Verse8 and YGG Play Showcase AI-Powered 'Casual Degen' Games at BuidlHack 2026

The BuidlHack 2026 hackathon brought together developers from around the world to build fast-paced, crypto-native games using artificial intelligence. YGG Play and Verse8 collaborated on a track focused on 'Casual Degen' experiences, which combine speed, accessibility, and crypto-native monetization models.

The event saw a total of 120 teams submit playable titles over the course of the hackathon, with top prizes awarded to projects that successfully integrated simple gameplay loops with on-chain mechanics. Bank or Plank, a 3D multiplayer pirate-themed digital board game, took first place, followed by Dungeon Raising and a three-way tie for third place between Gas Wars, Black Hole Survivor, and Attack on Idol.

The winning teams received a share of a $5,000 prize pool, ongoing support through Verse8's creator ecosystem, and consideration for global publishing via YGG Play. The hackathon showcased the potential of AI-assisted game development to drive rapid creation and commercial viability in the web3 gaming market.