I remember in 2021, when Axie Infinity swept the world with the Play-to-Earn craze, YGG, as a leading gaming guild, was in the spotlight. At that time, like many others, I watched as NFT assets skyrocketed, feeling both excited and vaguely worried. Sure enough, as the tide receded, many were left exposed, and numerous P2E projects and related assets plummeted, with YGG not escaping the fallout. In a short time, the market was filled with doubts about it, and some even declared that the guild model was dead. To be honest, I was once disheartened by YGG, thinking it might just be a fleeting product of the Web3 craze. However, it was this initial disappointment that later allowed me to see the new vitality YGG had nurtured in silence. If you still see YGG as just a simple P2E guild, I, as a senior, want to say that you might have missed a quietly evolving 'new species' in the Web3 world.
To understand YGG's present and future, we might as well first review its past, then analyze its current transformation, and finally discuss its unique value in the current market cycle.
First of all, let us cast aside the inherent impression of 'gaming guilds'. After the P2E frenzy, YGG did not choose to lie flat but instead embarked on a profound self-innovation. I have spoken with some long-standing members of the YGG community, who told me that the most noticeable change within the guild is the shift in focus from 'asset leasing' to 'task platform'. It is no longer simply lending the NFTs held by the guild to players for gold farming, but instead organizing the large community members to form a decentralized Web3 labor market. Imagine that an emerging Web3 project needs a large number of testers, translators, community moderators, and even 'fraud proof' verifiers for specific protocols; it can directly publish its needs through YGG's 'task system', while YGG's community members can participate based on their skills and time to earn token rewards. This is a more sustainable and productive model that allows YGG to transform from a purely speculative tool into a 'human resource layer' empowering the Web3 ecosystem, truly realizing the application of 'data availability' in talent matching.
Secondly, YGG's transformation is also reflected in the strategic adjustments of its treasury. After undergoing the baptism of P2E, YGG's treasury management has become more prudent and diversified. It is no longer just hoarding game NFT assets but is looking towards broader Web3 infrastructure, DeFi protocols, and even some early-stage promising AI+Web3 projects. This is like a decentralized venture capital fund, but its decision-making process is more transparent and closely tied to the community's activity. This diversified asset allocation not only enhances YGG's ability to withstand market volatility but also allows its investment portfolio to better capture growth dividends in the forefront of Web3. It is no longer a 'gambler' in a single track but a 'builder' blooming in multiple areas. This exquisite control over the flow of funds, akin to a 'state channel', has made YGG's value foundation more solid.
Of course, we must also be clear-eyed about the challenges. The negative stigma of the P2E era has left many with biases against YGG. To completely reverse this perception will take time and continuous value output. However, because of this, its current attention may be underestimated. For those investors looking for long-term value in the Web3 space rather than short-term speculative opportunities, YGG's transformation and accumulation provide a subject worthy of in-depth study. It is becoming a hub for 'cross-chain bridging' talent and opportunities, connecting the supply and demand of the Web3 world.
In summary, YGG is no longer the simple P2E gaming guild you remember. After experiencing a low point, it has chosen a path that is more resilient and focused on actual value creation. It is evolving from an asset holder into an organizer of Web3 tasks, a builder of a decentralized labor market, and a more strategically minded diversified investor. In the upcoming bull market, as the market refocuses on the practical applications and infrastructure of Web3, YGG's evolution may showcase unimaginable potential.
So, aside from YGG, what other projects have you observed that have achieved a remarkable turnaround through self-innovation after experiencing industry cycles? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is solely a personal opinion and does not constitute any investment advice. The Web3 market is highly volatile, so please conduct thorough research and bear the investment risks yourself.
