Tag Archives: NFT

BBC Studios expands its NFT trading card game Doctor Who: Worlds Apart with new series launch

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Reality Gaming Group and BBC Studios have expanded on their existing partnership to launch a new Doctor Who: Worlds Apart permanent card set, Time Lord Victorious, featuring two new packs of cards following the Doctors from across the series as they face Daleks and the ancient alien race, the Kotturuh.

Doctor Who: Worlds Apart is an officially licensed digital trading card game published by Reality Gaming Group that has been in development since early 2021, combining the richness and variety of Doctor Who lore with a strategic game mechanic for PC and Mac.

The ‘Time Lord Victorious’ set marks the first time that completely new cards have been added permanently to the game, alongside the original cards released as part of the “Unearthly Origins” set in November 2020.

Each of the 50 new cards features hand-drawn artwork, characters, companions and enemies from the Doctor Who universe, classic and new.

All Doctor Who: Worlds Apart cards available to purchase use Non-Fungible Token (NFT) technology, which enables players to sell and trade the cards with each other on an open marketplace. Every card in the game is available in 3D frames, which allow players to create custom decks that are truly unique, making every card a collector’s item.

All the cards, artworks, characters and stats are the same between the packs, so you only need the Core Pack to enjoy the new mechanics and gameplay. The Premium Pack, designed with collectors and NFT enthusiasts in mind, features the new  ‘Time Lord Victorious’ and ‘Kotturuh’ frames and will only be available for a limited time.

All Doctor Who: Worlds Apart cards get minted onto the blockchain when players open packs, and are assigned a unique serial number so every card is one of a kind. Serial #1 cards of popular characters can reach high values among digital collectors on the marketplace and can even be exported to public marketplaces like Opensea, representing true digital ownership.

“This latest set of cards will provide players with new ways to experience the game when the alpha launches later this year,” said Reality Gaming Group’s co-founder Tony Pearce.

“Because every Time Lord Victorious card is an NFT that you own, you can trade and sell your cards directly with other players and Doctor Who fans, building your unique collection of cards and frames just like you would in a physical trading card game.”

YouTube star Like Nastya to launch Jazwares toy line and NFT collection

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The YouTube sensation, Like Nastya, has detailed the autumn launch of her first toy line, a range developed by the international toy maker, Jazwares in a partnership brokered by the global licensing agency, IMG.

The seven-year-old social media star’s toy line represents the latest expansion of Nastya’s universe in which Nastya and her parents play, learn, sing, explore, and share their life experiences on social media. Her YouTube videos cover topics from songs, nature, and animals, to the importance of eating healthily.

Like Nastya currently enjoys more than 220 million subscribers on YouTube, 5 million followers on TikTok, and a thriving Instagram channel.

The toy space is not the only sector into which the Like Nastya brand is expanding this season as IMG has also secured an NFT collection with Gary Vaynerchuk’s VaynerNFT.

Nastya, who at birth was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which inspired her first YouTube video and has since significantly improved, and her family will be donating a portion of proceeds from her NFT collection to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

Eyal Baumel, CEO of Yoola and Nastya’s manager, said: “Millions of kids and families around the world embrace Nastya as a friend and role model, and we are excited to expand Nastya’s universe into the physical world with the new toy line, and in the metaverse with our unique NFT program.

“This will allow Nastya’s community to own a collectible memory of Nastya, but to also use some of the unique utility NFTs to engage with her in the most special ways, including birthday greetings, connecting on social media, shoutouts, and even a live video call.”

Laura Zebersky, president of Jazwares, said: “Based on Nastya’s unbelievable success as a young content creator and role-model, imaginative play is the focus in our toy line so we are bringing to life and extending Nastya’s colorful adventures and positive messages.”

The toy line has been created to appeal to girls aged four to six years old and features Nastya’s Fancy Princess Surprise Doll, an eight-inch doll in the likeness of Nastya and it includes 50 unique surprises such as outfits, wear-and-share accessories, and more.

Other toys in the line include themed Nastya eight-inch dolls such as Sleepy Time, Princess and Rock Star, 12 distinctive three-inch Collectible Figures, a Nastya Bedroom Playset, plush toys and headbands. The toys will range in price from $4.99 to $39.99 and will be available in the US and UK at retailers including Target, Amazon, Walmart.com and Claire’s starting this autumn, before being released worldwide in different drops through spring 2022.

