{"id":"gabby-dizon","title":"Gabby Dizon","content":"**Gabriel \"Gabby\" Dizon** is the co-founder of [Yield Guild Games](https://iq.wiki/wiki/yield-guild-games) (YGG), a decentralized network of gaming guilds that pioneered the play-to-earn (P2E) scholarship model. With a career in the gaming industry spanning over two decades, Dizon has been instrumental in bridging traditional gaming with [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) technology. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-EiBFE03k8w) [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-nvhPG5EIz1)\n\n## Early Life\n\nDizon grew up in Manila, Philippines, where he developed a passion for PC gaming from a young age. This early interest in game mechanics and interactive storytelling would later form the foundation of his professional career in the video game industry. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-6xz7pUVyVj)\n\n## Education\n\nGabby Dizon attended Ateneo de Manila University from 1996 to 2000. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems. [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-7c8JAl0PfT)\n\n## Career\n\nDizon began his career in game development in 2003, where he was part of the team that created one of the first commercially released games from the Philippines. Over the next decade, he held several leadership roles, including Managing Partner at Kokoro Works Design Co., CEO of the game outsourcing company FlipSide Games, and Senior Producer at Boomzap Entertainment, where he managed the production of titles for PC, Mac, iOS, and Android. A strong advocate for the local industry, Dizon co-founded the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP) and served as its president for a two-year term. In 2014, he co-founded and served as CEO of Altitude Games, a mobile game studio focused on free-to-play titles, which was later acquired by an Australian family office, which served as a basis for later work with [cryptocurrencies](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency).[\\[5\\]](#cite-id-eSi5OuppKR) [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-7c8JAl0PfT) [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-nvhPG5EIz1)\n\nHis transition into the [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) space began around 2017 with his interest in [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) and the launch of early [non-fungible token](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft) (NFT) projects like [CryptoKitties](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptokitties). In 2018, he became an early and active community member of the blockchain game [Axie Infinity](https://iq.wiki/wiki/axie-infinity). During this period, he also co-founded Alto.io (later Outplay Games), a platform designed to connect traditional games to the blockchain, where he served as Chairman. His experiences within the Axie Infinity community, particularly witnessing its economic impact in the Philippines, directly led to the conceptualization of his most notable venture, [Yield Guild Games](https://iq.wiki/wiki/yield-guild-games). [\\[6\\]](#cite-id-oJKFUMDEzB) [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-7c8JAl0PfT)\n\n### Yield Guild Games (YGG)\n\nDizon co-founded [Yield Guild Games](https://iq.wiki/wiki/yield-guild-games) in October 2020 alongside Beryl Li and a developer known as \"Owl of Moistness.\" The inspiration for YGG came from Dizon's direct observation of the play-to-earn model's real-world impact during the COVID-19 pandemic. He began lending his personal [Axie Infinity](https://iq.wiki/wiki/axie-infinity) NFTs to other players in the Philippines, enabling them to earn income at a time of widespread job loss. This informal lending system became the prototype for YGG's \"scholarship\" model, designed to lower the financial barrier to entry for P2E games. The guild's mission was to onboard millions of players into the emerging digital economy by investing in yield-generating [NFTs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft) and lending them to its members. [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-eSi5OuppKR) [\\[7\\]](#cite-id-fNPduQSNFP)\n\nUnder Dizon's leadership, YGG secured significant venture capital, including a $4.6 million investment from [Andreessen Horowitz](https://iq.wiki/wiki/andreessen-horowitz) (a16z) and a $4 million Series A round led by Bitkraft Ventures. The organization expanded globally through a network of regional subDAOs ([Decentralized Autonomous Organizations](https://iq.wiki/wiki/dao)) to provide localized support in areas such as Southeast Asia (YGG SEA, later WeGG), India (IndiGG, later KGen), and Latin America (Ola