SEGA’s cult-favorite arcade card battler, ‘Code of Joker’, is making a comeback—this time, powered by blockchain. Renamed ‘Code of Joker: Evolutions,’ the game will officially relaunch later this year, integrating with the Sui blockchain to bring digital ownership and NFT trading features to a broader audience of mobile and web gamers.
The new version is being developed by Jokers Inc. under an official SEGA license, in partnership with Parasol, the gaming infrastructure arm of Mysten Labs, which contributes to the Sui network. The game’s core appeal—a fast-paced, strategy-driven trading card experience—remains intact, but now layered with Web3 enhancements designed to modernize gameplay and ownership mechanics.
Digital Card Ownership Meets Blockchain Innovation
Originally launched by SEGA in 2013 as a popular Japanese arcade title, Code of Joker earned a loyal fanbase for its dynamic, real-time battles and collectible card system. The upcoming ‘Evolutions’ version will allow players to buy, trade, and showcase their digital card collections on-chain, providing verifiable ownership through Sui’s blockchain infrastructure.
Takashi “Gin” Mizouka, co-founder of Jokers Inc., emphasized the goal of translating the tactile excitement of opening a physical card pack into a digital, blockchain-powered experience.
“From our first conversation on what a digital experience of Code of Joker: Evolutions would look like, we knew that we wanted to match the physical feeling of opening a new card pack. Sui was the only blockchain that could make this vision a reality, and we are thrilled to be working alongside the Parasol team on the first of many collaborations,” Mizouka noted.
Why Sui Blockchain?
The choice to build on Sui, developed by Mysten Labs, is strategic. Known for its scalable, low-latency infrastructure, Sui is optimized for gaming applications and aims to support smooth on-chain interactions without sacrificing user experience. This makes it ideal for fast-paced trading card games, where in-game transactions need to be seamless and cost-efficient.
Evan Cheng, CEO of Mysten Labs, highlighted gaming’s crucial role in mainstream blockchain adoption, stressing that projects like Code of Joker: Evolutions are at the forefront of transforming digital economies through decentralized ownership models.
“Our work with CODE OF JOKER: EVOLUTIONS is a labor of love from a team that grew up on classic Japanese gaming,” said Kai Chen, CEO of Parasol.
“Sui is the only blockchain capable of providing the technical support our gaming partners are looking for, and we’re very grateful for Jokers Inc.’s and Sega’s support in our flagship endeavor. There’s much more to come.”
A Growing Trend in Blockchain Gaming
SEGA’s decision to revive one of its flagship IPs via blockchain reflects a brooding development in the gaming industry. Legacy franchises and indie developers alike are increasingly turning to Web3 solutions to empower players with real asset ownership, transparent marketplaces, and new revenue streams.
As competition heats up between blockchains vying to dominate the Web3 gaming space, partnerships like this between SEGA, Jokers Inc., Mysten Labs, and Parasol herald what may likely become an influx of traditional titles into blockchain based adoption..
Quick Facts:
- Code of Joker: Evolutions revives SEGA’s classic arcade card game, launching late summer 2025.
- The game integrates with the Sui blockchain, offering on-chain NFT trading cards and verifiable ownership.
- Developed by Jokers Inc. in partnership with Mysten Labs’ Parasol, optimized for iOS, Android, and web platforms.
- The partnership is part of a larger trend of gaming franchises incorporating blockchain tech to redefine digital ownership and player engagement.
