Zynga is launching Sugartown, an Ethereum-based NFT game, marking a significant step into blockchain gaming for the company.
Zynga, the renowned game publisher behind mega-hits like FarmVille and Words With Friends, is stepping into the blockchain arena with its newest game, Sugartown. Utilizing Ethereum NFTs, this game is part of Zynga’s ambitious venture into the world of decentralized Web3 gaming.
Sugartown will be a web-browser-based game releasing at an unspecified date later this year. The game’s storyline centers around three farm animals who have opened a wormhole from another dimension. This allows creatures known as Oras to transform Sugartown into an exciting, gamified world.
Zynga plans to release 10,000 Ora NFTs, which will serve as essential keys for players to access the game. Owning an Ora NFT will grant players entry to the experience and the free-to-play minigames inside Sugartown. Additionally, players will have the ability to stake their Ora NFTs and gather Sugar, a non-crypto, in-game currency.
According to Zynga Vice President of Web3 Gaming, Matt Wolf, the company aims to create a sustainable Web3 platform filled with engaging and lasting games. Zynga’s objective is to attract a native Web3 market initially but intends to expand more broadly, fostering a committed community that relishes the experience.
Zynga’s Journey: From FarmVille to Blockchain
Founded in 2007, Zynga quickly became a prominent figure in the gaming industry with the launch of FarmVille and Words With Friends in 2009. The move into blockchain-based games was hinted at in late 2021, with scarce details provided since early 2022.
Last year marked a significant milestone for Zynga as Grand Theft Auto publisher Take-Two Interactive acquired the company for $12.7 billion. The acquisition signaled collaborative plans for future blockchain games, further underscoring Zynga’s commitment to innovating within the gaming industry.
Sugartown’s release will undoubtedly be watched with keen interest by gamers and the tech community alike, as it symbolizes a fusion of casual gaming with the advanced technology of NFTs and blockchain. The direction Zynga takes could very well shape the future of the industry, blending fun, accessibility, and state-of-the-art tech into a new era of gaming.