Proof of Play Shuts Down After Failing to Prove Decentralized Gaming Thesis

Proof of Play, an a16z-backed studio, has announced it will cease operations due to its inability to develop a sustainable business model around its decentralized gaming thesis. The company cited that it failed to create a product that could help usher in a decentralized internet at scale.

The studio plans to open-source much of its code and artwork, including the Pirate Nation game, smart contracts, and internal software-development tools. Proof of Play will also make available the artwork and intellectual property associated with the Founder Pirates non-fungible tokens and Pirate Nation under a CC0 license.

Despite the shutdown, the independent Pirate Nation Foundation will continue to support the PIRATE token and keep its website operational. However, Proof of Play points will no longer be redeemable for anything.

The Shiba Story Go! game was acquired by an unidentified third party and will continue operating independently. At their peak, Proof of Play's Apex and Boss networks were among the largest gas consumers tracked across Ethereum's rollup ecosystem.