Immutable

Intro

Immutable has evolved from a single Layer 2 solution into a complete gaming ecosystem centered around the Immutable zkEVM. It powers the next generation of Web3 games by offering gas-free gameplay for users (via the Passport wallet) while retaining Ethereum-grade security. In late 2025, the network consolidated its legacy “Immutable X” exchange and its new zkEVM chain into a unified infrastructure for mass adoption.

Background and Origins

Founded in 2018 by Robbie Ferguson, James Ferguson, and Alex Connolly, Immutable began with Etherbots, the first multiplayer game on Ethereum. The crippling gas fees they encountered drove them to build a dedicated gaming chain. Today, they are the platform of choice for giants like Ubisoft (Might & Magic: Fates) and are backed by investors like Temasek and Tencent.

Technology and Ecosystem

• Immutable zkEVM: The core engine of the network. It is an EVM-compatible ZK-rollup that allows developers to port Ethereum games instantly while offering cheap, massive scale.

• Immutable Passport: A “zero-friction” wallet solution. It allows players to log in with a Google or Apple ID, creating a non-custodial wallet in the background without needing to manage seed phrases.

• The Main Quest (Gems): A universal rewards layer. Players earn “Gems” across different games in the ecosystem, which can be redeemed for prizes or token airdrops, linking the entire network into one “Meta-Game”.

Notable Games

• Gods Unchained: A competitive TCG that allows players to trade NFT-based cards.
• Guild of Guardians: A mobile RPG where players form teams to complete dungeon challenges.
• Illuvium: An open-world auto-battler that features collectible creatures called Illuvials.
• RavenQuest: A massive top-down MMORPG with a player-driven economy that dominates the network’s daily active user charts.

The “Immutable Chain” Migration

In late 2025, Immutable began merging its legacy “StarkEx” users (Old Immutable X) into the Immutable zkEVM. This unifies liquidity and ensures that items from older games like Gods Unchained can interact seamlessly with newer titles like RavenQuest without complex bridging.

Staking and Rewards

The IMX token remains the heartbeat of the economy, but the staking rules changed significantly in June 2025.

• The “Trade-to-Earn” Rule: You can no longer just “park” IMX tokens to earn yield. To qualify for the 14-day reward cycle, stakers must hold IMX AND trade at least one NFT on the network during that cycle.

• Reward Pool: 20% of all protocol fees (from trading and minting) are funneled back to stakers. This ensures that rewards come from real economic activity, not inflation.

Nodes

Immutable X’s zkEVM chain utilizes public partner nodes, similar to Bitcoin full nodes, which relay transactions and provide data access to enhance network decentralization and accessibility for dApps, particularly in gaming and NFTs. Unlike Ronin validators or Bitcoin miners, running these nodes doesn’t require staking IMX tokens or offer direct financial rewards from the protocol.

Immutable’s centralized operators currently handle core validation and proof generation, with plans for progressive decentralization. Operating a node supports network health and ecosystem growth, potentially offering indirect benefits like improved dApp performance or partnership opportunities.