Proof of Play Shuts Down Amid Decentralized Gaming Thesis Fail
Blockchain game developer Proof of Play is shutting down operations after failing to build a sustainable business around its decentralized gaming thesis.
The a16z-backed studio, which had received backing from prominent venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), cited the inability to develop a product that could help usher in a decentralized internet at scale as the reason for its closure.
Proof of Play will open-source much of its code and artwork, including the Pirate Nation game, smart contracts, and internal software-development tools. The independent Pirate Nation Foundation will continue supporting the PIRATE token and keep its website operational.
The studio's Shiba Story Go! game was acquired by an unnamed third party and will continue operating independently. At their peak, Proof of Play's Apex and Boss networks were the two largest gas consumers tracked across Ethereum's rollup ecosystem.