Sky Mavis, the developer behind the popular blockchain gaming ecosystem Ronin, has announced that it will no longer provide free gas fees for Ronin wallet users. Starting on October 9, 2024, the company will introduce a new system known as Ronin Waypoint, which allows third-party game studios building on the Ronin network to sponsor user transactions. This marks a significant shift in how gas fees will be handled within the Ronin ecosystem.
Sky Mavis Introduces Sponsored Transactions on Ronin
Streamlining blockchain access
Ronin Waypoint simplifies how users access games and manage on-chain assets. Email logins and social account integrations (Google, Facebook, and Apple ID) replace the traditional requirement for seed phrases or browser extensions. Users can log in, recover accounts, and interact with their digital assets without wrestling with typical crypto wallet complexity.
Ronin Waypoint
How sponsored transactions work
Ronin Waypoint tackles a persistent onboarding problem: new users often can't pay gas fees or don't know how much RON they need to complete transactions. Sky Mavis previously subsidized transactions for new wallet users and holders of Axie NFTs, such as Axie Land.
The new model lets game studios or external parties cover gas fees for their players. Each sponsored transaction requires two signatures: one from the user, one from the sponsor. This dual-signature approach creates a more scalable system with less maintenance overhead while giving developers the option to fund user transactions directly.
Ronin's expansion drives the change
Sky Mavis is ending free gas fees as the Ronin network has grown substantially over the last 18 months. What started as the home for Axie Infinity now hosts around 20 external game developers, including Pixels, one of the most popular web3 titles.
The blockchain has processed nearly 1 billion transactions across 28 million lifetime user wallets. With this level of activity, letting third-party developers cover their own players' gas fees makes practical sense. Developers gain control over onboarding experiences, and Sky Mavis no longer shoulders the entire financial burden alone.
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What users will pay
Ronin Waypoint doesn't eliminate transaction costs entirely. Non-sponsored transactions will cost approximately 0.01 RON (roughly $0.02). To soften the transition, Sky Mavis will provide five free sponsored transactions for all new Ronin Waypoint users.
The change reflects Sky Mavis' push toward a self-sustaining ecosystem. As more developers build on Ronin, centrally subsidized gas fees become impractical. Shifting responsibility to individual game studios makes the network more viable long-term.
USDC to WRON Conversion
The bigger picture
Phasing out free gas fees and launching Ronin Waypoint represents a maturation of the Ronin network. Letting third-party developers sponsor transactions removes friction from onboarding while distributing costs more evenly across the ecosystem.
Users will pay small fees for non-sponsored transactions, but the sponsored model should improve the experience for players whose developers opt in. Existing users can create a Ronin Waypoint account and learn more on the official website.
