Immutable X (StarkEx) excels at providing high-throughput, gas-free NFT minting and trading for players by leveraging ZK-rollup technology on Ethereum. This results in enterprise-grade security inherited from Ethereum's base layer, with a proven capacity of over 9,000 transactions per second (TPS) in stress tests and zero gas fees for users. For example, major titles like Illuvium and Gods Unchained leverage this for seamless asset management without compromising on decentralization or security.
LABS
Comparisons
Immutable X (StarkEx) vs Ronin (Sidechain) for Gaming
A technical comparison for CTOs and game studio founders choosing between a ZK-rollup validium (Immutable X) and a dedicated EVM sidechain (Ronin) for deploying game logic and assets.
Chainscore © 2026
introduction
THE ANALYSIS
Introduction
A technical breakdown of Immutable X's Layer-2 scaling versus Ronin's dedicated sidechain for blockchain gaming.
Ronin (Sidechain) takes a different, application-specific approach by operating an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible sidechain built and optimized exclusively for gaming ecosystems like Axie Infinity. This results in a trade-off: superior customizability and ultra-low predictable fees (fractions of a cent), but with a security model that relies on a smaller, curated set of validators rather than Ethereum's full consensus. Its success is evidenced by dominating gaming TVL, which peaked near $10 billion.
The key trade-off: If your priority is maximum security, Ethereum composability, and gas-free UX for users, choose Immutable X. If you prioritize ultimate performance control, minimal & predictable costs, and deep integration within a specific gaming ecosystem, choose Ronin.
tldr-summary
Immutable X (StarkEx) vs Ronin (Sidechain)
TL;DR: Core Differentiators
Key architectural trade-offs and performance metrics for gaming at a glance.
01
Immutable X: Zero Gas Fees
ZK-Rollup Efficiency: Users pay no gas for trades and mints. Protocol covers costs via marketplace fees. This matters for mass-market games where microtransactions and onboarding are critical.
$0
User Gas Fees
02
Immutable X: Ethereum Security
StarkEx Validity Proofs: Batched transactions settle on Ethereum L1, inheriting its security (~$500B+ ecosystem). This matters for high-value asset games (e.g., Gods Unchained cards) where finality and censorship resistance are non-negotiable.
Ethereum L1
Settlement Layer
03
Ronin: Ultra-Low Latency
Dedicated EVM Sidechain: Sub-3 second block times optimized for game logic. This matters for real-time gameplay and social features (e.g., Axie Infinity battles, in-game chat) where responsiveness is paramount.
< 3 sec
Block Time
04
Ronin: Tailored Economic Control
Custom Tokenomics & Governance: Ronin chain and its RON token allow fine-tuned control over validator set, fee markets, and upgrades. This matters for studio-owned ecosystems needing to rapidly adjust to market conditions and user behavior.
Sky Mavis
Primary Validator
05
Immutable X: Interoperability Focus
Ethereum Native Assets: NFTs are ERC-721/1155 on L1, portable across any Ethereum wallet or marketplace (OpenSea, Blur). This matters for collectors and composable ecosystems where asset liquidity outside the game is a priority.
ERC-721/1155
NFT Standard
06
Ronin: Vertical Integration
Full-Stack Gaming Suite: From wallet (Ronin Wallet) to marketplace (Mavis Market) to launchpad, all built and optimized in-house. This matters for developers seeking a turnkey solution to launch and scale a web3 game with a proven user base.
All-in-One
Ecosystem
GAMING INFRASTRUCTURE SHOWDOWN
Feature Comparison: Immutable X vs Ronin
Direct technical comparison of a ZK-rollup and an EVM sidechain for game developers.
| Metric / Feature | Immutable X (ZK-Rollup) | Ronin (EVM Sidechain) |
|---|---|---|
Transaction Cost (Mint NFT) | $0.10 - $0.25 | < $0.001 |
Throughput (Peak TPS) | 9,000+ | 65,000+ |
Settlement Layer | Ethereum Mainnet | Ronin Validator Set |
EVM Compatibility | ||
Gas Fees Paid In | IMX (fee abstraction) | RON |
Primary Use Case | AAA & Web3-Native Games | Mass-Market Gaming & Axie Infinity |
Time to Finality | ~15 minutes (Ethereum) | < 3 seconds |
pros-cons-a
GAMING INFRASTRUCTURE COMPARISON
Immutable X (StarkEx) vs Ronin (Sidechain): Pros and Cons
A data-driven breakdown of two leading gaming blockchains. StarkEx's ZK-rollup security versus Ronin's EVM sidechain ecosystem.
01
Immutable X: Zero-Knowledge Security
Inherits Ethereum's security: Assets are secured by Ethereum's L1 via validity proofs (STARKs). This matters for high-value assets and institutional-grade games where custody risk is a primary concern. Unlike sidechains, user funds cannot be stolen by a malicious validator set.
02
Immutable X: Gasless Trading & Minting
Zero gas fees for users: Developers sponsor transaction fees, enabling seamless onboarding. This matters for mass-market games where microtransactions are common. Proven scale with 9,000+ TPS on Immutable zkEVM and over 200M transactions processed.
03
Ronin: Optimized EVM Ecosystem
Full EVM compatibility: Developers can deploy existing Solidity smart contracts and use standard tooling (Hardhat, Foundry) with minimal changes. This matters for rapid migration of existing Web3 games or teams deeply invested in the Ethereum toolchain.
