Yield Guild Games (YGG) is a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) that invests in blockchain-based games and digital assets, enabling players to earn income through play-to-earn (P2E) mechanics. Launched in 2020, YGG pioneered the concept of a “gaming guild” for the metaverse. The organization acquires in-game NFTs, such as avatars, weapons, and virtual land, and lends them to gamers, known as “scholars,” who use these assets to participate in games and earn rewards. The earnings are then shared between the player, the guild, and NFT holders, creating a shared-value economy. YGG operates as a network of subDAOs, also called guilds, each focused on a specific game or region. These subDAOs are governed through the Guild Protocol, an open and modular system that allows anyone to create and manage their own guild on-chain. This infrastructure decentralizes the power of decision-making and enables YGG to scale globally while maintaining local relevance. The native YGG token is an ERC-20 asset that plays a key role in governance, reward distribution, and guild coordination. In 2024, Yield Guild Games fully transitioned to a permissionless model with on-chain treasuries and player onboarding. Guilds can now directly distribute in-game assets, track performance, and reward contributors using smart contracts, all without centralized oversight. YGG’s long-term mission is to create a decentralized network of gaming communities, enabling people across the world, especially in emerging markets, to participate in the digital economy without the need for upfront investment or technical know-how.