The Pudgy World Game Is Coming in 2024—And Aims To Onboard Millions

With a playable preview revealed at Art Basel Miami, Pudgy Penguins have announced the upcoming alpha release of “Pudgy World,” their new open-world game on Ethereum that will be powered by zkSync’s technology.

The immersive, multiplayer game, which will be accessible to holders of Pudgy Penguins NFTs as well as to owners of Pudgy Toys, was revealed in a dramatic trailer posted yesterday, in which Pudgy the penguin attempts to rescue his lady love, Peaches, from a fragmenting iceberg.

The first people to experience Pudgy World—playing the alpha on custom-built arcade machines at Art Basel Miami—were able to slide, waddle, and fly the hapless Pudgy through a vibrant circus town, entering buildings and conversing with NPCs.

With a planned public alpha launch in 2024, Pudgy World is only the beginning of “a new era of blockchain experiences, with the goal of onboarding millions,” the team said in a post on X.

In the trailer, Pudgy rescues Peaches from a crack in the ice with clever use of a shovel—but after he goes to retrieve the tasty fish he had been holding, he winds up on an ice floe that’s drifting away from her. Alongside a quest to reunite the two lovebirds, the alpha will include new ways for community members to connect socially, the team said in their announcement thread.

According to zksync, the Pudgy Penguins team chose to build the game on Ethereum using their zero-knowledge technology in order to fulfil their goals of scaling and ease of use. “zkSync’s mission is to scale Ethereum and bring crypto to the mainstream—reaching millions of developers and billions of people in need of a technological solution for achieving progress and prosperity. Pudgy World blends entertainment IP, community and ZK tech to make onboarding into Web3 both fun and accessible for all—an important step towards mass adoption,” the zkSync team posted on X.

Pudgy Penguins’ announcement also hinted that Pudgy Toy owners will be able to dive into the game without being tripped up by the usual hurdles of installing a wallet and buying crypto. “For our Pudgy Toy experience, you scan the included QR code, make an account, redeem your traits, and customize your Forever Pudgy Penguin,” they posted.

The team also auctioned a unique vinyl collectible of Pudgy and Peaches, which sold yesterday for a winning bid of $2323 USDC.

Pudgy Penguins also hinted at more to come, including products and animations that could license holders IP. “In 2024, licensing Penguins from our community and featuring community-owned Penguins in products, animations, story, and more will ramp up with the launch of our IP licensing marketplace @OverpassIP,” they wrote.

In Miami, reception for the debut of Pudgy World’s playable alpha was positive. “The @pudgypenguins game is actually really fun,” said one tester, attaching a gameplay video of Pudgy slaloming around on his belly. “It’s real,” another player said.