Latest news with #Somnia
Entrepreneur
19-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
How Building Gaming Tech Led Us to a Business Breakthrough
What we learned about scale, AI and ownership when we tried to connect thousands of people in real time. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Over the past decade at Improbable and now with Somnia, I have worked on solving some of the hardest problems in the new digital age. We've learned a great deal from powering massively multiplayer video games, immersive virtual events and defense simulations so sophisticated they got me sanctioned by Russia… But in the process of building tools for virtual worlds, we discovered something far more foundational: The infrastructure we needed for the metaverse turned out to be exactly what businesses need to operate in the AI era. Like many, we expected that the surge of interest in the "metaverse" in 2021 would be a tipping point. After all, we'd been working on persistent virtual spaces since 2012. But the deeper we got into the problem, the more we realized the infrastructure wasn't ready. Virtual worlds that allowed thousands of people to move freely across different platforms with their identity and assets intact simply weren't feasible with existing systems. Blockchain, on paper, offered the right ingredients: user ownership, decentralized control and the ability for different developers to build on shared standards. However, when we tried to use it for real-time interaction, it collapsed under the weight. These systems were too slow, too expensive and entirely unsuited to applications that needed responsiveness. Imagine trying to run a Zoom call where every frame of video had to be verified by thousands of computers before it could appear on screen. That's what we were dealing with. Eventually, we faced a choice. Either continue building applications on infrastructure that couldn't support them — or build the infrastructure ourselves. What we ended up creating, Somnia, started as a necessity for gaming. But it has become a blueprint for how business will operate in a future shaped by artificial intelligence, digital identity and real-time interaction. Related: Is Metaverse the Future for Business? The new demands of digital business Three trends are colliding to reshape how modern organizations operate. First, AI is no longer just a chatbot; it's an actor. Agents powered by large language models are starting to participate in digital ecosystems. In our testing, we've seen AI agents generate thousands of transactions per second simply through their interactions with each other and with users. Second, digital ownership is shifting from a niche crypto concern to a mainstream expectation. People increasingly want control over their digital identities, possessions and reputations — and they want these assets to persist and travel with them. Third, businesses are shifting from transaction-focused to relationship-focused models, where continuous engagement in digital environments drives loyalty and growth. The infrastructure to support this convergence didn't exist. So we built a system that could process over one million transactions per second, about 20,000 times faster than traditional blockchain systems. To put this in business terms: Imagine the difference between a corner store that can serve 50 customers a day and a Walmart Supercenter that can serve 50,000. Beyond gaming: Business applications and cultural impact This leap in performance has implications that go far beyond gaming and drive real business outcomes. Retailers can track inventory changes across thousands of stores in real-time for a fraction of a penny per update. Manufacturers can build secure, verifiable supply chains that don't compromise speed. Financial institutions can process compliance checks, document verification and settlements with both transparency and efficiency. But the bigger shift is cultural. As AI begins to automate routine tasks, we are entering what I call the "Fulfilment Economy," as mentioned in my book Virtual Society: The Metaverse and the New Frontiers of Human Experience. This is not just about productivity. It is about meaning. People are looking for purpose, community and creativity in the digital environments where they now spend increasing portions of their lives. AI helps by saving time and taking on the burden of process, allowing us to focus our energy on more valuable activities. These environments go beyond entertainment. They are places of work, collaboration, identity and economic activity. In many cases, AI agents will participate alongside us. For businesses, this presents a strategic shift. When your users don't just consume your products but contribute to and build on your platform, your role changes. You're no longer just a provider; you're a host. Your brand becomes part of an ecosystem — one that thrives on participation, portability and interaction. Supporting this shift requires infrastructure that can scale in real time, preserve ownership across environments and connect disparate platforms into a single seamless experience. Related: The Future of Business in the Age of Technology What comes next Most business leaders aren't thinking about blockchains, consensus algorithms or transaction throughput — and they shouldn't have to. What matters is whether your company is ready for a world where intelligent agents transact alongside humans, where users carry persistent digital identities between services and where engagement happens in real time, not just during scheduled interactions. The hype cycle around the metaverse may have passed, but the vision of shared, persistent, intelligent digital environments is more relevant than ever. What started as a solution for virtual worlds is now becoming the foundation for how businesses will deliver value in an interconnected, AI-driven future.
