FOCGERS

About FOCGERS

FOCGERS is where onchain games talk back. Get the raw stories, strategies, and narratives from the builders and operators shaping the fully onchain movement. Get your news straight from the source.

Publisher

FOCGERS

Category

business · leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Aug 2025

Latest episode

2 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Jun 2026

   Ben/Cambria and Loaf/Eternum on FAST DEGEN PVP games and CRYPTO MMO ECONOMIES

   (https://x.com/lordOfAFew)• WTF is a gud crypto MMO economy • Going from Seasons Full MMO • Duel Arena / Dungeons / Realms Blitz • AI agents vs humans @playcambria (https://x.com/playcambria)x @realms_gg (https://x.com/realms_gg) (https://x.com/realms_gg) @cyberpunk (https://x.com/cyberpunk) and @lordOfAFew (https://x.com/lordOfAFew) (08:00 (https://x.com/FOCGERS/status/2061765016752423159?t=480)) @playcambria (https://x.com/playcambria)Duel Arena (and now Dungeons) and @realms_gg (https://x.com/realms_gg)Blitz exist to iterate faster. More games/data/experimentation between seasons. (10:45 (https://x.com/FOCGERS/status/2061765016752423159?t=645)) A major problem is getting thousands of players into the same world without performance hell. (18:00 (https://x.com/FOCGERS/status/2061765016752423159?t=1080)) AI agents are definitely coming to gaming. Should games embrace them or instead try to design around strictly-human competition (=continue to push against 'bots'). (26:00 (https://x.com/FOCGERS/status/2061765016752423159?t=1560)) What would a sustainable onchain economy look like in a 'forever' Cambria/ Realms Eternum MMO? (32:20 (https://x.com/FOCGERS/status/2061765016752423159?t=1940)) 'Gut feeling' answer to 'How will your forever MMO look like? + alpha from @cyberpunk (https://x.com/cyberpunk)& @lordOfAFew (https://x.com/lordOfAFew)on this point

2. 

   3 Dec 2025

   so Cambria pulled a fresh investment and minted out their Island NFTs in minutes?!

   In this episode BENZZZ, founder of the risk-heavy MMO, shares how they secured a top-up investment led by Bitkraft / Sky Mavis and sold out its Island Land NFT mint in minutes while most of crypto gaming struggles to raise. We dig into why investors chose to double down on Cambria based on real in-game signal from janky early builds and Season 1 → Season 2 progression, how designing around real loss, frustration, social bonds, and drama creates emotions web2 MMOs can’t, and what actually happened behind the scenes of the Island mint—over-allocation, priority vs FCFS, second-chance allocations, and the tension between rewarding day-ones vs bringing in new holders. Ben breaks down Island NFTs and their “islands + islets” model as a social landlord–tenant economy and another risk-to-earn game mode rather than passive yield, walks through their approach to sinks, rotting resources, seasonal resets, and Royal Favor to avoid DeFi-fication, and explains why top-tier islands are more about status and social gravity than raw multipliers. We go deep on inspirations from RuneScape Construction and Club Penguin igloos—player housing as social space, flex zone, and utility hub for prep, pets, trophies, and hosting—and finish with a candid look at what it feels like to be a crypto game founder in 2025: building in a shrinking ecosystem, separating core game and progression from pure token speculation, and still being obsessed with shipping weird, social, onchain-first systems even when the tide is out. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:47 – Why investors doubled down on Cambria (top-up raise in a down market) 04:29 – Behind the scenes of the Island NFT mint: surprises, missteps, and second chances 10:30 – Island NFTs 101: islands, islets, tenants, and value accrual 17:47 – RuneScape Construction, Club Penguin igloos, and why social housing matters Later – Sinks vs inflation, rotting resources, alliances and betrayal between islands, and the mental load of founding in crypto gaming Links: https://x.com/FOCGERS (https://x.com/FOCGERS) https://x.com/playcambria (https://x.com/playcambria) https://x.com/cyberpunk (https://x.com/cyberpunk)

3. 

