NFT Gaming Is The New Trend For The Next Cycle

After a difficult period marked by a bear market, NFTs are now enjoying renewed interest.

This momentum is underpinned by the recent rise of cryptocurrency values, but also by the work of numerous projects doing groundbreaking work. While many projects fled the ecosystem during the bear market, it’s becoming clear that many simple entered “build mode.”

Experts agree that Web3 gaming today represents one of the most promising applications for NFTs. This idea makes perfect sense when we consider that Yuga Labs, the company behind Bored Ape Yacht Club, has rapidly turned its attention to the field of video games, notably with its Otherside metaverse and a few games that have already launched, like “Dookey Dash.”

But what has suddenly changed to make gaming the new dominant trend in the world of NFTs since August 2023?

This new gaming trend in the world of NFTs isn’t pure chance, it’s logical. As mentioned in the introduction, major players in the NFT sector have been focusing on gaming since 2022. This strategic approach is reflected in the financing dynamics observed on the market.

A recent Binance Research report on fundraising in DeFi reveals a marked preference for the gaming sector during the bear market.

Key data from this report also indicate that:

– In 2023, the gaming sector attracted the most funding, with over 87 deals signed and more than $600 million raised.

– It surpassed all other DeFi categories, including payments, exchanges, yield, and layers.

– Despite being the sector with the highest cumulative funds raised, it also has the lowest average investment percentage, at $7.42 million per deal.

This suggests that investors undoubtedly recognize the potential of Web3 Gaming, but are adopting a cautious approach, given its relative youth and perceived volatility.

It’s also interesting to note that, despite the various trends observed from Q4 2022 to Q3 2023, the gaming has consistently raised the most funds over these last four quarters.

This consistency is all the more remarkable in the face of the emergence of other narratives, such as FTX’s post-fall DeFi with the expansion of Decentralized Exchanges, or the rise of Artificial Intelligence following the popularization of AI among the general public, notably via Chat GPT and other tools. As a result, Web3 gaming firmly remains the trend of choice for venture capitalists.

ZTX by Zepeto, a resounding success

Among the catalysts of this dynamic, ZTX by Zepeto stands out, having recently revitalized the entire NFT gaming market.

The concept of ZTX by Zepeto:

Founded in 2022, ZTX is a joint blockchain initiative of Jump Crypto and ZEPETO – Asia’s largest avatar social network, with over 400 million users. While ZEPETO is developing around a creative and participatory economy, ZTX aims to meet the new demands of creators and communities. The project aims to build an open world on blockchain where users can participate more deeply in governance and the economy, including creating and selling digital assets.

In this game, players can develop their home and avatar by creating and evolving, with the ability to monetize through the sale of digital assets and $ZTX, the game’s cryptocurrency.

The first ZTX NFT sale took place in August 2023. The initial batch of 4,000 “Genesis Homes” sold out in a matter of hours, at a price of $100 each, demonstrating strong demand and interest in this new form of interaction in the world of gaming and NFTs.

This success illustrates the growing trend in the NFT gaming market towards immersive, interactive gaming experiences, where community creation and governance take center stage.

The resounding success of these “Genesis Homes” lies in their appeal to investors, anticipating their future usefulness in the game. Their scarcity is a key factor: with only 4,000 homes available to potentially millions of users, these virtual properties offer unique value. They will enable players not only to earn more but also to rent them out to those who don’t own a home, providing a source of passive income for holders.

This express sell-out of 4,000 NFTs, achieved for $100 apiece in one of the market’s most difficult periods, is a reflection of an impeccably executed marketing strategy.

ZTX brilliantly promoted its project across the entire NFT ecosystem, and not just within the Web3 gaming community. Assiduous communication on Twitter, and frequent participation in Twitter spaces involving NFT gaming projects, as well as NFT PFP projects, helped to broaden their audience.

The project also benefited from the support of many influential ambassadors in the NFT world, such as Legendary, and, in the Web3 gaming world, Yellow Panther and Apix. These collaborations played a crucial role in popularizing the ZTX project, helping to attract new investors and participants interested in this innovative proposition. They were able to attract a new wave of investors who weren’t necessarily interested in gaming. Their success is also due to some very good strategic hires to their team such as renowned investment content creator NFT @moritz_web3.

If you’re aiming to replicate this kind of success in your own projects, leveraging a diverse and inclusive marketing strategy that resonates across various segments of the ecosystem is crucial. Exclusible, with its track record of over 17 sold-out projects, is poised to offer that level of expertise. Our ability to navigate and integrate various elements of the digital landscape, including NFTs and Web3 gaming, positions us as a reliable partner for your project’s growth.

