YGG to shut down crypto game publishing arm as part of AI pivot

Blockchain-based game developer Yield Guild Games (YGG) announced it is shutting down its crypto game publishing division, citing the crypto market downturn and strategic difficulties in the video game industry. According to Decrypt, this will result in the closure of YGG Play, its casual crypto game publishing arm, along with its website, launcher, and games like LOL Land and Wifusweeper, on Aug. 1. YGG stated it plans to pivot and focus its investment on supplying data for AI training, believing that behavioral data from video game players' decision-making processes could be valuable for AI developers. The company added that it held $20.6 million in assets as of the first quarter and expects this restructuring to secure four years of operating funds.