The ex-Zynga team once responsible for the mobile giant’s entry into web3 gaming is now building “the first social casino games studio in web3”.
As we reported a couple of weeks ago, D20 Labs spun out of Zynga, taking the Sugartown project and IP with it. Sugartown was Zynga’s debut web3 gaming project, an umbrella brand for various games that would use blockchain technology, all centred upon a range of NFTs called Oras.
Zynga appeared to be giving up on web3, with just over 2,000 Oras sold, many to owners buying up multiple NFTs, and the sale of Sugartown. But Sugartown’s new owner D20 Labs told us that Zynga is still a web3 “believer”.
“The spin out was a mutual decision and the deal was months in the works to create the best path to success for Sugartown and the team,” D20 product chief Tommy Ngo told us. “We believe web3 requires fast movement that we can do more of as D20. We still have a great relationship with Zynga and keep in touch with our peers often.”
We also asked if D20 and Sugartown’s departure marks the end of Zynga’s work in web3. Ngo replied: “We can’t comment on Zynga’s pipeline but the company does believe in Sugartown, our team, and the future of web3. They’ve empowered us to execute and operate as D20.”
We’ve asked Zynga again for comment on this matter and will update this story if they respond.
Meanwhile, D20 has revealed the first details of its first post-Zynga release, Royal Nutz Poker Club. It’s a social casino poker game that’ll launch on the web and mobile, built on the Base blockchain. RNPC was being worked on within Zynga before the D20 spin-out, Ngo told us.
“As D20 we’re increasing the breadth of games and moving beyond just Sugartown to become the first social casino games studio in web3,” said Ngo.
Those who have bought Oras, the NFTs linked to the Sugartown project, will get early access to the new game. “RNPC will lead the future of social casino to onchain gaming and provide real rewards without real wagering,” said a D20 statement. “We are excited to introduce a new set of prizes, sponsored by our partners to create a sustainable, long lasting system.”
D20 told us there’s no gameplay footage available for Royal Nutz Poker Club, and there’s no confirmed release window yet.