Discover more about how we can tailor our expertise to your unique needs by exploring our Web3 Innovation Studio.

The success of the “Genesis Homes” sale quickly boosted the value of the ZTX collection within the NFT ecosystem, particularly around one key aspect — holders of these NFTs would benefit from an airdrop of the $ZTX token, destined to be the game’s fuel. In the space of just one month, the value of the collection rose from 0.06 ETH (initial launch price) to 0.8 ETH (around $1,500), an increase attributable to investors’ expectations of the airdrop’s potential returns.

These predictions proved correct: the $ZTX airdrop was a resounding success, generating over $2,500 per NFT, which set the whole NFT sphere ablaze.

This phenomenon had a domino effect on subsequent web3 gaming projects, adopting a similar model – namely, an initial release of NFTs followed by a token airdrop. These projects saw their values soar, confirming the market’s tendency to value these new forms of investment combining digital assets and utility tokens.

The case of ZTX demonstrates investors’ growing appetite for innovative projects that combine gaming, NFTs, and financial utilities, redefining the contours of the cryptocurrency and digital asset ecosystem.

The L3E7 project has made its mark as one of the most significant successes in NFT gaming in 2023 after ZTX. This unique game is capable of interacting with the real 3D world based on Google Maps, surpassing even the technology of games like Pokemon GO.

First free-mint NFT collection:
L3E7 launched its first free-mint NFT collection, with a limited offer of 600 VIP passes. Today, the price of these passes has skyrocketed to over $6,000 due to high expectations of the game’s future success.

Attractive business model:
Holders of these VIP passes will benefit from free NFTs of upcoming collections in 2024, an airdrop of the game’s token, and a share of the revenues generated by the game. This innovative strategy combines gaming with an attractive investment opportunity, offering both in-game benefits and financial rewards.

L3E7 thus represents a major step in the evolution of NFT-based games, offering an enriched gaming experience and economic benefits for its players and early investors.

Among the notable successes of the month, AOFVerse stands out. This project released 2,000 NFTs in a free mint, and their value soared immediately, reaching 0.8 ETH, or about $1,500, showing strong demand in the secondary market.

To understand the success of AOFVerse, it’s essential to delve into its components:

Army of Tactics”: The First Game of the Ecosystem

“Army of Tactics” is a tactical auto-battler mobile game that allows players to build and compete with their armies. The game already boasts over 25,000 daily users, establishing a strong foundation for the AOFVerse ecosystem.

The game features four differently-themed islands, each with its unique style, resources, arenas, and production facilities, offering a diverse and immersive gaming experience.

Arena duels are the core gameplay of “Army of Tactics.” Players need to build a powerful army to challenge the opposing team. Each match requires a certain amount of $AFC, the on-chain token of the game, which can also be acquired with a credit card payment. The entry fee for duels is paid in $AFC, and the winner is rewarded with the same token.

1.Foundation with $AFC Token:

Before the release of AOFVerse’s NFTs in November, there was already an established token in the ecosystem, known as $AFC. This token was integral to the gameplay of “Army of Tactics,” the first game within the ecosystem, and had been circulating since before the latest NFT launch. Its existence and usage in the pre-existing game provided a solid financial underpinning for the ecosystem.

2.Expansion with a New Game:

AOFVerse is not resting on its laurels with “Army of Tactics.” The ecosystem is expanding with the development of a second game “Army of Fortune”. This new addition is expected to broaden the scope of AOFVerse, adding more depth and variety to the gaming experience.

3.Introduction of a Governance Token:

Alongside this expansion, AOFVerse plans to introduce a governance token, $AFG, for their entire ecosystem. This move signifies a shift towards a more decentralized and community-driven approach, where token holders could potentially have a say in the development and direction of the ecosystem.

4.Successful Launch and Market Impact:

The launch of AOFVerse has been marked by a well-planned and executed strategy. The utilization of a free-mint approach for their new NFT collection laid a strong foundation for market excitement. This strategic move, coupled with the existing success of their first game and the anticipation surrounding the new governance token and game, has created a significant buzz. As a result, AOFVerse has rapidly emerged as a leading and promising project in the NFT gaming sector, demonstrating the potential for sustained growth and innovation in the space.

1. Army of Fortune Coin ($AFC): The Utility Token

-Role and Usage:
$AFC, as initially mentioned, functions as the primary utility token in the games of AOFVerse. It’s akin to fiat currency in the ecosystem, promoting active engagement and spending within the games.

-Earning Mechanisms:
Players can earn $AFC through various in-game activities, such as battles, managing islands, and completing quests. This token acts as the lifeblood of the game’s economy, facilitating transactions and activities.

