The Open Network (TON)-based play-to-earn (P2E) idle game Banana has reached over one million users in under 72 hours after its launch.
According to a July 30 announcement by blockchain gaming protocol CARV, Banana saw adoption from both web2 and web3 users with a total of 2.9 million in-game tasks completed and 580,000 connected social media accounts.
The game presents the player with a world populated by many different Bananas with their own attributes and rarity levels. Clicking on bananas awards players with Peels that can be exchanged for Tether (USDT). Players can also trade their bananas for rewards including points and cash prizes.
Banana’s key features include daily Banana and peel rewards based on Banana rarity as well as distribution of additional Bananas in exchange for completing tasks. Tasks include binding CARV ID, social media interactions, and referrals.
Bananas can be exchanged for USDT just like peels, the prices depend on the level of banana rarity. The most valued is the Banana Matrixnana, worth 500 USDT.
The company goes as far as to claim that the game is leading to “mass adoption of Web3 gaming and increased user acquisition into the TON ecosystem.” CARV chief growth officer said:
“Banana’s launch is a pivotal moment for CARV’s expansion within the TON ecosystem. […] This underscores CARV’s role as a driving force in Web3 gaming adoption and user acquisition, introducing a novel model of play-to-earn. By introducing first-party game development and adtech capabilities, Banana not only expands our technological footprint but gives users a lifetime membership to passive income.”
The game leverages the CARV protocol, which the company explains as a modular data layer for both gaming and artificial intelligence (AI) applications. In late April the project’s team raised $10 million to built its protocol which also aims to grant its users control over their data and identity.
The Series A funding round was led by Tribe Capital and IOSG Ventures and saw the participation of industry giants such as Metamask wallet developer Consensys Software Inc., OKX Ventures, Fenbushi Capital, No Limit Holdings, Draper Dragon, Arweave, LiquidX and Netmarble Games Corp.’s Web3 arm Marblex.
