Why Skip AI Hype for Crypto Games? Pixels Founder’s Bold Take + Axie Co-Founder’s Surprise Exit

Is AI the Real Path to Wealth, or Are the Better Bet?

In the fast-moving world of tech and finance, everyone talks about AI. But one key voice in Web3 gaming says it might not make you rich. Luke Barwikowski, founder of the hit farming game Pixels, has a clear message: . He urges people to stick with crypto, where everyday players still have a shot at big wins.

Barwikowski shared this on X (formerly Twitter). He points out that big AI firms like OpenAI and Anthropic raised money from venture capitalists (VCs) in private rounds. Regular folks like us? We missed out. “Everyone is focused on AI but there’s very little chance for the public to have significant wealth creation there,” he said.

Crypto, on the other hand, offers open doors. Anyone can join, trade tokens, or play games to earn. Pixels itself is a prime example—a fun, blockchain-based farming sim where players own land and assets as NFTs.

Web3 Gaming Firms Chase AI Anyway

Not everyone agrees with Barwikowski. Many Web3 companies push AI hard. Take Animoca Brands, a giant in blockchain gaming. On February 3, they launched Animoca Minds. This tool lets users create and run AI agents easily. It’s a white-label service, meaning anyone can brand it as their own.

“Animoca Minds provides anyone curious about AI with a streamlined experience,” the company stated. They see AI as the future for games—smarter NPCs, dynamic worlds, and more.

Content creators feel the shift too. YouTuber Web3 Wasley announced he’s switching from blockchain gaming videos to AI topics. Why? Since the Axie Infinity crash, no single crypto game has built a huge player base worth deep coverage. “None of them warrant enough of a community,” he said.

But not all creators bail. Iceyy pushes back, saying crypto gaming lives on. Some titles thrive with “risk-to-earn” models—high stakes, high rewards. Think games where you bet real crypto for glory.

Axie Infinity Co-Founder Steps Down: From P2E Pioneer to Defense Focus

Big news shook the Web3 gaming world: Aleksander Larsen, co-founder of Axie Infinity, is leaving his daily role at Sky Mavis. That’s the team behind Axie, Ronin Network, and the play-to-earn (P2E) boom.

Larsen shared on X: “Where I’m putting my energy: Defence.” He’ll stay as a shareholder and board member but steps back from operations. His exit ties to the 2022 Ronin hack—a $620 million theft blamed on North Korean hackers. It crushed AXS token prices and tested the team.

“Leading the crisis management changed me,” Larsen said. “It was a stark reminder that some adversaries are sophisticated and well-funded.” Security now tops his mind, pushing him toward defense work.

Axie hit 2.8 million daily users in the COVID peak. Co-founder Jeffrey Zirlin (JiHo) says 2026 brings bigger risks—and rewards—for the game.

Are you brave enough to enter Hardcore Mode in the dungeon?
Risking EVERYTHING for ultimate glory?

Reply with below, the brave may get invited to the next playtest… pic.twitter.com/v2X9YmTaU5

— Sky Mavis (@SkyMavisHQ) Date

Illuvium Speeds Up Overworld Launch Amid Bear Market Blues

More positive vibes from Illuvium. Founder Kieran Warwick announced Overworld—an open-world adventure—comes early. Target: December 2026, not years later.

“We can do this by cutting resource-heavy features while keeping what players love,” Warwick posted on X. You play as a ranger on a crashed planet: hunt Illuvials (100+ unique creatures), craft gear, explore.

Betas got rave feedback, shaping the final game. Warwick tackles the tough market: “Sentiment in crypto is at an all-time low. Crypto gaming even lower.” But Illuvium pushes on, promising fun for mainstream and crypto fans.

This counters shutdowns like Forgotten Runiverse, a Ronin MMORPG paused January 26.

New Projects Heat Up Web3 Gaming Scene

• Sui x EVE Frontier Hackathon: Starts March 11 with $80,000 prizes. Builders create on Sui blockchain for EVE Frontier—a space survival game.
• WaifuSweeper by Yield Guild Games: On Abstract chain. Mixes Minesweeper puzzles with gacha collecting. Earn tokens via logic and luck.

These show fresh ideas amid hype and doubt.

AI vs. Crypto Games: What’s the Real Wealth Play?

Barwikowski’s view challenges the AI rush. VCs dominate AI early stages. Crypto games? Open to all—farm Pixels land, battle in Axie dungeons, explore Illuvium worlds. True ownership via NFTs and tokens means real upside.

Risks exist: hacks, crashes, bear markets. But rewards too—like Axie’s pandemic surge or Pixels’ steady growth.

Optimists like Iceyy see “risk-to-earn” as the hook. High-stakes modes (e.g., Axie’s Hardcore Dungeon) draw brave players chasing glory and crypto payouts.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Sleep on

As Larsen shifts to defense and Illuvium accelerates, Web3 gaming evolves. AI adds tools, but core fun—and money—lies in blockchain play. Pixels founder nails it: skip closed AI doors, grab crypto’s open ones.

Will prove him right? Play, invest, watch. The next boom might be yours.

Keywords: Web3 gaming trends, crypto play-to-earn, AI in blockchain games

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