GG). [\\[8\\]](#cite-id-MTUbNDiWeL) [\\[9\\]](#cite-id-oOuyHoHYn5)\n\nDizon has guided YGG's evolution from a scholarship-focused guild to a broader \"Guild as Protocol\" model. This strategic shift focuses on creating an on-chain social layer for gaming communities, emphasizing player reputation through initiatives like the Guild Advancement Program (GAP) and the use of soulbound tokens (SBTs). In 2025, YGG expanded into game publishing with the launch of YGG Play, a division focused on \"casual degen\" games that integrate crypto-native mechanics. [\\[10\\]](#cite-id-Ktuxbm68SA) [\\[11\\]](#cite-id-lMOWrJzAan)\n\n### Other Ventures and Affiliations\n\nBeyond his primary role at YGG, Dizon is deeply involved in the broader [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) ecosystem. He is a founding board member of the Blockchain Game Alliance (BGA), a founding member of the Web3 Gaming Collective (W3GC), and a founding member of Oasys, a [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) designed specifically for gaming. In 2021, he co-founded Narra Gallery, an NFT art gallery in the [Decentraland](https://iq.wiki/wiki/decentraland) [metaverse](https://iq.wiki/wiki/metaverse). Dizon is also an active angel investor, with investments in [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) startups such as Play AI, [Parallel](https://iq.wiki/wiki/parallel), and Sending Network. In November 2023, his expertise was recognized with an appointment to the governance committee for the blockchain game [Illuvium](https://iq.wiki/wiki/illuvium). [\\[12\\]](#cite-id-GSIKwDBO8j) [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-7c8JAl0PfT) [\\[9\\]](#cite-id-oOuyHoHYn5)\n\n## Views and Philosophy\n\nDizon is a vocal advocate for the sustainable growth of [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) gaming. He believes that for the industry to achieve mass adoption, it must shift towards a free-to-play model where gameplay is prioritized over [tokenomics](https://iq.wiki/wiki/tokenomics), and monetization is authentically integrated into the core user experience. He has cited Genshin Impact's gacha system as a successful model of integrated monetization. [\\[13\\]](#cite-id-cFuCijpLAV) [\\[11\\]](#cite-id-lMOWrJzAan)\n\nHe identifies on-chain reputation as one of Web3's most powerful innovations, where a player's wallet can serve as a \"[Metaverse](https://iq.wiki/wiki/metaverse) résumé\" showcasing their assets, achievements, and skills across different games and protocols. Dizon views market downturns as crucial periods for building and innovation, stating that it is the \"best time to build and learn.\" His personal philosophy on NFT collecting reflects a focus on community and artistic support over speculation, as articulated in a 2021 statement: \"My NFT portfolio may be 95% worthless 10 years from now, but if I helped launch the career of 100 artists then that's OK.\" [\\[12\\]](#cite-id-GSIKwDBO8j) [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-eSi5OuppKR) [\\[14\\]](#cite-id-n9etm4Y8Nx)\n\n## Awards and Recognition\n\nDizon's influence in the [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) gaming sector has been recognized through various industry accolades.\n\n* In 2024, he was named one of the \"Top 31 people in [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) gaming\" for his impact on the industry.\n* He served as a jury member for the 2023 GAM3 Awards, an event celebrating excellence in [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) gaming.\n\nThese roles highlight his status as a respected thought leader and expert in the space. [\\[9\\]](#cite-id-oOuyHoHYn5) [\\[12\\]](#cite-id-GSIKwDBO8j)\n\n## Interviews\n\n### Building LOLand and Web3’s Casual Market #01\n\nOn July 11, 2025, Gabby Dizon participated in The Game Talk Show at the Solana Creator House. In the interview, he outlined [Yield Guild Games](https://iq.wiki/wiki/yield-guild-games)’ (YGG) strategic direction and introduced LOLand, the guild’s first internally developed [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) game. The project, according to Dizon, was created for a category he referred to as “casual Degen” participants, individuals interested in speculative gameplay but not necessarily engaged as long-term or competitive players.\n\n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=J2ZSjLxvqVs)$$\n\nDizon described YGG’s 2025 plans as centered on mobile accessibility and the creation of products aligned with clear market demand. He stated that the development process should not be shaped by fluctuations in token prices, but rather by consistent user adoption and sustainable game design.