Bored Ape Yacht Club game slated to launch in Q2 via Animoca Brands partnership

The Hong Kong-based software firm Animoca Brands is helping the creators of the popular non-fungible token (NFT) project Bored Ape Yacht Club create a blockchain-based game, according to a Monday announcement. 

While much about the game remains unknown, it will feature a play-to-earn system that allows users to accrue real wealth by playing the game. The game is expected to drop between April 1 and June 30 of next year. 

“There are very few icons that are able to represent the surging world of NFTs as powerfully as Bored Ape Yacht Club, which is why we, as a group and in aggregate, hold a significant number of them. We are incredibly excited and proud to collaborate on a game for this cultural milestone,” said Animoca Brands co-founder and executive chairman Yat Siu in the statement.

This partnership between Yuga Labs and Animoca Brands comes at a time of increased interest in blockchain-based gaming. Not only has there been an increase in venture funding for blockchain-based gaming startups but also gaming giants like Ubisoft are entering the waters.  

Bored Ape Yacht Club remains one of the most popular NFT projects by trading volume, according to data fom The Block. Launched in April of 2021, the collection of 10,000 randomly generated apes brought in $132.14 million at their peak in August and maintains a devoted fan base.