always check local guidance on token rewards.
Tokenomics & Market Moves
John: In token news, PIVX saw significant action (2025-10-10 to 2025-10-16, JST). Its active masternode count dropped to 1,979 (from 2,071 last week), likely due to profit-taking after a sharp price rally. PIVX’s token value swung between $0.18 and $0.25, with weekly trading volumes surpassing $260 million—more than double the week prior. These trading surges highlight how privacy-focused coins, such as PIVX, gain attention from both players and investors when GameFi platforms leverage them for secure rewards or protected gameplay[1].
Lila: What exactly is a “masternode”? Why do players care?
John: A masternode is a specialized server for a blockchain that helps process transactions and secure the network; in PIVX, running a masternode also qualifies you for extra rewards and voting rights.
- To verify token claims, always check the official Discord or Twitter announcements for each project.
- Be wary of unofficial token airdrops—always confirm sender addresses and rules directly with the game’s verified channels.
- Regulatory requirements differ by jurisdiction; always check official guidance for your location before trading or spending earned tokens.
Partnerships & Ecosystem Expansion
John: GameFi infrastructure got a boost this week as Horizen partnered with ThriveProtocol to fund privacy-focused gaming tech (announced 2025-10-21, JST). Their latest grant, up to $100,000, went to the Obscura project—an initiative offering privacy-protected social trading and gameplay reputation tools. For builders, this means more options for user privacy in token-based games, especially when handling sensitive player data or social interactions[1].
Lila: How do privacy tools change in-game experience?
John: Privacy tools help protect players’ transaction data, strategies, and identities, making it safer to trade or compete without exposing your history.
Lila: Who can apply for these grants?
John: Any registered developer can apply via Horizen’s Ecosystem site, but projects need to prove a real impact on privacy and user security in GameFi apps.
Policy & Regulation for Gaming Tokens
John: This week (2025-10-21, JST), vulnerability disclosures focused on cross-domain security for AI-powered browser assistants. These agentic tools are increasingly used in GameFi dashboard extensions and Web3 wallets. Researchers publicized a “prompt injection” bug affecting Perplexity and Fellou assistants. Both vendors have now acknowledged the risk—meaning wallet and token extension developers need to update security boundaries before the next release window[1].
Lila: What is “prompt injection”?
John: Prompt injection is when attackers trick an AI assistant (for example, in a gaming dashboard) into running harmful code or revealing sensitive information using sneaky text commands.
- Only install browser extensions and AI tools verified by official project sites.
- Check for regular security updates—most reputable GameFi platforms publish patch notes every month.
- Avoid granting wallet apps or browser helpers access to sensitive or non-public information.
Development Tools & Infrastructure Upgrades
John: For developers, Zebra 3.0.0-rc.0 released (2025-10-17, JST) by the Zcash Foundation—with changes to Docker setup and configuration files that affect game-server integration for privacy coin support. The new release candidate is now open for testing, with final mainnet launch scheduled before Zcash Network Upgrade 6.1 at block height 3,146,400[1].
Lila: Is it tricky for builders to update their infrastructure?
John: Any changes to coin servers or encrypted player data containers require updates to scripts and environment variables. Make backups before switching, and always test on a dev environment first.
Looking Ahead: Announced Roadmaps & Scheduled Launches
John: The coming days bring new STEPN GO city runs, Obscura privacy module beta-testing, and expected GameFi wallet patches. Most projects have posted public event calendars and update deadlines on X (Twitter). Builders should watch for final Zebra 3.0.0 release notes and token ecosystem changes published by November 2025.
Lila: Will there be changes for how players earn or claim rewards next month?
John: Yes—STEPN GO and Horizen both previewed tweaks to mission rewards, with new rarity tiers and added privacy features rolling out in late November. Always use the latest app versions and check project feeds for eligibility criteria.
John: That’s a wrap for this week’s digest! As GameFi evolves, privacy and security upgrades are now front-and-center alongside big event launches—players and builders alike are getting more ways to interact, earn, and stay safe. And if you’d like a bit more background on exchanges, you might enjoy this global guide.
Lila: Thanks, John! I’m most excited about the marathon’s digital rewards and privacy updates—good to know how to stay safe. See you next week!
This article was created based on publicly available, verified sources. References:
- Web3 | Identosphere Blogcatcher (Includes PIVX, Horizen, ThriveProtocol, Zcash, and privacy/security updates)
- 实时快讯- 快人一步 – 闪电头条 (STEPN GO Marathon, Japan Event, and Official Announcements)