BAYC, Azuki and Pudgy Penguins Spark a TCG Debate, Yuga Discusses Mudwater Tournaments

The speakers largely framed trading-card games as an addition to BAYC, Azuki, and Pudgy Penguins rather than a pivot away from their existing communities. The host argued that doing nothing would be more concerning than trying new formats, while Steve said TCGs could give holders another way to participate and introduce non-NFT owners to the brands. Doris said BAYC’s TCG and anime sit alongside events, local chapters, merchandise, and other projects. Andrew similarly described Mudwater’s real-world-asset features and ApeCoin reflections as another initiative, not a replacement for BAYC’s other activities.

They disagreed about how closely BAYC should follow other NFT brands. Mkey said BAYC should be closer to CryptoPunks than to Azuki or Pudgy Penguins; Andrew countered that copying an established collectible brand would leave BAYC second, and argued that on-chain features and holder rewards distinguish its approach. He also said Azuki has changed substantially since its early days. Captain Z argued that NFT brands should not abandon utility and focus only on art, since many holders value community and ongoing activities. Serene said Mutant ownership made him feel included, while holding a Little Pudgy left him feeling like a “second class citizen” in that community.

The case for a TCG depends on execution, not just the brand attached to it. Andrew said cards can be dismissed as a cash grab, but saw novelty in combining physical and digital cards with on-chain features. He favored benefits such as free cards or boxes for event attendees rather than a launch with no added value for holders. Blue argued that linking cards to NFTs could introduce newcomers to NFTs, royalties, and ApeCoin, while helping verify authenticity and potentially challenging existing card-authentication practices. Chicken Wizard cautioned that designing a fun, lasting TCG is difficult, based on his experience playing at least 30 games; a failed blockchain launch or poorly delivered rewards could also damage the related PFP brands.

Mudwater has generated community activity beyond opening packs. Players have built unofficial price guides, checklists, ownership and population reports, rarity analysis, pack-tracking tools, and game-practice resources. Mudwater.gg, identified by Captain Z as a tournament site built by Andrew and his team, provides statistics, recent pack openings, practice, and computer opponents; Serene said 2.5% of revenue goes back to pack and box holders. A welcoming Mudwater event and community made Chicken Wizard say he was 100% more interested in owning a Mutant. A speaker also pointed to interest after ApeFest and a tournament site built afterward, but had not checked holder data and only assumed unique Mutant holders had risen substantially.

Yuga’s tournament plans remain under development, with practical questions around access, formats, and protecting valuable cards. Mudwater’s first community gathering was planned for November 7 in New York as a limited-capacity learn-and-play event, not an Elo-based competition, where attendees could open packs and play digitally and physically. S1 is positioned as a collector’s item, and a box costs roughly $3,000, so the team is considering ways to play without buying one, including premade decks. Digital cards could be printed, but printed copies would not be cards from the collection; a mixed event combining phone-based digital play and physical matches might not be ready until later in November.

Shvin said Yuga should wait to launch in-person tournaments until physical and digital Elo, venues, trusted organizers, judging, and safeguards are worked out; he raised the risk of someone taking a valuable card after losing. Yuga plans to rely on its tournament team and trusted community ambassadors to host and curate events, with BAYC meetups helping identify potential organizers. A process for requesting Yuga support is not ready, and the official format is still being developed to work across event sizes. Shvin also warned that digital games with prizes or stakes could attract bots. Mudwater intends to keep BAYC at its core while reaching wider audiences, promote approved meetups, and distribute packs fairly; the team is also exploring digitized promo cards but made no firm promise.