\n\nThe discussion also referenced the YGG Play Summit in Manila, which brought together more than 5,000 attendees. Dizon noted that the event reflected interest from active players and communities rather than automated activity, pointing to the role of in-person gatherings in supporting network growth.\n\nAnother point addressed was YGG’s regional outlook. Dizon mentioned Latin America as an area of interest, citing the prevalence of mobile gaming and the accessibility of mobile-first platforms compared to console-based alternatives. He concluded by underscoring the importance of long-term development and steady progress in the sector, positioning 2025 as a year of substantial activity for both YGG and the broader [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) gaming field. [\\[16\\]](#cite-id-3NbqJyv7zx)\n\n### Guilds, Gaming, and AI with YGG’s Gabby Dizon #01\n\nOn March 27, 2025, Gabby Dizon appeared on Endgame with Amanda Cassatt in an interview titled “Guilds, Gaming, and AI with YGG’s Gabby Dizon.” In the discussion, he reflected on the evolution of gaming guilds, [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) economies, and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of digital labor.\n\n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=1xwmW6Y9wdA)$$\n\nAccording to Dizon, play-to-earn models such as those introduced by Axie Infinity created new income streams in countries like the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. He explained that gaming guilds emerged as a way to combine labor and capital, enabling players without initial investment to participate in [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) games through the lending of digital assets. [Yield Guild Games](https://iq.wiki/wiki/yield-guild-games) (YGG), as he described, developed as a platform supporting multiple guilds by providing infrastructure for onboarding, training, and lending.\n\nDizon noted that while the 2021 [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) gaming boom was followed by a downturn, core communities remained active and shifted focus toward sustainability, including educational initiatives and diversified digital activities. He compared this model to traditional business process outsourcing in the Philippines, highlighting that decentralized guild structures can provide participants with equity and ownership opportunities absent in centralized models.\n\nThe conversation also touched on the intersection of [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) gaming and artificial intelligence. Dizon argued that AI systems, particularly in their early development, depend on human labor for data labeling and validation. He suggested that guilds may evolve from pools of digital labor into creative, capital-driven entities that adapt to new technological opportunities.\n\nHe emphasized that continuous learning, adaptability, and community ownership are essential for individuals to thrive in a labor market increasingly shaped by automation and decentralization. [\\[17\\]](#cite-id-ofJScynA7u)","summary":"Gabby Dizon is a Filipino entrepreneur and a veteran of the gaming industry. He is the co-founder of Yield Guild Games (YGG), a pioneering decentralized gaming guild that popularized the play-to-earn (P2E) scholarship model in Web3.","images":[{"id":"QmSbcxXqQjb3Lw3UKLnXGrzMSFJuk2hZRwr2rcVioFrMYb","type":"image/jpeg, image/png"}],"categories":[{"id":"people","title":"people"}],"tags":[{"id":"PeopleInDeFi"},{"id":"Founders"},{"id":"Speakers"}],"media":[{"id":"QmSNR6CLuJYPagcZJftqkS4yiMBEviW8DT7jCCZQtct3ZK","type":"GALLERY","source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"QmYKpmqEs2DCAnWxdN66UhBLKPLJVJrnXJm1CVf64o5WZs","type":"GALLERY","source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2ZSjLxvqVs","name":"J2ZSjLxvqVs","caption":"","thumbnail":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2ZSjLxvqVs","source":"YOUTUBE"},{"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xwmW6Y9wdA","name":"1xwmW6Y9wdA","caption":"","thumbnail":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xwmW6Y9wdA","source":"YOUTUBE"}],"metadata":[{"id":"references","value":"[{\"id\":\"EiBFE03k8w\",\"url\":\"https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/crypto-narratives-web3-gaming-yield-guild-games-gabby-dizon-hall-of-flame/\",\"description\":\"Cointelegraph profile on Gabby Dizon\",\"timestamp\":1759501818457},{\"id\":\"nvhPG5EIz1\",\"url\":\"https://emfarsis.com/people/gabby-dizon-yield-guild-games/\",\"description\":\"Emfarsis profile on Gabby Dizon\",\"timestamp\":1759501818457},{\"id\":\"6xz7pUVyVj\",\"url\":\"https://usethebitcoin.com/crypto-personalities/gabby-dizon-net-worth-2025/\",\"description\":\"Usethebitcoin article on Gabby Dizon\",\"timestamp\":1759501818457},{\"id\":\"7c8JAl0PfT\",\"url\":\"https://the-network-search.vercel.app/profile/gabby-dizon-f4def2b6\",\"description\":\"The