   17 Oct 2025

   Meet the FOCGER: Red, Ponziland

   00:24 path to @ponzidotland 02:52 creating Modrinth, 2nd biggest OS platform for Minecraft content (+ how they unlocked monetization via ads) 10:06 why build a crypto game 21:26 bots / automatization in Ponziland 24:20 perks of being fully onchain 28:32 biggest challenges in the onchain game space 35:24 sources of inspiration in crypto gaming (GLHF 🫡) In this episode of Meet the FOCGER, I chat with Red (@knownas_red (https://x.com/knownas_red)), co-founder of RuneLabs and builder of Ponziland — the degen land-grabbing simulation where players buy, nuke, and tax each other in a fully onchain economy. Before diving into crypto gaming, Red helped shape the Minecraft modding era by building Modrinth, now the second biggest open-source platform for Minecraft content (70k+ mods!). We talk about how that open-source, player-driven spirit translates into FOCG design, what it means to “roleplay as a Ponzi operator,” and how fully onchain tech like account abstraction and paymasters makes fast, frictionless gameplay possible. Red also shares deep thoughts on automation in games, why many FOCGs still feel like tech demos, and why failure is the most important contribution to the onchain builder community. Links: https://x.com/@focgers (https://x.com/@focgers) https://x.com/@knownas_red (https://x.com/@knownas_red) https://x.com/@ponzidotland (https://x.com/@ponzidotland) https://x.com/@RuneLabs (https://x.com/@RuneLabsGG)_ https://x.com/@Starknet (https://x.com/@Starknet) https://x.com/@ohayo_dojo (https://x.com/@ohayo_dojo) https://x.com/@cartridge_gg (https://x.com/@cartridge_gg)

4. 

   13 Oct 2025

   Meet the FOCGER: POW! fully onchain game is breaking UOPS records

   02:52 roleplaying as a blockchain operator 05:36 grinding @POW_sn until 4 AM 13:41 how @Starknet handles POW!’s 273 UOPS 16:51 endgame for POW! (+ prestige mode) 26:14 future ideas (app that uses Bitcoin 👀) In this episode of Meet the FOCGER, I sit down again with Brandon (@BrandonR505 (https://x.com/BrandonR505)) — the builder behind POW! and Art / Peace, two of the most important experiments in Starknet’s history. POW! isn’t just another clicker game; it’s a meta blockchain simulator where you roleplay as an L1 + L2 operator, mining blocks, building dApps, and literally learning how crypto works while you play. We talk about the insane onchain numbers (273 user ops per second 🤯), how Starknet’s batching and paymaster system make it all possible, and why this “idle miner” ended up breaking records for crypto gaming. Brandon also shares thoughts on the upcoming prestige mode, community feedback that shaped POW!, and teases the team’s next move, a mysterious app that uses Bitcoin 👀 Links: https://x.com/@focgers (https://x.com/@focgers) https://x.com/@POW_sn (https://x.com/@POW_sn) https://x.com/@BrandonR505 (https://x.com/@BrandonR505) https://x.com/@art_peace_sn (https://x.com/@art_peace_sn) https://x.com/@Starknet (https://x.com/@Starknet) https://x.com/@StarkWareLtd (https://x.com/@StarkWareLtd)

5. 

   9 Oct 2025

   Meet the FOCGER: Jokers of Neon fully onchain game

   01:26 path to onchain gaming 05:45 why build a crypto game 11:50 perks & constraints of onchain 14:57 game economy 16:40 @Starknet / @cartridge_gg / @ohayo_dojo tech stack 23:50 go to market approach In this episode of Meet the FOCGER, I sit down with Santiago and Nico, co-founders of Caravana Game Studio, the team behind Jokers of Neon — a roguelike card battler often dubbed “Balatro onchain.” We dive into their journey from Starknet dev projects like Starklings.app to building one of the most playable fully onchain games live today. They share how @Starknet’s speed and @cartridge_gg’s Dojo engine made it possible to go fully onchain, the vision behind permissionless modding, and how NFT cards + tournaments will shape the mainnet launch. We also talk about Eternum, Gigaverse, and the rising wave of FOCG builders defining Starknet’s gaming scene. Links: https://x.com/@focgers (https://x.com/@focgers) https://x.com/@jokers_of_neon (https://x.com/@jokers_of_neon) https://x.com/@caravanastudio (https://x.com/@caravanastudio) https://x.com/@Starknet (https://x.com/@Starknet) https://x.com/@cartridge_gg (https://x.com/@cartridge_gg) https://x.com/@ohayo_dojo (https://x.com/@ohayo_dojo)

6. 

