The YGG Play Summit’s US$100,000 Parallel Showdown wrapped up in Manila on November 21, 2025, with German veteran Torben “Viper” Wahl securing the championship title. The win earned him US$20,000 and added another highlight to an already established career in competitive card games. Sixteen players from around the world competed across two days in the live event, which featured high-level matches in Parallel, a growing sci-fi web3 TCG.
A Competitive Final for the Parallel Title
Viper clinched the championship after a tight back-and-forth battle with Devmon representative Jobsad. Although Jobsad opened the series with an early win, Viper responded by taking the next two games, closing out the match and securing the title. The result cements Viper’s continued presence in competitive card gaming. From 2016 to 2022, he built a strong reputation in the Hearthstone circuit, earning more than US$270,000 and consistently placing among the game’s top players.
The tournament also brought together a notable lineup of competitors, including imcute, YGG Esports players Sequinox and Zeliaser, and Filipino guild One Turn TILT members Gaben and Boolzi. Devmon fielded its own strong roster with Hearthstone veteran Lamby, alongside brothers BlizzconJan and Jobsad. BlizzconJan, who finished third, eliminated reigning champion Zeliaser before Jobsad won their bracket match to advance to the finals.
How the Tournament Played Out
All 16 participants reached the Manila stage by qualifying through two online events held in October. Each qualifier sent eight players to the live showdown. The competition used a double-elimination format with best-of-three matches, requiring competitors to secure victories with all three decks they brought before advancing. The structure encouraged balanced play and strategic deck selection throughout the two-day bracket.
After the final match, Viper was joined onstage by Parallel Studios co-founder Kohji Nagata, YGG Play Summit Arena host John Sedano, and casters Mooka and Lamby. During an earlier interview, Nagata emphasized how Parallel’s growing live presence influenced the studio’s direction. He pointed to the strong support from the Philippines, noting that the enthusiasm at previous events played a role in Parallel’s increased in-person tournament offerings, including the US$250,000 Parallel Prime Championship held at HyperX Arena in Las Vegas earlier in the year.
Parallel continues to expand its platform reach as well. Nagata confirmed that the game is now available on the Apple App Store, following its Android debut in March 2025, which began with a limited rollout in the Philippines.
The Summit’s Expanding web3 Esports Landscape
The YGG Play Summit Arena featured more than just the Parallel Showdown. A day before the finals, Ubisoft’s Might & Magic: Fates held its first-ever tournament, where YGG Esports player Tyler claimed the top spot. The Vibes Asian Championship is also underway, with its finals set for November 22.
YGG co-founder Gabby Dizon said the event aims to highlight the most competitive and community-driven web3 games. According to Dizon, this year’s energy exceeded expectations, and many participants expressed interest in returning for future tournaments in Manila.
Beyond the Arena, the wider City of Play expo included districts dedicated to different aspects of web3 gaming and digital culture. The Player District showcased major web3 titles, while the Degen District focused on crypto-native experiences. The Skill District hosted educational sessions such as Metaversity Interactive, where industry, government, and academic representatives discussed the evolving workforce needs of emerging digital industries.
Following the tournament, Samsung Hall hosted our live GAM3 Awards, where Off The Grid earned five awards including Game of the Year, while creator Cagy was recognized as Best Content Creator. On November 22, the Metaversity Prompt to Prototype session, powered by Base, will guide participants through building a game using AI tools.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the YGG Parallel Showdown?
It is a major live tournament for Parallel, a sci-fi web3 trading card game, held during the annual YGG Play Summit in Manila.
How much did the winner earn?
Champion Torben “Viper” Wahl earned US$20,000 from the US$100,000 total prize pool.
How do players qualify for the tournament?
Competitors earned their spots through online qualification events, with the top players invited to compete in Manila.
What is Parallel?
Parallel is a digital sci-fi TCG developed by Parallel Studios. It features factions called Parallels battling for control of a futuristic world and draws influence from titles like Magic: The Gathering and Hearthstone.
Is Parallel available on mobile?
Yes. It is available on both Android and iOS, with the Android version launching first in March 2025 and the iOS release announced at the YGG Play Summit.
What is the YGG Play Summit?
The YGG Play Summit is a global player-focused web3 gaming event held annually in Manila. It features tournaments, demos, workshops, and community activities across several themed districts.
Who organizes the YGG Play Summit?
The event is organized by YGG Pilipinas, the regional partner of Yield Guild Games in the Philippines, known for supporting local adoption of web3 and AI technologies.
