Yuga Labs Takes Full Control of Otherside

Yuga Labs has made one of its most important moves yet in the world of blockchain gaming by officially acquiring the Unreal Engine–based platform that powers its metaverse game, Otherside, from tech firm Improbable. Along with the technology itself, a large portion of the original development team will also join Yuga Labs in early 2026, marking a major shift in how the project will be built and scaled going forward.

For anyone following the evolution of next-generation blockchain games, this deal signals a clear message: Yuga Labs is doubling down on Otherside as its core long-term vision.

Bringing Otherside Fully In-House

The acquisition gives Yuga Labs full ownership of the creator platform behind Otherside, as well as a permanent license to Improbable’s high-concurrency multiplayer technology. According to Yuga co-founder Greg Solano (aka Garga), this step allows the company to move faster, iterate more freely, and invest deeper into creator-focused tools.

Instead of relying on an external tech partner, Yuga now controls the entire stack. That means quicker updates, tighter integration between gameplay and ownership systems, and a clearer roadmap for builders who want to create inside Otherside.

Solano described the goal simply: to build “the best creator platform in crypto”—one where multiplayer experiences, real economies, and true digital ownership coexist seamlessly.

Yuga Labs Refocuses on BAYC and Otherside

Yuga Labs originally rose to prominence in 2021 with the launch of the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), one of the most recognizable NFT collections in Web3 history. Over time, the company expanded aggressively, acquiring major IPs like CryptoPunks, Meebits, and Moonbirds.

By 2025, however, Yuga made a strategic pivot. Several acquired NFT properties were sold off so the company could refocus resources on its two pillars:

• BAYC

• Otherside

This leaner strategy quickly showed results, with consistent feature updates, new gameplay experiments, and creator tools rolling out throughout 2025.

Amazon Gaming Launch and Retail Expansion

One of the most surprising moves came in October, when Yuga Labs partnered with Amazon for a one-time NFT drop through Amazon Gaming. The avatar, called Boximus, launched as part of the Voyager series and marked Yuga’s first major retail-facing NFT release.

Boximus isn’t just a collectible—it’s a playable character designed for use inside Otherside once the Nexus area went live. This collaboration demonstrated Yuga’s willingness to meet mainstream audiences where they already are, while still keeping NFTs deeply integrated into gameplay.

The Nexus and the Three-Layer World Design

The Amazon drop was carefully timed ahead of the Koda Nexus launch on November 12. The Nexus acts as the social heart of Otherside, allowing players to meet, chat, and explore together.

Otherside is being built as a three-layer world:

1. Layer One – Social HubThe Nexus, focused on community interaction and exploration.

2. Layer Two – Gameplay ZonesBattle arenas, quests, and events created by both Yuga and third-party developers.

3. Layer Three – Full Creator ToolsPowered by the Otherside Development Kit (ODK), enabling full user-generated content.

This layered approach allows Otherside to evolve from a social space into a fully creator-driven metaverse.

Creator Tools Designed for Everyone

The Otherside Development Kit (ODK) is one of the most ambitious parts of the project. It includes AI-assisted, chat-driven building tools that let creators design environments using simple text commands like:

• “Add a tree”

• “Change the sky to sunset”

• “Spawn a river”

Builders can access nearly 1,000 assets across 29 biomes, dramatically lowering the barrier to entry. Additional tools like emote creators, graffiti systems, and customization options allow creators to personalize their experiences and monetize them through royalties.

This philosophy aligns perfectly with the broader vision of blockchain games built around real ownership and player-driven economies.

Pushing Multiplayer to Record Levels

Otherside has already proven its technical ambitions. In February, Yuga hosted Project Dragon, a shooter demo that set a Guinness World Record with over 2,100 players in a single live server.

This milestone was powered by Improbable’s high-concurrency technology—the same tech Yuga now holds under a permanent license. Later tests like Bathroom Blitz and Otherside Outbreak continued to stress-test performance while rewarding player progression.

These events demonstrated that Otherside isn’t just a concept—it’s a functioning large-scale multiplayer platform.

Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond

The rest of 2025 will bring major upgrades, including:

• A revamped Voyager avatar system

• Expanded Otherdeed land utility, such as hosting events and crafting items

In 2026, Yuga plans to introduce Resources, a system expected to enable land production, crafting, and a player-driven economy. All of this will run on ApeChain, with $APE serving as the core in-game currency alongside NFT-based assets.

Developers Joining Yuga Labs

Perhaps the most important piece of the acquisition is the people. Many of the engineers and developers who built Otherside under Improbable will officially join Yuga Labs in early 2026.

With the platform, tools, and talent now fully in-house, Yuga gains tighter control over timelines and creator support—setting the stage for Otherside to become one of the most ambitious creator-first metaverses in blockchain gaming.