NFT
Magic Eden Expands To Arbitrum With New Gaming NFT Collection
Magic Eden will soon be minting Ubisoft’s upcoming 10,000-piece NFT collection on the Ethereum scaling network Arbitrum to give holders early access to the new game.
Minted on the Ethereum layer-2 scaling network Arbitrum, the new Niji Warrior ID NFTs unlock early access to the top-down shooter, enable participation in the game’s governance model and track player progress.
Magic Eden, Ubisoft Team Up for Captain Laserhawk NFT Launch
According to the official press release, this deal marks Arbitrum’s addition to the Magic Eden NFT marketplace, which had already supported projects from Solana, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polygon, and Base in the past.
Among the top NFT marketplaces, Magic Eden will be instrumental in serving up distribution and management of NFTs for Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E. It is a leading force in cross-chain compatibility and backs projects with innovative gameplay, further building influence in Web3 gaming.
With the partnership, Magic Eden injects several years of experience in NFT ecosystems into this new agreement with Ubisoft and Arbitrum, offering players a secure and user-friendly way to manage digital assets. The deal also heats up gaming experiences and solidifies the status of Magic Eden as one of the leading driving forces in the fast-changing NFT gaming sector.
The partnership also points toward the modern trend in the adoption of layer-2 solutions for NFT projects, all-inclusive of better scalability and interoperability within the Ethereum ecosystem. Such infrastructure will enable smoother and easier gaming, reaching a wider audience both for game developers and gamers alike.
The name of the game is Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E., and it’s set in a dystopian world inspired by Netflix’s series Captain Laserhawk. The title will also feature various iconic characters from other Ubisoft franchises.
Ubisoft’s Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E. was described at the time as “a transmedia experience” on the foundation of Arbitrum. Holders will be granted Web3 governance over determining the narrative for the game. The game itself comes along with an imminent mint for their Niji Warrior ID NFTs.
Ubisoft maintains that one of the main benefits with NFTs is that holders will have extraordinary voting rights over major governance decisions and, in fact, give the community the power to shape the future of the game.
Ubisoft’s NFTs Coming Soon: Only 10,000 Will Exist
These NFTs are play-to-earn, unlocking rewards for a unique opportunity to be fully involved in the active creation of new content, thus transforming players into co-creators of game development.
This move signifies one of the most major steps Ubisoft has ever taken towards including blockchain and NFTs in gaming. An initiative of this nature by Ubisoft precisely fits into the company’s vision: to offer more immersive experiences through decentralized platforms and increase player engagement.
This new Magic Eden-Ubisoft partnership comes off the heels of a closed beta, which was held in August. Still, hardly any footage has surfaced online because participants reportedly had NDAs. These were preventing them from sharing any details about the game. From the few clips that managed to find their way onto Twitter, the game looks colorful and quick-paced. There are also plenty of tight choke points around which players fight it out.
However, the highly-coveted collection of 10,000 NFTs will be minted in the coming weeks. At the same time, many future minters have secured spots for participation in the beta and completed challenges in Discord. The ID mint represents the final milestone on the road map before the game launches, meaning Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E. is not very far away.
The title represents Ubisoft’s second major blockchain game after its partnership with Magic Eden, aside from Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles. The latter is on the Oasys network but has also similarly minted NFTs on Ethereum. Recently, Champions Tactics conducted a sort of “technical beta” testing ahead of its public launch, which is expected very soon.
The publisher known for titles like Assassin’s Creed and Just Dance has been developing and investing in the crypto space for years. In late 2021, they launched in-game NFTs for their Ghost Recon: Breakpoint game on the Tezos blockchain.
Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
NFT
CyberKongz Receives Wells Notice from SEC, Vows to Fight for NFT Clarity
The NFT collection CyberKongz said the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will likely charge it.
In a post on X on Monday, the collection said it received a Wells Notice, a letter from the SEC staff that recommends an enforcement action. It commented that the SEC is trying to pull through its laws before Joe Biden’s administration is over.
CyberKongz: “We Will Not Be Silenced”
In a statement, the NFT collection said it was disappointed with the approach of the SEC and vowed to stand up for and fight for greater clarity in the NFT space.
It also mentioned that the SEC raised concerns about its business with Genesis Kongz in April 2021, describing it as a “contract migration.”
It said:
CyberKongz added it intends to fight for clearer crypto regulation, particularly regarding NFT projects.
Eyeing Trump’s Crypto-Friendly Stance
The NFT collection has been vocal about the current administration, which it claims is anti-crypto in its approach. Just recently, as the US Senate Banking Committee was preparing to vote on SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw’s renomination, lawyer Bill Hughes raised concerns about her stance on cryptocurrency regulation. Hughes argued that her renomination one could see as politically hostile to the crypto industry. This stands in contrast to the increasing support for crypto-friendly policies under the incoming administration.
CyberKongz is optimistic that the new administration will provide a more level playing field with a more just regulatory framework. In the meantime, the team comited to support all NFT projects on every blockchain platform.
In the past year, the SEC has acted against several cases related to NFTs. This includes lawsuits against podcast studio Impact Theory and Stoner Cats 2 LLC over unregistered NFT offerings that raised millions. The commission also doled out a Wells Notice to NFT marketplace OpenSea, signaling potential enforcement action.
