Pudgy Penguins Launches Pengu Clash on TON Blockchain for Skill-Based Gaming

Pudgy Penguins, renowned for its cartoon-style penguin avatars, has introduced a new skill-based Web3 game called Pengu Clash on The Open Network (TON) blockchain. This strategic move places Pudgy Penguins in the competitive mini-game arena, capitalizing on the extensive and diverse user base of Telegram, which boasts over 44 million activated wallets on the TON blockchain.

The game, Pengu Clash, operates under a play-to-win model, where players compete against each other and are rewarded for their game mastery rather than speculation. This model stands in contrast to the traditional play-to-earn model, where players earn tradable currency provided by the game. Pudgy Penguins CEO Luca Netz underscored that the game is designed to be user-vs-user-based, emphasizing skill and competition.

Pudgy Penguins selected the TON blockchain for Pengu Clash due to Telegram’s vast user base, which includes users from various regions. Netz noted that most platforms are not optimized for this type of gameplay, viewing it as an opportunity to scale the Pudgy Penguins brand. The game will feature various game modes with different rules and objectives, along with skill-based challenges.

The launch of Pengu Clash is part of Pudgy Penguins' broader strategy to expand its brand and reach a wider audience. While commercial gains are considered a secondary outcome, the primary goal is to extend the Pudgy Penguins intellectual property (IP) to the masses. The project plans to release more games in 2025, with the next game, Pudgy Party, scheduled for release in August.

Pudgy Penguins was launched as an NFT collection in 2021 and quickly gained popularity. The collection includes 8,888 unique NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain, with a total market capitalization of nearly $200 million as of June 17. The project's success in the NFT space has paved the way for its entry into the gaming industry, with Pengu Clash being the first of several planned releases.

The TON blockchain has been the exclusive blockchain for Telegram’s Mini App ecosystem since January. Despite a sharp decline in monthly active wallets, which have dropped 82.3% since October 2024, the network still processes approximately 19,500 transactions per day. The launch of Pengu Clash on the TON blockchain is anticipated to further boost the network's activity and user engagement.