Pudgy Penguins Unveils Pudgy World Alpha Powered by zkSync at Art Basel Miami

LOS ANGELES, CA — Pudgy Penguins, the visionary IP and brand development company renowned for its globally recognized characters and leading NFT collections, has officially launched the alpha version of Pudgy World at Art Basel Miami.

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Fueled by zkSync Era, this immersive digital environment is accessible to Pudgy Penguins NFT holders, owners of Pudgy Toys, the brand's line of NFT-inspired toys, and adventurous gamers. The alpha release, set for 2024, introduces an open world, customizable penguin characters, story-driven missions, and the debut of "Hero Characters," Pudgy and Peaches.

Pudgy World is a groundbreaking blend of entertainment IP and zero-knowledge (ZK) blockchain technology, marking a significant stride toward the mass adoption of Web3 technology.

Luca Netz, CEO of Pudgy Penguins, commented “Blockchain technology has historically been a B2B model, whereas Pudgy Penguins is direct-to-consumer retail, which reaches a considerably larger audience."
"The alpha launch of Pudgy World is a massive step forward for the Web3 and NFT space because Pudgy Penguin owners will be playing with their Pudgy Toys, without any pre-existing knowledge of the blockchain technology it is built on.”

Luca Netz, CEO of Pudgy Penguins
The launch event at Art Basel not only revealed the dynamic features of Pudgy World but also unveiled the first "Hero Characters" that will shape the game's narrative. Pudgy Penguins' strategic partnership with Walmart earlier this year, introducing Pudgy Penguin Toys to over 2,000 stores, paved the way for the brand's successful expansion.

Each Pudgy Penguin toy comes with a QR code that allows the user to claim unique traits for their digital Forever Pudgy Penguin character inside Pudgy World. Gamers do not need to purchase a Pudgy Toy or hold a Pudgy NFT to play the alpha version of Pudgy World.

From purchasing a physical toy, to exploring a blockchain-based digital world, each step has been carefully curated to create a rich user experience. The result is a highly customizable open-world game that enables easy onboarding into the Web3 ecosystem through art, play, and community.
Since all of the toys are connected to existing pieces of NFT IP, the current NFT holders will receive licensing royalties for each corresponding toy.
Pudgy World alpha will launch without tradability between users, meaning people can only get returns from the original sale. Players will eventually be able to partake in the Pudgy World game economy once the official Pudgy World exits a later phase.

Why Pudgy Penguins Chose zkSync

A reliable blockchain with proven capabilities that is easy to access and built to scale is needed to keep pace with Pudgy Penguin’s global success. zkSync, along with the support of the zk community, is the only chain able to advocate for and bolster the success of Pudgy World and the Pudgy community as they introduce blockchain technology to the next generation of mobile gamers.

“Pudgy World leverages zkSync’s revolutionary zero-knowledge (ZK) technology to unlock new business models and gaming experiences, similar to the gaming industry’s transformative shift to mobile games,” remarked Michael Lee, former Activision Blizzard executive and current SVP of Growth at Matter Labs.

“The launch of Pudgy World, in collaboration with Walmart, stands as a remarkable testament to the capabilities of our joint development teams.
"Whether you're a seasoned NFT collector or venturing into crypto for the first time, Pudgy World aims to welcome millions of gamers into Web3 to have fun, as well as forge lasting friendships."

Michael Lee, SVP of Growth at Matter Labs
The Pudgy Penguins team selected zkSync because it was the first zkEVM and fastest proof system in production to scale Ethereum to a million developers and a billion users. Moreover, the technology allows Pudgy World to seamlessly interact with all the notable IP and big brands building on zkSync — making future collaborations easy as a single line of code.

Lorenzo Melendez, President of Pudgy Penguins, comments, “zkSync was selected as the underlying technology for a plethora of reasons, which includes, but not limited to, the trustless and secure technological superiority of the blockchain, as well as the reliable, accessible, privacy-preserving, and hyperscalable nature of the ZK Stack, setting Pudgy World up for success.”

Art Basel Reveal

At an exclusive Art Basel event, Luca Netz shared the excitement of Pudgy World's launch through an animated video, offering a glimpse into the expanded universe with new quests, neighborhoods, and the introduction of "Hero Characters." The immersive experience invites millions of gamers into the Web3 ecosystem, emphasizing Pudgy Penguins' commitment to community empowerment and shaping the future of IP in the digital age.


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About Pudgy Penguins

Pudgy Penguins is dedicated to making Web3 accessible to everyone by creating innovative products that enable seamless onboarding. Their focus on community empowerment and building brand awareness has made them the leading IP in the Web3 space while also disrupting the traditional IP sphere. Visit pudgypenguins.com to learn more.

About zkSync

zkSync is cutting-edge zero-knowledge (ZK) technology 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. To learn more about zkSync, visit www.zksync.io.