Axie Infinity, known for its distinctive axolotl-inspired characters, has ventured into commercialization within its turn-based NFT monster-battling game.
The developer, Sky Mavis, has recently launched an official merchandise store for the Axie Infinity game IP. Moreover, they are now allowing owners of specific Axie NFTs to create and sell their own products.
This innovative move empowers holders of 4,877 selected Axie NFTs. These individuals can now not only create but also monetize their merchandise and user-generated content (UGC). They even have the opportunity to establish businesses using their Mystic and Origin NFTs.
Sky Mavis co-founder Jeffrey “Jiho” Zirlin provided insights into the decision, stating that they aimed to explore user-generated content facilitated by ownership. The experiment was initiated specifically with Origins/Mystics, the genesis collections.
Axie Infinity: NFT Entrepreneurship, Festive Merch, and Community Support
Mystic and Origin Axie owners now have the liberty to employ their NFT characters as mascots for launching various enterprises, such as Axie-themed cafes, comics, restaurants, or toy collections.
However, commercial restrictions are lifted for only 0.04% of the total 11.9 million Axie monster NFTs. This focus is particularly on the Mystic and Origin collections.
Just in time for the festive season, Axie Infinity has introduced an official merch store. The collection includes Squishmallow-style plush toys, a $300 figurine, and branded apparel such as hoodies, t-shirts, and baseball caps.
This merchandise is part of the “>code:axie_” collection, drawing inspiration from the inaugural Axie mint in 2018. During this mint, artless Axies were acquired, displaying only code in their NFTs.
Payments for these items can be made using either cryptocurrency or fiat currency. Additionally, the first 5,000 buyers receive a free Axie NFT and a chance to win one of three Mystic Axie NFTs. Customers paying with cryptocurrency stand to unlock extra rewards based on spending thresholds.
Sky Mavis has committed to allocating 20% of the net profits from merch sales to the Axie Community Treasury, reinforcing community-based decision-making and “progressive decentralization.” The team has also shared image files for 12 different Axies online, free of charge.
Axie Infinity – NFT Game’s Evolution, 2021 Surge, and Ongoing Innovations in 2022
Axie Infinity, the leading NFT game, experienced a surge in popularity in 2021, amassing millions of active players and over $4 billion in NFT trading volume.
In early 2022, Sky Mavis experienced a slowdown in momentum. However, the company is expanding the Axie ecosystem and Ronin sidechain for Ethereum, with recent adoption growth.
Axie’s strategic decision to expand the use of its intellectual property (IP) aligns with similar initiatives seen in other NFT collections. Notably, Yuga Labs’ Bored Ape Yacht Club and CryptoPunks also offer commercial usage rights for specific NFTs owned by individuals.
This trend has sparked the emergence of real-world businesses centered around these NFTs. Ape Water, for instance, spans various products, including bagels, hot sauce, and a California-based burger restaurant.
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