🇵🇠History of Yield Guild Games (YGG) in the Philippines
How YGG Was Created by Filipinos
Yield Guild Games (YGG) is a proud Filipino creation born from the vision of Gabby Dizon and Beryl Li, two trailblazing innovators who saw the potential of blockchain technology to transform not only gaming but also the future of work in the Philippines.
Gabby Dizon, a Filipino game developer, entrepreneur, and blockchain evangelist, had been a long-time figure in the local gaming industry. As the co-founder of Altitude Games, one of Southeast Asia’s first independent game studios, Dizon had deep insights into how digital economies could empower creative professionals. However, it was during the early days of blockchain gaming—when NFTs and decentralized applications were gaining traction—that Dizon saw a new opportunity emerging: “play-to-earn.”
The play-to-earn concept allowed gamers to earn real-world income by owning and trading blockchain-based assets. For Dizon, this was a revolutionary idea—one that could democratize gaming and give financial power to players, especially in developing nations like the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Beryl Li, a Filipina entrepreneur and blockchain advocate, brought financial expertise and a strong academic background to the table. A Cambridge University graduate and founding member of the Oxford Blockchain Society, Li had been working at the intersection of finance, decentralized systems, and technology startups. She understood how blockchain could make financial services more inclusive and transparent—two values that would later define the organization mission.
Together, Dizon and Li envisioned a new kind of organization—part gaming guild, part financial cooperative, and part social movement. Their idea was simple but powerful: to empower everyday Filipinos—especially those struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic—to earn a living through gaming.
In November 2020, they launched Yield Guild Games, a blockchain-based play-to-earn guild that connected gamers, investors, and developers into one decentralized ecosystem. Players could borrow NFTs and in-game assets from the platform, play blockchain-based games like Axie Infinity, and share their earnings with the community.
This model wasn’t just about gaming; it was about opportunity. It opened the doors for people who had never owned a bank account, worked remotely, or traded crypto before.
What made Yield Guild Games uniquely Filipino was its foundation on bayanihan, the traditional Filipino spirit of collective cooperation and community support. The YGG scholarship model, where the guild lends NFTs to players who can’t afford them, perfectly embodies this cultural value. Through this system, thousands of Filipinos were able to start playing and earning in blockchain games without any upfront cost—a historic step toward digital financial inclusion.
About Yield Guild Games (official website) 👉 https://yieldguild.io
Founding & Origins
Yield Guild Games (YGG) was officially founded in November 2020 by Gabby Dizon and Beryl Li. The idea evolved from the rapid rise of the play-to-earn movement, where gamers earned tokens, NFTs, and other blockchain assets as real rewards for their gameplay.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippines faced massive job losses and economic slowdowns. Traditional employment became unstable, pushing many Filipinos to seek alternative income sources. Around this time, blockchain games like Axie Infinity started making waves because they allowed players to earn real money from home.
However, a key barrier stood in the way: to play Axie Infinity, one needed to buy at least three Axie NFTs, which could cost hundreds of dollars—an impossible sum for most players in the Philippines.
Recognizing this gap, YGG introduced the “scholarship system.” This system allowed investors to lend their digital assets to players, known as “scholars,” who could then play, earn tokens, and share the profits. YGG handled the management, training, and payout distribution, creating a scalable structure that empowered thousands of players almost overnight.
By formalizing this system, YGG became more than a gaming guild—it became a global experiment in decentralized income generation.
Key Early Milestones
In 2021, YGG experienced explosive growth. The organization raised a Series A funding round led by BITKRAFT Ventures, enabling the acquisition of large NFT assets, expansion of scholarship programs, and development of new community tools.
Later that same year, YGG made headlines after securing US$4.6 million in funding from Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)—one of Silicon Valley’s most respected venture capital firms. This was a watershed moment not just for YGG, but for the entire Philippine tech industry. It proved that Filipino-led blockchain projects could compete and succeed on the global stage.
The funding allowed YGG to:
- Acquire more NFT assets from various play-to-earn games (not just Axie Infinity)
- Launch YGG subDAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations) focused on different games
- Hire developers, community managers, and financial experts to manage global operations
By mid-2021, the guild had become one of the most recognized names in the Web3 gaming economy, with partnerships spreading across Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
Local Organizational Growth
To strengthen its local roots, YGG launched YGG Pilipinas, a national division dedicated to Filipino players and communities.
In September 2021, Luis Buenaventura—a veteran crypto advocate, author, and NFT artist—was appointed as the first Country Manager for YGG Pilipinas. Under his leadership, YGG Pilipinas began launching initiatives designed to make blockchain and financial literacy more accessible to ordinary Filipinos.
The organization rolled out:
- Educational resources on NFTs, play-to-earn mechanics, and crypto wallets
- Multilingual blockchain guides in Tagalog, Bisaya, and Ilocano
- Local scholarship programs that targeted rural areas and students
- Community meetups and training sessions for new players and digital entrepreneurs
Yield Guild Games local expansion also had a major cultural impact. For many Filipinos, joining YGG wasn’t just about earning—it was about belonging to a community of learners, innovators, and dreamers.
