Sponsored content: This article was produced in partnership with FLOKI.
With a firm focus on competitive gaming and strategic partnerships in esports FLOKI’s blockchain-based MMORPG Valhalla is aiming to redefine standards for play-to-earn titles. The developers behind the game are working to attract a broader gaming audience, including those deeply engaged with competitive and community-driven gameplay.
Pedro Vidal, Community Relations Officer at FLOKI, confirmed that esports is a key pillar in Valhalla’s growth strategy. The game has already forged partnerships with established esports brands such as OG, Alliance, and, more recently, Method—an organisation well known within the MMORPG and raid racing scene.
“Our partnership with Method is very telling of the direction that we’re going in,” said Vidal. “We want to make sure that if you’re already playing a strong MMORPG, there’s something compelling about Valhalla that draws you in.”
The emphasis, according to Vidal, is on creating an ecosystem where competition emerges organically through community engagement rather than being imposed through commercialisation. “Everyone that plays the game can see themselves reflected in the game,” he added, describing a future where localised, community-driven tournaments could play a major role in how Valhalla enters different regional markets.
This approach aligns with FLOKI’s broader philosophy, which emphasises decentralised governance and user participation. “We didn’t want to be like other blockchain games, exploiting users,” said Vidal. “We wanted to build the game with our community, for our community.”
First Tournament and Competitive Infrastructure
Just weeks after its launch on mainnet on 30 June 2025, Valhalla has already announced its first official tournament. The competition features a prize pool of $75,000 paid out in FLOKI’s native utility token, with 64 winners and a $25,000 top prize. More details on the initiative are yet to be revealed. According to Vidal, the idea came directly from the player base, reflecting FLOKI’s decentralised-governed model.
“Our community wanted a tournament, so we’re delivering,” he said.
The tournament aims to be accessible, allowing newcomers to compete on relatively equal footing. A tiered system ensures that newer players are not overwhelmed by those who have been in the game longer, addressing a common issue in both traditional and blockchain gaming.
Shared Values with Esports Communities
Vidal outlined strong parallels between the blockchain and esports communities, highlighting their shared characteristics—digital-native behaviours, strong online social bonds, and vocal feedback cultures. This alignment has informed FLOKI’s investment in advertising and partnerships targeting the esports audience.
“These are very passionate communities,” he said. “If they’re not happy, they’ll let you know. And that applies to both esports and blockchain.”
FLOKI believes that reaching these digitally engaged audiences is essential to growing Valhalla organically and avoiding the pitfalls of over-commercialisation. Vidal stressed that the company’s goal is not to force esports onto the game but to allow it to develop naturally through user interest and feedback.
A Browser-Based Game Built for Everyone
Valhalla was developed with accessibility in mind. As a browser-based game built on Unity, it allows players without high-end hardware to participate. This design choice ties into FLOKI’s self-described ethos as “the people’s cryptocurrency,” aiming to prioritise users over profit.
Since going live, the game has minted over 230,000 unique NFTs (“Veras”)—a key indicator of adoption, according to Vidal. Players can tame, upgrade, and battle with these creatures, or sell them on the marketplace. Gameplay includes farming, shipbuilding, open-world exploration, and turn-based arena combat.
Despite its blockchain foundation, Valhalla was designed to be “a game first,” according to Vidal. “Our secret sauce is you don’t feel like it’s a blockchain game.”
Long-Term Roadmap and Global Expansion
Vidal confirmed ongoing development plans, including a mobile version and a Chinese-language edition. Regular patches are already in place to improve the experience, and the game is designed to evolve with new content such as islands, narrative arcs, and possible future expansions.
“This isn’t just a launch-and-forget MMO,” Vidal said. “We’re building a metaverse—a fully immersive ecosystem where players can escape and explore, and where the game learns about who you are from the beginning.”
FLOKI’s three stated pillars—community, utility, and charity—remain the guiding principles for the Valhalla project. With esports partnerships secured, tournaments underway, and ongoing content updates, the game is aiming to carve out a meaningful space at the intersection of blockchain, MMO, and competitive gaming.
“We built it for the people we promised to build it for,” Vidal concluded. “And now we have an opportunity to take that to markets all over the world.”
Access valhalla.game for further information and access to the game.
