YGG Play Expands Its Horizon with Proof of Play Partnership

The web3 gaming world is heating up again! YGG Play has just added another major name to its lineup — Proof of Play Arcade, the creators of the well-known Pirate Nation. This new partnership marks a pivotal step forward for YGG Play’s publishing ambitions and comes right before the official rollout of its much-anticipated Launchpad on October 15.

Let’s dive into why this collaboration matters — not just for YGG Play and Proof of Play, but for the evolving ecosystem of blockchain games as a whole.

A New Era for YGG Play Publishing

YGG Play’s partnership with Proof of Play (PoP) brings a new layer of depth to its growing ecosystem. Proof of Play Arcade will now join as a 3rd-party publishing partner, integrating its web3 arcade titles — including Pirate Nation — into YGG Play’s publishing platform.

This move follows several months of behind-the-scenes collaboration. YGG’s Game Testers Program has already provided valuable playtesting support for Pirate Nation, showcasing how the two teams align on community-driven game development.

Adam Fern, co-founder of Proof of Play (and one of the founding members of CashApp), expressed excitement about reaching new audiences through this partnership:

“We’re thrilled with how the Proof of Play Arcade on Abstract is performing and can’t wait to bring it to YGG’s massive player community,” said Fern.

Pirate Nation’s Rocky Voyage

Pirate Nation’s journey has been anything but smooth sailing. Earlier this year, Proof of Play made headlines when it shut down the original fully onchain version of the game due to high operating costs — around $150,000 per month.

At its peak, the game had over 100,000 daily active users, but numbers dwindled to about 10,000 before its closure in September. Players were given plunder certificates, which will grant future access to the upcoming $PIRATE token, and some received $50 reimbursements for their NFT assets.

Not everyone was happy with that outcome. Web3 content creator Apix called the move disappointing, pointing out that many players had invested heavily in the Pirate Nation ecosystem. Still, the team is determined to rebuild trust and push forward with its new Abstract-based arcade, where players pay a small fee per credit to play and compete on leaderboards.

Rebuilding Trust and Community

When a web3 project shutters its doors, community trust can be hard to win back. Apix summed it up perfectly:

“You’ll have a hard time satisfying your core community now — every shutdown leaves more people unhappy than not.”

Proof of Play knows this challenge well. The team is already working on a new game, though details remain under wraps. This partnership with YGG Play could be the lifeline the studio needs to reconnect with players and reestablish its credibility in the space.

Why Proof of Play Matters to YGG Play’s Strategy

So why did YGG Play choose Proof of Play as its latest partner? The answer lies in YGG Play’s “Casual Degen” strategy — short-session, accessible blockchain games that blend traditional fun with crypto integration.

Gabby Dizon, co-founder of YGG, explained the rationale:

“We offer full-stack publishing support — from go-to-market strategy and creator-led marketing to user acquisition, token launches, and smart contract-enforced revenue share models.”

For YGG Play, Proof of Play’s arcade-style model fits perfectly with its mission to bring casual, rewarding blockchain experiences to mainstream gamers. The collaboration also builds on previous successes with Delabs Games, Pudgy Penguins, and Gigaverse, making YGG Play one of the most active publishing forces in the web3 world.

Launchpad and the $LOL Token Take Center Stage

The timing of this partnership couldn’t be better. YGG Play’s upcoming Launchpad will serve as a one-stop hub for token launches, game discovery, and reward systems. Its debut title? LOL Land — a quirky, board game-inspired project built by Hype Reel.

LOL Land introduces the $LOL token, which powers its VIP progression system. Players who stake tokens gain access to faster rewards, exclusive content, and higher earning caps. Interestingly, YGG Play won’t keep any token share — all distributions go to builders, players, and liquidity pools, emphasizing fairness and sustainability.

Here’s the breakdown of the $LOL token allocation:

• 10% – Developer (Hype Reel)

• 10% – Play-to-Airdrop rewards

• 10% – Launchpad sale

• 10% – Liquidity (LOL Pool)

• 60% – Future gameplay incentives

The Play-to-Airdrop campaign runs until October 29, rewarding active players who engage with the ecosystem — especially those who buy in-game NFTs, which earn 5x points.

Learning from Web3’s Growing Pains

YGG Play has clearly learned from past web3 gaming missteps. Dizon referenced titles like Hamster Kombat and Bombie, which initially drew massive Telegram audiences but struggled with unsustainable token economies.

Instead of chasing hype, YGG Play is focused on long-term viability and fun-first design. The company’s earlier hit, LOL Land, generated over $4.5 million in revenue since its May launch — proving that “Casual Degen” games can balance entertainment with economic sustainability.

“Game publishing is hard, and not every game will make it,” Dizon admitted. “But the numbers show we’re building something real with this category.”

The Future of Blockchain Gaming Looks Brighter

With Proof of Play joining its ranks, YGG Play is evolving into something more than a publishing platform — it’s becoming a launch ecosystem for the next generation of blockchain games. The partnership bridges seasoned web3 developers with one of the most active player bases in the industry.

Both Proof of Play and YGG Play are betting on fun-first, community-driven gaming as the key to sustainable growth — a philosophy that resonates with what blockchain games were always meant to be: empowering players through true ownership and shared success.

So grab your pirate hat, polish your tokens, and keep your eyes on October 15 — the next wave of web3 gaming is about to set sail.