Straight Up on The Walking Dead: Empires Shutdown
"Ethereum-based 'The Walking Dead' NFT Game Set for Termination"
Hear the tea, folks! The blockchain game publisher, Gala Games, has dropped a bombshell: they're pulling the plug on the Ethereum NFT game, The Walking Dead: Empires, effective July 31, 2025 15. This news comes after over two years of development and a year-long open beta 1.
Check out this survival multiplayer game based on the hit TV show, "The Walking Dead." It challenged players to craft weapons, build bases, and fight off the walkers (zombies) 4. To ramp up the gaming experience, users could purchase supplies, weapons, or land deeds as NFTs 4.
Remember the glory days when legendary land deed claims went for a whopping $67,000 in 2021 on OpenSea? Even lower-tier items used to command hefty prices 4. However, now that the game's final play date is fast approaching, all those NFTs are as good as trash 4.
Don't fret, though! As a token of appreciation, Gala will be doling out other NFTs from its gaming ecosystem to users to keep those TWD:E NFTs from sitting idle 1. The goal is to provide NFTs with "equal functionality" for the existing TWD:E NFT holdings 1.
"While the game's journey is coming to an end, we remain committed to ensuring that these NFTs continue to have utility," Gala wrote in a statement 1. The official announcement also sparks disagreement among the gaming community, as some players feel they're getting shortchanged 3.
"The Walking Dead: Empires officially rugs on Gala," tweeted crypto gaming personality, Jesus Martinez, using slang for a scam-like withdrawal of funds 3. "People paid upwards of $10K+ for lands now getting $2 mystery boxes."
Interestingly, The Walking Dead IP was also associated with NFTs on the Eluvio blockchain and collaborated with the Ethereum metaverse game, The Sandbox 4. So, the undead action was going on in multiple corners of the blockchain world.
However, the post-apocalyptic zombie show, which was based on a popular comic book and aired 177 episodes across 11 seasons, has a diverse history beyond the digital realm 4.
Gala Games didn't respond immediately to Decrypt's request for comment 4. So, it looks like we're left to wait and see how this story unfolds.
Have any TWD:E NFTs and waiting for more info? Make sure to tune in for updates on the dedicated redemption system Gala plans on setting up 1. Get your popcorn and zombie-slaying equipment ready, folks! The show might not be over, but the Empires' fate has certainly taken a turn for the eerie.
Edited by Andrew Hayward
- The Blockchain gaming industry has experienced a notable event as Gala Games announced the closure of The Walking Dead: Empires in 2025.
- The Walking Dead: Empires, an Ethereum NFT game based on the popular TV show, offers a multiplayer survival experience with crafting, base-building, and fighting off walkers.
- Users in the game could purchase supplies, weapons, or land deeds as NFTs, with legendary land deed claims reaching $67,000 on OpenSea in 2021.
- With the game's final play date approaching, Gala will be distributing NFTs from its gaming ecosystem to users to maintain the utility of their TWD:E NFTs.
- The gaming community has expressed disagreement over the closure, with some feeling shortchanged, while crypto gaming personality, Jesus Martinez, referenced the closure as a "rug pull."
- Beyond the digital realm, The Walking Dead IP has a rich history, with 177 episodes airing across 11 seasons based on a popular comic book.
- The undead action wasn't confined to one corner of the blockchain world, as The Walking Dead IP was also associated with NFTs on Eluvio's blockchain and collaborated with Ethereum metaverse game, The Sandbox.
- In the realm of technology and data-and-cloud computing, the closure of TWD:E NFTs brings questions about the long-term viability of blockchain games and their NFTs in the larger ecosystem.
- In the future, as technology advances and gaming evolves, we might see new opportunities for blockchain games, NFTs, and sports-betting platforms like virtual reality sports or blockchain-based sports betting, integrating gadgets and providing unique experiences for users.
