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A Look Back at Aethir's Remarkable 2023
November 29, 2023

A Look Back at Aethir's Remarkable 2023

Updates

As we approach the end of the year, it's an opportune time to reflect on the extraordinary journey that Aethir has embarked upon over these past twelve months. From technological advancements to expanding partnerships, and significant strides in our social media presence, this year has been a pivotal one for Aethir.

Tech Updates

Aethir Launched Private Testnet for Cloud Gaming

Aethir’s private Testnet went live on Arbitrum, inviting developers and users to explore and provide feedback on Aethir’s Testnet, accessible via the Testnet Discord channel. Aethir's Testnet is a big step in making cloud infrastructure more decentralised and developer-friendly. It's a game-changer for the Web3 cloud world, aiming to reshape how the internet works. Developers can now use Aethir's platform, called Atmosphere, to either use or offer computing power.

This is a big deal for cloud gaming and AI, according to Kyle Okamoto, Aethir's CTO.

The Testnet is great for game developers who want to create cloud gaming experiences and for AI businesses that need powerful, local computing. Companies with GPU resources can also join Aethir’s network and get rewards.

Built on Arbitrum, a blockchain based on Ethereum, the Testnet offers fast and scalable cloud services worldwide. Aethir is planning to improve it continuously, based on community input and their long-term goals.

Key Features of Aethir's Testnet:

  • API Integration: Facilitates game developers in uploading games and creating unique gaming portals.
  • Blockchain Browser: Enables seamless access to on-chain data for developers and Container Providers (GPU resource contributors within Aethir’s network).
  • Development Support Features:
  • Operational Support Centre: Assists developers and Container Providers in scaling the ecosystem.
  • Onboarding Support: Provides comprehensive guidelines for smooth onboarding of Testnet participants.
  • Website Resources: Offers essential materials, SDKs, deployment tools, and guidelines.

As Aethir’s Testnet evolves, regular updates will focus on enhancing user experience, improving real-time cloud rendering, and bolstering the ecosystem through expanded developer support. This ongoing development underscores Aethir's commitment to continuous innovation in the Web3 cloud domain.

We updated our community on our private testnet, SDKs and other tech updates in our recent Tech AMA.

Gold Fever’s Integration with Aethir

Gold Fever integrated with Aethir’s DCI, a game-changer in expanding the global reach of Web3 gaming. Announced on November 27, 2023, this integration utilised Aethir's cutting-edge decentralised cloud gaming infrastructure. The goal is to make Gold Fever, an adrenaline-addictive game known for its innovative decentralised economy infrastructure, accessible on any device, anywhere, at any time. This strategic move opened Gold Fever to a potential market of 2.8 billion players worldwide.

Read more here.

Launches, Partnerships & News

Aethir Raised USD $9M in Pre-series A at a USD $150 Million Valuation

In a reflective look back over the past year, one of Aethir’s most significant accomplishments has been the completion of its Pre-A funding round. This pivotal financial milestone brought the total funds raised to an impressive USD$9 million, catapulting the company's valuation to an astounding USD$150 million.

  • Investor Confidence: The funding round was spearheaded by prominent global investors, including Sanctor Capital, Hashkey, Merit Circle, and CitizenX. Additional backing came from notable entities such as Mirana Ventures, Animoca Brands, Momentum6, Big Brain Holdings, Builder Capital, Tess Ventures, and Maelstrom (led by Arthur Hayes), among others. This diverse and esteemed group of investors signals strong market confidence in Aethir's vision and business model.
  • Foundation and Purpose: Founded in Singapore in 2021 by seasoned experts in the cloud industry, Aethir set out with a clear mission: to develop what has been termed Scalable Decentralised Cloud Infrastructure (DCI). This innovative approach to cloud infrastructure aims to address the growing needs and challenges of the sector.
  • Expanding Customer Base: Already serving a growing roster of clients, including major enterprises, AI companies, and gaming studios, this influx of investment is set to fast-track Aethir’s expansion into key global markets such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, and North America. This expansion is not just geographic; it also encompasses the enhancement of Aethir's trailblazing Decentralised Cloud Infrastructure.
  • Addressing Industry Challenges: Mark Rydon, Co-Founder and CEO of Aethir, highlighted the traditional difficulties in scaling cloud infrastructures, especially those that require complex, real-time rendering or streaming. Rydon emphasised that Aethir’s focus on overcoming these challenges, particularly amidst the rising demands brought on by the AI boom, positions the company at the forefront of innovation in the gaming and AI industry.

