In Brief:
- YGG Play partners with Proof of Play (PoP) to bring its game Pirate Nation to a broader audience through the YGG Play publishing platform.
- The collaboration formalizes PoP as a third-party publisher under YGG Play ahead of its Launchpad debut on October 15.
- YGG Play introduces a token sale for its upcoming board game-inspired title, LOL Land, aiming to enhance its utility-driven gaming experience.
Strategic Expansion in Web3 Gaming
YGG Play has solidified a new partnership with Proof of Play (PoP), enhancing its web3 gaming network’s offerings by incorporating the PoP Arcade into its platform. This significant step comes as YGG Play gears up for the debut of its Launchpad on October 15.
A Fresh Start for Pirate Nation
Previously, Pirate Nation experienced significant operational challenges, which led to the discontinuation of its onchain version in September due to excessive maintenance costs, reaching up to $150,000 monthly. Following a sharp decline in daily active users, from over 100,000 to just 10,000, the game was moved to the Abstract-based PoP Arcade. Adam Fern, co-founder of Proof of Play, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, “We are extremely happy about how the Proof of Play Arcade on Abstract is performing so far and are looking to bring it to a wider audience, which we know YGG will be able to deliver.”
Gabby Dizon, co-founder of YGG, echoed this sentiment, noting the added value YGG Play offers through full-stack publishing support which encompasses go-to-market strategies, creator-led marketing, user acquisition, token launches, and a revenue share model enforced by smart contracts.
Economic Adjustments and Community Reactions
In the transition of Pirate Nation, some NFT holders were compensated with a $50 reimbursement, leading to mixed reactions from the community. Web3 gaming content creator Apix commented on the situation: “Pirates were hyped up for years as THE premier asset of the game and studio, and a $50 reimbursement is a little bit of a joke. That’s what happens when you invest into highly speculative and risky assets.”
Launching LOL Land Through YGG Play’s Launchpad
YGG Play is also setting the stage for the launch of LOL Land, introducing the $LOL token to power a VIP system that enhances in-game progression and rewards. This system promises a more utility-focused approach, tying tokens directly to gameplay benefits. An initial sale will release 10% of the total supply of 5 billion $LOL tokens, with a fundraising target of $90,000 USD in $YGG tokens. Trading is scheduled to commence on November 1, exclusively through decentralized exchanges.
Distributing Incentives and Future Game Development
The token distribution plan for LOL Land is distinctly structured to cater to a broad base, including developers, players, and liquidity provisions, which further supports the game’s ecosystem and user engagement. Additionally, YGG Play is emphasizing lessons learned from past web3 gaming initiatives to prevent similar pitfalls and sustain a viable gaming environment moving forward. Dizon highlighted the prior successes and failures, showcasing the careful planning behind LOL Land’s launch which has already garnered $4.5 million in earned revenue.
YGG Play continues to pivot towards its Casual Degen strategy, aiming to redefine player expectations and build sustainable models within the web3 space.