Blockchain-based gaming studio Proof of Play, creators of the innovative Pirate Nation, has proudly announced the successful completion of a $33 million seed funding round. This significant investment endeavor was co-led by the renowned venture capital firms Andreessen Horowitz and Greenoaks Capital. The studio, founded by CEO Amitt Mahajan, former co-creator of the immensely popular casual game FarmVille during his tenure at Zynga, intends to utilize this substantial financial boost to drive the company’s expansion and further enhance its revolutionary technology.

A Vision of Timeless Gaming

Amitt Mahajan, reflecting on his inspiration, revealed that the shutdown of FarmVille by Zynga in 2020 ignited his passion for exploring blockchain technology’s potential for creating “forever games.” He lamented the loss of over a billion hours of gameplay, creativity, and investment when FarmVille ceased to exist. This experience inspired his mission to develop games with enduring appeal, owned and cherished by the gaming communities.

“We’re creating multi-generational products—games that will outlast us and are owned by the communities that play them,” Mahajan asserted.

In a significant development, Emmett Shear, co-founder and former CEO of the renowned video game streaming platform Twitch, has been appointed to Proof of Play’s board of directors. His extensive experience in the gaming industry brings valuable insights and expertise to the studio. Alongside Shear, other prominent figures have contributed to the seed round, including AngelList co-founder and former CEO Naval Ravikant and entrepreneur and former Coinbase CTO Balaji Srinivasan.

A Migration for Affordable and Scalable Growth

Initially launched on the Ethereum sidechain Polygon, Pirate Nation embarked on a journey toward a new horizon earlier this year by migrating to Arbitrum Nova, another Ethereum scaling network. The primary motivation behind this move was the quest for cost-effective and scalable solutions. Despite operating on a blockchain network, Pirate Nation maintains an open-door policy for players to remix and add unique content to the game, offering customization and expansion opportunities.

Access for All: Free-to-Play and NFT Benefits

Coinciding with the funding announcement, Proof of Play has also introduced free-to-play access to Pirate Nation, allowing players to create a character without owning an NFT (Non-Fungible Token). However, NFT owners will enjoy various exclusive benefits within the game. The free-to-play version caters to a broader audience seeking a more casual gaming experience.

Open-Sourcing the Future of On-Chain Gaming

Proof of Play has ambitious plans to democratize the development of fully on-chain games. They intend to open-source their cutting-edge technology, making it accessible for other creators to build games and applications using the same tools. This move is expected to foster innovation and expand the ecosystem of on-chain gaming.

A New Era for Blockchain Gaming

Proof of Play’s successful seed funding round marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of blockchain-based gaming. With the backing of industry veterans and a commitment to creating timeless games, Amitt Mahajan and his team are poised to shape the future of gaming, where communities truly own and cherish the games they love. As Pirate Nation sails into the Ethereum scaling network of Arbitrum Nova and opens its doors to a broader audience, the stage is set for a new era of blockchain gaming that combines innovation, accessibility, and enduring appeal. Proof of Play is not only raising funds but also raising the bar for the entire gaming industry.