Solana and Google Cloud

Jack Buser, Director of Games at Google Cloud, stated that many game studios on Google Cloud are interested in Web3 technology but find its technical complexities daunting. This partnership aims to bridge that gap and provide a seamless integration of blockchain technology into traditional gaming.

Google has been involved with the Solana ecosystem since 2022, when it started running a validator to support the network. In addition, Google has added Solana to its Blockchain Node Engine, which allows developers to easily build and deploy blockchain applications on Google Cloud. This integration with Solana’s GameShift platform will further enhance the capabilities of Google Cloud for game developers.

Advantages of GameShift Integration

The integration of GameShift into Google Cloud offers several advantages for game developers. Firstly, it simplifies the onboarding process for new users onto the Solana network. With GameShift’s API, game developers can easily integrate their games with the blockchain without having to worry about complex technical processes.

Additionally, GameShift also provides features such as minting in-game assets and creating NFT marketplaces. These features allow game developers to create unique and valuable in-game assets that can be traded on NFT marketplaces, providing an additional source of revenue.

Moreover, with GameShift’s support for handling payments and payouts, game developers can seamlessly integrate cryptocurrency transactions into their games. This allows players to easily purchase in-game assets or earn rewards through gameplay using cryptocurrencies supported by Solana.

Future of Blockchain Gaming

The partnership between Solana Labs and Google Cloud marks an important step towards the mass adoption of blockchain gaming. By making it easier for game developers to enter the world of blockchain, we can expect to see a rise in the number of high-quality blockchain games available to players.

In addition, the integration with Google Cloud’s infrastructure will provide scalability and reliability, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience for players. This will help to attract more traditional gamers to the world of blockchain gaming, ultimately leading to its widespread adoption.

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The Case of MetaBirkins NFTs

In 2020, luxury fashion house Hermes filed a lawsuit against artist Sonny Estival, who goes by the name Mason Rothschild, for trademark infringement. Rothschild’s MetaBirkins NFTs featured digital designs of faux-fur Birkin bags, which Hermes argued confused consumers and diluted their brand identity. The case gained attention as it was one of the first instances of a traditional luxury brand taking legal action against an artist in the world of NFTs.

The legal battle between Hermes and Rothschild came to a verdict last year, with a jury unanimously ruling in favor of the luxury brand. Judge Jed Rakoff issued a permanent injunction, preventing Rothschild from further infringing on Hermes’ trademarks. However, this decision was recently reversed by the same judge, allowing Rothschild’s MetaBirkins NFTs to be exhibited at the Spritmuseum in Stockholm.

The Upcoming Exhibition

The Spritmuseum, located on Djurgården island in Stockholm, is a popular museum that focuses on Swedish drinking culture and houses the Absolut Art Collection. The museum plans to feature Rothschild’s MetaBirkins NFTs in an upcoming exhibition, with disclaimers stating that a jury found the NFTs to potentially be confusing for consumers. This decision has raised questions about the relationship between NFTs and trademark laws.

Throughout the legal battle, Rothschild’s defense argued that his MetaBirkins NFTs were a form of artistic expression protected under the First Amendment. The NFTs served as a commentary on the fashion industry’s fur-free initiatives and an experiment in luxury valuation. With the recent reversal of decision, it is uncertain if Rothschild will attend the exhibition, especially with the expected arrival of his first child.

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding Mason Rothschild’s MetaBirkins NFTs has brought attention to the potential conflicts between NFTs and trademark laws. While the recent reversal of decision allows the NFTs to be exhibited at the Spritmuseum, it raises questions about how these digital assets can coexist with traditional brands and their trademarks. As the world of NFTs continues to evolve and expand, we can expect more legal battles and discussions surrounding their impact on various industries.

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Earn and Play

Gacha Grab operates like a traditional slot machine, with players using credits to spin the dial and collect rewards. Each spin costs 100 credits and rewards the player with a Gachapon collectible. These collectibles are categorized into three rarity levels – Esteemed, Grand, and Legend – making the game even more thrilling as players aim to collect rare items.

The game was developed in partnership with the Azuki NFT collection on the Ethereum blockchain. This means that players can earn credits by owning Azuki, Elementals, or Beanz NFTs. Not only does this add an extra layer of excitement to the game, but it also provides a unique opportunity for players to earn rewards beyond the virtual realm.

Unique features

One of the standout features of Gacha Grab is the ability to form squads with NFTs and level up Azuki profiles. This adds a strategic element to the game and incentivises players to increase their rewards and move up on the leaderboard.