Nastya’s NFT collection, meanwhile, presents a new way for Nastya to engage with her community; and capitalise on the hyper-growth NFT market. With multiple tiered price points, and plenty of surprise and delight activities, “Nastya’s Originals’ collection is designed to bring a smile to the face of her fans, and extend the Like Nastya community into the metaverse.

“There are very few people on earth that have ever amassed an audience the size of Nastya and we are thrilled to work with her and her family,” said Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO of VaynerNFT, who recently launched his own successful VeeFriends project in May, 2021.

“The fact that her circle is thoughtfully thinking about how to bring her audience value through an NFT project instead of trying to make a quick buck is exactly why we wanted to work with them and is exactly the way that VaynerNFT wants to structure projects.”

Van Kokeh, Associate VP, Licensing, IMG, added: “Nastya’s engaging content, reach and musical talent allows us to expand her licensing program across all key areas and categories. Our unique strategy to launch her toy program with Jazwares, alongside her first NFTs, is just the start of the incredible program we have planned for the long-term growth of the Like Nastya brand globally.”

Formula 1 eyes moves into NFT and Cryptocurrency through Crypto.com global partnership

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Formula 1 has embarked on a new partnership with Crypto.com that woll see the global crypto platform become a global partner, an inaugural partner for the sport’s new Sprint series this year, and the official Formula 1 NFT partner.

Under the deal, Crypto.com will have a trackside presence at every race for the remainder of the season as it continues to grow its brand awareness on an international stage. With 10 million users worldwide, Crypto.com is recognised as one of the world’s fastest growing crypto platforms.

As Formula 1 continues with its plans to explore new ways for fans to engage and become more immersed in the sport, Crypto.com will also become the Official Cryptocurrency Sponsor and NFT Partner for the motor sport brand. Mirroring the fan-first approach F1 has adopted to engage with new audiences, Crypto.com aim to democratize the world of cryptocurrency for fans, through education and experiences in the new partnership.

Crypto.com will also present a brand new award, which will be announced ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.

Aligning with the sustainability plans for Formula 1 to be Net Zero Carbon as a sport by 2030, Crypto.com laid out an ambitious pledge in May 2021 to become carbon negative within 18 months. It aims to offer the industry a path and a model for ‘clean crypto’ by late 2022. This plan will initially focus on an assessment of the carbon generated through cryptocurrency trading, deposit and withdrawal activities across all of its own platforms.

Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO, Formula 1, said: “We are pleased to welcome Crypto.com to the Formula 1 family, as we continue to attract progressive global brands anchored in performance and innovation.”

Ben Pincus, director of commercial partnerships at Formula 1, added: “We are thrilled to announce Crypto.com as a Global Partner and lead partner of the Sprint event as we bring this exciting new format to fans for the first time this year. We will rely heavily on their expertise as we explore the world of cryptocurrency, an area we are very interested in, and this will be the first time as a sport we are able to offer fans the opportunity to explore this exciting world as we further increase our digital presence.

“Crypto.com is revered in the industry and its experience was key in the decision to partner with them, as well as the company’s commitment to becoming carbon negative, as we continue to move towards sustainability goals of our own.”

Kris Marszalek, co-founder and CEO of Crypto.com, said: “We are extremely proud to be the first cryptocurrency sponsor of Formula 1, joining a prestigious collection of brands supporting a sport with technology and innovation at its core. We look forward to many years of innovating together, and will begin at the Belgian Grand Prix where we will present a brand new award.

“We’re also excited to partner with F1 in the development of exclusive NFTs, connecting fans to the sport in new and innovative ways.”

The partnership between Formula 1 and Crypto.com was facilitated by CAA Sports, the global representative for F1.

The Olympics vaults into NFT space and details new video game title with nWay

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has detailed its launch into the NFT market thanks to a new partnership with nWay, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands.

The deal will witness the launch of a new Olympic-themed digital entertainment, consisting of NFT Olympic pins and crossplay multiplayer video games, all developed by nWay.

The NFT Olympic Pins are digital versions of collectable and tradeable Olympic Pins, which will first be distributed and sold on nWayPlay.com starting on 17 June, 2021. These digital Olympic Pins will have various properties generally associated with physical pins, including authenticity, scarcity, and provenance.

The Pins will launch with an inaugural set that forms part of the Olympic Heritage Collection, which celebrates the art and design of the past Olympic Games and reflects the graphic legacy of the world’s largest sporting event, such as posters, emblems, pictograms, and mascots from 125 years of modern Olympic Games.

