Demonstrating the dynamic nature of the blockchain gaming industry, CyberKongz, a well-known NFT franchise, is preparing to transfer its Play and Kollect NFT game from the Polygon network to Ronin, the blockchain created by Sky Mavis, the developer of Axie Infinity. Alongside this strategic move, CyberKongz is also unveiling Genkai, an anime-inspired NFT collection, which will be accessible on both Ronin and the Ethereum mainnet starting this week.
The Genkai collection is set to consist of a total of 20,000 NFTs. Out of these, 16,000 NFTs will be minted on the Ethereum mainnet, while the remaining 4,000 will be specifically allocated to Ronin. Ethereum NFT holders will also have the option to transfer their Genkai NFTs to Ronin at a later time, providing them with added flexibility in managing their collection.
The public mint for Genkai NFTs on Ethereum is scheduled to begin on July 27, with a price of 0.25 ETH (approximately $460) per NFT. Additionally, all Mystic Axie NFT holders will receive a complimentary Genkai NFT as a reward from Sky Mavis. For those who are part of the CyberKongz universe, there’s even more good news. Existing holders will receive a Genkai airdrop once the collection is sold out, subject to a vesting period of 180 days.
The CyberKongz franchise has achieved an impressive total volume traded of $210 million across its primary collections, and now it aims to expand its IP further with the introduction of Genkai, marking a significant milestone for the franchise. Myoo, the founder and artist behind CyberKongz, shared his enthusiasm about the project’s growth and the collaboration with Ronin to create a game centered around Genkai.
“Genkai is the first non-pixel artwork I have created for CyberKongz, and will represent our growth as a project to expand our IP into the Southeast Asian and Japanese markets,” Myoo said in a statement. “Additionally, CyberKongz will be working with Ronin to develop a game featuring Genkai.”
The collaboration between CyberKongz and Sky Mavis goes beyond a simple business transaction; it is founded on shared community values and a shared history. As noted by Henry the Grape, an anonymous council member of CyberKongz, the bond between Axie and CyberKongz enthusiasts runs deep. He emphasized that they were born out of the Axie community, which highlights the natural and organic decision to build on the Ronin network.
Kathleen Osgood, the Director of Business Development at Sky Mavis, conveyed her positive outlook on the future of blockchain gaming to Decrypt, acknowledging CyberKongz as “one of the greatest IPs in Web3.”
According to Kathleen Osgood, revitalizing the blockchain gaming space involves creating experiences that align with the motivations driving users to Web3. Rather than simply duplicating successful web2 models, the emphasis should be on utilizing the distinct advantages of Web3 to engage and captivate audiences.
In the ever-evolving blockchain gaming ecosystem, partnerships such as the one between CyberKongz and Sky Mavis play a pivotal role. These collaborations not only push the boundaries of what is achievable but also lay the foundation for a more interconnected and thriving gaming community.
