Ethereum-based NFT collection Pudgy Penguins has revealed details about its upcoming Pudgy World, as it plans to make a foray into the gaming industry through its virtual world.
It is described by Pudgy Penguins as a social open-world game that allows Pudgy Penguin NFT holders and owners of physical Pudgy toys to come together.
Pudgy World
Pudgy Penguins CEO Luca Schnetzler announced the upcoming alpha launch of the upcoming Pudgy World with a trailer at Art Basel Miami. Schnetzler also stated that the interactive virtual world will be available for Pudgy Penguin NFT holders to connect with their digital collectibles. The CEO also stated that Pudgy World will revolutionize fandom by allowing Pudgy Penguin “stans” to interact with their characters. Pudgy World will be powered by zkSync Era and will allow players to explore an open world, customize their penguin characters, embark on a story-driven journey, and interact with friends.
Pudgy World will also see the introduction of two hero characters, Pudgy, and Peaches, in addition to new story-driven missions and quests. The two characters will drive the game’s narrative and guide players through different adventures. The alpha launch will also be the first-of-its-kind blend of entertainment and ZK blockchain technology.
Foray Into Web3 Gaming
The launch of Pudgy World sees the company make its way into Web3 gaming as the first-ever Web3 game offering digital and physical collectibles. It also serves as a testimony to the brand’s progression, which has moved well beyond NFT collectibles. It also offers a unique brand-building approach by positioning itself as an immersive entertainment and lifestyle brand. Luca Netz, CEO of Pudgy Penguins, stated,
“Blockchain technology has historically been a B2B model, whereas Pudgy Penguins is direct-to-consumer retail, which reaches a considerably larger audience. The alpha launch of Pudgy World is a massive step forward for the Web3 and NFT space because Pudgy Penguin owners will be playing with their Pudgy Toys without any pre-existing knowledge of the blockchain technology it is built on.”
Pudgy World will be launched on Matter Lab’s zkSync blockchain, allowing collaboration with other IPs that leverage the Ethereum Layer-2 network.
Earlier this year, Pudgy Penguins launched the Pudgy Penguin Toy line across Walmart stores in the US. Each toy comes with a QR code that allows users to claim unique traits for their digital forever Pudgy Penguin character in the Pudgy World. Players do not need to buy a Pudgy toy or have a Pudgy NFT to access and play the alpha version of the Pudgy World. Each step in the player’s journey has been carefully curated to offer a rich user experience. This has resulted in a highly customizable open-world game that allows easy onboarding into the Web3 ecosystem.
All the toys are connected to existing NFT IPs, meaning current NFT holders will receive licensing royalties for each corresponding toy. Pudgy World Alpha will launch without tradability between users. This means people can get returns only from the original sale. According to Matter Labs SVP of Growth Michael Lee, leveraging zkSync’s zero-knowledge technology will allow Pudgy World to unlock new business models and gaming experiences.
“Pudgy World leverages zkSync’s revolutionary zero-knowledge (ZK) technology to unlock new business models and gaming experiences, similar to the gaming industry’s transformative shift to mobile games. The launch of Pudgy World, in collaboration with Walmart, stands as a remarkable testament to the capabilities of our joint development teams. Whether you’re a seasoned NFT collector or venturing into crypto for the first time, Pudgy World aims to welcome millions of gamers into web3 to have fun, as well as forge lasting friendships.”
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
