- Greg Solano says Otherside will compete directly with Roblox by using crypto infrastructure like ApeCoin and NFTs; the goal is to give creators true ownership and better monetization.
- Yuga is building tools like a Unity SDK and AI-powered world generator to make development easier; these are meant to help creators launch experiences without needing to learn blockchain tech.
- The main challenge is bootstrapping a large enough user base to attract top builders; without players, it risks ending up like Sandbox or Decentraland—tech-rich but empty.
The co‑founder of Yuga Labs, Greg “Garga” Solano, lit up Crypto Twitter on July 25 when he declared that Otherside—Yuga’s long‑gestating metaverse—aims to be nothing less than a “Roblox killer powered by ApeCoin.” The off‑the‑cuff reply to a puzzled BAYC holder instantly reframed market expectations: Yuga does not just want another NFT‑themed hangout, it wants a full creator economy in which user‑built games, worlds and assets trade on open crypto rails.
The promise is intoxicating—instant, permission‑less payouts to builders and true ownership for players—but history shows that competing with Roblox and Fortnite takes critical mass, friction‑free tools and relentless content. Whether Otherside can cross that chasm is now one of the most closely watched bets in Web3 gaming.
The Tweet Heard Around the Metaverse
The spark came from a simple question posted by @GregRasmutant: “I’m very confused on what @OthersideMeta is going to be.” Solano’s four‑word answer—“Roblox killer powered by ApeCoin”—sent the thread into overdrive, drawing quips about Fortnite and debates over user acquisition.
Solano clarified that the differentiator is blockchain infrastructure: items and currency will exist as NFTs and tokens, letting creators “more directly monetize their experiences on permissionless rails.”
Why Target Roblox and Fortnite?
Roblox paid creators roughly $923 million in 2024 and expects to top $1 billion in 2025, while still keeping up to half of every in‑game dollar after platform fees. Fortnite’s “Creator Economy 2.0” distributes 40 percent of net Item‑Shop revenue to island publishers each month.
Those numbers reveal the prize Yuga is chasing: a marketplace where user‑generated content drives both engagement and revenue—but with better economics for builders through direct token flows.
The Crypto‑Rail Advantage—and Its Governance Puzzle
ApeCoin sits at the center of Yuga’s plan. The token already functions as Otherside’s primary currency, and DAO proposals in 2025 have pushed for “ApeChain,” a dedicated high‑throughput layer to cut transaction costs for micro‑payments.
Governance remains fluid: one high‑profile proposal even suggested sun‑setting the existing ApeCoin DAO in favor of a leaner operating entity dubbed ApeCo.
Leadership, Timing and the Road Ahead
Solano reclaimed the CEO seat in February 2025, promising to “unshackle” Yuga’s teams and accelerate Otherside’s launch schedule. With a war‑chest raised in the last bull cycle, a record‑breaking tech demo, and a crypto economy waiting in the wings, Yuga has assets most start‑ups can only dream of. Yet its challenge is brutally simple: deliver irresistible experiences before attention drifts elsewhere. The next public Voyager tests, slated for late 2025, will show whether the “Roblox killer” tagline is bravado—or an early headline for gaming’s next big migration.
