Proof of Play shuts down despite a16z backing

Proof of Play announced on Aug. 4 that it will cease operations after failing to turn its blockchain gaming vision into a scalable and sustainable business. Summary Proof of Play will close after failing to build a scalable, sustainable Web3 gaming business. Four public repositories preserve Pirate Nation code, contracts, artwork, and Proof of Play’s agent tool. Pirate Nation artwork and Founder Pirates assets now carry CC0 licensing for unrestricted public reuse. The independent Pirate Nation Foundation says it will continue supporting the PIRATE token after closure. Shiba Story Go has been acquired by an undisclosed third party and will continue independently. The studio said it could not build a product or business model that validated its Web3 gaming thesis at scale. The company did not disclose a final closure date, the number of employees affected or its remaining financial position. It also did not identify the buyer of mobile game Shiba Story Go or reveal the acquisition terms. The closure follows earlier efforts to preserve elements of Pirate Nation, Proof of Play’s flagship blockchain game. The studio released the game’s client, smart contracts and artwork through public ...