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Proof of Play to cease operations, open-source assets

Created at 5 Aug · 9:21 AM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

Blockchain game developer Proof of Play is shutting down after failing to establish a sustainable business model for decentralized gaming. The a16z-backed studio will open-source its game assets and code, while an independent foundation will continue supporting the PIRATE token.

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Key Numbers

2largest gas consumers on Ethereum's rollup ecosystem

Who's Involved

Proof of Play
Blockchain game developer ceasing operations
a16z
Backer of Proof of Play
Pirate Nation Foundation
Independent entity supporting PIRATE token

↳ Why This Matters

The closure of Proof of Play highlights the ongoing challenges in scaling blockchain-based gaming and achieving a sustainable decentralized internet model, despite significant backing and innovative efforts.

Key facts

  • Blockchain game developer Proof of Play is shutting down.
  • The a16z-backed studio cited failure to build a sustainable decentralized gaming business.
  • Proof of Play will open-source its game, code, and artwork.
  • An independent foundation will continue supporting the PIRATE token.
  • Founder Pirates NFT artwork and IP are now under a CC0 license.

Blockchain game developer Proof of Play announced it will cease operations, citing its inability to create a sustainable business model around its decentralized gaming thesis. The studio, backed by a16z, stated it could not develop a product that demonstrated the scalability of blockchain-based games for a decentralized internet.

As part of its shutdown, Proof of Play will open-source significant portions of its code and artwork, including its flagship game, Pirate Nation, along with its smart contracts and internal development tools. The artwork and intellectual property associated with the Founder Pirates non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and Pirate Nation will be made available under a CC0 license.

An independent entity, the Pirate Nation Foundation, will assume responsibility for supporting the PIRATE token and maintaining the game's website. However, Proof of Play points will no longer be redeemable. The studio's other game, Shiba Story Go!, has been acquired by an unnamed third party and will continue to operate independently.

At their peak, Proof of Play's Apex and Boss networks were recognized as the two largest gas consumers within Ethereum's rollup ecosystem.

Frequently asked questions

Proof of Play is ceasing operations because it failed to build a sustainable business around its decentralized gaming thesis and could not prove blockchain-based games could scale for a decentralized internet.

Proof of Play will open-source the Pirate Nation game and its assets. An independent Pirate Nation Foundation will continue to support the PIRATE token and keep the game's website operational.

The artwork and intellectual property associated with the Founder Pirates NFTs and Pirate Nation have been made available under a CC0 license.

Proof of Play's game Shiba Story Go! was acquired by an unnamed third party and will continue to operate independently.

What Happens Next

01The Pirate Nation Foundation will continue supporting the PIRATE token.
02Proof of Play's website will remain operational.
03Shiba Story Go! will continue operating under new ownership.

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Cadence

How It Developed

Proof of Play will cease operations.
The studio could not develop a product proving blockchain-based games could usher in a decentralized internet at scale.
Proof of Play will open-source its code and artwork, including the Pirate Nation game and smart contracts.
An independent Pirate Nation Foundation will continue supporting the PIRATE token and maintain its website.
Founder Pirates NFT artwork and intellectual property will be available under a CC0 license.
Proof of Play's Shiba Story Go! game was acquired by a third party.
Proof of Play's Apex and Boss networks were once the largest gas consumers on Ethereum's rollup ecosystem.

Sources

T1
Proof of Play to shut down after blockchain gaming thesis falls shortThe a16z-backed studio will open-source Pirate Nation assets, while an independent foundation continues supporting the PIRATE token.Cointelegraph

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