Gacha Grab also offers a unique opportunity for players to collect and trade NFTs linked to their Gachapons. However, these collectibles will transfer to new owners if the NFTs are sold, adding yet another layer of value to this already exciting game.

Conclusion

Gacha Grab is not your average online game. With its partnership with Azuki NFT collection, bonus quests and events, ability to form squads and track standings on a leaderboard, and the inclusion of NFTs linked to Gachapons, it offers a truly unique gaming experience. So why not give it a try and see if you have what it takes to collect all the rare Gachapon items? 

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From Open Access to Exclusive Rights

The new policy was outlined in a recent announcement by Moonbirds on X: “You’re going to need a character. A character that you own. Starting today, Moonbirds will join Mythics as a collection with commercial rights. If you’ve made stuff during the CC0 era – cool. But from now on, you’ll need to own a Moonbird to keep doing so.” This change is part of a broader strategy to enhance the value and utility of Moonbirds within the digital economy.

This pivot coincides with a broader restructuring at Yuga Labs, including staff cuts in response to the downturn in the NFT market. The company has reported decreased trading volumes and diminished royalties from its flagship collections, prompting a recalibration of its business operations.

Venturing into 3D and Virtual Realities

In addition to these copyright changes, Moonbirds is set to undergo a creative transformation. Yuga Labs plans to develop 3D avatars from the Moonbirds collection, making them suitable for animation and integration into the Otherside metaverse project. This move is expected to transition the NFTs from static images to dynamic, interactive figures that can be utilized in various digital environments.

Colin Hesterly, a co-founder of Moonbirds and Senior Art Director at Yuga Labs, will lead this artistic evolution. The shift towards 3D avatars aims to provide a more immersive experience for users and expand the utility of Moonbirds in virtual spaces.

Furthermore, Moonbirds are creating a digital home for their characters. In this new virtual space, users can connect and immerse themselves in the world of Volaria.

Expanding Beyond the Digital

The initiative also includes plans for Moonbirds to venture into physical merchandise, thereby extending its brand into the tangible world. Moreover, Yuga Labs is organizing dedicated events to foster community among holders. One such event is a satellite gathering adjacent to Apefest 2024 in Lisbon this October, promising to enhance connectivity and engagement within the community.

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A New Way to Play Chess

Anichess, a joint venture between Animoca Brands and Chess.com, has reimagined traditional Chess by incorporating spells and new strategies into gameplay. These elements could make the classic game more accessible to a wider audience. The free-to-play model allows players to enjoy all the intrinsic values of Chess while exploring new challenges and lore within the game’s world.

Rapid Growth in User Base

Since its launch in 2023, Anichess has gained over a million registered players and maintains a daily active user base of 150,000. The introduction of the player-versus-environment (PvE) daily chess puzzles in January 2024 has been a major factor in attracting players to the platform. These players have collectively solved over 50 million puzzles, showcasing the game’s popularity and engagement.

Anichess has also implemented a Season 1 leaderboard, ranking players based on their puzzle-solving skills and collection of Orbs of Power. This has further invigorated the community and created healthy competition among players. As Anichess plans to roll out its online player-versus-player (PvP) game mode in the second quarter of 2024, anticipation within the community continues to build.

Industry Leaders Recognize Anichess’s Potential

Dan Patterson, a general partner at Sfermion, believes that Anichess has the potential to redefine Web3 gaming and engage Chess.com’s vast user base, stating, “The future of gaming is community-driven and player-owned, and we believe that, with Chess.com’s existing community of 150m+ players and Web3 communities such as Mocaverse, Anichess has the potential to onboard tens of millions of players into that future.”

Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, recognizes Chess’s enduring appeal: “With its popularity, accessibility, and incredible strategic depth, Chess is a classic game that has stood the test of time. One of the benefits of a game whose appeal is measured in centuries is the sophistication and passion of its community, and we are thrilled for Anichess to showcase our new and updated interpretation of the game of kings in partnership with Chess.com.”

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New Opportunities for Engagement

“SBINFT Mits” is an all-in-one NFT management service that streamlines the process of issuing and managing NFTs. It enables issuers, even those new to Web3, to easily connect with fans and handle everything from launching NFT projects to building and managing community engagement.

Using SBINFT’s “SBINFT Mits” platform, Futabasha has created a dedicated campaign website and a secure lottery system for the NFT giveaway. Fans who participate in the campaign not only receive a commemorative NFT but also have the chance to win exclusive prizes such as signed books and coloured paper artwork. Importantly, the giveaway also safeguards privacy, meaning those who participate won’t need to share their personal information.

