Joystick raises $8M to turn gamers into owners and content creators

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TikTok star Michael Le has raised $8 million for the gaming and esports platform Joystick.

Le, who has more than 10 billion views on TikTok, started the Los Angeles web 3 company with tech entrepreneur Robin DeFray to empower users to become business owners, esports pros, or content creators in the world of blockchain, the transparent and secure digital ledger technology.

Under Joystick’s rules, the creators and gamers pay a fixed fee and then keep 100% of their revenue. Joystick leverages metaverse assets in ways that benefit ecosystem users and guilds by giving them the opportunity to keep the revenue they generate playing games on the blockchain.

Joystick is focused on connecting the largest games globally to their players. The platform provides players a path to web 3 financial freedom, flipping the current play-to-earn revenue sharing model by giving players 100% of the revenue. Joystick is also removing global accessibility limitations and making it easy for anyone to play anytime, anywhere.

Michael Le (aka @JustMaiko), cofounder of Joystick and outspoken supporter of web 3, said in a statement, “Play-to-earn gaming has the potential to change so many lives and Joystick is creating a culture around this revolution. Joystick’s goal is to create an environment where owning gaming assets and other tokens is accessible and beneficial to anyone in the world. The industry is craving a new model where players are more empowered to get paid for their time, and Joystick offers a valuable solution”.

By creating and sharing educational content, Le’s goal is to educate traditional gamers about the opportunities in play-to-earn