   3 Oct 2025

   He ships some of the most experimental games on Starknet?! Meet Brandon of Art/Peace and POW!

   00:58 discovering crypto / @StarkWareLtd 02:53 why build on @Starknet / @ohayo_dojo 07:57 teasing @POW_sn clicker game ➕ @focfun app engine In this episode of Meet the FOCGERS, I sit down with Brandon (@art_peace_sn (https://x.com/art_peace_sn) / @BrandonR505 (https://x.com/BrandonR505)), the mind behind Art/Peace, Starknet’s living graffiti wall turned cultural phenomenon. We talk about his journey from Coinbase infra work to StarkWare, why Starknet’s dev tooling + community makes it the best place for fully onchain games, and how Art/Peace brings projects like Eternum and Ponziland onto the same canvas. Brandon also teases his upcoming POW clicker game and foc.fun app engine, designed to make building casual onchain apps fast and fun. From the challenges of onboarding players to the alpha hidden in pixel art wars, this convo shows why he’s one of the most experimental builders in the Starknet gaming scene. Links: https://x.com/@focgers (https://x.com/@focgers) https://x.com/ (https://x.com/)@BrandonR505 (https://x.com/BrandonR505) https://x.com/ (https://x.com/)@art_peace_sn (https://x.com/art_peace_sn) https://x.com/@POW_sn (https://x.com/@POW_sn) https://x.com/@art_peace_sn (https://x.com/@art_peace_sn) https://x.com/@focfun (https://x.com/@focfun) https://x.com/@starkware (https://x.com/@starkware) @starknet

7. 

   29 Sept 2025

   Interactive Stories That NEVER Die?! Meet The O’ruggin Trail

   01:00 what is @OrugginTrail 16:09 @ArchetypalTech journey w/ @ohayo_dojo , Starknet, World Engine, Celestia, MUD 28:57 save games🟰ERC721 34:53 blockchain🤝narrative design PLAY: https://archetypaltech.itch.io/oruggin-trail (https://archetypaltech.itch.io/oruggin-trail) In this FOCGERS episode, Awtnmy (founder) and Jaymo (product manager) from Archetypal Game Studio join us to talk about the upcoming The O’ruggin Trail - a fully onchain text adventure that reimagines the classic Oregon Trail as a darkly satirical journey and experimental fiction machine. We explore how the game blends nostalgia with innovation through mechanics like tokenized save files, a built-in editor that lets players remix and extend each other’s worlds, and the enduring power of interactive fiction as a design space. From inspirations like Zork and Counterfeit Monkey to the philosophy of turning words into composable worlds, the conversation highlights why imagination-driven play remains one of the most flexible and exciting frontiers in game design. Links: https://x.com/FOCGERS (https://x.com/FOCGERS) https://x.com/OrugginTrail (https://x.com/OrugginTrail) https://x.com/ArchetypalTech (https://x.com/ArchetypalTech) https://x.com/awtnmy (https://x.com/awtnmy) https://x.com/thejaymo (https://x.com/thejaymo)

8. 

   23 Sept 2025

   FOCGing Chat: Dark Forest Community Round x Adventure Layer ($AGLD)

   In this episode, Hill Tan, steward of Adventure Gold ($AGLD) and organizer of the latest Dark Forest Community Round, shares how the OG fully onchain game is being remixed for 2025. We dive into Dark Forest’s core game loop, how $AGLD rewards and staking silver reshape player incentives, and why UBI-style taxation is boosting competition. Hill also unpacks player reception, the role of bots and AI agents, and Adventure Layer’s broader vision as an L2 for AI-native onchain games. Links: https://x.com/FOCGERS (https://x.com/FOCGERS) https://x.com/adventure_layer (https://x.com/adventure_layer)

9. 

