D20 Labs, a startup founded by members of the former Web3 gaming team at Zynga, has officially introduced its first game—a social casino poker experience. Known as Royal Nutz Poker Club (RNPC), this non-gambling game is set to operate on the Base blockchain, an offering from Coinbase. The game, designed for both web and mobile platforms, marks a significant step in D20’s expansion into blockchain-based gaming. Co-founder Matt Wolf discussed the launch in an interview, highlighting the innovative aspects of the game, including how it integrates sponsorship-driven rewards.
RNPC is a groundbreaking entry into the blockchain gaming space as it represents the first multi-table poker championship game to utilize blockchain technology. The game will initially be available to users who own Oras non-fungible tokens (NFTs), a collection introduced during the launch of Zynga’s Sugartown, which was also developed by the same team. This move builds on the foundation the team laid with Sugartown and is expected to offer a unique poker experience to blockchain enthusiasts.
Building on Zynga’s Legacy
The roots of RNPC trace back to the team’s time at Zynga, where they developed the game before D20 spun off as a separate entity. At Zynga, Matt Wolf served as the vice president of blockchain games, while his co-founder, Tommy Ngo, was part of the core team responsible for Sugartown and the Oras NFT collection. Released in September 2023, the Oras NFT collection featured 9,999 tokens and laid the groundwork for this new venture.
As part of the spin-off deal with Zynga, D20 acquired both the poker game and the Sugartown ecosystem. Wolf emphasized that RNPC is a standalone product, independent of Sugartown, even though it draws from the same creative universe. The startup’s team, consisting of fewer than ten members, includes around 70% of the original Zynga team responsible for blockchain projects. Additional support comes from a network of contractors involved in various tasks.
While details behind the spinoff process remain somewhat vague, Wolf indicated that the transition was smooth and amicable. He mentioned that the smaller, independent team would be able to move more swiftly in terms of development—a key reason for separating from Zynga.
The Gameplay and Community Strategy
RNPC will offer multi-table poker tournaments, where players can climb leaderboards and earn rewards. Initially, the game will be available to Oras NFT holders, followed by select partner communities such as Apechain. The game serves as a bridge between traditional poker enthusiasts and Web3 gamers, linking offline, online, and on-chain experiences. D20’s long-term plan involves scaling the game to appeal to Web 2.5 audiences, gradually expanding its reach to a broader player base.
The unique structure of RNPC is designed to promote growth and player engagement. Wolf emphasized that although the game will initially restrict access to NFT holders, it is not designed to include in-app purchases at launch. However, the development team plans to incorporate additional monetization features in the future as the player base expands. Wolf expressed confidence that the game’s reward-based sponsorship model would offer a sustainable and durable product. He noted that the game allows players to enjoy a rewarding social experience without the real-world financial risks typically associated with gambling.
A Vision for Web3 Gaming’s Future
Wolf believes RNPC’s appeal will extend beyond just blockchain enthusiasts, stating that the game offers a fresh take on poker that will attract traditional gamers and poker fans alike. The game’s lifestyle branding and the use of blockchain technology, particularly NFTs, give it a distinctive edge over conventional poker games. Wolf is optimistic that the innovations D20 Labs introduces with RNPC and future games will eventually influence traditional gaming markets.
D20 Labs is also preparing for the release of another game, further expanding its portfolio. According to Wolf, the studio’s focus on rapid adoption and incentivized play will drive its growth in the competitive Web3 gaming landscape. He also noted that the team is working to overcome common hurdles in the blockchain gaming space, such as the friction associated with cryptocurrency wallets. By leveraging Coinbase’s Base blockchain, D20 aims to reduce this friction and offer a more accessible experience for new players.
Although Sugartown, their previous project, did not attract massive player numbers, its Oras tokens remain active in top cryptocurrency marketplaces, indicating a level of sustained interest. Wolf sees this as evidence of the potential for Web3 games to create new opportunities in a relatively untapped market. While traditional mobile games face steep competition and high user acquisition costs, Web3 games offer a new frontier for developers.
The Road Ahead for D20 Labs
RNPC is set to push the boundaries of social casino gaming by bringing airdropped access passes to Oras NFT holders and other partner communities. These passes will allow players to enter poker tournaments in a gamified manner, creating an engaging and competitive environment. Wolf shared that the team recently playtested the game and considered it ready for release. The multi-table tournament system and the integration of digital collectibles (NFTs) are expected to provide a unique gaming experience, blending blockchain technology with social casino fun.
With plans to incorporate real-world rewards without involving real wagering, D20 Labs is positioning RNPC as a leader in on-chain gaming. Wolf’s vision for the future suggests that RNPC and similar games will not only attract blockchain-native players but also pave the way for Web3’s mainstream acceptance.
