The prominent Ethereum NFT profile picture (PFP) collection, Pudgy Penguins, was celebrating a groundbreaking moment at Art Basel in Miami by unveiling an exciting trailer for its upcoming 3D browser game, Pudgy World.
According to their announcement during the event, the alpha is scheduled to be released in 2024, offering Pudgy Penguin NFT holders and plush toy owners an immersive experience.
Announcing our Pudgy Miami Art Basel event, co-hosted by @zksync, on Saturday, December 9 from 7-11pm EST.
More information on how to RSVP for this Pudgy World themed event below. pic.twitter.com/tPuaJrr4iN
— Pudgy Penguins (@pudgypenguins) November 19, 2023
Pudgy Penguins made strategic moves after reported controversy surrounding the original owner. The new leadership appointed an executive advisory board, securing $9 million in funding, and expanding its coverage with plush penguin toys at over 2,000 U.S. Walmart and Hot Topic locations, and successfully received viral videos on social media that have garnered millions of views, strengthening the brand’s popularity.
In a major development, Pudgy World will permit users to step onto the virtual ice in its lobby during the alpha launch. The game, which follows the adventures of two endearing penguins, Pudgy and Peaches, will eventually enable NFT holders and plush toy owners to adopt a virtual version of their collectibles as 3D characters.
Excitingly, Pudgy World will be free-to-play, inviting gamers to explore and customize their characters by purchasing traits. According to the official statement, players can “embark on a story-driven journey” with their uniquely crafted avatars.
Pudgy World’s technological backbone will utilize Matter Labs’ Ethereum layer-2 scaling protocol, zkSync. This cutting-edge zero-knowledge blockchain technology enhances user privacy compared to traditional blockchain transactions. While specific details on how Pudgy World will leverage zkSync remain undisclosed, Matter Labs SVP of Growth, Michael Lee, anticipates that the technology will “unlock new business models and gaming experiences” for players.
Pudgy Penguins CEO Luca Netz emphasized the significance of the alpha launch, stating, “Pudgy Penguin owners will be playing with their Pudgy Toys without any pre-existing knowledge of the blockchain technology it is built on,” underscoring the game’s accessibility to a wider audience.
As anticipation builds for the alpha release in 2024, Pudgy Penguins continues to break barriers in the Web3 and NFT space, promising an inclusive and exciting gaming experience for fans of all backgrounds.
Counting down for the door to open in @PudgyWorld_ … 1 day 21 hours to go !! pic.twitter.com/EMrZHtqBTB
— DegenDen🐧 (@DegenDen_eth) December 8, 2023
