Yuga Labs is accelerating development of its ambitious Otherside metaverse with a significant wave of updates that promise to democratize world-building and expand the gaming experience. The company behind the iconic Bored Ape Yacht Club is introducing AI-powered creation tools, launching new multiplayer experiences, and setting the stage for its highly anticipated Voyager 2.0 release.
AI-Powered World Building Comes to Otherside
The most groundbreaking addition is Yuga’s new AI tool that transforms world creation from a technical hurdle into an intuitive conversation. Integrated with the Koda Agent AI assistant within the Otherside Development Kit (ODK), creators can now build complex 3D environments using simple text commands like “”make the sky blue”” or “”add trees.”” This no-code approach removes traditional barriers to entry, potentially opening the floodgates for user-generated content.
The timing couldn’t be better. In July, Yuga will unlock nearly 1,000 assets spanning 29 Otherdeed Biomes for ODK users, providing a rich palette for AI-assisted creation. This combination of accessible tools and extensive assets represents a major step toward Yuga’s vision of a creator-driven metaverse.
New Gaming Experiences Launch This Summer
July marks the beginning of Otherside’s next phase with three dynamic new experiences:
Bathroom Blitz kicks off the summer with an 8v8 shooter set in the familiar Bored Ape bathroom environment. Developed by Command Line using the ODK, this fast-paced game will run for several weeks as a testing ground for community feedback while allowing players to earn Voyager XP—the platform’s cross-experience reward system.
Meet Me at the Clubhouse transforms the popular Bubbles space into a social hub capable of hosting 500 concurrent players (a five-fold increase from the previous 100-player limit). The addition of direct URL invitations makes it easier for streamers and community organizers to host large-scale events.
Otherside Outbreak arrives in August as the platform’s second major long-term event, specifically designed to stress-test the infrastructure with high player counts while distributing additional Voyager XP rewards.
The Bigger Picture: Focused Strategy and Technical Achievements
These updates reflect Yuga Labs’ strategic pivot toward its core properties. In early 2025, the company divested several NFT collections—selling Meebits IP in February, transferring CryptoPunks to a digital art preservation nonprofit in May, and selling Moonbirds, Mythics, and Oddities to Orange Cap Games. This consolidation allows the team to concentrate resources on Otherside and BAYC.
The strategy appears to be paying off technically. In February 2025, Yuga broke a Guinness World Record during Project Dragon, hosting over 2,100 players in a single Otherside server—a remarkable achievement that demonstrates the platform’s scalability improvements since its rocky 2022 launch.
That initial land mint in April 2022, while successful in selling 55,000 Otherdeeds, famously congested the Ethereum network with astronomical gas fees. The contrast with today’s smooth technical demonstrations shows how far the platform has evolved.
Looking Ahead: Voyager 2.0 and Beyond
Yuga’s roadmap extends well into 2026, with Voyager 2.0 and full Otherdeed utility planned for late 2025, followed by a Resources system in 2026 that promises to introduce land production, crafting, and deeper economic gameplay.
For creators without technical backgrounds, Yuga is developing simplified tools for Otherdeed holders to create graffiti stickers, emotes, and other content. Importantly, these tools will be royalty-protected, ensuring creators maintain control and can monetize their work.
Powered by ApeChain and supporting multiple token standards (ERC-20, 721, and 1155), Otherside is positioning itself as more than just a gaming platform—it’s evolving into a comprehensive digital economy where creativity, community, and commerce intersect.
As the metaverse landscape continues to mature, Yuga Labs’ combination of accessible AI tools, proven scalability, and focused development strategy suggests Otherside is well-positioned to capture both creator enthusiasm and user engagement in the competitive virtual world space.
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