The Future of Digital Collectibles: Why Axie Infinity Is Leading the Charge
Your companion to infinite experiences.
For gamers, when you think of collectibles, the first (2) two that will pop up in our minds are Pokémon Trading Cards and Magic: The Gathering. These traditional physical cards have been cherished for years, sparking nostalgia, offering engaging gameplay or card collecting, and creating strong emotional connections with fans.
But now, in the fast-changing digital world, collectibles are taking on a whole new form. Digital assets and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are turning collectibles into something entirely different. Leading the way in this exciting shift is Axie Infinity.
In this article, we'll explore why Axie Infinity might become the top digital collectibles platform, focusing on its special features and the impact of NFTs.
What is Axie Infinity?
Axie Infinity is a digital pet collectible platform that offers the excitement of playing, collecting, breeding, evolving, and earning—all in one. A virtual world filled with cute, formidable creatures known as Axies.
This innovative platform was developed by Sky Mavis, a technology-focused game studio founded in early 2018.
Evolution of Axie Infinity Games
Axie was designed to introduce the world to an exciting new technology called Blockchain, through a fun, nostalgic, and charming game.
The gameplay of Axie Infinity has evolved over time, transitioning from a prototype auto-battler to a turn-based card battler in 2019.
In 2021, they began to introduce the Play-To-Earn model, allowing both casual and competitive players to earn cryptocurrency by participating in battles and other in-game activities.
The following year in 2022, they launched the latest version, Axie Infinity: Origins, which brought significant changes to gameplay and the game's economic balance.
Additionally, they introduced Crafting, a feature allowing players to create runes and charms that can significantly affect their in-game strategies.
The ongoing evolution of Axie Infinity's design includes enhancements to mechanics, features, and overall functionality. These continual improvements aim to provide players with a dynamic and competitive card battle experience.
The Infinite World of Axies
Most players begin their journey with ‘Axie Infinity: Origins’ when they discover Lunacia. But owning an Axie isn't just about Origins; they can be part of other games too.
What you do with your Axie can affect their experience in different corners of the universe. Here are some game genres within the Axie world: 👇
Axie Infinity: Homeland is their pioneering first-party land-based gaming experience, where you can lead your Axies to harvest, craft, and build a stronger homeland.
Sky Smash is a turn-based, 2D, cross-platform multiplayer game, inspired by the classic Gunbound game by the Korean game studio Softnyx.
Project T is an early prototype of a new Axie game developed by Sky Mavis. In this game, players have the opportunity to interact with their Axies and connect with other Axie owners, creating a digital gathering space, almost like a virtual meetup!
Also, Sky Mavis recently launched Greenlight, opening up new opportunities for their community of developers to create unique games within the Axie IP. These Greenlight games are in their very early stages of development and can be found in Mavis Hub.
Think of your Axie as your digital passport, granting you access to various games created by Sky Mavis and community developers. These charming creatures introduce you to a wide range of enjoyable activities, including socializing, battles, and farming.
Axies Are More Than Just a Game
What makes Axie Infinity special? It's all about the Axies – adorable creatures you can collect, breed, decorate and evolve. The vision was to create a future where these digital collectibles serve as status symbols, virtual pets, and gateways to exciting experiences.
Their aim is to create an iconic brand, akin to Pokémon or Hello Kitty, but with even more benefits for the community. To achieve this, they're expanding what Axies can do, and we'll call this broader vision 'Axie Core.'
Here are aspects of Axie that can be defined as Axie Core:👇
Equipping Accessories: Customize your Axies with accessories for a unique appearance.
Parts Evolution: Upgrade your Axies' body parts for enhanced customization. This not only improves their look but also enhances their collectability and personality, making you love them even more.
Breeding & Raising: Breeding is a central aspect of the Axie experience. They plan to improve how breeding connects with the ecosystem. In the future, they'll also introduce feeding and raising Axies like digital pets, leading to more unique breeding options.
Axie Core is the everlasting Axie experience, not limited to a single game; it's the universal Axie experience and style. The aim of Axie Core is to strengthen the emotional connection between you and your Axies.
The Power of NFTs in Digital Collectibles
Axie Infinity is popular because it utilizes unique digital assets on its platform, known as App.Axie. Unlike traditional games, in Axie Infinity, these NFTs offer limitless possibilities for what you can do with your digital assets.
Axies can exist outside the game, and there's a 'Manage Axie' page that acts as a central hub for taking care of your Axies at the core level. Any changes you make here will affect your Axie throughout the entire universe.
App.Axie is the town square of the Axie economy. Initially, it was primarily used for buying and selling Axies, land, in-game items, claiming tokens, and breeding Axies.
However, this year (2023), they have introduced several new features and enhancements within App.Axie, making it an even more versatile platform for collectors.
Now, let's look at the new updates in App.Axie. 👇
Axie Experience Points (AXP): You can level up (ascend) your Axies through App.Axie as your Axies accumulate AXP while playing. AXP plays a crucial role in advancing your Axies, transitioning them from digital collectibles to lifelong companions.
Lunacian Badges: In August (2023), they introduced Lunacian Badges, a first-of-its-kind recognition for achievements by individuals across the globe. Anyone can proudly showcase the badges they've earned on their App.Axie profiles. These badges play a crucial role in establishing one's identity and may bring additional rewards or exclusive perks in the future. Imagine receiving special privileges like whitelist access and gifts from upcoming Ronin projects exclusively for badge holders.
Lunalog: Serves as a treasure trove of information about Lunacia. It includes badge leaderboards, insights into Axie lore, a Hall of Fame, and much more. With Lunalog, you can gain access to a wealth of information, not only about top collectors in Lunacia, including yourself, but also delve into the intriguing origin stories of each Axie class. Additionally, it allows you to visualize how many Axie parts you own from each individual class.
App.Axie is continuously evolving to harness the full potential of digital assets. This platform holds the promise of unlocking even richer experiences for gamers, collectors, and traders, ensuring a bright future in the world of Axie Infinity.
Final Thoughts
In a world where digital collectibles are becoming increasingly mainstream, Axie Infinity has positioned itself as a pioneer and a leader. With its unique gameplay, strong community, and utilization of NFTs, it is well on its way to becoming the largest digital collectibles platform in the market.
In the future, we can envision more digital assets integrating into the physical world. For instance, we could use our Axies as a gateway pass for exclusive events, a premium gym membership for collectors, or even catch early animated previews in cinemas. The popularity of the Axie IP may also lead to the creation of physical collectibles like cards, toys, and merchandise.
The evolution of digital assets and NFTs isn't solely focused on investment. Axies could become your trusted companions, whether you're a casual-competitive gamer, breeder, trader, content creator, or collector. Axies offer a wide range of benefits to the community in both the digital and physical worlds.