Immutable, the Web3 gaming platform, has commenced public testing of its Immutable zkEVM in collaboration with Polygon Labs. This initiative was launched after Immutable announced a partnership with Polygon Labs, the creators of the zkEVM extension for Ethereum. The Poly gon zkEVM had already gone live on the mainnet on March 27.
Immutable revealed on August 14 that its own zkEVM will provide game developers with the opportunity to reduce development expenses while benefiting from Ethereum's security and network effects. The company's co-founder and president, Robbie Ferguson, previously noted that the z kEVM aims to enhance ownership among Web3 gamers. Over 20 gaming companies have teamed up with Immutable to support the launch, including well-known names like GameStop, TokenTrove marketplace, Kongregate, iLogos, and more.
At least a dozen games are already being developed on Immutable's zkEVM, including titles like CoinArcade, Galaxy Commanders, Medieval Empires, MetalCore, and Rune Realms. MetalCore has even set a beta release date for the Immutable zkEVM of September 15. The test net of Immutable's zkEVM uses zero-knowledge proofs to secure transfers between itself and the Ethereum network, allowing developers to test the system's functionality prior to its full launch.
Immutable emphasized that its network is fully compatible with Ethereum applications, facilitating the porting of Ethereum projects with minimal modifications. The team plans to deploy "immutable relayers for currency abstraction and gas sponsorship," enabling developers to create gas-f ree wallet accounts. Immutable's CTO and co-founder, Alex Connolly, is optimistic about the appeal of the new network to developers, describing it as an "irresistible attraction" for the next generation of Web3 games.
Immutable is the creator of Gods Unchained, a Web3 trading card game initially launched on Ethereum. In April 2021, the company introduced Immutable X, a zero-knowledge-based layer 2 network aimed at reducing transaction fees for gamers. However, Immutable X isn't 't fully compatible with Ethereum's Virtual Machine, necessitating derived keys through a web interface. In contrast, the Immutable zkEVM should offer users a smoother experience by allowing them to switch networks directly within their wallets.
Ethereum's founder, Vitalik Buterin, has previously discussed the potential of zkEVM, highlighting its potential data inefficiencies and latency challenges, while also acknowledging its role in enhancing Ethereum's scalability.