Network Search profile of Gabby Dizon\",\"timestamp\":1759501818457},{\"id\":\"eSi5OuppKR\",\"url\":\"https://medium.com/morningstar-ventures/founder-stories-gabby-dizon-yield-guild-games-d0b36a1cf1c5\",\"description\":\"Morningstar Ventures interview with Gabby Dizon\",\"timestamp\":1759501818457},{\"id\":\"oJKFUMDEzB\",\"url\":\"https://live.theasianbanker.com/video/yggs-gabby-dizon-gamers-earn-crypto-assets-with-value-in-the-real-economy\",\"description\":\"The Asian Banker interview with Gabby Dizon\",\"timestamp\":1759501818457},{\"id\":\"fNPduQSNFP\",\"url\":\"https://thedefiant.io/podcasts-and-videos/podcast/i-realized-we-could-scale-play-to-earn-to-impact-thousands-hopefully-millions-of-lives-yggs-gabby-dizon\",\"description\":\"The Defiant podcast summary\",\"timestamp\":1759501818457},{\"id\":\"MTUbNDiWeL\",\"url\":\"https://www.analyse.asia/yield-guild-games-the-crypto-gaming-metaverse-gabby-dizon/\",\"description\":\"Analyse Asia podcast notes\",\"timestamp\":1759501818457},{\"id\":\"oOuyHoHYn5\",\"url\":\"https://www.blockchaingamer.biz/tag/gabby-dizon/\",\"description\":\"BlockchainGamer.biz news on YGG\",\"timestamp\":1759501818457},{\"id\":\"Ktuxbm68SA\",\"url\":\"https://www.blockchaingamer.biz/profiles/31973/ygg-gabby-dizon-longhash-shi-khai-wei-guilds-as-protocol/\",\"description\":\"BlockchainGamer.biz interview on Guild as Protocol\",\"timestamp\":1759501818457},{\"id\":\"lMOWrJzAan\",\"url\":\"https://www.facebook.com/yieldguildgames/posts/-the-secret-to-gaming-success-know-your-players-inside-out-ygg-co-founder-gabby-/1235112008626635/\",\"description\":\"YGG Facebook post on YGG Play\",\"timestamp\":1759501818457},{\"id\":\"GSIKwDBO8j\",\"url\":\"https://gam3s.gg/news/gam3-awards-meet-gabby-dizon/\",\"description\":\"GAM3S.GG jury profile\",\"timestamp\":1759501818457},{\"id\":\"cFuCijpLAV\",\"url\":\"https://cryptonews.com/news/web3-game-adoption-hinges-on-free-to-play-approach-says-ygg-co-founder/\",\"description\":\"CryptoNews article on Dizon's views\",\"timestamp\":1759501818457},{\"id\":\"n9etm4Y8Nx\",\"url\":\"https://x.com/gabusch\",\"description\":\"Gabby Dizon's X profile\",\"timestamp\":1759501818457},{\"id\":\"event-co-founded-yield-guild-games-(ygg)-link\",\"description\":\"Event link\",\"url\":\"https://medium.com/morningstar-ventures/founder-stories-gabby-dizon-yield-guild-games-d0b36a1cf1c5\",\"timestamp\":1759501818860},{\"id\":\"3NbqJyv7zx\",\"description\":\"Gabby Dizon on building the casual Degen game of Web3: Why 2025 is YGG's pivotal year\\n\",\"timestamp\":1759502539824,\"url\":\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2ZSjLxvqVs\"},{\"id\":\"ofJScynA7u\",\"description\":\"Guilds, Gaming, and AI with YGG’s Gabby Dizon\\n\",\"timestamp\":1759502781635,\"url\":\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xwmW6Y9wdA\"}]"},{"id":"twitter_profile","value":"https://x.com/gabusch"},{"id":"linkedin_profile","value":"https://ph.linkedin.com/in/gabbydizon"},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"\"https://ipfs.everipedia.org/ipfs/QmUPNQRAgFSL6qhDyUnFb1FnkErE9dTHpcDfP8pJGPGHyi\""},{"id":"commit-message","value":"\"refactor: Add internal links for Yield Guild Games throughout the article.\""},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"QmUPNQRAgFSL6qhDyUnFb1FnkErE9dTHpcDfP8pJGPGHyi"}],"events":[{"id":"cf43d140-931d-46d1-b5f8-9643050c129c","date":"2020-10","title":"Co-founded Yield Guild Games (YGG)","type":"CREATED","description":"Co-founded Yield Guild Games (YGG), a decentralized gaming guild that invests in NFTs and pioneered the play-to-earn scholarship model.","link":"https://medium.com/morningstar-ventures/founder-stories-gabby-dizon-yield-guild-games-d0b36a1cf1c5","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"f24016c3-a053-422c-b808-f5a1032ad979","date":"2000-05","title":"Graduated from Ateneo de Manila University","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems, laying the foundation for his career in technology and gaming.","link":null,"multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"c89cd04b-e14d-49e3-83c2-793938c41520","date":"2014-01","title":"Co-founded Altitude Games","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Co-founded Altitude Games, a mobile game studio focused on creating original and licensed free-to-play titles in Southeast Asia.","link":null,"multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null}],"user":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"author":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"operator":{"id":"0xd5893989b9952c6568a99F854795AcC5Ae480D56"},"language":"en","version":1,"linkedWikis":{"blockchains":[],"founders":[],"speakers":[]}}