XPLA, a blockchain network developed by South Korean gaming giant Com2uS, has partnered with Google Cloud as its inaugural volunteer validator.

This collaboration aims to leverage Google Cloud’s robust infrastructure to bolster growth and innovation in web3 gaming. The network is currently in the process of voting to officially implement this volunteer validator system, with unanimous 100% support at the time of the report.
Operating on Tendermint, a fundamental part of the Cosmos network, XPLA is compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine and features renowned games like “The Walking Dead: All-Stars,” “Summoner’s War: Chronicles,” and “Ace Fishing: Crew” in the emerging play-to-own blockchain gaming trend.
While Google Cloud has a history of involvement in blockchain, serving as a validator for networks like Solana, Tezos, and Polygon, XPLA’s decision to employ volunteer validators diverges from the conventional model by channeling potential earnings to a community pool rather than individual validators.

Although considered innovative, this model raises concerns about the long-term commitment and reliability of validators in the absence of direct token incentives. The success of this approach hinges on voluntary participation and the community pool’s ability to sustain network integrity and engagement.
Following the announcement, the XPLA token experienced a 7% decline in the last 24 hours, currently trading at 0.273 according to CoinMarketCap data.