Collectors can obtain unique and officially licensed NFT Olympic Pins in three ways; either by purchasing assorted packs on nWayPlay.com; by purchasing specific pins directly from other collectors on the nWayPlay Marketplace; or by earning them free of charge by playing a real-time Olympic-themed competitive video game connected to nWayPlay.

The new game will be launched in the lead up to the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.

“Olympic pins started as a way to identify athletes, judges and officials, but over the past 125 years it has become an Olympic Games tradition, where everyone from athletes to event staff, journalists and spectators all take part to collect and trade pins in the Olympic Village and beyond,” said Timo Lumme, managing director of IOC Television and Marketing Services.

“Today’s announcement is a natural evolution of this tradition, in line with Olympic Agenda 2020+5 and the IOC’s digital strategy to embrace new digital technologies to promote the Olympic values and grow direct relations with our fans. They can now connect with the excitement of the Games in a whole new way and own a piece of Olympic history.”

Taehoon Kim, CEO of nWay, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with the IOC to bring the NFT Olympic Pins Collection to the nWayPlay Marketplace for the first time. We used our experience as game developers to incorporate high-quality 3D models with animation and visual effects to create truly premium NFTs.”

Collectors will be able to purchase assorted packs of NFT Olympic Pins on nWayPlay.com starting on 17 June, 2021 with the peer-to-peer transaction functionality on the marketplace to come online shortly later.

The new related Olympic-themed videogame will be launched later this year, in the lead up to the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.

Boxing icon Floyd Mayweather Jr enters the NFT ring ahead of Logan Paul bout this summer

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The boxing icon, Floyd Mayweather Jr is the latest name to enter the licensed NFT ring.

In conjunction with IronBend – a provider of digital NFTs for prominent personalities – the five weight 12-time world champion has teamed up with Reality Gaming Group, a publisher of mobile games and blockchain-based digital entertainment, and Zytara Labs, to release exclusive NFT collector’s items.

The NFTs will drop ahead of the highly anticipated bout with the YouTuber-turned-boxer, Logan Paul.

The launch will feature a limited-edition digital collection celebrating the legacy of Floyd Mayweather’s life and career, including animations, artwork and rare memorabilia from Mayweather’s personal keepsakes. Each piece in this unique collection will be secured and protected using blockchain technology, enabling the verification of ownership and authenticity of each collector’s item.

 The pieces are being designed by Reality Gaming Group in partnership with Iron Bend and Zytara Labs, and will be launched on May 26, 2021, ahead of Mayweather vs. Paul fight scheduled for June 6th. Reality Gaming has done NFT collections for the hit TV Show Dr. Who and is in partnership with the British Broadcasting Company in a variety of NFT initiatives.

 Speaking about his NFT launch, Floyd Mayweather said: “I started from nothing and beat all the odds to achieve what I did in my career and I think that’s the American dream. I don’t look at myself as a celebrity – I look at myself as an icon, one who made it. My name will always live on for the things that I did and the mark that I left in sports. These digital collectibles give everyone a chance to be part of the Mayweather Legacy.”

 Dan Sobol, co-founder and CEO of IronBend, added: “We’re incredibly grateful to be selected by Floyd Mayweather as his exclusive partner in this journey of celebrating his life’s legacy in the digital universe.

“We are excited to be collaborating with a great team to present Floyd’s timeless digital collectibles to generations of his fans to memorialize the legend of this iconic athlete.”

 Morten Rongaard, CEO of Reality Gaming, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be working with Floyd Mayweather to create a unique NFT collection that will be loved by his fans around the world. The officially licensed content will be of the highest quality and fans can start collecting the limited-edition items secure in the knowledge that they will own a unique piece of Floyd Mayweather’s legacy.”

For more information about the upcoming Mayweather NFT drop, please visit https://floydnft.com

“Game changer” | Funko celebrates potential for NFT market with TokenHead acquisition

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Funko is strengthening its position amid the global collectables scene by making a play for the NFT space through the acquisition of a majority ownership stake in TokenWave, the developer behind TokenHead.

TokenHead is recognised as a leading mobile app and website for showcasing and tracking Non-Fungible Token or NFT, a blockchain platform for digital collectables that has picked up steam among audiences and media over the course of the year.

The financial terms of the investment have not been disclosed, but the move has gone to highlight the potential the NFT space has for licensing, as Funko approaches the market with a ‘clear strategy for its pop culture content across TV, film, sports, music, anime, video games, and comic books.’

