Proof of Play Shuts Down Amid Decentralized Gaming Thesis Fail
Proof of Play, a blockchain gaming studio backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is shutting down after its decentralized gaming thesis failed to bear fruit. The company said it couldn't develop a product that proved blockchain-based games could help usher in a decentralized internet at scale.
The studio will open-source much of its code and artwork, including the Pirate Nation game, smart contracts, and internal software-development tools. The Pirate Nation Foundation will continue supporting the PIRATE token and keep its website operational, but Proof of Play points will not be redeemable for anything.
Proof of Play's Shiba Story Go! game was acquired by an unidentified third party and will continue operating independently. At their peak, the company's Apex and Boss networks were the two largest gas consumers tracked across Ethereum's rollup ecosystem.