Pudgy Penguins has dropped a bombshell on the play-to-earn world as Pengu Clash goes live, a skill-based combat game built for Telegram’s 800 million users that runs on the TON blockchain.
With Pudgy Penguins at the helm, Pengu Clash could outshine traditional play-to-earn models and capture the next wave of crypto-native gamers.
The game has officially entered the Web3 gaming battlefield, doing a play-to-earn cash grab as well as hitting the NFT brand to bring its signature charm to Pengu Clash.
The game aims to shake up the current Web3 gaming status quo by ditching traditional token farming mechanics in favor of genuine user-versus-user competition.
Pengu Clash redefines web3 with a skill-based model
Pengu Clash isn’t about grinding to earn native tokens; it’s about outsmarting your opponent in real-time. According to Pudgy Penguins CEO Luca Netz, the Pengu Clash vision is built on rewarding gameplay mastery, not speculation.
“Play-to-win, in essence, is a skill-based game,” Netz told Cointelegraph. “Users wager against one another. This is a user-vs-user-based system.”
By leveraging this play-to-win design, Pengu Clash aims to put strategy and reflexes at the center of the experience, departing from the inflationary mechanics that have plagued many Web3 titles.
Why launch Pengu Clash on TON blockchain?
TON (The Open Network) might seem like an unconventional choice, but Pengu Clash is perfectly aligned with its audience.
Telegram’s mini-game boom in 2024 drew millions of daily users, and although monthly active wallets on TON have dipped 82.3% since late 2024, the blockchain still hosts over 2.1 million active wallets, with daily activity at around 19,500 transactions.
According to Netz, Telegram’s distinct audience is a key advantage.
“Telegram has a whole different user base than we’ve had access to in the past,” he said. “We see this as an opportunity to scale.”
TON monthly active wallets. Source: TonStat
Pengu Clush gains immediate access to Telegram’s massive user base across Northern Europe and Asia by launching on TON – regions where many players haven’t interacted with conventional crypto wallets. This blockchain choice could significantly lower barriers to entry for first-time Web3 gamers.
Since 2021, Pudgy Penguins has gradually transformed from a digital collectible project into a multifaceted brand. The team’s strategic moves, including physical toys and now gaming ventures, demonstrate a long-term vision that extends well beyond speculative NFT trading.
With a market cap nearing $200 million, the project has built a loyal, meme-powered community. Pengu Clash is the next step in taking that IP mainstream.
Netz emphasizes the game’s core goal: expanding brand visibility.
“Money is made, but that is a byproduct of our IP reaching the masses.”
While Pengu Clash monetizes through in-game wagers, it ultimately serves as a tool to grow the Pudgy Penguins universe. Commercial gains are secondary to cultural penetration.
The game is just the beginning. Pudgy Penguins is already prepping its next major release, Pudgy Party, scheduled to launch in August 2025. If Pengu Clash successfully captures the Telegram audience, Pudgy Party could push even deeper into the casual and mobile gaming markets.
TON’s status as Telegram’s exclusive blockchain for Mini Apps since January ensures a direct pipeline between new players and Web3 onboarding.
Telegram mini-games still hold promise
Despite a steep decline in active wallets, Telegram mini-games remain a hotbed of activity. Titles like Hamster Kombat and Catizen attracted hundreds of thousands of users, showing the virality potential of well-executed projects.
Pengu Clash joins this space at a strategic moment, bringing both community-backed legitimacy and refined game mechanics to a blockchain eager for fresh momentum.
As traditional play-to-earn models falter, Pengu Clash could be that powerful blueprint for skill-based blockchain gaming.
By combining a beloved NFT brand, Telegram’s massive reach, and the growing TON ecosystem, Pengu Clash is more than a mini-game—it’s a movement. If it lands, it could turn Pudgy Penguins into the definitive name in Web3 gaming.
Davidson Okechukwu is a passionate crypto journalist/writer and Web3 enthusiast, focusing on blockchain innovation, deFI, NFT ecosystems, and the societal impact of decentralized systems.
His engaging style bridges the gap between technology and everyday understanding with a degree in Computer Science and various professional certifications from prestigious institutions.
With over four years of experience in the crypto and DeFi space, Davidson combines his technical knowledge with a keen understanding of market dynamics.
In addition to his work in cryptocurrency, he is a dedicated realtor and web management professional.
