Web3 gaming guilds have transformed massively since their early peak. Back in 2021, during the play-to-earn frenzy, groups like Yield Guild Games emerged to lend pricey NFTs to newcomers so they could access titles such as Axie Infinity and earn tokens. These early guilds were mostly straightforward scholarship systems—managers supplied assets, players generated rewards, and both sides shared profits. YGG stood at the front of this movement, helping turn gaming into a genuine income path for millions.
YGG’s story actually begins earlier. The guild traces back to 2018, when industry veteran Gabby Dizon began lending his own NFTs to friends experimenting with blockchain games. When co-founders Beryl Li and Owl of Moistness joined him, YGG evolved into the world’s first large-scale Web3 guild, onboarding thousands of players by 2021. What sets YGG apart is its constant reinvention. Instead of clinging to the risky P2E models, the team shifted toward sustainable systems like the Guild Advancement Program (GAP), where players complete quests across dozens of games to earn $YGG. GAP’s Season 10 shattered all previous records with 76,841 participants—a 177% jump—showing guilds are now cultivating real skill and community, not just farming tokens.
The pivotal break came in 2025 with the introduction of YGG Play, a publishing arm built for “casual degen” titles—fast, enjoyable games with on-chain rewards. The first release, LOL Land, a Pudgy Penguins-themed board game, attracted 25,000 players on launch day and generated $5.6M in five months. Their next title, Gigaverse, produced $6M in just three months. With YGG Play’s launchpad, new studios now get help with distribution, quests, scholarships, and token incentives in one ecosystem. Onchain Guilds extend these tools to smaller communities, forming a shared identity and reputation layer across Web3 gaming.
The numbers show how far YGG leads: over 100 partner guilds globally, millions of onboarded players, and a $38M treasury recorded in July 2025—funding buybacks like the 135 ETH sourced from game profits. Their recent announcement of a $7.5M ecosystem pool filled with 50M $YGG supports developers and treasury liquidity. Offline events reinforce their influence, from the YGG Play Summit in Manila—featuring $100K tournaments—to Art Basel activations with OpenSea promoting new titles like Waifu Sweeper and Gigachadbat. GAP currently maintains over 60 playable experiences, spanning from DeFi Kingdoms to AI workstreams via Oortech.
Partnerships keep YGG ahead of the pack. Collaborations with Immutable unlocked $1M in rewards, while alliances with The9, Ronin, and Warp Chain expand global onboarding and accelerate economies on chains like Avax. New deals—such as Fishing Frenzy’s liquidity pools or Sui Builder’s dev training in the Philippines—push the ecosystem forward. YGG’s DAO empowers holders to guide treasury allocations and game integrations, and staking $YGG unlocks yield and governance rights. Education via Metaversity and creator-focused programs build trust in regions like Southeast Asia, where guilds play a pivotal role in Web3 adoption. YGG leads because it evolves—from lending NFTs to architecting gaming economies—with players always at the center.
In a Web3 landscape craving real gameplay and reliable earnings, YGG’s revenue-sharing design, global reach, and relentless innovation position it as the model for the industry. As 2026 approaches—with more games, more quests, and more creator-driven expansion—YGG isn’t just riding the next big wave of on-chain gaming. It’s shaping it.
