Axie Infinity: From NFTs to Plush Toys, Web3 Game Expands Its Merchandise Empire

如何让Axie Infinity回到巅峰？重新探讨Web3打金游戏的未来发展

卖货不让Axie Infinity重回巅峰 Web3打金游戏还行吗

Hey there, digital asset investors! Get ready for some exciting news from the world of Web3 gaming. Axie Infinity, the “godfather” of blockchain-based play-to-earn games, has just entered the merchandising scene! 🎉

You may be familiar with other blue-chip NFT projects like Pudgy Penguin and Doodles, but Axie Infinity is taking it to the next level. They’ve launched an online store where you can find a whole range of merchandise based on their in-game NFTs. From plush toys to T-shirts, hoodies, and even cute stickers, Axie fans can now wear their favorite characters on their sleeves. Plus, to boost sales, Axie is giving away a free Mystic Axie NFT to the first 5,000 buyers. Talk about a sweet deal! 🤑

Now, you might be wondering why Web3 brands are venturing into the world of physical merchandise. Well, it’s all about expanding their reach and making a tangible impact beyond the digital realm. By combining NFTs from Web3 games with real-world products, these brands are not only increasing their influence but also generating substantial economic benefits. It’s a win-win situation! 💪

However, even though Axie’s merchandise lineup has hit the shelves, it hasn’t translated into a significant increase in in-game NFT transactions or community growth. It seems like this Web3 gaming IP hasn’t quite made its mark on the Web2 crowd just yet. Surprisingly enough, it’s the comeback of Axie’s classic game that has brought in the buzz, creating a surge in the price of their native token, AXS. Looks like getting back to the gaming roots is the key to success for Web3 games! 🎮

• Web3公司Thirdweb在智能合约中发现了重大漏洞
• Salus以深度学习在新的研究中提升Web3安全性
• 去中心化社交媒体的年代

But hold your horses, folks! Before we dive into the game’s revival, let’s take a closer look at Axie Infinity and its journey so far. Strap in, and let’s embark on a wild ride through the world of Web3 gaming! 🌐

Axie Infinity: A Web3 Game that’s Cute and Profitable

If you’ve heard of Web3 games or the GameFi concept, then you’ve probably come across Axie Infinity, affectionately known as “Axie” in the Chinese gaming community. This adorable TGC (trading card game) has become a lifeline for millions of Filipinos during the pandemic, thanks to its revolutionary “Play To Earn” model, which has now become the standard for Web3 gaming.

Created by Sky Mavis, Axie Infinity offers a unique gaming experience where players can purchase NFT-based game characters, complete tasks, battle other players, upgrade their NFTs, and earn in-game tokens called AXS. These tokens can then be sold for real-world profit. This innovative model has even given rise to gaming guilds specializing in renting out game characters to players. It’s a digital gold rush out there! ⛏️

But wait, there’s more! This GameFi concept has opened up a whole new world of possibilities, including using gaming NFTs as collateral for borrowing cryptocurrencies like USDT, BTC, ETH, and others. Who knew gaming and finance could go hand in hand? Now that’s what we call a power couple! 💑

Back in 2021, Axie hit its peak with mind-blowing daily revenue of $17.5 million, over 1.5 million daily active users (DAU), and a 30-day total revenue of $300 million, surpassing the profits of most traditional games out there. Impressive, right? 🤩

Unfortunately, Axie’s reign at the top didn’t last long. After about six months, growth started to stagnate, and no marketing campaign could bring it back to its former glory. According to Crypto Slam, Axie’s monthly sales revenue by November 2023 had dropped to a meager $28,000. And when it comes to floor prices and market capitalization of Axie Infinity NFTs, let’s just say they took a nosedive. Ouch! 📉

From NFTs to Plush Toys: Axie’s Merchandise Marvels

Axie’s recent foray into merchandise might not have set the sales charts on fire, but hey, they’re certainly giving it their all! The introduction of their online store is just one of the many moves Axie is making to expand its Web3 gaming IP. They’re not just selling goodies; they’re unleashing the power of user-generated content (UGC) and granting access to the mystic world of NFT collaborations.

