Blockchain game CROSS THE AGES secures $3.5 million in fresh funding

© Reuters

"Cross the Ages" (CTA), a free-to-play game featuring digital trading cards as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), announced on Wednesday that it has raised $3.5 million in equity funding at an undisclosed valuation. 

Led by game-focused crypto investment firm Animoca Brands, the fresh capital injection will go toward development, talent retention, and go-to-market activities.

The latest financing also saw participation from other investors such as Sebastien Borget of The Sandbox and Nicolas Jeuffrain of Tenergie. Including previous investments and community fundraising, CTA has now raised a total of $23.5 million.

Blockchain gaming is a rapidly growing sector in the crypto industry, often seen as the key to attracting the next big wave of users. 

"Cross the Ages" is a mobile-first collectible card game set in a dystopian future, inspired by a series of free-to-read novels. Players can compete solo or in teams to win NFTs and have the option to convert their digital cards into physical copies. 

The recent funding coincides with the ecosystem’s Token Generation Event (TGE), with exchanges like Bybit, KuCoin, GATE, and MEXC set to list the CTA token. 

Since launching its virtual trading card game in March 2023, CROSS THE AGES says it has achieved over 400,000 downloads and counts 148,000 monthly active users. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Animoca Brands as the lead investor in our first equity round. This collaboration signifies a shared commitment and a vote of confidence for CTA’s gaming universe to expand the IP amongst Animoca brands ecosystems and partners," said CEO and Co-founder Sami Chlagou.

Chlagou also owns game producer Pixel Heart, which has created many games for top platforms like Nintendo, Xbox, and PlayStation.

Yat Siu, executive chairman and co-founder of Animoca Brands, added: "Blockchain gaming is an important movement that is bringing true digital ownership to the masses. CROSS THE AGES perfectly embodies the values of this movement, enabling users to live experiences in a virtual environment solidly founded upon personal ownership."

Launched in 2020, CROSS THE AGES leverage blockchain to combine futuristic fantasy with a sci-fi epic narrative. The CTA universe blends free-to-play and play-to-earn models, integrating books, comics, gaming, esports, animation, collectibles, and a gaming investment model that promotes the transition to renewable energy in the real world.