# Investing in Core Loop By [dhjyt](https://paragraph.com/@dhjyt) · 2022-09-05 --- Massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) were some of the earliest [social networks](https://a16z.com/2019/10/16/trends-revolutionizing-games/). In the late 1990s, MMOs like _Ultima Online_ and _EverQuest_ hosted hundreds of thousands of players who adventured together in 3D virtual worlds. Blizzard’s MMO _World of Warcraft_ would eventually grow to become one of the most popular games of all time, reaching [12 million](https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/10/07/world-of-warcraft-reaches-12-million-subscribers) subscribers in 2010 and becoming a [cultural icon](https://southpark.fandom.com/wiki/Make_Love,_Not_Warcraft) globally. Long before the emergence of web3, MMOs also provided early evidence that players valued ownership of digital assets and would trade them with one another for real money. Browser-based MMO _RuneScape_ launched in 2001 with free trading between players and developed a vibrant virtual economy around player-vs-player combat where victors could claim their opponents’ items and sell them for real money. The space MMO _Eve Online_ also featured robust player trading around in-game assets and a currency called [PLEX](https://secure.eveonline.com/plex) which represents 30 days of subscription time. [Core Loop](https://coreloop.ai/) is a new game studio innovating at the intersection of the MMO genre and web3. Core Loop is building a modern cross-platform MMO with a blockchain-based virtual economy, playable across PC and mobile devices. The team is innovating in many different areas — including designing an AI-directed, dynamic world that evolves based on the actions of the community. And in a nod to _Eve_ and _RuneScape_, the game’s economy will be player-driven with the ability for participants to truly own the assets they craft/earn, and to potentially make a living in the game long-term. We first met founders Vincenzo Alagna and Dan Chao nearly 2 years ago and bonded over our shared love of MMOs and community-driven games. They are uniquely well-suited for this project — Vincenzo was CTO and President of Machine Zone, where he oversaw multi-billion dollar franchises such as _Game of War_ and _Mobile Strike_. Dan was the lead game designer at Funzio (acquired by GREE) and launched one of the first NFT strategy games called _CryptoAssault_. The two have known each other for almost a decade, and together epitomize the convergence of games, social, and web3. Vincenzo and Dan have impressed us with their execution and hustle, developing an impressive early prototype of their game and growing the team to over 15 talented developers, pulled from many of the top studios in the industry. Today, I’m thrilled to announce that Andreessen Horowitz is leading the Series A for Core Loop and will be supporting them closely through both the a16z games and crypto teams. We believe the next generation of MMOs will combine the best of social and systems design from traditional MMOs, with web3 powered virtual economies built on true ownership and the ability for players to earn a living in the game. Core Loop is leading the way and we couldn’t be more excited to work together. Check out their [Discord](https://discord.gg/worldeternal) for early access to the game! --- *Originally published on [dhjyt](https://paragraph.com/@dhjyt/investing-in-core-loop)*