YGG Play signs publishing deal with Ruyui to bring Roots of Embervault to its Launchpad
In Brief:
- YGG Play partnered with animation and gaming studio Ruyui to feature soulslike pixel-art RPG Roots of Embervault on the YGG Play Launchpad starting May 14 at 8 p.m. SGT.
- The game runs on Abstract Chain and has generated $38,000 in revenue from 1,500 monthly active users with a 46% retention rate.
- The deal targets APAC expansion through YGG’s community of over 100,000 players, with localization efforts underway for a broader international rollout.
YGG Play struck a third-party publishing partnership with Ruyui Studios to bring Roots of Embervault, a soulslike pixel-art RPG on Abstract Chain, onto its Launchpad. Quests integrated into the game go live Thursday, May 14 at 8 p.m. SGT.
The deal is focused on user acquisition as Ruyui prepares the title for international expansion, with particular emphasis on the APAC region where YGG maintains an active community of over 100,000 players.
Game metrics
Roots of Embervault has pulled in $38,000 in revenue from a base of 1,500 monthly active users. Ruyui reports a 46% retention rate. YGG categorizes the title under its Casual Degen label for lightweight crypto-native games.
The game blends soulslike environmental storytelling with pixel aesthetics. Players can collect the main character, Bob, via Telegram for use in chats and to access special in-game loot boxes. An Abstract Runes feature lets players earn rewards by burning in-game items, creating what Ruyui describes as a participation-driven economic loop.
Why YGG
“Our ambition is to build Ruyui into one of the most recognizable IPs in the world,” Petek, co-founder of Ruyui Studios, said. “But in traditional publishing models, developers are often forced to give up ownership of their IP. YGG Play stood out because they help games scale and reach new audiences while allowing studios like ours to retain ownership of the IP they’re building.”
IP retention was the differentiator. Under the deal, Ruyui keeps full ownership of the Roots of Embervault IP while YGG handles distribution and growth support.
“Teams like Ruyui are building exactly the kind of fun and compelling crypto-native experiences our Casual Degen audience wants,” Gabby Dizon, co-founder of YGG, said. “Roots of Embervault has a lot of potential as a breakout IP. There’s a big opportunity to bring its story to our community in APAC, where players value games that reward actual skill.”
What’s next
Localization work is underway to make the game’s lore and gameplay accessible to communities beyond its current English-speaking base. The Launchpad integration adds quest-based rewards tied to active engagement and skill-based progression.
Ruyui is led by co-founders Petek and Yan. YGG originated in the Philippines in 2020.
