KEY POINTS
Non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace Magic Eden has joined forces with Aethir, a distributed GPU cloud computing provider, to establish a unified Web3 gaming ecosystem.
The collaboration aims to leverage the respective strengths of both entities — Magic Eden will serve as the main NFT platform for Aethir’s gaming clientele, while Aethir will provide GPU power to Magic Eden’s gaming partners.
The initiative stems from the escalating demand from Web3 gaming ventures for GPU resources. As the industry grows with new games and an expanding user base, there is a pressing need for scalable cloud infrastructure to accommodate the growing influx of games and players.
Aethir’s distributed computing infrastructure facilitates this scalability. Unlike conventional centralized data servers, it employs a network of distributed cloud servers.
In commenting on the partnership, Chris Akhavan, Magic Eden’s CRO, said, “Aethir’s compute infrastructure has the potential to solve critical issues for distributing Web3 games. […] This provides the opportunity to reach more gamers in environments that aren’t restricted by the major app stores while giving gamers an instant path to Web3 games without the need for lengthy download and install times.”
This alliance underscores Magic Eden’s ongoing foray into the gaming industry, which started in 2023 with the introduction of “Magic Eden Games” — a platform enabling Web3 game developers to cultivate their communities.
In November 2023, Magic Eden integrated with Honeyland, a blockchain game optimized for mobile devices, facilitating in-game NFT trading using native currency.
Magic Eden has shown strong performance throughout the year, recently surpassing leading marketplace Blur in trading volume. This surge, as per CoinGecko, is attributed to initiatives such as its Diamond program and collaboration with Yuga Labs.
The company’s strategic embrace of Bitcoin NFTs, both pre- and post-halving event, may also account for its trajectory. Two months post the inception of Bitcoin NFTs, Magic Eden unveiled its Bitcoin-based marketplace, followed by the recent integration of Runes to streamline Bitcoin transactions.
