The biggest player-focused Web3 gaming event in the world returns to raise the hype of Web3 esports.
It was a busy weekend at SMX Aura, BGC, as YGG Play Summit returned for four days to showcase some of Web3 gaming’s best and brightest. Between new game demos, educational panels, and intense esports tournaments, there was a lot to take in at the Summit.
Particularly on the Web3 esports front, YGG Play Summit continues to be a beacon for high-level Web3 gaming competition. Exciting tournaments were running throughout the event and in case you missed them, here’s a quick rundown.
YGG Parallel Showdown
The hit Web3 trading card game (TCG) returned to Manila with the YGG Parallel Showdown. Sixteen players from around the world competed in a double elimination, best-of-three format, for the lion’s share of a 100,000 USD prize pool.
This year, German TCG pro Torben “Viper” Wahl walks away as the champion plus a cool 20,000 USD. Viper was already a top Hearthstone player but decided to dive into Parallel after being a bystander last year.
“It’s completely crazy to win this event,” said Viper. “Last year, I came here as a spectator for the first time [for the Parallel] LAN event. Now I was competing, and it’s just indescribable to be here. I love the Philippines. I love this event.”
Parallel Studios co-founder Kohji Nagata echoed Viper’s excitement for the live event in an interview before the finals. Earlier this year, Parallel held the 250,000 USD Parallel Prime Championship at HyperX Arena in Las Vegas, and experiencing both solidified the importance of live events for Kohji.
“I really appreciate everyone here in the Philippines and all the energy they bring to Parallel,” said Kohji. “I remember the first time I came, and [YGG co-founder] Gabby Dizon, [YGG Esports player] Sequinox, and [YGG content creator] Excelsor were the only people who really knew what we were doing. Now, to be here and see all this, people in jerseys, it’s just amazing.”
Vibes Asian Championship
New to the YGG Play Summit is Vibes TCG, an accessible yet deep card game featuring the Pudgy Penguins IP. This TCG also allows you to play with physical cards or digitally using Web3’s on-chain technology, giving you infinite opportunities to play.
Taking home the biggest chunk of the 20,000 USD prize pool was John Fitzgerald “Oxtraxex” Poculan. He triumphed over 77 other players after a hectic Swiss+1 format followed by a single elimination playoffs bracket.
Even more remarkable was that this was Oxtraxex’s breakout event after coming all the way from Zamboanga, Sibugay, for his first ever TCG tournament. It was also his first time playing the physical card game after playing the digital version since December 2024.
“The warm welcome that the Vibes team has received from everyone in Manila has just been nuts,” said Elliot Kahn from Vibes TCG developers Orange Cap Games. “We had this tiny print run of 15,000 boxes of the first set, and just to see the insane reception we got across the world, it’s crazy coming here and seeing the excitement in Manila. We can’t thank YGG enough for helping make this tournament happen.”
Might & Magic: Fates
While not a Web3 game, YGG Play Summit also showcased the potential of Ubisoft’s upcoming digital TCG Might & Magic: Fates.
TCG players of all backgrounds were invited to participate in a simple best-of-one, then best-of-three, bracket to show what they could do in Fates. In the end, it was YGG Esports’ very own Tyler who took the top cut of the 5,000 USD prize pool. His nine years of competitive TCG experience proved invaluable for quickly discovering the winning strategy in a new card game.
“We have strong ambitions for the esports future of Might & Magic: Fates,” said Ubisoft Executive Producer Sylvain Loe Mie. “We’re incredibly happy to host this first tournament here in Manila during the YGG Play Summit.
“This event is an important testing ground to explore the game’s competitive potential with real professional players and high-level competitors. Their feedback, energy, and mastery of the game have given us valuable insights and confirmed that the competitive depth we’re aiming for truly resonates. We hope this becomes the first of many tournaments as we continue to develop Fates into a fun esport experience for TCG players around the world.”
Banner photo from Emfarsis.