NFT Project Expands into Competitive Gaming Space

Pudgy Penguins, the popular NFT collection, has unveiled its first skill-based Web3 game called Pengu Clash on The Open Network (TON) blockchain. This marks the project's strategic move into the competitive mini-game sector, leveraging Telegram's massive user base.

Play-to-Win Model Focuses on Skill Over Speculation

Unlike traditional play-to-earn models, Pengu Clash adopts a play-to-win approach where players compete against each other for rewards based on skill rather than token speculation. "This is a user-versus-user system where participants wager against one another," explained Pudgy Penguins CEO Luca Netz. The game features multiple modes with varying rules and objectives, powered by Elympics' infrastructure for seamless multiplayer experiences.

TON Blockchain Chosen for Telegram's User Reach

The development team selected TON blockchain specifically to tap into Telegram's 【44 million activated wallets】 and distinct regional user bases. "Most platforms aren't positioned for this type of gameplay," Netz noted, highlighting Northern Europe as a key target market. Despite an 【82.3% decline】 in monthly active wallets since October 2024, TON still maintains over 2.1 million daily active users.

Brand Expansion Through Gaming

——This initiative represents more than revenue generation—— Netz emphasized. The CEO views gaming as a vehicle for IP expansion, with commercial success being a secondary benefit. The original Pudgy Penguins NFT collection, launched in 2021, currently boasts a 【$200 million】 market capitalization across its 8,888 unique Ethereum-based tokens.

Upcoming Releases and Industry Context

The project plans to launch Pudgy Party in August 2025 as part of its gaming roadmap. This development comes as Telegram-based games like Hamster Kombat and Catizen demonstrated the platform's potential, attracting hundreds of thousands of players during 2024's mini-game boom.

TON's Position in Web3 Gaming

Since becoming the exclusive blockchain for Telegram's Mini App ecosystem in January, TON has processed approximately 【19,500 daily transactions】. While activity has declined from its peak, the network remains a significant player in the Web3 gaming space, particularly for projects seeking access to Telegram's global user base.