TokenHead is currently available on iOS and Android and displays over 10 million NFTs, with more than 100,000 visits per day.

The investment accelerates Funko’s initial entry into the NFT market and will extend the Company’s pop culture platform to include digital assets. Funko expects to launch its initial NFT offerings in June, featuring a unique property each week at a starting price point of $9.99.

Products will be sold on the WAX platform, the leading decentralized wallet on the blockchain, which provides verifiable authenticity for purchases of Funko NFTs.

“Funko is thrilled to advance another platform that our fans and collectors will love and find valuable,” said Brian Mariotti, chief executive officer of Funko. “Our strategy in this space is clear – bring the value-added NFT opportunity to our licensing partners to leverage our broad range of existing pop culture content across Television, Movies, Sports, Music, Anime, Video Games and Comic Books.

“Our amazing licensing partners are excited about our entry into this new digital space and we believe the diversity of our licensing portfolio sets us up for long-term success.”

Mariotti has highlighted the ‘game changing potential’ that the deal now lends the pop culture specialist as the firm begins to draw clear plans to combine its new Funko Pop! digital NFTs with exclusive Funko Pop! Vinyl Figures.

“The marriage of digital and physical using WAX’s patented NFT technology known as vIRLs™ is powerful,” said Mariotti. “By backing the rarest of the Funko NFTs with exclusive redeemable Funko Pop!, we are poised to enter the NFT market in a very unique manner.

“Importantly, we plan to make Funko NFTs broadly accessible to our fans by providing affordable entry pricing. Utilizing WAX Blockchain technology, we have the opportunity to eventually bring Funko collectible NFTs to our millions of fans around the globe. The NFT world is all about content, and Funko has been connecting fans to the content they love for over 20 years.”

Topps partners with Toho to bring Godzilla and the cast of classic monsters to the NFT stage

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The collectables expert, Topps is celebrating Toho’s iconic Godzilla franchise by bringing the studio’s classic monsters to the NFT platform in the shape of a series of digital collectables. The new range will be hosted on Topps’ WAX blockchain from today (March 31st).

Topps has been a preeminent creator and innovator of physical cards and digital collectables for more than 70 years, providing generations of fans with cards to collect, trade, and show off across a number of categories. Its global popularity has quickly led to the rapid adoption of Topps’ sports and entertainment digital collectable apps, first brought to the market in 2012.

The firm has since played a hand in re-imagining the collectables world, helping to set the stage for NFT and the craze that is currently sweeping the globe.

The release of Godzilla Collection joins a rapidly growing portfolio of officially licensed Topps NFT collectibles, including the pop culture phenomenon and Topps’ owned IP, Garbage Pail Kids.

“We’ve been one of the first brands to fully embrace the potential of non-fungible tokens (NFTs),” said Tobin Lent, VP and general manager of digital at The Topps Company. “By partnering early with WAX and their state-of-the-art trading platform, we’ve been able to create a fun and accessible digital ecosystem for fans with all levels of experience. We are excited to debut our latest NFT set, featuring iconic imagery from the Godzilla franchise, and build on our initial successes of digital collecting to include interactive elements, increased security and transparent transactions.”

Lora Cohn, managing director, Toho International, added: “We are constantly looking for exciting new ways for fans to connect with the Godzilla brand, and the Topps Digital Godzilla collection is something we’ve never offered before.

“Topps Digital has been at the forefront of the physical and digital card collectible space, so we are thrilled to work with their team on this offering. It’s no secret that NFTs are exploding in popularity right now, so we’re excited to give fans the opportunity to expand their Godzilla collections through the blockchain.”

In May 2020, Topps announced a partnership with the Worldwide Asset eXchange (WAX). Since then, its portfolio on the WAX platform continues to be highly sought after. Through its new Toho partnership, Topps will introduce fans to Godzilla’s origins and the iconic monsters from the series such as Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, King Ghidorah and Mechagodzilla.

There are over 160 unique pieces of art in the collection, including comic covers, motion cards, original illustrations, Chibi style animations, classic Topps “Rookie cards”, and more. Fans can collect, buy, sell and trade on the WAX platform in the knowledge that each collectible is a unique, one-of-a-kind digital asset that is certified, authentic and unchangeable through the WAX Blockchain.

Each Topps collectible will hold a uniquely minted number ID that can be found on the WAX Blockchain, proving each asset’s authenticity.