P

Proof of Play

On-chain game studio and infrastructure

Overview

Company Does Not Provide H-1B Sponsorship

Proof of Play creates blockchain-based games where players own their in-game characters and assets through on-chain ownership. Its games run on an open-source engine and infrastructure, enabling seamless onboarding, long-lived experiences, and community remixing. Revenue comes from building and selling games on its platform and by licensing its engine to other developers. The company differentiates itself with an experienced team and a transparent, open-source, decentralized approach aimed at growing a scalable on-chain gaming ecosystem where assets belong to players.

Significant Headcount Growth

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About Proof of Play

Simplify's Rating
Why Proof of Play is rated
D-
Rated D+ on Competitive Edge
Rated D- on Growth Potential
Rated D- on Differentiation

Industries

Enterprise SoftwareCrypto & Web3Gaming

Company Size

1-10

Company Stage

Seed

Total Funding

$33M

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

2022

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Simplify's take

What believers are saying

  • August 2026 open-source release gives builders free access to Pirate Nation code.
  • The independent Pirate Nation Foundation still supports the $PIRATE token and website.
  • Shiba Story Go survived under a third-party buyer, preserving one operating asset.

What critics are saying

  • Proof of Play ceased operations on August 4, 2026 after failing to scale.
  • Pirate Nation dropped from 100,000 daily users to roughly 10,000 before closure.
  • Monthly operating costs hit $150,000; that economics killed the studio and chains.

What makes Proof of Play unique

  • Amitt Mahajan built FarmVille, giving Proof of Play elite live-ops game-design credibility.
  • Pirate Nation ran fully onchain, with assets and smart contracts open-sourced August 2026.
  • Apex and Boss showed proprietary infrastructure for scaling blockchain games beyond a single chain.

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Funding

Total Funding

$33M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

1 Rounds

Notable Investors:
Seed funding is usually the first official round after pre-seed, when a startup has a prototype or concept. It’s typically used to develop the product, test the market, and start building the team. Investors here are often angel investors or early-stage venture capitalists.
Seed Funding Comparison
Above Average

Industry standards

$3.3M
$2M
$2.3M
$3M
$33M

Benefits

  • Remote Work Options
  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Flexible Work Hours

Company News

eGamers.io
Oct 14th, 2025
YGG Partners with Pirate Nation for Web3 Game Publishing Using Proof of Play

YGG partners with Pirate Nation for web3 game publishing using Proof of Play. In brief: * Strategic Partnership: YGG Play collaborates with Proof of Play to expand the audience for Pirate Nation, utilizing YGG Play's publishing platform. * Launchpad Debut: The partnership fortifies YGG Play's operational capabilities as they introduce Pirate Nation through their Launchpad on October 15. * Token Sale Introduction: YGG Play announces a token sale for LOL Land, aiming to foster a utility-driven gaming experience with a significant focus on enhancing in-game benefits. Strategic expansion in web3 gaming. YGG Play has announced a partnership with Proof of Play (PoP), marking a significant step in expanding its Web3 gaming network. This collaboration integrates the PoP Arcade into the YGG Play platform, enhancing its game offerings as it prepares for the Launchpad debut on October 15. A fresh start for Pirate Nation. Pirate Nation has been facing operational difficulties leading to a discontinuation of its onchain version in September due to high maintenance costs of up to $150,000 per month. The game, which once saw over 100,000 daily active users drop to just 10,000, is now hosted on the Abstract-based PoP Arcade. Adam Fern, co-founder of Proof of Play, expressed optimism about the relocation, saying, "We are extremely happy about how the Proof of Play Arcade on Abstract is performing so far and are looking to bring it to a wider audience, which we know YGG will be able to deliver." Gabby Dizon, co-founder of YGG, noted the benefits of full-stack publishing support that the platform provides, including strategic marketing and a revenue-sharing model based on smart contracts. Economic adjustments and community reactions. The transition of Pirate Nation included a $50 reimbursement to some NFT holders, eliciting mixed responses from the community. Web3 gaming content creator Apix remarked, "Pirates were hyped up for years as THE premier asset of the game and studio, and a $50 reimbursement is a little bit of a joke. That's what happens when you invest into highly speculative and risky assets." Launching LOL Land through YGG Play's Launchpad. Additionally, YGG Play is gearing up to introduce LOL Land, employing the $LOL token to facilitate a VIP system that promises enhanced in-game progression and rewards. This initiative links tokens directly to gameplay advantages, offering a more utility-focused approach. An initial sale is set to release 10% of the total 5 billion $LOL tokens with a fundraising target of $90,000 in $YGG tokens. Trading of the $LOL token is expected to start on November 1, exclusively on decentralized exchanges. Distributing incentives and future game development. The token distribution strategy for LOL Land is carefully crafted to include developers, players, and liquidity provisions, aiming to enrich the game's ecosystem and engagement. YGG Play has learned from previous web3 gaming experiences to avoid similar challenges and ensure sustainable game development. Dizon illustrated the careful planning behind LOL Land's launch, which has already generated $4.5 million in revenue. YGG Play continues to refine its Casual Degen strategy with the objective of redefining player expectations and establishing enduring business models in the web3 gaming realm.

iGaming.org
Nov 14th, 2024
Proof of Play Introduces Pirate Nation Season 3 with Expanded Play-to-Earn Features

Proof of Play introduces Pirate Nation Season 3 with expanded play-to-earn features.

VentureBeat
Nov 13th, 2024
Proof of Play launches Season 3 for hot Web3 game Pirate Nation

Proof of Play, the maker of Web3 game Pirate Nation, announced today the launch of Season 3 on November 14.

BitPinas
Sep 5th, 2024
Pirate Nation Developers Launches Second Chain called "Boss Chain"

Crypto game studio Proof of Play recently launched its second blockchain Boss Chain to support the scaling of its crypto game Pirate Nation and advance its multichain vision.

The Defiant
Aug 28th, 2024
Proof of Play to Launch Second Blockchain to Support Pirate Nation Game

On August 29, Proof of Play (PoP), the developer behind the onchain game Pirate Nation, is set to launch Boss Chain, an additional blockchain designed to support the game's expanding user base and activity.

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