Remember Blankos Block Party—the colourful online game filled with vinyl toy characters that made waves a few years ago?
If you were following gaming trends, you might recall when it burst onto the scene as one of the first mainstream titles to experiment with blockchain technology. A lot has happened since then!
Here’s a closer look at what made the game stand out, why it disappeared from PC gaming, and what might be next.
Key Insights
Blankos introduced “playable NFTs” through customisable digital toys owned via blockchainBlankos is the first web3 game on the Epic Games Store in 2022 and collaborated with major brandsThe PC version was sunset in December 2023 as Mythical Games pivoted to mobileBlockchain features were fully integrated but optional—85% of transactions used fiat currencyUser-generated content and resale royalties gave players creative and financial stakeIn 2023–2024, the game transitioned to the Polkadot blockchain
Source: Blankos Block PartyWhere did Blankos Block Party come from?
Blankos Starts (2018–2020)
Blankos began as a passion project from Mythical Games, a studio formed by industry veterans who had worked on franchises like Call of Duty and Skylanders. When the game was revealed at SXSW 2019, it gained attention for its bold concept—a colourful world of digital vinyl toys that players could truly own.
In 2019 and 2020, Mythical continued developing the game, launching a private beta and offering “Founder’s Packs” that granted early access and exclusive Blanko NFTs, starting at around $25.
The beta launched on Windows, with future plans for Mac and console versions. Trailers pulled in hundreds of thousands of views, and mainstream gaming sites like IGN took notice.
Source: Blankos Block PartyMomentum Builds (2021–2022)
The game opened to the public in June 2021 through early access and surpassed one million registered players by the end of the year—impressive for a blockchain-based title.
This growth phase saw Mythical secure $75 million in funding, revamp the game’s social hub, and roll out an in-game marketplace where players could buy and sell collectibles.
Brand collaborations also ramped up. Burberry released a limited-edition Blanko, whilst Deadmau5 contributed his own character. These weren’t just marketing stunts—they represented a unique blend of gaming, fashion, music, and blockchain.
Source: Blankos Block PartyIn September 2022, Blankos made headlines again by becoming the first blockchain game to launch on the Epic Games Store. That moment followed a year of negotiations with Epic to handle age ratings and blockchain policies.
The full launch introduced Season One, adding new modes, character classes, and power-ups. A partnership with Toho brought Godzilla, Mothra, and MechaGodzilla into the game as limited-edition characters.
Source: Blankos Block PartyPlatform Shift (2023–Now)
In 2023, Blankos continued to evolve with new content. Season Two introduced redesigned characters, progression systems, battle royale modes, and crafting mechanics. Updates to the social hub kept the multiplayer experience lively.
Then came a major shift. Mythical Games announced that it would sunset the PC version to focus on mobile. CEO John Linden explained that acquiring new PC players had become too costly, while mobile presented a clearer growth opportunity.
PC servers shut down on December 18, 2023. Longtime players were given a commemorative NFT and reassured that their collections would transfer to the upcoming mobile version.
That same year, Blankos moved to the Polkadot blockchain, which offered faster transactions and lower fees. The switch aligned the game with Mythical’s other titles, such as NFL Rivals, laying the groundwork for potential cross-game features in the future.
Source: Blankos Block PartyHow did Blankos impact NFT gaming?
Blankos Block Party played a key role in shaping the early NFT gaming space.
It helped bring the idea of “playable NFTs” into the mainstream, presenting itself as a fun multiplayer experience that used blockchain technology behind the scenes. Most players never needed a crypto wallet or any blockchain knowledge, and over 85% of transactions used regular US dollars.
As the first blockchain title to launch on the Epic Games Store—especially at a time when Steam had banned such games—Blankos opened doors for other web3 games. Mythical’s collaboration with Epic set standards for future launches, like Engines of Fury arriving on the store in 2025.
Blankos also stood out for its user-generated content. Like Roblox, it let players create and share their own levels using easy-to-use tools. But unlike traditional platforms, blockchain integration meant creators could design and sell unique collectibles, earning royalties on every resale. It showed how blockchain could reward creativity in practical, ongoing ways.
