One of Asia’s most anticipated trading card game (TCG) tournaments, the Vibes Asian Championship, is heading to Manila this November as part of the YGG Play Summit. Taking place from November 21 to 22, the tournament offers a $20,000 prize pool and is open to all players through public registration, capped at 128 participants. Minors are welcome but must have parental consent.
Developed by Orange Cap Games, Vibes is a digital and physical TCG that features characters from the popular Pudgy Penguins Web3 brand. The game mixes strategic gameplay with collectible charm, allowing players to form teams—called “huddles”—using penguin characters, action cards, and relics. Designed to be accessible for beginners but with enough depth for competitive play, Vibes draws comparisons to genre staples like Magic: The Gathering and Lorcana.
According to Mike Ovecka, head of YGG Esports and former Hearthstone esports lead at Blizzard, the inclusion of Vibes at the summit shows the group’s commitment to positioning the Philippines as a central hub for Web3 competitive gaming.
The tournament will follow a Swiss +1 format, with the top 8 players advancing to a single-elimination finals. The top 32 players will also receive cash prizes. Officiating will be led by Sashi Balakrishnan, a Level 3 Magic: The Gathering judge from Malaysia, to ensure professional standards and fair play.
To make the competition more inclusive, players can use up to 12 proxy cards per deck, allowing those without rare or expensive cards to still compete effectively.
Leading up to the championship, a series of Learn-to-Play Vibes sessions and community tournaments are being held across Manila and nearby cities. These events, hosted by YGG Pilipinas Metaversity Marshals, are aimed at helping newcomers learn the game through guided sessions and starter decks.
Upcoming Learn-to-Play events will take place on October 19 in Dasmariñas, Cavite, and November 8 in Cabanatuan City. Weekly tournaments are also scheduled in Parañaque and Cabanatuan City through October and November.
Players can register now via the official form. For updates and more information on the YGG Play Summit, visit the official website or follow the event on X.
The YGG Play Summit is a Web3 gaming conference that combines esports, a game expo, and discussions on the future of digital ownership and blockchain-based games.