In interviews, Buenaventura emphasized that YGG Pilipinas aims to “teach Filipinos that gaming can be a bridge to financial empowerment.”
Partnerships & Community Engagement
YGG’s growth wasn’t limited to gaming—it also entered the financial technology (fintech) space.
In 2022, the blockchain gaming collective partnered with UnionDigital Bank, a digital bank under UnionBank of the Philippines. The goal was to create a financial bridge for YGG members, helping them:
- Open digital bank accounts
- Convert crypto earnings into pesos
- Access savings and remittance tools
- Build financial credit history
This partnership was revolutionary because it brought together two fast-growing ecosystems—Web3 gaming and digital finance—under one Filipino-led initiative.
Beyond fintech, the guild also demonstrated a strong sense of corporate social responsibility (CSR). When Typhoon Odette (Rai) devastated Central Visayas in late 2021, YGG Pilipinas mobilized its community to raise crypto-based donations for affected families. These donations were converted to relief goods and delivered to remote areas, showing how blockchain technology can drive real-world humanitarian aid.
YGG has also collaborated with government agencies, schools, and NGOs to spread blockchain awareness. The guild regularly participates in Web3 conferences, fintech panels, and gaming conventions—always with a focus on how Filipinos can benefit from this digital revolution.
UnionDigital Bank and YGG Partnership (Manila Bulletin) 👉 https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/14/uniondigital-bank-partners-with-yield-guild-games/
Events & On-the-Ground Activities
YGG is not just a digital guild—it’s also a community that thrives offline.
One of its most successful campaigns is the YGG Pilipinas Roadtrip, a nationwide educational tour that brings Web3 awareness to major cities and provinces. Each stop features live workshops, NFT gaming exhibitions, and fintech discussions.
By 2024, the YGG Pilipinas Roadtrip concluded its tour at Ayala Malls TriNoma in Quezon City, after visiting regions like Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro. The event became a massive Web3 expo, gathering thousands of gamers, developers, and fintech startups.
YGG also hosts:
- Blockchain bootcamps for students and freelancers
- Esports-style tournaments using play-to-earn titles
- Scholarship onboarding events for rural communities
- Panel talks and mentorship programs with crypto leaders
These events have turned YGG from a digital-only organization into a real-world movement for empowerment, creativity, and collaboration.
Impact and Significance Locally
YGG’s impact on the Philippines has been deeply transformative.
1. Financial Inclusion
By lowering the cost barrier to blockchain gaming, YGG enabled thousands of Filipinos—especially those in rural and underbanked regions—to access new sources of income. The scholarship system empowered players to participate in the digital economy without traditional financial prerequisites like bank accounts or credit scores.
2. Employment Opportunities
During the pandemic, YGG’s scholars earned income comparable to minimum-wage jobs, helping families survive when traditional employment options were scarce. For many, gaming became not just entertainment but livelihood.
3. Education and Literacy
YGG’s educational materials in Tagalog, Bisaya, and Ilocano allowed more Filipinos to understand blockchain concepts, wallets, and DeFi. These localized resources turned YGG into a gateway to financial and digital literacy.
4. Cultural Empowerment
YGG also became a source of pride for the Filipino tech community. It showed that Filipinos can lead in Web3 innovation, creating solutions that address both local and global challenges.
5. Fintech Integration
Through partnerships with digital banks and exchanges, YGG bridged the gap between gaming and finance. It transformed gaming income into real-world value—proof that blockchain technology can foster inclusive economic growth.
For related insights, Explore More on Philippine Fintech Innovation
Conclusion
The story of Yield Guild Games (YGG) is more than a tale of technological achievement—it’s a story of Filipino resilience, creativity, and compassion.
Founded by Filipinos for Filipinos, YGG transformed online gaming into a platform for financial empowerment and community development. It stands as a symbol of how technology, when guided by human values like bayanihan and inclusivity, can change lives.
From a small startup idea in 2020 to a globally respected blockchain organization, YGG continues to prove that innovation and empathy can coexist. Its journey reflects the best of the Filipino spirit—adaptable, collaborative, and forward-looking.
As Web3 continues to evolve, the legacy of YGG serves as a reminder that the Philippines is not just a participant but a pioneer in the digital future—where gaming, finance, and community come together to build a more inclusive world.
Disclaimer:
All images and graphics used in this article are original or copyright-free.
The YGG-inspired logo featured here is a custom AI-generated design created for educational and illustrative purposes and is not the official logo of Yield Guild Games (YGG).
The YGG Growth Timeline Graph was produced using publicly available data and open information about the development of Yield Guild Games in the Philippines.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not promote or provide financial advice, token trading, or investment solicitation.