   16 Sept 2025

   Meet the FOCGER: Lakkhhe, Vendetta

   In this episode, Lucky (@lakhhe108) — founder of Vendetta, the first fully onchain gangster RPG on Sui L1 with Walrus DA — breaks down how his team went from dynamic NFTs to building an entire “forever game” where players truly own every asset. We cover Vendetta’s design journey across four iterations, why Sui’s object-centric model and Walrus storage made sense, and how features like social login, sponsored transactions, and DVD NFTs (that hold full game states) power the experience. Lucky shares insights on building sustainable tokenomics ($V), handling bots, launching comics and lore, and why he believes fully onchain gaming is still in its earliest innings. Links: https://x.com/FOCGERS (https://x.com/FOCGERS) https://x.com/TheVendettaGame (https://x.com/TheVendettaGame) https://x.com/lakhhe108 (https://x.com/lakhhe108) 00:43 path to onchain gaming 03:50 GangstaVerse 🤝 Vendetta FOCG on SUI L1 07:32 embracing FULLY onchain 08:06  game design 🎮 10:44 Sui L1 + Walrus DA (what support is offered to game teams?) 16:11 6500 players / 350 DAU 🫂 18:07 player reception ❓ 19:10 crypto abstraction 21:59 main challenges 23:28 economy ($V, DVD NFTs) 💸 31:07 onchain gaming in 2025 32:55 game inspiration 💡 35:51 dealing with bots 38:21 alpha 👀

10. 

    15 Sept 2025

    FOCGing chat: Starknet Grinta Sprint Hackathon

    In this FOCGERS episode, Starkience, Ecosystem Manager at StarkWare and organizer of the Grinta Sprint Hackathon, unpacks what makes Grinta different from a typical hackathon. We dive into the Grinta mentality (ship first, ask later), why this sprint is designed for real users rather than just GitHub repos, and how a dedicated tester group of 15 absolute degens is shaping outcomes. Starkience also shares his vision for the ideal crypto game, advice for teams on standing out, and why now, with paymasters, pre-confirmations, and social logins live, is the perfect moment to build consumer apps on Starknet. Links: https://x.com/FOCGERS (https://x.com/FOCGERS) https://x.com/starkience (https://x.com/starkience) https://x.com/Starknet (https://x.com/Starknet) https://luma.com/9myxhaic (https://luma.com/9myxhaic)

11. 

    10 Sept 2025

    Meet the FOCGER: BirthdayBoi, TOP Kamigotchi player

    In this episode, BirthdayBoi, one of the most hardcore player duos in Kamigotchi fully onchain game, shares the journey from casual Tamagotchi nostalgia to becoming the #1 predator on testnet. We dive into what it really means to liquidate other players, how automation tools have changed the grind, and why $ONYX has become one of the strongest tokens in the gaming space. BirthdayBoi also breaks down predator vs. harvester strategies, tips for new players, and why the Initia ecosystem and Kamigotchi’s tight-knit community feel so different from other crypto games. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to thrive in this brutal yet adorable onchain world, this is the deep dive. Links: https://x.com/FOCGERS (https://x.com/FOCGERS) https://x.com/kamigotchiworld (https://x.com/kamigotchiworld) https://x.com/BirthdayBoiON (https://x.com/BirthdayBoiON)

12. 

    8 Sept 2025

    FOCGing Chat: Loothero, Budokan

    In this episode, Loothero — OG Loot builder and founder of Provable Games — shares his journey from Loot Survivor to Budokan, a fully onchain tournament platform that may just be the unlock for near seamless autonomous worlds. We dive into why durability makes gaming assets “real,” how Budokan standardizes tournaments across onchain games, and why this matters for the future of competitive play. Loothero also explains how Budokan connects with Eternum via Quest Tiles, why he believes fully onchain games are the only path to lasting collectibles, and how tokenized mini-games can become general-purpose distribution systems. If you’re curious about the frontier of decentralised gaming, this deep dive is your map. Links: https://x.com/FOCGERS (https://x.com/FOCGERS) https://x.com/provablegames (https://x.com/provablegames) https://x.com/aloothero (https://x.com/loothero) https://x.com/L (https://x.com/loothero)ootSurvivor

13. 