Aethir has exhibited consistent growth, developing a scalable and secure Decentralised Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) service. This service is tailored to meet the stringent demands of enterprise-grade gaming and AI applications, showcasing Aethir's commitment to excellence and innovation in the field.

Arthur Hayes, CIO of Maelstrom, highlighted Aethir's approach to using blockchain technology to address real-world challenges. He highlighted Aethir's role in significantly expanding the market for gaming and streaming content, especially in high-growth regions that face hardware limitations. Hayes pointed out the multifaceted benefits of Aethir's expansion, positively impacting gamers, publishers, and rendering node operators globally.

Aethir's Entering NVIDIA Inception Program

This year, Aethir joined NVIDIA Inception, a program that supports startups using tech to revolutionise industries. It's a big deal for us, marking a key moment in our goal to change gaming and AI worldwide. Our main product leads this change, offering GPU services that make Web3 cloud accessible to all kinds of businesses.

Looking forward, Aethir aims to set new standards in the industry, working with NVIDIA and other Inception members. This partnership is more than just a boost for us; it shows our dedication to being leaders in tech innovation. With NVIDIA Inception's support, Aethir is on track to push the limits of technology and achieve great things.

Aethir and GAM3S.GG: Pioneering the Future of Web3 Gaming

As we look back at this year, a standout collaboration has been between Aethir, a leader in decentralised cloud infrastructure (DCI) and GAM3S.GG, a forefront Web3 gaming platform. This groundbreaking partnership is a significant step towards meeting the evolving demands of the gaming industry. Combining Aethir’s expertise in delivering low-latency cloud gaming resources with GAM3S.GG’s commitment to showcasing top blockchain games and empowering gamers to own and display their digital identities, this collaboration is set to transform gaming infrastructure and community engagement.

Reflecting on a Trailblazing Partnership: Aethir and Seedify

In an exciting development within the decentralised technology space, Aethir, a frontrunner in decentralised cloud solutions, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Seedify, a renowned incubator and launchpad acclaimed for its exceptional ROI in the Web3 gaming sector in 2023. This synergistic alliance of Aethir’s technological expertise and Seedify’s incubation acumen marks a new epoch in gaming, offering unprecedented access to novel gaming worlds and the resources to create them.This collaboration between Aethir and Seedify heralds a transformative chapter in the gaming world, signifying an era where technology and innovation converge to deliver an unmatched gaming experience.

Aethir’s distributed network could transcend limitations of centralised cloud computing by KR Asia

Looking back at our feature in a KrASIA article, it was a significant moment that highlighted our pioneering role in the evolution of cloud computing. Our CEO Mark Rydon discusses the transformative potential of decentralised cloud infrastructure (DCI) in industries such as gaming and how this addresses the limitations of traditional centralised cloud services. The article also delved into the unique challenges and solutions our company faced, like managing the complexities of decentralised infrastructure and forming strategic partnerships to bolster our marketplace model. This coverage served as a testament to our commitment to innovation and our foresight in recognizing the growing demand for more efficient and accessible cloud solutions.

Aethir's Groundbreaking Vision: A Look Back at HackerNoon's Interview with Mark Rydon

Aethir CEO and Co-Founder, Mark Rydon’s interview with Hackernoon was insightful as he shared his insights and vision for decentralised cloud gaming and Aethir’s mission. Rydon expressed that Aethir’s innovative approach is pivotal in the rapid development of cloud gaming. He discussed the monumental shift that cloud gaming brings to the gaming industry’s dynamics. By leveraging the cloud's computational power, cloud gaming breaks down traditional device limitations and significantly expands the user base. This model offers developers greater control and efficiency in updating their games, introduces new revenue streams, and significantly reduces distribution costs. Despite challenges like connectivity and initial investments, cloud gaming's potential to revolutionise the gaming experience is vast and compelling. Reflecting on this interview, it’s clear that Aethir is not just adapting to the current gaming landscape but is actively shaping the future of gaming and AI with its decentralised cloud infrastructure. This approach sets the stage for a transformative era in gaming, offering new possibilities for both developers and players worldwide.

