One month after launching the $VIRUS token on the Believe app, Pandemic Labs is making waves in the meme token and blockchain gaming world. In a recent thread on X (formerly Twitter), the team shared exciting updates that highlight their progress and vision for building the "Nintendo of Solana." Let's dive into what they've accomplished and what's on the horizon.

Launching Insider: A New Era of SocialFi Gaming

Pandemic Labs kicked things off with their first title, Insider, billed as the inaugural SocialFi survival game on the Solana blockchain. SocialFi, a blend of social finance and decentralized finance (DeFi), allows players to engage in financialized social interactions—like buying shares in virtual companies, becoming CEOs, and even "rugging" rivals by voting them out.

With backing from heavy hitters like Solana, Meteora AG, and Jupiter Exchange, Insider attracted around 2,800 players right out of the gate. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many calling it a fresh on-chain experience that's more engaging than traditional meme coin trading. Imagine a game where you buy shares to climb the ranks, hold the most to become CEO, and strategically eliminate competitors—it's survival of the fittest in a fun, crypto-native way.

Fueling the $VIRUS Flywheel with Buybacks

A key part of Pandemic Labs' strategy is creating real utility and value for $VIRUS holders through a self-sustaining flywheel. They've already executed a buyback of 2.7 million $VIRUS tokens using 25% of Insider's revenue. This isn't a one-off; the team plans to continue buybacks with earnings from all future games.

The remaining revenue? It's reinvested into development and marketing to attract more players and attention back to $VIRUS. This cycle—attention leading to revenue, then to buybacks—aims to compound value over time, making $VIRUS more than just another meme token.

Adding Utility: Airdrops and Perks for Holders

Beyond buybacks, Pandemic Labs is emphasizing utility. They airdropped in-game tokens for Insider to $VIRUS holders, giving them a head start in the game. Future titles will follow suit, offering perks, exclusive access, and boosts to loyal holders.

This approach strengthens the community and ties the token directly to the ecosystem's growth. As more games launch, the flywheel spins faster: more players mean more revenue, more buybacks, and enhanced utility.

Addicted: The Next Big Release on the Horizon

Excitement is building for their second game, Addicted, which saw over 235,000 sign-ups in just 30 hours. Described as their most ambitious project yet, it's been in development for over five months. The team recently completed the final audit, signaling that launch preparations are in full swing—no more delays from security checks.

While details on gameplay are still under wraps, the hype suggests it could eclipse Insider in scale and innovation, further solidifying Pandemic Labs' position in Solana's gaming scene.

Insights from the 11AM Club Interview

In a sit-down with 11AM Club, Pandemic Labs discussed why SocialFi games represent the next frontier in consumer crypto. They highlighted fatigue with repetitive meme coin mechanics and the need for fun, social experiences that appeal beyond hardcore traders. $VIRUS is positioned as the engine powering this shift, capturing value from entertaining, financialized gameplay.

Looking Ahead: Building the Nintendo of Solana

As month one wraps up, Pandemic Labs is just getting started. More games, players, and attention are on the way, all funneling back into $VIRUS. If you're into meme tokens with real utility or blockchain games that blend fun with finance, keep an eye on this project—it's spreading like, well, a virus.

For the full thread and video recap, check it out here. Stay tuned to Meme Insider for more updates on emerging tokens and tech in the blockchain space.