Pudgy Penguins, the Ethereum-based NFT collection, has revealed a trailer for its upcoming 3D browser game experience, Pudgy World, during Art Basel in Miami. The game is set to launch in alpha stage in 2024. Following a change in leadership due to controversy surrounding its original owner, Pudgy Penguins established an executive advisory board, secured $9 million in funding, distributed plush penguin toys in over 2,000 Walmart and Hot Topic stores across the United States, and garnered millions of views through viral videos on social media.
In Pudgy World's lobby, fans will be able to take their first steps onto the virtual ice. Once fully released, owners of Pudgy Penguin NFTs and plush toys will have the opportunity to adopt a 3D character in the game, resembling their collectibles. Pudgy World will be free-to-play, allowing gamers to explore the virtual world, customize their characters with purchased traits, and embark on a story-driven journey, as stated in an official announcement.
Pudgy Penguins CEO Luca Netz highlighted the significance of the alpha launch, stating that Pudgy Penguin owners can engage with their Pudgy Toys without requiring prior knowledge of the underlying blockchain technology.
Pudgy World will utilize Matter Labs' Ethereum layer-2 scaling protocol, zkSync, which incorporates zero-knowledge (ZK) blockchain technology. ZK proofs offer enhanced user privacy compared to traditional blockchain transactions on public networks like Ethereum. While the exact implementation of zkSync within Pudgy World has not been detailed, Michael Lee, SVP of Growth at Matter Labs, expressed that their ZK technology will introduce new business models and gaming experiences for players.
Source : Yahoo crypto / Dec 11, 2023