MoneyFM 89.3 x Aethir

As we look back over the past year, join us in revisiting one of our most insightful interviews with MoneyFM’s Dan Koh who sat down with Mark Rydon to discuss how Aethir has revolutionised the cloud computing and gaming industry with its pioneering DCI technology.  We explore the milestones Aethir achieved in addressing the evolving needs of gaming and AI companies and reflect on Rydon's predictions and insights into the future of the gaming industry, assessing how they have materialised over the years. Tune in to discover how Aethir's journey over the past twelve months has reshaped the landscape of cloud computing and gaming.

Paul Thind Discusses Aethir's Role in the Evolving Gaming Industry

As we look back at the past year, a significant highlight was Beyond Games’ interview with Paul Thind, Aethir's Chief Revenue Officer. His insights into the evolving gaming industry and Aethir's response to emerging challenges provided a deeper understanding of the company's strategic direction and the broader industry trends. Paul Thind addresses the rapid evolution of the gaming industry, emphasising the rise of mobile gaming, cloud gaming, and VR/AR technologies. He acknowledged the expanding opportunities these developments present for game developers, but also highlighted the accompanying challenges, particularly the escalating costs of game development. Looking back at this insightful interview, it's clear that Aethir, under Thind's guidance, is not just reacting to the current industry shifts but actively shaping the future of gaming and AI. The company's focus on accessibility, scalability, and innovation, as articulated by Thind, underscores Aethir's commitment to leading the charge in the ever-evolving gaming landscape.

Aethir's Leadership Team Expands

Over the past year, Aethir has made significant strides in its mission to revolutionise the cloud gaming and AI industries. A key development was the bolstering of its leadership team with the appointment of Kyle Okamoto as Chief Technology Officer and Paul Thind as Chief Revenue Officer. These strategic additions have reinforced Aethir's commitment to driving technological innovation and expanding its global reach. Kyle brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at companies like Ericsson and Verizon Media, and is set to spearhead Aethir's tech advancements. Paul's extensive background in gaming and entertainment, including leadership roles at Triggerspot, Inc., positions him to lead Aethir's strategic growth and partnership efforts.

E27’s feature

E27 featured Aethir’s CEO and Co-Founder, Mark Rydon and CEO and Founder of Youbi, Chen Li, our investor discussing gaming and AI scalability. The article discussed Aethir’s interesting plans for cloud scalability and innovation.

Aethir in Conversation

The Impactful Journey of Aethir's Spaces Initiative

As we reminisce about the past year, a standout chapter in Aethir's story has been the launch and success of our "Spaces'' initiative. This innovative platform, unveiled in June with our inaugural event featuring Harvest, has rapidly become a cornerstone in connecting and empowering our community.Over the year, we've hosted 10 Spaces sessions, each one building A highlight of these sessions was our space with YellowPanther, which attracted an impressive audience of 25,000 listeners, underscoring the initiative's growing appeal and impact.

Started Behind The Screen, a podcast that deep dives into the world of compute, gaming, web3 and cloud

As we look back on the year since the launch of our podcast, it’s incredible to see the journey we’ve embarked upon, traversing the realms of compute, gaming, web3, and cloud. Our podcast journey began with an electrifying start, featuring Paul Thind, CRO at Aethir as our first guest. An important aspect of our digital presence has been the differentiation between our Spaces and the podcast. While Spaces served as a medium for engaging with our community in an informal and interactive dialogue, our podcast has been the cornerstone of our thought leadership initiatives. This dual approach allowed us to balance immediate, dynamic community engagement with more in-depth, structured discussions on key industry topics.

As we reflect on the past year, our podcast has not just been about sharing information; it’s been about creating a community of curious minds, eager to explore and understand the future of technology. We've set a foundation for continued exploration and discussion in the years to come, always aiming to be at the forefront of innovation and insight.