– Utility in Gameplay:
$AFC is used for several purposes in the game:
– Upgrading heroes to enhance their abilities and performance in battles.
– Building and developing islands, allowing players to expand their in-game territories and resources.
– Burning treasure chests in the Crystal Forge, a unique feature where players can convert their tokens into Demigods NFTs, adding an element of collectibility and potential value growth.

2. Army of Fortune Gem ($AFG): The Upcoming Governance Token
– Upcoming Release and Function:
The second token, $AFG, which is yet to be released, will serve as a governance token. Its role is akin to gold in a traditional economy – a scarce and valuable resource.
– Governance and Influence:
Holders of $AFG will have a say in the development of the AOFVerse ecosystem. This aspect introduces a decentralized, community-driven approach, where stakeholders can influence decisions, changes, and upgrades within the games.
– Supply and Value Proposition:
The maximum supply of $AFG is capped at 1 billion tokens. This cap ensures scarcity, potentially increasing its value over time thanks to a burning system. The token is expected to provide holders with access to premium features within the ecosystem, reinforcing its role as a key asset in AOFVerse.

This dual-token model underpins AOFVerse’s economy, offering a multifaceted approach to gaming and investment within the platform. The combination of a utility token ($AFC) and a governance token ($AFG) reflects a sophisticated economic design, catering to both active players and strategic investors within the gaming community.

– Recent Success of AOFVerse NFTs in November

@AOFverse is poised to transform the mobile gaming industry over the next decade. The platform aims to launch a series of Web3 mobile games featuring innovative mechanics, enhanced management experiences, and a collaborative ecosystem.

The anticipated release of “Army of Fortune” in 2024 has catalyzed AOFVerse to introduce a new NFT collection last month, the “Fortune Founder’s Key,” comprising 2,000 NFTs available through a free-mint process.

The floor price for these NFTs quickly escalated to 0.8 ETH, approximately $1,500, fueled by speculation about the success of the upcoming game and the impending airdrop of the new Army of Fortune Gem ($AFG) token, which will serve as a governance token. Similar to the ZTX by Zepeto case, investors believe that this airdrop could also yield significant returns.

Here is an image that succinctly encapsulates the AOFVerse ecosystem. It highlights the two main characters of the ecosystem, the two tokens – $AFC (in-game token) and $AFG (future governance token), and the two games, including Army of Fortune to be released:

This image visually represents the dynamic and multifaceted nature of AOFVerse, illustrating how the ecosystem combines gaming, tokenomics, and community governance to create a comprehensive and engaging experience for users and investors alike.

Exclusible specializes in developing cutting-edge Web3 games. Our expertise spans all facets of game development, from intricate design and immersive gameplay to crafting tokenomics suited for various game types like Play-to-Earn (P2E). Our approach is tailored, ensuring alignment with your game concept and target audience. If you’re interested in delving into the potential of Web3 gaming and leveraging our comprehensive development, design, and economic structuring expertise, we invite you to contact us here.

The success of AOFVerse’s first game can be significantly attributed to an effective organic marketing strategy on TikTok, centered around the branding and storytelling of their two main characters.

Together, the two TikTok accounts have amassed over 3.8 million followers, with their content garnering hundreds of millions of views. Such impressive statistics and a proven track record install confidence in web3 investors regarding the team’s ability to deliver quality gaming experiences with significant user engagement, boosted by strong marketing strategies.

It’s important to understand that the web3 gaming community is not just looking for games that appeal to the niche group of existing web3 players. The focus is increasingly on games that can onboard new Web3 users into blockchain-supported gaming environments.

AOFVerse stands as a prime example of this strategy. Their $AFC token is purchasable within the application using fiat currency, enabling people to play the game without necessarily being aware of the underlying blockchain technology. This approach makes blockchain and web3 gaming more accessible and appealing to a broader audience, potentially driving the growth and adoption of blockchain technology in gaming.

AOFVerse’s marketing prowess, particularly in leveraging popular Web 2.0 platforms like TikTok, demonstrates their understanding of the importance of reaching beyond the existing web3 community to create a more inclusive and diverse gaming ecosystem.

Exclusible specializes in elevating projects to new heights by maximizing their exposure on key marketing platforms like TikTok. Our expertise in crafting engaging content and strategic marketing can propel your project into the spotlight. If you’re looking to amplify your presence and captivate a wider audience, we’re here to help: Contact us.

However, effective web3 marketing is also crucial to attract substantial investments into the AOFVerse ecosystem, a fact they quickly grasped.

