Otherside Metaverse Adds New AI Tools

Yuga Labs has announced a new phase of development for Otherside, its blockchain-based virtual world. The updates, set to roll out starting in July, include artificial intelligence tools that simplify world-building and new interactive experiences designed to increase engagement. These developments are part of a broader plan to prepare for the launch of Voyager 2.0 and enhanced utility for Otherdeed holders later this year.

Among the most significant updates is the introduction of AI-based tools that allow users to build 3D worlds within Otherside using text commands. These tools are integrated into the Otherside Development Kit (ODK) and powered by a built-in AI agent called Koda Agent. Users can type commands such as "make the sky blue" or "add trees," and the AI will automatically apply those changes in the environment.

No coding knowledge is required, making the process accessible to a broader range of creators. In addition to the AI tools, Yuga Labs will unlock nearly 1,000 digital assets from 29 Otherdeed Biomes in July. These assets will be available for use through the ODK, giving creators more flexibility when designing virtual experiences. The aim is to lower the technical barriers to entry and encourage more user-generated content across the platform.

Otherside Metaverse Adds New AI Tools

Bathroom Blitz, Voyager XP, and Outbreak

Three new gaming experiences will also be introduced in Otherside beginning in July. The first, titled Bathroom Blitz, is a team-based shooter set in the Bored Ape bathroom. Built by a development group called Command Line using the ODK, the 8v8 game will remain available for several weeks while feedback is collected from players.

Participation in the game will also contribute to Voyager XP, a system that tracks player activity across Otherside and will be used to deliver future rewards. Later in the same month, an updated version of the Bubbles space will open for a new event called Meet Me at the Clubhouse. The Clubhouse now supports up to 500 simultaneous users, an increase from the previous limit of 100, and includes a feature for generating direct links, allowing players to invite others with a single URL.

This is intended to make it easier for community groups, streamers, and creators to host larger meetups. In August, Yuga Labs will launch Otherside Outbreak, the second major long-term event. This experience is designed to test how well the platform can support large numbers of users in real-time and will also contribute to players’ Voyager XP progress.

Otherside Metaverse Adds New AI Tools

Role of NFTs and ApeChain in Otherside

Otherside is a virtual world developed by Yuga Labs, the creators of Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC). It combines open-world gameplay with blockchain technology and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Players can explore the environment as avatars and use various NFTs—including Apes, Mutants, Meebits, and Kodas—as their in-game characters.

The land in Otherside is sold as NFTs called Otherdeeds, which represent ownership of virtual plots. Some plots contain rare features or characters and are used to build, explore, or host activities. The platform's economy runs on $APE, a native token that supports a range of transactions including item trading and crafting. Otherside is built on ApeChain and supports widely used Ethereum token standards, enabling a wide range of web3 interactions.

To make content creation more accessible, Yuga Labs is also releasing a set of simplified tools for Otherdeed holders. These tools will allow users to create graffiti stickers, emotes, and other in-world content without using the full ODK. According to the company, these features include protections to ensure that creators maintain ownership and receive royalties for their work.

Otherside Metaverse Adds New AI Tools

Moonbirds, Mythics, and Oddities Sold

In early 2025, Yuga Labs began narrowing its focus to concentrate on Otherside and BAYC. As part of this strategic shift, the company sold several of its other NFT collections. The Meebits intellectual property was sold in February, followed by the transfer of CryptoPunks to a nonprofit dedicated to digital art preservation in May. That same month, the Moonbirds, Mythics, and Oddities collections were sold to the web3 gaming startup Orange Cap Games.

These decisions are aligned with Yuga Labs’ goal of dedicating all resources to developing its primary projects. Otherside began in April 2022 with the minting of 55,000 Otherdeeds. The initial sale generated high demand and caused significant congestion on the Ethereum network, prompting the company to issue over 90 ETH in refunds. Since then, Yuga Labs has released several major updates, including First Trip and Second Trip, which introduced new features and multiplayer functionality.

The company later partnered with Improbable to improve backend performance and avatar customization tools. In February 2025, Yuga Labs set a Guinness World Record during Project Dragon, a large-scale multiplayer test within Otherside. The event brought more than 2,100 users into a single server, demonstrating the platform’s capacity for large-scale experiences. This test marked a key milestone in preparing the metaverse for persistent, always-on environments.

Otherside Metaverse Adds New AI Tools

2025 Roadmap and Final Thoughts

Looking ahead, Yuga Labs plans to release Voyager 2.0 and provide full utility for Otherdeed holders before the end of 2025. The roadmap for 2026 includes the launch of a new system called Resources, which is expected to introduce features such as land-based production, item crafting, and more complex economic gameplay.

Through these updates and structural changes, Yuga Labs continues to develop Otherside into a fully functional virtual world that blends gameplay, creativity, and blockchain-based ownership in a web3 ecosystem.