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YGG Play and Verse8 Launch “Casual Degen” Game Track to Accelerate Web3 Game Development
YGG Play and Verse8 have teamed up to unveil a new initiative, the “Casual Degen” game track, aimed at speeding up the development of Web3 games through the use of AI tools and publishing support. This strategic collaboration offers a US$5,000 (AU$7,250) prize pool during the upcoming BuidlHack 2026, which is part of Korea BUIDL Week and will take place from 13 to 19 April.
The Concept of “Casual Degen” Games
The focus of this initiative is on “Casual Degen” games—lighter, fast-paced titles optimised for users engaged in second-screen activities, such as trading NFTs and memecoins. The concept has already shown notable financial success, particularly with YGG Play’s LOL Land, which has generated over US$8 million (AU$11.6 million) in revenue while surpassing traditional monetisation benchmarks in casual gaming.
Facilitating Game Development with AI
During the hackathon, participants will leverage Verse8’s AI-driven platform to transform initial ideas into playable prototypes in a compressed timeline. YGG Play will complement this by providing market expertise and infrastructure. The total prize pool also includes an additional US$5,000 in platform credits, along with advertising support to help scale the winning projects.
Moreover, successful teams could gain entry to Verse8’s investment network and potential publishing opportunities through YGG Play, which covers player acquisition and global distribution channels.
A Growing Crypto Market in South Korea
BuidlHack is integrated into Korea BUIDL Week, a series of technology-focused events attracting over 20,000 attendees to Seoul, a city where the South Korean won is becoming increasingly competitive against the US dollar in crypto trading volume. Gabby Dizon, a co-founder of YGG, emphasised South Korea as a leading hub for both cryptocurrency and gaming culture, with nearly one-third of its population actively participating in these markets.
Tools for Instant Web3 Experience Creation
YGG Play and Verse8 are capitalising on South Korea’s robust gaming and cryptocurrency landscape to establish BuidlHack as a launchpad for “Casual Degen” projects. Kevin Lee, CEO of Verse8, remarked on the initiative’s aim to equip developers with instant tools to create and remix Web3 experiences, seamlessly integrating them into sophisticated publishing mechanisms.
The hackathon includes a Builder Day scheduled for 14 April, submission deadlines on 17 April, and a final showcase on 18 April, with both in-person and online participation options.
This initiative represents a significant step in the evolution of Web3 gaming, utilising cutting-edge technology and supportive frameworks to cultivate innovative ideas and transform them into viable games. With the backing of prominent players in the crypto gaming space and the vibrant backdrop of South Korea’s market dynamics, the "Casual Degen" track is poised to inspire the next generation of crypto-native game developers.
