On January 17, Joana, the Marketing Manager of Elderglade, had an in-depth interview with ABGA, covering various aspects of Elderglade’s gameplay, innovative mechanics, and market strategy. As one of the first games to launch on the LINE Dapp Portal, Elderglade has garnered widespread attention from global players with its unique AI-driven, retro-style fantasy game concept. In this interview, Joana shared in detail the creative vision and technological innovations behind Elderglade, showcasing the project’s forward-thinking approach and distinct appeal in the Web3 gaming space.

Here is a textual recap of the interview:

Q1: Could you provide an overview of Elderglade, its unique AI-driven retro-style fantasy gaming concept, and its evolution from a PvP match-3 game to an AI-driven MMORPG? What inspired this innovative approach?

A: Elderglade combines the best of nostalgia with cutting-edge technology. Picture your favorite retro-style games, reimagined with AI, NFTs, and a touch of blockchain innovation. What started as a globally popular match-3 mobile game is just the beginning. We’re now developing a fully immersive, AI-driven MMORPG where strategy, exploration, and the thrill of epic loot are taken to an entirely new level.

The inspiration behind this evolution is a blend of nostalgia for classic RPGs and a relentless drive to push the boundaries of gaming. Our team is made up of passionate, hardcore gamers who wanted to create something that feels both familiar and exciting. By integrating the timeless appeal of retro pixel art with advanced technologies like AI agents, NFT-powered economies, and dynamic, ever-evolving gameplay, we aim to deliver an experience that is both fresh and deeply engaging.

Q2: Elderglade has achieved several “firsts” in the Web3 gaming space, such as opening the Dapp Portal on LINE and being the first match-3 Web3 game with 1,000,000+ MAU. What are the key factors behind these achievements, and how do they differentiate Elderglade from other Web3 games?

A: Actually, we’re now seeing over 3 million MAU across all our platforms, and the growth has been incredible, all thanks to our amazing community!

At Elderglade, we focus on the “magic three”: fun gameplay, player-first design, and accessibility. Our goal was to create a game that’s more than just another clicker — it’s about offering real strategy and depth that appeals to mainstream gamers. Elderglade doesn’t simply layer blockchain onto an existing game; we prioritize gameplay first, with blockchain integration as a meaningful second. This approach enhances the player experience by enabling features like earning in-NFTs or utilizing $ELDE tokens to elevate gameplay.

I believe this mission has truly resonated with both our players and partners. On top of that, we’re always striving to push the boundaries with innovative partnerships.

Q3: Elderglade promises a fusion of trending game genres with innovative mechanics. Could you delve into the gameplay experience, key features, and the unique turn-based PvPvE looter mechanics that set it apart from existing Web3 games?

A: Elderglade offers two distinct experiences: the mobile game and the full MMORPG. The mobile game serves as an accessible introduction to the Elderglade universe, featuring competitive gem-matching battles, daily missions, and a Play-to-Earn system that rewards players with points and prizes. It’s fast, fun, and the perfect gateway to what’s coming next.

The full game, however, takes everything to the next level. It’s a turn-based PvPvE looter that combines the best elements of Pokémon, Heroes of Might and Magic, and Diablo — but with a fresh twist: adorable animal heroes and seamless blockchain integration.

Key features include:

• AI-Driven Wilderness: Every map is procedurally generated, with AI-powered challenges and rewards. No two runs are ever the same, ensuring a constantly evolving experience.
• AI Agents in Taverns: These characters create a personalized experience, remembering your past adventures and evolving alongside the game, making each interaction feel unique.
• Turn-Based Strategy: Every move matters. Strategy is at the core of gameplay, where thoughtful decisions and tactics lead to success.
• Loot Variety: From valuable tokens to epic NFTs like weapons and gear, there’s always exciting treasure to discover. We ensure that the game feels rewarding and keeps players engaged.
• Town Management: Ever dreamed of becoming a landlord? In Elderglade, you can upgrade and own establishments like Taverns and Forges, earning passive income while shaping the in-game economy.

With Elderglade, you’re not just playing a game — you’re helping to shape a vibrant, evolving world. It’s a dynamic experience that grows with you, whether you’re grinding for loot, managing your empire, or embarking on new adventures.

Q4: Elderglade is described as the first AI-driven retro-style fantasy game. How exactly is AI integrated into the game’s development and gameplay? What role does it play in enhancing the gaming experience and player personalization?

A: AI truly makes Elderglade stand out and adds a magical touch to the experience! In the tavern, players can recruit champions, each with their own distinct personalities and backstories. These AI agents don’t just interact with you — they remember your past adventures, recount tales of your epic victories (and close calls), and evolve based on your gameplay choices. It’s a level of personalization that deepens the connection between the player and the game world.

AI also drives our wilderness maps, ensuring that every run feels like a unique adventure. The AI-powered NPCs adapt, creating unpredictable challenges that keep you engaged and on your toes. It’s this dynamic AI integration that makes every experience feel fresh, exciting, and tailored to each player, adding a layer of depth that sets Elderglade apart in the Web3 space.

Q5: Elderglade utilizes blockchain technology, such as Kaia Chain, to support its decentralized economy. How does the team ensure the security and scalability of these technologies to meet the growing demands of its player base?

