Web3 browser-based simulation game Infected has announced it will no longer operate on Ethereum L2 network Base, following launch-related issues that the developers claim disrupted gameplay and affected user engagement.
During its initial rollout, the game reportedly experienced a surge in transaction demand that resulted in elevated gas fees and failed transactions. Whilst the developers first suspected frontend-related errors, they later attributed the root cause to Base’s handling of transaction volume.
Infected has since confirmed that it will migrate to Solana, sparking a public disagreement with Base representatives and prompted criticism from parts of the development community.
What is Infected?
Infected is a simulation game that uses token transfers to mimic the spread of a digital virus where players “infect” other wallets by sending them virus tokens. The first wallet to infect another becomes eligible for rewards when that infected wallet later buys virus tokens. These rewards are tied to the first infector, even if the tokens are sold or replaced later.
Virus tokens typically cost less than $0.001, and players are encouraged to send them to other wallets holding at least 0.005 ETH to ensure eligibility. A bulk transfer tool is provided to help users spread tokens to multiple wallets without technical expertise. Infections only count if sent from a player’s own wallet.
According to the developers, the game went viral prior to launch, gaining 130,000 sign-ups in 48 hours and growing its social following rapidly.
Why is the game moving to Solana?
The team behind Infected said Base could not handle the volume of incoming transactions at launch, resulting in elevated gas fees and failed interactions. This affected player experience during the initial gameplay window. They also later concluded that the issue was not unique to Base, but rather symptomatic of the limits of Ethereum’s Layer-2 scaling approach.
Infected’s team also pointed to broader reasons for the migration, including user preference and network design. In a post on X, they said many users had requested the game be hosted on Solana to avoid bridging tokens between chains. They added that Solana had become the network of choice for consumer-focused applications, and they believed its infrastructure would be more reliable under high demand.
The team have not provided a specific timeline its migration and it remains unclear whether users who interacted with the Base version will retain their progress and rewards.
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