Soneium Launches AI-driven ‘Crystal Caves’ as Onchain Gaming Market Eyes $304B by 2033

Soneium New Game:- In a move that signals the increasing convergence of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology in gaming, Sony-powered blockchain, Soneium has launched its latest on-chain game, “Crystal Caves.”

Launched in partnership with World3, the game combines AI-powered gameplay with real-time incentives. This AI-driven onchain game is built on the “Play-to-earn” model – allowing users to earn $USDC.

Notably, this launch comes at a time of exponential growth in the blockchain gaming sector.

With the growing adoption of AI in Blockchain gaming, gaming ecosystems with blockchains like Soneium are trying to curb the challenges of network latency by providing augmented reality experience.

What is Soneium’s New Game, Crystal Caves

Crystal Caves is an AI-driven, multichain on-chain mining game launched by WORLD3 in collaboration with Soneium.

Built on the SKALE Network, the game on Soneium delivers a seamless, gas-free user experience. It offers real-time rewards and intelligent in-game dynamics.

In Crystal Caves, players explore procedurally generated 3D cave environments to mine valuable resources like Lumens and SOUL Dragons. Gamers play the game while earning stablecoin incentives in USDC.

Interestingly, what sets Crystal Caves apart is its integration of autonomous AI agents that guide gameplay, perform automated tasks, and enhance user interaction.

These AI agents evolve based on player behavior and choices, creating a personalized and strategic experience.

The Soneium- World3 game also supports cross-chain functionality and is currently live on SKALE, Base, and B² Network. With new integration on Soneium, it has plans to expand to opBNB and Sui.

Players can also participate in quests, mining campaigns, and competitive leaderboards to unlock exclusive rewards.

The game launch reflects a broader trend in the Web3 gaming space – combining decentralized infrastructure, AI logic, and real-world incentives to redefine digital ownership and interactivity. Notably, the Japanese tech giant Sony launched Soneium, its Layer-2 blockchain this year only.

Soneium gaming ecosystem is growing!@WORLD3_AI, an AI-powered Autonomous World featuring AI agents, has officially launched Crystal Caves on Soneium!

🔗 Start exploring caves and compete to be rewarded: https://t.co/4Em5tspBvG

In Crystal Caves AI Agents and humans co-compete… pic.twitter.com/XVHC1zNa3R

— Soneium 💿 (@soneium) April 11, 2025

Future of AI-Driven OnChain Gaming Market

Soneium’s Game Launch come at a strategic timing. In 2024, the blockchain gaming sector experienced a substantial increase in daily unique active wallets (dUAW), reaching 7.4 million—a 421% growth from January 2024.

The centre of this growing market is the increasing integration of AI agents in games. These agents are capable of acting autonomously on gamers’ behalf in the gaming ecosystem.

As the autonomous, intelligent programs, they operate within a game’s logic—interacting with environments, users, and other agents. Further, in on-chain games, these agents are integrated into smart contracts or decentralized logic, making their actions transparent, verifiable, and trustless.

According to a report by Custom Market Insights, the global blockchain gaming market was valued at $10.2 billion in 2024. It is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 67.7%, reaching approximately $304.3 billion by 2033.

This growth is driven by the rising adoption of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) games, which increasingly incorporate AI to enhance user experiences. ​

Further, another report from the industry highlights that the AI in games market size is forecast to increase by USD 27.47 billion at a CAGR of 42.3% between 2024 and 2029.

Thus, this positions Soneium’s launch of Crystal Caves as both timely and strategic, capturing two of the fastest-growing trends in the gaming world.