A: We try our best to make the game exciting for the players. When it comes to security and scalability, from audits to zkrollups, we have a lot of experience in building blockchain games, as we have built one of the first WEB3 games in 2021 called zkRace, rebranded from DeRace. We have already built the necessary infrastructure and have huge know-how to make player user experience and blockchain work together.

Q6: Elderglade has a presence in over 180 countries, with notable traction in Europe and Asia. What localization or customization strategies does the team employ to cater to the preferences of players in different regions, especially for LINE users?

A: At Elderglade, we’re dedicated to ensuring that players everywhere can fully enjoy the game. To achieve this, we focus on both localization and building vibrant regional communities:

• Localized Languages: While the game is currently available in English, we’re expanding language options to include Japanese, Thai, Mandarin, Korean, and Spanish. This way, players can dive into the experience without language barriers.
• Regional Social Channels: We’ve set up dedicated social media accounts for global audiences, as well as specific channels for Japanese, Korean, and Chinese players. This ensures that everyone gets the support and updates they need, no matter where they are.
• LINE Community Support: On LINE, we’ve created open chat groups for Thai, Taiwanese, and Japanese players — our largest markets on the platform. These groups are the perfect space for sharing tips, connecting with fellow adventurers, and chatting in your own language.

By tailoring our approach to regional preferences and fostering local communities, Elderglade ensures that players from all corners of the world feel welcomed and can fully enjoy the game, whether they’re connecting on LINE or playing in their native language.

Q7: As a Web3 game, how does Elderglade balance its entertainment value with the sustainability of its economic system, ensuring issues like inflation or reward imbalances are avoided?

A: Absolutely. Elderglade’s economy is built to be fun, fair, and sustainable. We put gameplay first, adding blockchain features only after making sure the game is fun to play for both new & hardcore gamers and web3 users. With a fixed $ELDE supply and token burns, scarcity keeps value strong, while rewards are balanced between active play and passive income. Players control the economy — trade NFTs, craft items, or run in-game businesses to keep things dynamic. Plus, our team uses AI to monitor and fine-tune the system, ensuring everything stays balanced and exciting for the long haul.

Q8: Elderglade spans multiple regions with a diverse player base and strong partnerships. How does the game foster community engagement, and what role do collaborations with organizations like ABGA, LINE, and Kaia play in expanding its ecosystem?

A: Elderglade is all about creating a sense of belonging for every player. We want everyone to feel like they’re part of something bigger, and we reward their loyalty with regular AMAs, fun events, giveaways, social challenges, and updates on platforms like Discord, Telegram, X, and LINE. Our community actively shapes the game’s future by sharing feedback, tips, and even personal stories.

We’re also fortunate to collaborate with incredible partners that have helped us grow in exciting ways:

• ABGA: Being part of the Asian Blockchain Gaming Alliance connects us to a vast network of blockchain gamers and resources, strengthening our presence in Asia. ABGA’s deep understanding of the Asian market and its player base has been invaluable in shaping our growth.
• LINE: Thanks to LINE’s support, we’ve gained access to over 196 million users in Asia. Their in-app promotions and localized chat groups help us onboard players, even those new to Web3. We’re thrilled to be one of the first apps to open their Dapp Portal, bringing Elderglade to a broader audience.
• Kaia Ecosystem: As part of the Kaia Ecosystem, we leverage cutting-edge Web3 tools, like messenger-integrated wallets, to make it easy for anyone to join Elderglade. No blockchain experience needed, which opens the door to players who may be new to the space.

With these partnerships, Elderglade is more than just a game — it’s a global community where hardcore gamers and curious newcomers can connect, play, and grow together.

Q9: Elderglade reports over 4 million matches daily and an average player session of 18 minutes with average 3 sessions per day. How do these metrics reflect player loyalty and engagement? How does the team utilize this data to continually optimize the game?

A: With over 4 million matches daily and players spending an average of 18 minutes per session (3 times a day), it’s clear Elderglade won the player’s hearts. These numbers show strong loyalty and active engagement — players aren’t just stopping by to refresh their passive income; they’re actively enjoying the game. We use this data to keep the game fresh, tweaking features, adding content, daily challenges, and fine-tuning mechanics to ensure every match is as exciting as the last. It’s all about keeping players entertained and coming back for more.

Q10: What are Elderglade’s key milestones over the next 12 months? Are there plans to expand beyond the retro-style MMORPG, introduce additional features, or further integrate with other gaming ecosystems?

A: Gamers are always at the center of what we do. The next 12 months for Elderglade are packed with big moves. We’re kicking off 2025 with LINE integration, the Alpha release, and token staking, followed by a Beta launch in Q2 that introduces free-to-play and free-to-earn modes, loot systems, and character progression. So it’s going to be an intense but a very exciting time for Elderglade.

By Q3, expect AI-enhanced maps, duel arenas with leaderboards, and a full in-game marketplace. And in Q4, we’re gearing up for the full game release with group modes, machine-learning NPCs, and even more NFT innovations. It’s an incredible time to be an Elderglade player.

Through this interview, Joana revealed the rich creative concepts and cutting-edge technologies behind Elderglade, showcasing the game’s immense potential in the Web3 world. As Elderglade continues to grow and evolve, players are sure to experience even more innovative features, bringing fresh perspectives and opportunities to the entire industry. The future of Elderglade and how it will continue to lead the way is something we eagerly look forward to.