GFAL unveils beta for Diamond Dreams match-3 game with optional Web3 features

GFAL is launching Diamond Dreams, a match-3 puzzle game with a luxury theme and optional Web3 features.

The game is set to launch in beta on March 18. GFAL (short for Games for a Living) said Diamond Dreams combines sophisticated craftsmanship, immersive storytelling, and sharp visuals to create what may be the most luxurious game experience ever designed.

In Diamond Dreams, players craft exquisite, lifelike jewelry in a world that reflects the elegance and prestige of high luxury. Every move on the puzzle board fuels a creative journey, allowing players to curate an evolving collection of personalized jewelry pieces. These pieces are displayed in The Gallery, a socially interactive space where every achievement reflects the player’s growing prestige in the game’s world.

GFAL raised $3.2 million in April 2024  from investors including Supercell and Mitch Lasky among others. The $3.2 million seed funding round adds to the $4.4 million in capital GFAL raised from the successful launch of its $GFAL token back in Q1 2023. It has a market cap of $52 million today.

Asked about the inspiration for the game, Christian Gascons, COO and cofounder, said in a statement, “Diamond Dreams was born from our journey through the evolution of social gaming—merging free-to-play mechanics and ownership—with a unique twist inspired by Javier’s luxury background, including his experience working with top brands like Tiffany and Cartier. His record-setting NFT sale, combined with his deep expertise in the world of luxury, sparked the idea to transform a classic match-3 game into a refined, luxe experience.”

Gascons said Web3 integration is pivotal in the game because it enables fast, high-value transactions directly between players—a feature that traditional payment methods simply can’t match. This player-to-player payment system is at the heart of the deluxe economic model, allowing for significant, seamless transfers of ownership of exclusive digital collectibles.

This blend of familiar match-3 mechanics and next-generation visuals marks a shift in what mobile gaming can offer. The game features ray-tracing in diamonds, a technology rarely seen in mobile titles. This technology allows light to reflect naturally off every gemstone and metallic surface, giving the game a level of realism that rivals high-end PC and console graphics.

Sensational Visuals by a Master of Digital Craftsmanship

What makes Diamond Dreams a visual masterpiece is the hands behind its artistry. Every jewelry piece in the game is crafted by Javier León, the Emmy-nominated digital artist known for his work on The Crown and collaborations with top luxury brands.

León approaches each digital creation with the precision of a master jeweler, ensuring that every facet, engraving, and reflection mirrors the craftsmanship of real-world luxury jewelry.

The result is an experience that feels tangible, where every gem sparkles with glassy translucence, every metallic setting gleams with polish, and even the game’s smallest jewels reflect light in ways that mimic how luxury brands like Tiffany & Co. showcase their finest creations.

GFAL said that, at its core, Diamond Dreams stands out for three key reasons: its novel approach to digital ownership, unparalleled visual craftsmanship, and strategic depth with innovative puzzle design.

The game’s approach to digital ownership is more than a feature, it’s a fundamental part of its identity. Players don’t just collect in-game items; they create and own unique jewelry pieces that can be owned, traded, and retained. Every piece carries weight and significance, making collections feel authentic and personal. However, ownership and web-3 features are optional, ensuring the experience remains accessible to all players, regardless of their familiarity with blockchain technology.

What truly makes ownership meaningful in Diamond Dreams is its Fusion Mechanics, a system inspired by the luxury principle of scarcity. Much like a master jeweler crafting a rare, one-of-a-kind piece, players can choose to fuse collectibles, combining select items to create new, rarer creations.

This mechanic is a deliberate system that preserves rarity and ensures long-term value within the game’s economy. Scarcity, long regarded as a hallmark of luxury, is central to the game’s philosophy: rarer items become coveted achievements, their limited availability fueling meaningful trading and enhancing player status. This system transforms crafting into a strategic and exclusive process, where every decision carries weight, and every creation tells a story of value and progression.

But GFAL said that Diamond Dreams isn’t just about ownership, it’s about the emotional connection to the creation itself. León’s artistry doesn’t just shape the visuals; it defines the player’s emotional connection to the jewelry they create. The satisfaction of seeing a design come to life gives players a sense of ownership and pride. It’s this attention to emotional detail that transforms Diamond Dreams from just another puzzle game into an experience where creation feels meaningful and personal.

Finally, the game introduces a fresh take on match-3 mechanics with the introduction of the Golden Booster, a feature that enhances strategic gameplay by rewarding skillful moves with upgraded power-ups. As players match and create boosters like rockets, bombs, butterflies, and stars, they build toward an ultra-charged Golden Booster that dramatically amplifies its effects.

For example, Golden Rockets clear multiple rows and columns simultaneously, Golden Bombs explode with greater force, and Golden Stars eliminate multiple gem colors at once. This system encourages intentional play, rewarding players who plan and maximize the potential of each move rather than relying solely on luck. With this approach, Diamond Dreams offers casual fun and a challenge for seasoned puzzle enthusiasts who enjoy strategic depth.

Web3 and Digital Ownership

In addition to its artistic elements, GFAL said Diamond Dreams incorporates blockchain technology to offer true digital ownership of in-game items. Players can trade, showcase, and retain their rarest collectibles, ensuring that the time and creativity invested in the game have lasting value beyond the mobile screen. However, the game is designed to be accessible to all players, with Web3 features seamlessly integrated rather than a requirement for enjoyment.

Players eager to experience Diamond Dreams ahead of its full launch can join the waitlist for early access beginning March 18. Beta participants will get a first look at the game’s mechanics, engage in early gameplay events, and help shape the final product through their feedback.

With its blend of luxury aesthetics, strategic gameplay, and cutting-edge technology, Diamond Dreams is poised to redefine the match-3 experience, appealing not only to puzzle fans but also to those who appreciate artistry and innovation in gaming.

GFAL is a video game development and publishing startup redefining the gaming landscape by blending luxury with video games. The leaders include Manel Sort, former first vice president at Activision Blizzard King; Trip Hawkins, former CEO of both Electronic Arts and Digital Chocolate; Emmy Award Nominee Javier León as art director; Christian Gascons; and Marc Tormo, both with backgrounds at Blizzard Entertainment.

The company has 17 employees.