Associated Press
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Somnia Announces The Launch of Variance, the First Live-Service Anime Roguelike RPG
Miami, Florida, United States, June 12, 2025 -- Somnia, the high-performance blockchain for gaming and entertainment, is excited to welcome Variance to its growing ecosystem through the Dream Catalyst accelerator. Developed by Web3 gaming veterans at Realm Studios, Variance is a genre-defining anime roguelike RPG that combines high-skill combat, gacha-style progression, and live-service gameplay. Variance has already attracted strong early traction, with over 8,800 organic alpha playtesters, $60,000+ in early NFT sales, and 31 percent D30 retention during alpha testing. Led by Jonathan and Paulie, Realm Studios brings proven experience from titles like Realm (which generated over $15 million in market volume), Pokémon GO, and Axie Infinity. 'Variance is a creative, fun and visually stunning game that we're excited to be welcoming into our ecosystem,' Somnia founder Paul Thomas said. 'The live service elements are incredibly innovative for this genre, and with Somnia's infrastructure the team will really be able to push their imaginations to the limit.' We're thrilled to join the Somnia ecosystem. After speaking with Paul about his vision for the chain, it became clear that Somnia aligns perfectly with our plans for Variance,' Jonathan of Realm Studios said. 'Their decades of gaming expertise assures us they will drive success for gaming on Somnia, Variance, and the wider ecosystem.' By building on Somnia, Variance benefits from an infrastructure that can support over 1 million transactions per second, sub-second finality, and sub-cent transaction fees, enabling real-time interactions, seamless progression, and in-game assets at scale. Variance is the latest title to enter the Somnia ecosystem through Dream Catalyst, an accelerator program with Uprising Labs that offers funding, mentorship and go-to-market support for promising games building in web3. In the past few months, Somnia and Uprising have already announced a wide range of diverse titles through this program, including Dark Table CCG, Mullet Cop: Mall Sim, QRusader, and Netherak Demons. Variance is scheduled to launch with full PC and mobile versions in 2025, but the team is welcoming roguelike fans to join the community. Follow Variance on X and join the official Discord server to stay updated on all the latest news and playtest opportunities. About Somnia Somnia is the fastest, most cost-effective EVM Layer-1 blockchain, capable of processing over 1 million transactions per second with sub-second finality and sub-cent fees. With this performance, Somnia enables real-time, fully on-chain experiences that go beyond financial applications. It's the ideal foundation for building large-scale games, social platforms, metaverse economies, and AI-powered applications. Somnia's architecture supports fully composable systems, empowering builders to create immersive, intelligent, and interactive digital worlds that scale to millions of users. About Uprising Labs Uprising Labs is a Web3 game publisher dedicated to delivering engaging and immersive gaming experiences in the blockchain space. Focused on mid-to-hardcore games for PC and console, Uprising Labs collaborates with Indie to AAA game developers to help them transition seamlessly into Web3. Contact Info: Name: John Vibes Email: Send Email Organization: Somnia Network Website: Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only. Information verification has been done to the best of our ability. Still, due to the speculative nature of the blockchain (cryptocurrency, NFT, mining, etc.) sector as a whole, complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. You are advised to conduct your own research and exercise caution. Investments in these fields are inherently risky and should be approached with due diligence. Release ID: 89162165 If there are any problems, discrepancies, or queries related to the content presented in this press release, we kindly ask that you notify us immediately at [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our responsive team will be available round-the-clock to address your concerns within 8 hours and take necessary actions to rectify any identified issues or support you with press release takedowns. Ensuring accurate and trustworthy information is our unwavering commitment.
Associated Press
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Dark-Fantasy Action RPG Netherak Demons To Join Somnia Through Dream Catalyst
New York, NY, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Netherak Demons, a brutal, dark-fantasy action RPG, is the newest game to join Dream Catalyst, an accelerator for Web3 games facilitated by L1 blockchain Somnia and Uprising Labs. By joining Dream Catalyst, the team behind Netherak Demons will receive support from both Somnia's blockchain infrastructure and Uprising's publishing expertise. Netherak Demons is built around the core mechanics of exploration, demon customization and resource conquest. Through brutal battles, resource harvesting, and blacksmithing, players gather the tools needed to rebuild what was lost and restore the forsaken city of Imuran. Blending tactical combat, deep customization, and a grim, competitive world, Netherak Demons brings a haunting new experience to the players who dare enter. A Game That Turns Pain Into Power In Netherak Demons, your enemies' FEAR, PAIN, and TEARS are your key resources for weaponry, armor crafting and restoring your Citadel. You'll be able to earn on-chain gear and cosmetics, giving your demon a unique look that you can show off to other players. Fight Like a Demon Customize your demon with powerful armor sets and rare weapons, each with their own skill trees and abilities. Strip enemies of their gear, dismantle their weapons, and forge your arsenal to dominate the battlefield. Your mission is to rebuild Imuran, establish and expand control over its cursed territories. Venture through the dangerous lands of Netherak, challenge deadly creatures, face off against human champions, and unlock hidden zones sealed for centuries. Each new map holds terrifying foes, scarce resources, and secrets that expand the game's dark lore. Coming Soon to Somnia Netherak Demons will first be available on PC, with plans to expand to consoles after launch. As the game continues development, it will leverage Somnia's high-performance infrastructure to bring fast, scalable on-chain features to life, including player-owned gear, marketplace support, and fully tokenized progression. 'Netherak Demons brings a bold vision to on-chain gaming. It's a perfect example of how genre-defining experiences can be enhanced by blockchain in ways that go beyond asset ownership,' said Paul Thomas, Founder of Somnia. 'We're excited to bring this dark and immersive world into our growing ecosystem and support its next chapter.' Netherak Demons will feature an in-game marketplace, allowing players to trade gear and forge custom weapons. The free-to-play model keeps the game open to everyone, and with Somnia's on-chain infrastructure, every piece of gear, weapon, and earned reward becomes part of your permanent legacy. The gates of Netherak are opening soon. About Somnia Somnia is the fastest and most cost-effective EVM Layer-1 blockchain, capable of processing over 1 million transactions per second (tps) with sub-second finality. Somnia's new multi-stream consensus technology achieves sub-second block certainty and higher transaction throughput. Sequential execution and compression algorithms effectively handle high-density scenarios, increasing the amount of data transferred between nodes by 10-20x. The custom database IceDB achieves 15-100 nanosecond read/write times, reducing transaction costs to less than a penny. This makes Somnia an ideal platform for building large-scale, real-time applications in games, social, metaverse, finance, and other fields, serving millions of users, all on-chain, making EVM more efficient than ever before. About Uprising Labs Uprising Labs is a Web3 game publisher dedicated to delivering engaging and immersive gaming experiences in the blockchain space. Focused on mid-to-hardcore games for PC and console, Uprising Labs collaborates with Indie to AAA game developers to help them transition seamlessly into Web3.
