Yield Guild Games Launches YGG Play With Casual Crypto Games

Yield Guild Games (YGG) has launched a new publishing division, YGG Play, with a focus on casual, crypto-native titles that the company refers to as “Casual Degen” games. This strategic move comes after years of observing the challenges faced by Web3 games in finding their audience. YGG Play aims to cater to players who enjoy lighthearted, chaotic gameplay, aligning with the degen culture prevalent in the crypto community.

The inaugural release from YGG Play is LOL Land, a browser-based board game that features characters from the Pudgy Penguins community. The game is designed to offer token-based rewards, providing an engaging experience for crypto-native players. LOL Land has already garnered significant interest, with over 100,000 pre-registrations ahead of its launch, exclusively available on Abstract Chain.

Gabby Dizon, co-founder of YGG, highlighted the appeal of casual games, noting that players often engage with them during short breaks or commutes. These games offer fun and rewards such as streaks, badges, or collectibles, and players are willing to spend real money on them. YGG's experience in the Web3 gaming sector has given them insights into what works and what doesn't, leading to the development of a publishing strategy that directly targets crypto enthusiasts.

LOL Land features four thematic boards: YGG City, Beach Day, Carnival, and Ice World Wonderland. These boards showcase Pudgy Penguins IP with playable characters based on community members like Aaron Teng and Rusk0f. Players can earn YGG tokens within the game, which can be used to claim NFTs, adding an extra layer of engagement and reward for participants.

Dizon's background in game development, spanning over 20 years, has influenced the creation of LOL Land. His experience in both casual gaming and Web3 gaming has shaped the game's design and strategy. The move to create games directly, rather than just investing in them, represents a significant shift for YGG. This new approach focuses on crypto-native users who are involved in activities like trading memecoins, minting NFTs, and engaging in speculative activities.

YGG's strategy of targeting crypto enthusiasts rather than mainstream gamers addresses an underserved market segment. Dizon believes that this segment is larger than the hardcore Web3 gaming community. He argues that the key to the longevity of Web3 games lies in perseverance and the ability to create engaging experiences that integrate new technology effectively.