Brand collaborations were another area where Blankos led the charge. Limited-edition releases from Burberry and Deadmau5 sold out quickly, proving that luxury and entertainment brands could find real value in NFT-based in-game content. It validated NFTs as more than speculation—they could be desirable digital merchandise integrated into gameplay.
Source: Blankos Block PartyWhat’s it like to play Blankos Block Party?
At its core, Blankos was a party game built around creativity, character customisation, and social interaction.
Characters and Customization
Players controlled stylised vinyl toy characters—Blankos—each of which was a tradable NFT. These characters could be earned, purchased, or swapped, and came with accessories and outfits made in collaboration with real-world artists and brands.
Levelling up Blankos unlocked new abilities, and the game included a “mash-up” system that allowed players to combine Blankos to create rarer variants.
The Unboxing Mechanic
A key feature was the unboxing mechanic. New Blankos arrived in virtual boxes you could keep them mint-in-box (like a pristine collectible) or “unbox” them to start playing.
Once opened, they couldn’t be reboxed, adding an element of scarcity over time.
Source: Blankos Block PartyDifferent Game Modes
The game featured several competitive modes:
Fast-paced races with parkour elementsShooter style where Blankos tagged each other with toy-like weaponsCollection challenges that sent users exploring for vibrant tokensBattle royale matches added in later seasons
These modes were accessed through a central multiplayer hub where players could also hang out, chat, and complete quests.
User-Generated Content
Blankos’ Build Mode gave players tools to create their own game levels—no coding required.
Community creations ranged from simple racetracks to elaborate platforming challenges. Mythical regularly spotlighted standout builds, encouraging creativity and variety.
Marketplace and Economy
The in-game NFT marketplace allowed players to trade characters and items, mostly using fiat currency.
Mythical provided a custodial wallet system by default, making blockchain transactions seamless for newcomers. Advanced users could connect external wallets for more control. Crucially, every sale included a royalty fee—so creators or collaborating brands continued to benefit from secondary sales.
Source: Blankos Block PartyWhat’s next for Blankos Block Party?
With the PC version now offline, the focus has shifted entirely to mobile. Mythical is building more than a simple port—they’re aiming for a fully redesigned mobile experience, with touch controls and game modes tailored to mobile users.
If successful, Blankos could become one of the first mainstream web3 games to thrive on mobile. That would be no small feat, given the difficult approval process for crypto-adjacent apps. Other projects, such as Nakamoto Games, are already preparing mobile releases, suggesting that this could be the next big wave in web3 gaming.
The move to Polkadot also introduces technical benefits, like faster and cheaper transactions—key improvements for mobile scalability. Now that Blankos shares infrastructure with other Mythical titles, there’s also potential for shared assets and crossover events. In the future, items from Blankos might appear in NFL Rivals, or vice versa.
Polkadot’s focus on interoperability means the game could eventually bridge to external marketplaces like OpenSea, making it possible for players to sell or display their collections outside Mythical’s ecosystem.
Players continue to hope for a return to PC or even a console release. Whilst nothing has been confirmed, Blankos’ format could easily translate to platforms like PlayStation or Xbox—if those platforms become more open to NFTs and digital collectibles, as others like Moonray prepare for console launches in 2025.
Source: Blankos Block PartyA Defining Chapter in Web3 Gaming
Blankos Block Party has played a significant role in the evolution of blockchain gaming.
From its early days in 2018 to a multi-year run on PC and now a pivot to mobile, it has consistently pushed boundaries. It introduced millions of players to the idea of digital ownership, championed creator economies, and showed how brand partnerships could live inside game worlds—not just outside them.
Whilst the PC shutdown marked the end of a chapter, it wasn’t the end of the story. The move to mobile and Polkadot represents a strategic shift, not a retreat. Blankos may no longer be the only web3 game in the spotlight, but it will likely be remembered as one of the first to combine blockchain, creativity, and mainstream appeal in a way that actually worked.
Whether or not the mobile version becomes a breakout hit, Blankos has already earned its place in gaming history.