Source Futabasha

A Win-Win-Win Partnership

The collaboration between Futabasha and SBINFT is a triple-win scenario. Futabasha gains an innovative way to connect with its audience, SBINFT showcases the capabilities of its platform, and fans get to enjoy a campaign with the opportunity to secure NFTs and win special prizes.

Jangdeok Ko, CEO of SBINFT, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating in the announcement, “We are very pleased that our “SBINFT Mits” has enabled Futabasha to create co-creation marketing with fans using NFT. We believe that this initiative will be a very rare example in the world by delivering actual products to fans without obtaining their personal information using our marketing platform “SBINFT Mits”

Ko finished by saying, “We are convinced that this case will pave the way for a new era of digital marketing using NFT, and at the same time, it is an important step in our mission to spread NFT throughout society.”

How to Participate

The campaign will run from April 27, 2024, to May 12, 2024. Anyone can join in, and to participate, individuals must register an account on the “SBINFT Mits” website and then apply through the provided campaign. 

Participants are also encouraged to share their thoughts on “Umanari 1 Furlong Theater” on X (formerly Twitter). Furthermore, all participants will receive a limited edition NFT, with 200 lucky winners receiving a signed book by Miho Yoshida and one grand prize winner obtaining a specially drawn coloured paper.

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Celebrating Legends Through Digital Art

At the heart of this exhibition are two key pieces from the ‘Masterpiece’ collection. The first, titled In a Way, Immortal, immortalizes Johan Cruyff’s legendary goal against Atlético Madrid on December 22, 1973. The NFT sold for an impressive $693,000 at a live auction at Sotheby’s in New York in 2022.

The NFT titled “In a Way, Immortal,” inspired by a quote from Johan Cruyff, will be showcased on a large screen in the Moco Museum‘s main digital art room starting tomorrow. This room will also feature one of Cruyff’s many motivational quotes on its walls: “It’s better to go down with your own vision than with someone else’s.” 

A 30-piece orchestra performs an original score accompanying the visual display, enhanced with authentic sounds from Spotify Camp Nou and cheers from FC Barcelona fans.

The second featured NFT, Empowerment, pays homage to current Barça player Alexia Putellas and her pivotal role in a Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg. Moreover, this piece highlights Putellas’ contribution to advancing women’s sports and promoting gender equality, selling for $300,231.36 at an OpenSea auction.

Furthermore, screens throughout display images lauding Putellas’s character and the club’s dedication to women’s football, alongside the celebrated phrase from the two-time Ballon d’Or winner, “Football has no gender.”

Barcelona NFT: A Fusion of History and Innovation

The exhibition is open from April 25 to June 25, 2024, coinciding with what would have been Cruyff’s birthday. It offers a unique blend of historical reverence and modern digital artistry, providing visitors with an immersive experience that captures the essence of FC Barcelona’s cultural impact.

Lionel Logchies, founder of Moco Museum, commented on the partnership, saying, “Through this partnership, we’re fortunate to showcase the digital artworks of legends Johan Cruyff and Alexia Putellas. This collaboration merges the realms of contemporary art and sport, uniting both worlds…It reflects Moco’s values as a modern-day museum, echoing the voice of a new generation.”

From Cruyff’s iconic goal to Putellas’ leadership on and off the field, these NFTs celebrate individual achievements and the club’s broader contributions to society. By showcasing these digital artworks, FC Barcelona highlights its strategic embrace of technology and its commitment to promoting significant cultural narratives.

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Introducing Voyager: Ascension

Voyager: Ascension, is a collaboration between Hoskinson’s company Input Output Global (IOG) and RFLXT, a company under the IOG portfolio. 

The game is a fast-paced sci-fi shooter game, similar to Overload, and is currently available for free on Gala Games. However, players also have the option of purchasing a low-cost token season pass to enhance their gaming experience. Voyager: Ascension initially launched as a single-player game but has plans for a multiplayer mode in the future.

The Role of RFLXT

RFLXT is a spinout from IOG and has big plans for the world of blockchain gaming. Their strategy involves licensing and transforming classic PC games, such as the 2018 title Overload, into new and improved versions that utilize Web3 technology.

While RFLXT is a part of the IOG portfolio, they are not exclusively focused on the Cardano platform. Instead, their goal is to foster growth and presence across multiple chains and platforms, with Cardano being one of them. This aligns with Hoskinson’s vision for Cardano as a blockchain platform that can support a wide range of applications and use cases.

One of RFLXT’s main goals is to achieve interoperability across various platforms, allowing for seamless integration and collaboration between games. They have already formed significant partnerships, such as with Gala, which will help further their mission. This also opens up opportunities for cross-platform gameplay and the possibility of expanding the Cardano ecosystem.