Our Growing Community

Our First Community Call Brought over 5,000 listeners

As we look back on our first community call, it stands as a foundational step in our journey towards greater transparency and engagement with our community. This seminal call, featuring the insightful contributions of Mark Rydon and Kyle Okamoto, marked a pivotal chapter in our commitment to open communication and collaborative progress. An essential aspect of the call was sharing updates on our progress. It was a reflective moment, showcasing the milestones we've achieved, the challenges navigated, and the ambitions we are pursuing. This segment resonated deeply, providing our community with a clear view of our collective endeavours and future direction.

Aethir's Year of Community Growth

Over the past year, one of the most remarkable aspects of Aethir's journey has been the phenomenal growth of our community and the strengthening of our social media presence. This growth not only reflects the increasing interest in our cloud gaming infrastructure but also highlights our successful engagement strategies across various platforms.

Strong Community Presence: 128,000 and growing…

- Aethir’s X platform, with approximately 50,000 followers, has become a key channel for updates, announcements, and engagement with our audience.

- Our CEO, Mark Rydon’s X following has also built a significant following on his personal X platform, with 16.5K followers. His insights and updates have been instrumental in engaging with the community on a more personal level.

- Aethir’s Discord Community stands at 29,000 members, reflecting our success in building a dynamic and interactive community space where members can connect, share ideas, and stay updated on Aethir's developments.

- Aethir’s Telegram Channel now has 29,000 members. It has been vital in fostering real-time conversations and providing a platform for immediate updates and community discussions.

Gaming Nights

A standout event in our community engagement efforts was the series of gaming nights that attracted over 120 gamers.

This record attendance not only provided an exciting and fun-filled experience for our community but also served as an effective medium for guiding members to other Aethir platforms, such as our website, Medium blog, and Twitter channel.

Aethir's Influencer Collaborations: Amplifying Reach with Leading Voices in Crypto Gaming

In our retrospective look at the past year, a key element of Aethir's marketing and outreach strategy has been the impactful collaboration with prominent influencers in the crypto gaming space. These partnerships have significantly amplified our brand presence and message across the industry.

We've had the privilege of working with some of the biggest names in crypto gaming, including influencers like Yellow Panther, Nikki, Dapp Center, and others. Their support has been instrumental in Aethir reaching a wider, more engaged audience.

Reflecting on the Power of Influential Voices

Over the past few weeks, we've been actively engaged in multiple collaborations with influencers. Our gaming nights have not only been fun but also incredibly effective, leading to a significant surge in our follower count. But that's not all; we've achieved even more. Influencers have produced six dedicated videos about Aethir, attracting an impressive total of 169,000 views. This is our weekly achievement, and it's truly astounding.

Notable videos,

  1. Crypto Mighelles made a video about Aethir titled, Aethir - Cloud Infrastructure for Gaming & AI | Airdrop for Early Users??  with 36.1K subscribers garnered 20K views  
  2. CryptoTrainer’s video about DCI for Gaming and AI, Aethir- Scalable Decentralised Cloud Infrastructure for Gaming & AI has 30.1K subscribers with 16K views
  3. A video by Crypto Vector, Aethir | Distributed Cloud Infrastructure for Gaming & AI | Testnet live from the 1st of November! with 346K subscribers - 30K views
  4. Dapp Centre’s video on cloud gaming and DCI, AETHIR 🔥CLOUD GAMING 🔥DISTRIBUTED CLOUD INFRASTRUCTURE FOR GAMING & AI! 🔥🚀 with 107K subscribers - 47K views
  5. Deep dive into scalable DCI for gaming and AI with Juliano,🧵Aethir- Scalable Decentralised Cloud Infrastructure for Gaming & AI🧵 with 22.9K subscribers and 15K views
  6. A video by Crypto Bape, Aethir | Distributed Cloud Infrastructure for Gaming & AI | 200k+ Users | 10+ Gaming studios! with 162K subscribers - 41K views

Looking Ahead

As Aethir stands on the brink of a new year, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of blockchain technology and fostering a more inclusive and decentralised digital future. With several exciting projects in the pipeline and a growing global community, the future looks bright for Aethir.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our users, partners, and community members for their unwavering support and enthusiasm. Here's to another year of innovation, growth, and success!

Wishing everyone a joyous and prosperous New Year. Let's continue to innovate and grow together!

Aethir’s Singapore Team at Mott 32 for a Token2049 side event

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