04
Ronin: Proven Gaming Flywheel
Built-by and for a single game: Ronin's architecture is battle-tested by Axie Infinity, achieving 1.5M+ daily active addresses at peak. This matters for projects seeking a dedicated, gaming-native user base and liquidity, with over $1B in ecosystem TVL.
05
Immutable X: Ecosystem Fragmentation Risk
Dual-stack complexity: Immutable zkEVM (Polygon) and Immutable X (StarkEx) create a split ecosystem. This matters for developer experience and liquidity, requiring careful planning for asset interoperability between the two networks.
06
Ronin: Centralized Security Model
Permissioned validator set: Security relies on a consortium of approved entities (Sky Mavis, Act Games, etc.). This matters for decentralization purists and represents a higher trust assumption compared to cryptographic proofs. A 2022 bridge exploit resulted in a $625M loss.
pros-cons-b
IMMUTABLE X (STARKEX) VS RONIN (SIDECHAIN)
Ronin (Sidechain): Pros and Cons
Key strengths and trade-offs for gaming at a glance.
01
Immutable X: Zero Gas Fees for Users
Specific advantage: Users pay zero gas fees for minting and trading NFTs via StarkEx's ZK-rollup. This matters for mass-market games where microtransactions and frequent asset transfers are core to gameplay, removing a critical UX barrier.
$0
User Gas Fees
02
Immutable X: Ethereum Security & Composability
Specific advantage: Inherits Ethereum's security via validity proofs and maintains native compatibility with the broader Ethereum ecosystem (wallets, DeFi, marketplaces). This matters for high-value asset games and projects that require interoperability with protocols like OpenSea and Blur.
L1 Security
Settlement Layer
03
Ronin: Optimized for High-Volume Gaming
Specific advantage: A dedicated, application-specific sidechain built by Sky Mavis for Axie Infinity, achieving ~15,000 TPS. This matters for games with millions of daily active users requiring predictable, low-cost transactions without competing with DeFi or other dApps for block space.
~15k TPS
Peak Throughput
$2.5B+
All-Time NFT Volume
04
Ronin: Centralized Speed & Control
Specific advantage: A limited, permissioned validator set (currently 12) enables rapid upgrades, governance, and sub-second block times. This matters for studios needing full-stack control over their chain's roadmap, fee structure, and user experience, accepting the trade-off of decentralization.
< 3 sec
Block Time
12
Validators
IMMUTABLE X VS RONIN
Decision Framework: Choose Based on Your Use Case
Immutable X (StarkEx) for Studios
Verdict: The enterprise-grade, security-first choice for established IPs. Strengths:
- Security & Trust: Inherits Ethereum's security via validity proofs (ZK-STARKs). Your assets are non-custodial and cryptographically verified.
- Regulatory Clarity: No token required for gas, simplifying user onboarding and compliance.
- Proven Scale: Handles 9,000+ TPS with zero gas fees for users, proven by titles like Gods Unchained and Illuvium. Trade-off: More centralized sequencer control and a complex tech stack (Cairo) for developers.
Ronin (Sidechain) for Studios
Verdict: The integrated, community-driven ecosystem for viral growth. Strengths:
- Tailored Stack: Built specifically for Axie Infinity, offering deep SDKs, dedicated bridges, and battle-tested infrastructure.
- Native Token Utility: RON token is central for gas and staking, enabling powerful in-game economies and reward loops.
- EVM Simplicity: Full Ethereum compatibility makes it easy to port Solidity contracts and hire developers. Trade-off: Relies on a smaller, dedicated validator set (Ronin DAO), presenting a different trust model than Ethereum L1.
verdict
THE ANALYSIS
Final Verdict and Recommendation
Choosing between Immutable X and Ronin is a strategic decision between a specialized scaling engine and a purpose-built gaming ecosystem.
Immutable X excels at providing high-throughput, gas-free NFT minting and trading for developers who prioritize Ethereum's security and liquidity. Its use of StarkEx ZK-rollups enables a proven 9,000+ TPS for NFT transactions with zero gas fees for users, as demonstrated by major titles like Illuvium and Gods Unchained. This architecture ensures assets are secured by Ethereum's base layer while offering a seamless user experience, making it ideal for projects seeking deep integration with the broader Ethereum DeFi and NFT ecosystem via standards like ERC-721 and ERC-1155.
Ronin takes a different approach by operating as an EVM-compatible sidechain purpose-built for a single gaming universe. This centralized-sequencer model, pioneered by Axie Infinity, allows for extreme optimization, resulting in sub-second block times and negligible fees, which was critical for scaling to 1.5M+ daily active users at its peak. The trade-off is a higher degree of ecosystem dependency and a security model that, while robust, does not inherit Ethereum's full settlement guarantees, a fact highlighted by its 2022 bridge exploit.
The key trade-off: If your priority is maximum security, Ethereum composability, and a gas-free model for users, choose Immutable X. It's the superior engine for developers building a standalone, high-fidelity game that needs to plug into the wider Ethereum network. If you prioritize blazing-fast transaction finality, ultra-low predictable costs, and building within a massive, proven gaming ecosystem, choose Ronin. It is the turnkey solution for projects aiming to replicate the viral, community-driven success of the Axie Infinity model.
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