Pi Ventures Invests in CiDi Games Alongside Gaming Partnership

Pi Network, the mobile-first cryptocurrency project with a global user base of tens of millions, has entered into a strategic partnership with CiDi Games, a developer focused on Web3 gaming. The collaboration includes an investment from Pi Network Ventures, marking the fund's second deployment after its initial backing of OpenMind AGI, an AI robotics company. 

This move aims to integrate Pi cryptocurrency directly into gaming experiences, allowing users to make payments, conduct transactions, and earn incentives within games. 

Details of the Strategic Partnership

The partnership positions CiDi Games to build a suite of games tailored for Pi's community, known as Pioneers. CiDi will develop an H5 Game Platform, which relies on HTML5 technology for lightweight, browser-based games that emphasize casual play. This setup ensures accessibility on mobile devices, aligning with Pi's emphasis on user-friendly tools. 

Beyond creating its own titles, CiDi plans to extend Pi's infrastructure by offering an open framework, complete with APIs and tools that other developers can use to incorporate Pi into their projects. Such extensions could foster a more interconnected gaming environment on the Pi blockchain, where developers benefit from shared resources and Pioneers gain varied ways to engage.

Pi's integration into CiDi's games will make the cryptocurrency a central element for in-game economies. Players could use Pi for purchases, rewards, or peer-to-peer transfers, drawing on the network's existing wallet and payment systems. This approach builds on Pi's prior experiments, such as the FruityPi game, which demonstrated how developers can combine Pi payments with advertising revenue through the Pi Ad Network. The collaboration signals Pi's intent to support scalable gaming, where large user numbers drive adoption without heavy reliance on external blockchains.

What Is Pi Network Ventures' Role and Investment?

Pi Network Ventures, backed by a $100 million fund, has invested an undisclosed amount in CiDi Games to support its growth. The fund targets companies that enhance Pi's ecosystem, particularly those with expertise in high-potential sectors like gaming and AI. 

CiDi's team brings experience in game development and platform management, qualities that Pi Ventures cited as key to achieving sustainability in Web3 gaming. This investment not only provides capital but also aligns CiDi with Pi's resources, including technical support and access to a verified user community.

The decision reflects Pi's strategy of combining financial backing with operational partnerships. For instance, Ventures encourages developers who gain traction within the Pi ecosystem to apply for funding, as seen in earlier calls to game builders. By investing in CiDi, Pi aims to capture more activity on its network, where increased transactions and user retention could strengthen the overall platform. 

How Will Both Ecosystems Benefit from the Partnership? 

For Pi Network, the partnership offers a way to boost daily engagement among its users. Gaming's social and interactive qualities match Pi's community-driven model, where verified humans form the backbone of the network. This could create a cycle: games draw in players from Pi's base, while the resulting activity enhances the cryptocurrency's value through increased transactions and developer interest. Pi has already laid groundwork through initiatives like hackathons and app incubation programs, which have helped nurture gaming projects.

CiDi Games gains access to Pi's extensive user pool and technical infrastructure, accelerating its path to market. The investment provides resources to refine its platform, while the partnership opens doors to collaborative innovations. Together, the two entities could help establish standards for Web3 gaming that prioritize accessibility and long-term viability. Broader benefits might extend to other developers, as CiDi's framework could lower barriers to entry, encouraging more apps to build on Pi.

Pi's Ongoing Commitment to Gaming

This deal fits into Pi's history of supporting gaming as a key vertical. Earlier efforts include the release of FruityPi, which showcased integrations with Pi's wallet and ad systems, proving that games can generate sustainable revenue while engaging users. Pi has also hosted hackathons to spur innovation and provided pre-built tools for developers. These steps have built a foundation where gaming contributes to ecosystem growth, from user acquisition to economic activity.

The investment in CiDi follows the fund's first outlay to OpenMind AGI, indicating a pattern of backing projects that expand Pi's applications across industries. Such moves demonstrate Pi's multifaceted approach, blending grassroots support with strategic capital to foster a self-sustaining network.

Final Thoughts…

As development advances, Pi and CiDi plan to share regular updates, keeping the community informed. The Q1 2026 testing phase will be a critical milestone, offering early insights into how Pi-integrated games perform at scale. 

This partnership highlights gaming's potential as a driver for cryptocurrency adoption, with Pi positioning itself at the forefront through targeted collaborations and investments.

Sources:

• _{Pi Network Blog – CiDi Games Partnership}
• _{Pi Core Team on X – Project Updates}