Raini Studios has announced that it will shut down its Avalanche-based NFT card game, Raini: The Lords of Light, on July 21, 2025. The move adds to a growing list of web3 games that have ceased operations in 2025 amid shifting market conditions and declining player engagement. The announcement was made public through the studio’s official social media and Discord channels.
Raini: The Lords of Light is Shutting Down
Raini: The Lords of Light Shutting Down
As part of the shutdown process, Raini Studios stated it will distribute a final total of 2 million RST tokens—equivalent to approximately $3,340—for the months of June and July. Following that, all features related to the play-to-earn model, leaderboard rewards, and RST token emissions connected to the game will come to an end. This change signifies a broader shift in the studio’s operational priorities and token strategy.
Raini: The Lords of Light launched in 2021 with collectible NFT cards initially on the Ethereum blockchain. The game later migrated to Avalanche, where it expanded its digital assets and integrated the RST token on Beam, a gaming-focused Avalanche L1 network. Inspired by traditional collectible card games like Hearthstone, the game offered strategic, turn-based gameplay and incorporated cultural references from the crypto world. Despite its early traction, including over $1 million in distributed rewards, player activity declined over time, leading to the current decision.
Raini: The Lords of Light is Shutting Down
Shift in Studio Strategy and New Game Development
With the closure of Raini: The Lords of Light, Raini Studios will redirect its resources toward two new action adventure focused titles: Lucha Throwdown and Uncaged: The Jon Jones Brawler. These upcoming games are intended to align with evolving player interests and broader gaming trends. In parallel, the studio will implement significant changes to the RST token’s underlying economics.
The company revealed plans to move toward a deflationary token model. This includes using a percentage of future studio revenue to buy and burn RST tokens, as well as introducing a transaction tax that will further reduce the token’s overall supply. This approach is designed to mitigate the impact of ongoing emissions and support long-term value for token holders.
Raini Studios CEO Sam Moody acknowledged the complexity of the moment. While the closure of Raini: The Lords of Light marks the end of a chapter for the studio, it also represents a strategic pivot toward new projects and a restructured token model. The studio emphasized its commitment to developing future games featuring globally recognized brands, with the intention of delivering more sustainable experiences for players and investors alike.
Raini: The Lords of Light is Shutting Down
Looking Ahead for Raini Studios
The closure of Raini: The Lords of Light reflects broader challenges faced by the blockchain gaming sector in maintaining long-term player engagement and financial sustainability. As Raini Studios transitions to its next phase, industry observers will watch closely to see whether its upcoming titles and revised economic model can deliver stronger outcomes in a competitive and evolving market.
With the final shutdown date approaching, the company has urged players and community members to follow its official communication platforms for ongoing updates and details related to the conclusion of the game’s services.
