Pudgy Penguins, the web3-originated NFT brand, has announced a new collaboration with DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda franchise. The partnership will integrate the Pudgy Penguins IP into the universe of Po, Master Shifu, and Grand Master Oogway, marking a notable step in the brand’s efforts to reach broader audiences. The announcement comes from Igloo, the parent company behind Pudgy Penguins, as part of a larger strategy to connect its web3 roots with mainstream entertainment channels.
A Year of Expanding Partnerships
This year has been a significant year for Pudgy Penguins. Beyond the DreamWorks partnership, the IP has engaged in other collaborations, including its appearance in the Roblox game Steal A Brainrot and a promotional tie-in with the US car racing organization NASCAR. These efforts are part of Igloo’s broader strategy to increase visibility and engagement for Pudgy Penguins across multiple entertainment and gaming platforms.
In addition to partnerships, Pudgy Penguins launched its mobile gamePudgy Party in August in collaboration with Mythical Games. The game went live globally on app stores and achieved a milestone of one million downloads in under a month, reflecting strong player engagement outside the web3 community.
From NFT Collection to Cross-Media IP
Pudgy Penguins began as an 8,888-strong NFT collection on Ethereum in 2021. After being acquired by Luca Netz in 2022, the project evolved into a broader entertainment brand. Since then, Pudgy Penguins has expanded into physical toys, web2 and web3 gaming, and large-scale IP partnerships such as the one with DreamWorks. This trajectory highlights how web3-native projects are increasingly moving into traditional entertainment spaces, creating opportunities for cross-platform storytelling and consumer engagement.
PENGU Token Performance Amid New Collaborations
The Pudgy Penguins brand is also associated with its own digital currency, the PENGU token. Following the announcement of the Kung Fu Panda collaboration, the token’s price has seen a short-term decline of approximately 25% over seven days. Despite the recent dip, the token remains up 340% from its all-time low, though it is still 76% below its launch high. The fluctuations illustrate the complexities of market response for web3-associated IPs expanding into mainstream entertainment.
The Broader Trend in Cross-Media IP
Pudgy Penguins’ collaboration with DreamWorks reflects a wider trend of web3-originated projects branching into traditional media and consumer products. As web3 continues to intersect with mainstream gaming, entertainment, and collectibles, brands like Pudgy Penguins are increasingly serving as examples of successful cross-media expansion. Industry events such as the Beyond Games Transmedia Summit, scheduled for January 19, 2026, in London, will further explore this intersection, offering insights into how digital-native IPs are evolving across multiple formats.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Pudgy Penguins?
Pudgy Penguins is a web3-originated NFT project that launched in 2021 on Ethereum. It has since expanded into a broader entertainment brand, including mobile games, physical toys, and cross-media partnerships.
What is the new DreamWorks collaboration about?
The partnership introduces Pudgy Penguins characters into the Kung Fu Panda universe, including Po, Master Shifu, and Grand Master Oogway, as part of the brand’s cross-media strategy.
What is the PENGU token?
The PENGU token is the official digital currency associated with the Pudgy Penguins IP. It is tied to the brand’s web3 ecosystem and can fluctuate in value based on market activity.
How has Pudgy Penguins performed in gaming?
The brand released its mobile game Pudgy Party in August in collaboration with Mythical Games. The game reached one million downloads in under a month, showing strong adoption beyond web3 communities.
Where can I learn more about cross-media IP trends?
The Beyond Games Transmedia Summit, part of Pocket Gamer Connects London on January 19, 2026, will explore the development of cross-media IPs, including projects originating from web3.