The Future of Gaming on Cardano

RFLXT’s platform is set to showcase a unique feature called Digital Doubles, which will allow influencers and streamers to interact with games in various ways. Furthermore, AI-driven integration will add a new level of immersion for players. The full capabilities of the RFLXT platform, including Digital Doubles, will be revealed at the Rare Evo conference in Las Vegas later this year.

With Charles Hoskinson’s latest venture into blockchain gaming, Cardano is making a bold move to establish itself as a leading platform for next-generation games. RFLXT’s Voyager: Ascension is just the beginning, and we can expect to see more innovative projects emerging from this collaboration.

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Pharrell Williams Designs Iconic Varsity Jacket for Louis Vuitton

According to Vogue, the varsity jacket features ‘suede buckskin, iridescent snaps, and an embroidered logo’ designed by celebrated musician and designer Pharrell Williams. Priced at €7,900, the jacket is available as both a tangible garment and a digital NFT. Williams’ design aims to capture Louis Vuitton’s blend of tradition and modernity.

Via NFT: The Gateway to Exclusive Luxury

Launched in June last year, the Via NFT project introduced ‘phygital‘ treasure trunks priced at €39,000, accompanied by soulbound NFTs. These limited edition items were only available to a select few hundred buyers. This gave them access to exclusive releases from Louis Vuitton. Additional purchases made by Via NFT holders can be sold on the open market, adding to these items’ exclusivity and potential investment value.

Louis Vuitton’s Via NFT project has continued expanding, offering exclusive products to its select buyers. The first product released through this project was an orange monogram Speedy 40 bag, priced at an estimated €8,500. It debuted at Pharrell Williams’ inaugural show. This was followed by a digital mini trunk designed by women’s creative director Nicolas Ghesquière for the SS24 runway.

An Exclusive and Private Rollout

The number of Via Treasure Trunk NFT owners remains undisclosed, showcasing Louis Vuitton’s commitment to maintaining its exclusive and highly curated brand image. Unlike traditional sales, which are open to anyone with the means to purchase, Louis Vuitton uses a more selective approach by manually approving buyers after they reveal their crypto holdings through linked wallets. This method ensures an exclusive and high-touch experience.

Main Image Credit: Depositphotos

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A Brief History of the Legendary Franchise

For those unfamiliar with the franchise, Ragnarok Online has been around since 2002 and has gained a global following with over 167 million downloads to date. The series has proved to be a massive success, generating billions in revenue and achieving over 150 million downloads across PC and mobile platforms. With such an established fan base, it’s no surprise that the franchise is expanding into new territories.

Ragnarok: Monster World marks the first time the beloved franchise will incorporate blockchain technology. This move not only shows the potential of blockchain in gaming but also aligns with current trends towards play-to-earn (P2E) models. Players will have the opportunity to earn rewards by engaging in player-vs-player (PvP) battles and taming and collecting monsters called Ragmons.

The Visionaries Behind Ragnarok: Monster World

The game is being developed by 0X&, a team based in Singapore, who has obtained the licensing rights from Gravity, the original South Korean developer of the Ragnarok series. 0X& consists of industry veterans who have previously worked on notable projects such as Blade for Kakao, Shot Online, Cross Fire, and games for the LINE network. 

With their expertise and experience in both traditional gaming and blockchain technology, 0X& is poised to deliver a unique and engaging gaming experience with Ragnarok: Monster World.

Seokjun Kim, founder of 0X&, expressed his excitement about collaborating with Sky Mavis and leveraging both teams’ expertise to strengthen the gaming and blockchain communities. He also noted the potential of combining Web2 and Web3 technologies to further enhance the gaming experience for players.

The Future is Bright for Ragnarok: Monster World

The release date for Ragnarok: Monster World is set for Q3 2024, but the anticipation and buzz surrounding this game are already building. With a successful franchise like Ragnarok entering the world of blockchain gaming, it’s safe to say that we are on the cusp of a new era in gaming. 

The integration of blockchain technology not only offers a new way for players to engage with their favorite games but also opens up opportunities for economic growth and decentralization within the gaming industry.

In conclusion, Ragnarok: Monster World is an exciting development that has captured the attention of both the gaming and blockchain communities. With its unique gameplay elements and talented team behind its development, Ragnarok: Monster World is set to be a game-changer in the world of blockchain gaming. Keep an eye out for updates on this highly anticipated game and get ready to embark on a new adventure in the legendary world of Ragnarok. 

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