D20 Labs, a startup founded by the former Web3 gaming team at Zynga, has announced the launch of its first social casino poker game called Royal Nutz Poker Club. This non-gambling social casino game is built on the Base blockchain and is designed to provide an optimized gaming experience for both web and mobile platforms.
The game will introduce a new concept in the world of blockchain gaming by offering multi-table poker championships powered by rewarded sponsorships. It will initially be available to fans who purchased the Oras non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for Zynga’s game Sugartown, which was the team’s first Web3 title.
The team behind D20 Labs, which consists of less than 10 people, includes former members of the Zynga team. The spinoff from Zynga was described as an amicable process, with D20 Labs gaining ownership of the poker game and Sugartown as part of the deal.
According to Matt Wolf, cofounder of D20 Labs, the game was developed while the team was still at Zynga. The standalone poker game draws inspiration from the lore and ethos of Sugartown and incorporates some of the team’s technological innovations, such as the leaderboard system.
One of the primary goals of D20 Labs is to reach a wider audience by bridging the gap between players from different gaming worlds. The game will be accessible to selected partner communities, starting with Apechain, where players can participate in multiple poker tournaments, climb leaderboards, and win rewards.
Wolf believes that poker is the perfect medium to connect players from offline, online, and onchain gaming communities. The company plans to first cater to Oras token holders and partnered communities before scaling up to reach a broader audience.
While the game will initially be gated, with access granted to those who hold digital collectible NFTs as tickets, D20 Labs intends to focus on growth in the long run. Although the company does not currently offer in-app purchases, it plans to add them in the future.
The sustainability of the game is supported by partnerships and rewarded play, ensuring a longer lifespan and a rewarding experience for players. Wolf is confident that the game will appeal not only to native Web3 audiences but also to traditional gamers and poker fans due to its unique approach and lifestyle branding.
Although specific player numbers for Sugartown were not disclosed, Wolf expressed confidence in the game’s engagement. He believes that mainstream acceptance of Web3 games will come with time as players become more comfortable with blockchain technology and incentivized play.
D20 Labs has been in talks with Coinbase about utilizing the Base chain, which offers low-friction transactions and aims to simplify the onboarding process for Web3 players. Wolf sees a lot of potential in Web3 games compared to traditional game markets, which can be highly competitive and challenging to break into.
Despite having recently separated from Zynga, D20 Labs already has an active schedule. The company is planning to raise capital in the future but currently does not require funding. The release of Royal Nutz Poker Club, powered by Base, is expected to be available soon after successful playtesting.
In conclusion, D20 Labs’ debut social casino poker game, Royal Nutz Poker Club, represents an exciting development in the world of blockchain gaming. With its unique approach, rewarded play, and partnerships with communities, D20 Labs aims to bring together players from different gaming worlds and provide a sustainable and enjoyable gaming experience. As the Web3 gaming market continues to evolve, D20 Labs is well-positioned to make a significant impact and contribute to the growth of the industry.