    5 Sept 2025

    Meet the FOCGER: WhySoSerious, Gaming Grid

    In this episode, WhySoSerious, researcher, guide creator, and one of the leaders at @GamingGridx, Asia’s leading crypto gaming community, shares his journey from Web2 to Web3 after being onboarded by @yellowpantherx. He dives into lessons from Parallel, Eternum, why Realms Blitz excites him, and why risk-to-earn could solve crypto gaming’s sustainability problem. We also explore cultural differences between Asian and Western gamers, the state of crypto gaming in 2025, and what game builders should focus on . Links: https://x.com/FOCGERS (https://x.com/FOCGERS?utm_source=chatgpt.com) https://x.com/GamingGridx (https://x.com/GamingGridx?utm_source=chatgpt.com) https://x.com/whysoserious_zz (https://x.com/whysoserious_zz?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

14. 

    2 Sept 2025

    A Focging Chat: Beast ICO, Proof of Play

    In this episode, Beast ICO, “merchant of narratives” at Proof of Play, joins FOCGERS to unpack the emotions around Pirate Nation’s sunset and where onchain gaming goes next. Known for his sharp DeFi takes and massive following on X, Beast breaks down why single-game utility tokens fail, why stablecoins and ecosystem tokens may be the future, and how Proof of Play’s new Marketplace API could reshape user acquisition and monetization in the gaming industry. From Pirate Nation’s lessons to the bigger autonomous worlds and forever games narrative, this is a candid look at the next chapter for onchain games. https://x.com/FOCGERS (https://x.com/FOCGERS?utm_source=chatgpt.com) https://x.com/ProofOfPlay (https://x.com/ProofOfPlay?utm_source=chatgpt.com) https://x.com/beast_ico (https://x.com/beast_ico?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

15. 

    29 Aug 2025

    A Focging Chat: Krumpy, Blitz Game Design

    In this episode, Krumpy, lead game designer on Realms Blitz and Eternum, breaks down how Blitz evolved from an Eternum game mode into a full-fledged, high-intensity onchain strategy game. We cover how it condenses Eternum’s sprawling systems into a 2 hour adrenaline rush, why randomized spawns change the guild to a free for all dynamic, and how risk-to-earn, AI agents, cosmetics, and prize pools are shaping the competitive future of crypto games. https://x.com/FOCGERS (https://x.com/FOCGERS?utm_source=chatgpt.com) https://x.com/r (https://x.com/dojostarknet?utm_source=chatgpt.com)ealms_gg https://x.com/lootrealms (https://x.com/lootrealms?utm_source=chatgpt.com) https://x.com (https://x.com/_Krumpy?utm_source=chatgpt.com)/KrumpyLumpkins

16. 

    23 Aug 2025

    Meet the FOCGER: Adam Fern, Proof of Play

    In this episode, Adam Fern, cofounder of Proof of Play and Pirate Nation, opens up about the decision to sunset the flagship fully onchain game. Adam reflects on the emotional weight of closing Pirate Nation, the original design choices that shaped (and strained) the project, and the challenges of building a fully onchain RPG at scale. We dive into the realities of monetisation through a liquid token, the question of open sourcing the game, and why Adam still believes the fully onchain thesis holds strong. Adam also shares how Proof of Play is charting its next course with infrastructure powering a plethora of products, and what’s ahead for their upcoming title Shiba Story Go. If you care about the future of onchain games, this is a rare, honest look behind the curtain. https://x.com/FOCGERS (https://x.com/FOCGERS) https://x.com/PirateNation (https://x.com/PirateNation) https://x.com/ProofOfPlay (https://x.com/ProofOfPlay) https://x.com/fern (https://x.com/fern)

Contact FOCGERS

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.