Starting with 4,877 NFTs from the Mystic and Origin series, holders of these special NFTs can now design and sell their own merchandise within Axie’s online store. But that’s not all. They can also use these NFT characters to create Axie-themed businesses like cafes, restaurants, and even comics. Talk about taking the gaming experience to a whole new level! 🎨

But Axie Infinity didn’t stop there. They teamed up with the popular Filipino ride-hailing app Grab to launch a user rewards program, bringing their online store right into the hands (and smartphones) of Web2 users. Now, Grab App users can access Axie’s store and purchase their favorite merchandise with both crypto and fiat currencies. It couldn’t get any more convenient than that! 🚖

To add even more flavor to their gaming universe, Axie has partnered with game development studios like Tribes Studio, Bali Games, Directive Games, and Bowled.io. These collaborations allow other games to utilize Axie’s IP and create exciting experiences in their own virtual worlds. It’s a win-win situation for gamers and developers! 🎮

It’s crystal clear that Axie is pushing the boundaries of Web3 gaming IP and venturing into new territories to strengthen its connection with the Web2 world. They’re hungry for new traffic and eager to expand their brand’s reach. The question is, will these efforts bring the much-needed growth? Let’s find out!

IP vs. Game Improvement: Where’s the Growth?

Numbers don’t lie, folks, and it seems like Axie’s merchandise didn’t do the trick in attracting the Web2 crowd. Out of the whopping 11.9 million Axie NFTs out there, only a tiny fraction of around 5,000 have been released for commercial use. Crypto Slam’s data shows that these NFTs only account for a mere 0.04% of the total Axie NFTs. That’s not exactly the big boom they were hoping for. 🙅‍♂️

When we look at Axie’s recent history, it becomes clear that the real driver of growth is the game itself. Remember the comeback of Axie’s classic game? It brought some serious heat! With enhanced gameplay mechanics, inheritance features for AXP characters, increased AXS reward pools, and the ultimate prize of the “Mystic Axie,” the classic version of Axie Infinity rekindled the excitement of old players and attracted a wave of new ones. In no time, the weekly active users reached an impressive 100,000, and the price of AXS skyrocketed. Now that’s what we call a resurgence! 💥

While launching physical merchandise may seem like a great way to promote a brand, the truth is, you’ve got to have a solid foundation in your core business first. In the world of Web3 gaming, an IP alone won’t cut it. It’s all about game quality, gameplay experience, and, let’s not forget, the potential for juicy profits. Take the red-hot Web3 game BigTime, for example. It proves that attracting and retaining players hinges on these essential factors, not just selling some cool merch.

Crypto KOL @0xJamesXXX puts it quite bluntly: “Don’t just focus on building an IP or creating so-called equity enhancements.” He emphasizes that the “people” aspect is crucial for any NFT community. A project that can build a strong community consensus and generate value is already leagues ahead of 99% of other NFT projects out there. So, let’s not underestimate the power of the people! 🙌

Sure, IP can help bring more visibility to a brand, but it presents a big challenge for Web3 gaming. Should they focus on building products that truly captivate Web3 players, or should they cater to the new wave of Web2 users in a more conventional way? Axie has chosen to strike a balance between the two, but ultimately, they’ll have to wait for the game itself to make its next big breakthrough.

So, fellow investors, what’s the key takeaway from all of this? Web3 gaming IP still has a long way to go before breaking into new markets. The marketing efforts are often just stirring up the existing player base, and reaching new Web2 users is no easy feat. While IP-mediated merchandising can generate brand awareness, it’s the game’s quality, gameplay, and player experience that truly make a difference. As they say, “You gotta nail the basics before you can win the race.”

In the golden age of American animation, the Mickey Mouse IP Club attracted over 1 million members in less than four years. But do you know how they achieved that? Disney first captured the audience’s hearts through their animated stories featuring Mickey Mouse. Only then did they expand the IP into comics, video games, and whatnot. In 2010, Mickey Mouse merchandise alone accounted for 40% of Disney’s $1 billion annual consumer products revenue. Now, that’s the power of a well-established IP!

And let’s not forget the story of the famous NFT “Bored Ape Yacht Club.” Yuga Labs wasted no time when they saw the ape gaining exposure in the Web2 market. They quickly struck deals with traditional brands, including China’s Li-Ning, and took the Bored Ape IP to new heights. Timing is everything, my friends!

If Axie had launched its merchandise empire during its explosive peak, it could have solidified its place as the undisputed king of Web3 gaming IPs. Sadly, that ship has sailed, and they’ll have to start from scratch. Now, more than ever, it’s the game’s quality, mechanics, and thrilling gameplay that will keep Web3 gamers hooked. And who knows, maybe even attract those elusive Web2 players. After all, the latest sensation, BigTime, proves that nailing the gaming experience is the ultimate way to win hearts and minds in the Web3 realm.

So, dear readers, what are your thoughts on the future of Web3 gaming IP? Do you believe in the power of game improvement or merchandising? Let us know in the comments below! And remember, it’s not just about the IP; it’s about the epic adventures that await in the digital universe of Web3 gaming. Get gaming and may the profits be ever in your favor! 🚀

We will continue to update 算娘; if you have any questions or suggestions, please contact us!