Despite facing initial challenges, particularly during the launch of their first in-game token, the AOFVerse team made strategic decisions that significantly benefited their NFT collection and the second token, which holds greater importance as it represents the entire ecosystem.

The progress in their marketing efforts is evident in the engagement statistics from their Twitter Spaces, also known as “AMA” (Ask Me Anything) events. As shown in the image below, on October 19th, an AMA session attracted 110 attendees. Fast forward to November 28th, the day marking the major success of their mint, over 4,200 people participated in the event.

This remarkable increase in engagement, achieved within just a month, raises the question— How did they manage this? The answer lies in their strategy of collaborating with the right external experts and influencers. By leveraging these partnerships, they significantly enhanced their outreach and visibility, drawing in a larger audience and potential investors. This approach underscores the importance of strategic alliances and community engagement in the web3 space.

The transformation in AOFVerse’s marketing strategy, initiated on October 31st, yielded impressive results in less than a month, offering valuable insights into effective Web3 marketing:

1.Generating Interest through Organic Content:

AOFVerse cleverly generated hype by offering whitelist spots to content creators. This strategy utilized the power of organic content to build interest and engagement without incurring significant direct marketing costs.

2. Effective Communication of Value:

The project skillfully communicated its value proposition by highlighting AOFVerse’s proven track record and impressive statistics. This clear and focused messaging was crucial in establishing the project’s relevance and importance within the web3 space.

3.Attracting Web3 Enthusiasts:

By tapping into current trends appealing to Web3 investors and speculators, such as integrating NFTs with token airdrop eligibility, AOFVerse resonated strongly with its target audience. This approach demonstrated a profound understanding of the current web3 dynamics and built on the success models of projects like ZTX.

4.Leveraging the Right Marketing Tools:

Utilizing community engagement tools like Zealy to enhance project visibility on platforms like Twitter, and employing prominent Spaces hosts and guest content creators, helped AOFVerse create memorable AMA sessions that attracted thousands of attendees.

The entry of prominent Web 2.0 entities into the web3 realm brings tangible value and credibility, exciting the community. However, web3 marketing requires a distinctly different approach compared to traditional marketing strategies. This emphasizes the need for native web3 marketing expertise or advisory teams, particularly at this stage of the web3 evolution.

AOFVerse has onboarded some exceptional advisors and strategic marketers who are also influential content creators with thousands of followers, similar to ZTX.

AOFVerse’s success illustrates that having a quality product and market fit is not enough in the web3 world. Projects transitioning from a Web 2.0 background should actively seek to bridge knowledge gaps by incorporating web3-savvy professionals into their teams. This is crucial for adapting to the unique aspects of web3 and ensuring success in this evolving digital landscape.

Another perfect example is the June 2023 launch of the Sugartown the first web3 project by gaming giant Zynga. They also involved native web3 advisors like the renowned “Camol”. Despite no token speculation currently, the floor price is already at $600. This highlights the importance of strategic partnerships and web3 expertise in driving success in the space.

In the dynamic world of web3, the success of projects like AOFVerse and Zynga’s Sugartown underscores a vital lesson— quality and market fit, while essential, are just part of the equation. The key to thriving in this space lies in the seamless integration of web3 expertise into your team. This approach is not merely about adapting to new technology; it’s about embracing the unique culture and community-driven aspects that define the web3 landscape.

Exclusible is dedicated to helping projects navigate this complex transition. Our Web3 Innovation Studio is designed to guide and support projects transitioning from a Web 2.0 framework, ensuring they are equipped to navigate and excel in the web3 domain. With a focus on strategic marketing and a deep understanding of web3 nuances, we are committed to transforming your vision into a success story in this evolving digital era.

In conclusion, the recent evolution of the NFT and web3 gaming market marks a pivotal shift in the industry. Projects such as ZTX by Zepeto, L3E7, and AOFVerse have vividly demonstrated that the integration of technological innovations and web3-adapted marketing strategies can generate substantial interest and investment.

The significance of an effective marketing approach, blending organic tactics on Web 2.0 platforms like TikTok with targeted strategies for web3 on Twitter/X, cannot be overstated. These methods have not only increased the visibility and engagement of these projects but have also attracted traditional investors to these innovative initiatives.

The success of these projects also underscores the value of an integrated virtual currency and, if necessary, a dual-token economic model, offering both in-game advantages and investment opportunities. Combined with engaging community events and effective communication, these elements have propelled these projects to the forefront of the NFT space.

The key takeaway is that the combination of a quality product, perfect market fit, and web3 marketing expertise is essential for success in this rapidly evolving digital landscape. This is where entities like Exclusible come into play, offering their expertise and support to navigate successfully in this complex ecosystem.