It is up to wait and see how this enforcement will unfold in the transition of the commission’s leadership. The current SEC Chairman Gary Gensler announced his departure on January 20, in concert with the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Trump has named former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins, considered friendlier to the crypto industry, as the head of the SEC.
Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
NFT
Unyted + Vesa
Unyted we (meta) stand
Many of the fancy metaverse projects take loooong to build and often require developers and budgets just to stay alive. In fact, one of my favorite ones had the whole company collapse around it in the build phase. I absolutely love what we’ve built with Superworld, for example, and what we’re about to release with Asvoria. Both of these require heavy machinery and rotation to come to life—and to be maintained.
Enter Unyted and my newest spatial Web3 space, which allows me to deliver fluent, up-to-date presentations on what’s happening now while also providing an overview of my entire career. I built it mostly by myself, with some guidance and glitch-fixing help from the team—special thanks to Tijana, Saskia, and Florian. I can update it in minutes to include a new project, presentation, or missing link. It’s freeing and necessary.
Unyted is at the forefront of spatial computing, offering innovative solutions that empower users to create, own, and monetize immersive 3D virtual environments. Their platform is designed to facilitate seamless transitions into the metaverse, providing tools for education, collaboration, and personalized digital experiences.
Link to join the metaverse
Link to join the X spaces.
Join us for a session with Ador, Bitcoin LIVE and others tomorrow 20.00 CET
Starting Thursday, we’ll kick things off with a joint presentation with Ador, and from there, we’ll host regular spaces that people can join visually. X is great for connecting with people, but for an artist, a lot is still missing from the full experience. Let’s see if we can bring these two innovations together in a sensible way.
Watch the Tijana introduction to Unyted as well as my keynote held some time ago regarding web3, metaverse and creativity.
Delivering the Metaverse
They’re just starting out, and sure, sure there are a few glitches, but I’ve already given a couple of presentations that feel like a real departure from the world of Zoom. Nothing is ever perfect and getting going and constantly working on it is what keeps the thing alive.
It’s a step closer to delivering something of real value in the metaverse. People showed up to my first keynote in the space done together, they asked questions and then some were left to wonder around the space to explore it on their own. Promises kept. Those matter, after the last run.
I’ve been friends with Florian Krueger since the early blockchain days in London back in 2018, and we’ve collaborated on several projects. He remains one of my favorite people in the crypto space—always looking out for his people and tirelessly fighting for the ethical side of it. I was happy to hear he was starting a new venture and that I could also be a part of.
If you prefer the (virtual) city life?
Key Features of Unyted:
- Modular Environments: Unyted enables users to design and customize digital spaces, such as virtual homes, offices, or campuses, reflecting their unique vision. These environments can be monetized, allowing creators to generate revenue through their virtual properties.
- EdTech Solutions: The platform offers immersive educational experiences with features like AI-driven personalized learning paths, customizable avatars, and virtual classrooms. These tools aim to enhance student engagement and retention, providing scalable and cost-effective solutions for educational institutions.
- Data Protection and Security: Operating under EU regulations and compliant with GDPR, Unyted ensures top-tier data protection. Users maintain complete control over their personal and institutional data, upholding responsible practices in the metaverse.
- Sustainability Commitment: Unyted is dedicated to sustainability, calculating energy consumption and offsetting carbon emissions for each project. Through Unyted.World, users can stake tokens specifically for carbon offsetting, promoting environmental responsibility within the digital landscape.
In many ways what is important about the metaverse is our ability to pre-visualise the world we would like to live in, and then walk toward that direction.
Founded in 2022 by Gaby K. Slezák and Florian Krueger, Unyted envisions a decentralized, independent metaverse where users have equal access to a secure three-dimensional internet. Their mission is to empower individuals to shape their digital futures, fostering a community where creativity and collaboration thrive.
For those seeking to explore the metaverse, Unyted offers consulting services to guide organizations through VR, AR, blockchain, Web3, and Web4 technologies. Their seasoned team provides strategy insights and design expertise to craft unique digital experiences aligned with organizational visions.
Unyted stands as a visionary force in the evolving digital landscape, pioneering innovation while prioritizing user ownership, open collaboration, data protection, and sustainability.
Ador aka BitSavage will join us for the Monday talk in which we also dwell deeper into DAF – the Department of Artistic Freedom
Asvoria coming up soon!
I’ll soon travel to Bulgaria to film some content in the Asvoria linked Hotel Satoshi Nakamoto, as well as guide the team on advances in our shiny updated metaverse space.
The art cars are also gearing up for their auction in Dubai in January, but more on that later.
See you Dec 5th 20.00 CET:
Link to join the metaverse
Link to join the X spaces.
Much to build,
VESA
Crypto Artist, Speaker, Consultant, Writer
All links to physical, NFTs, and more below
NFT
BitBasel + VESA
South Beach Bound
This year BitBasel will takeover the entire Sagamore Hotel in Miami South Beach for the entire week. The last show I was a part of with BitBasel was still held in the Miami Bitcoin Center in 2019, so returning to exhibit with these pioneers is precious. I had also no idea just how predictive my keynote back then was going to be about what is going to be shown now. It’s groundhog day with bananas and a repetition of Dante’s circles of hell, while trying to help humanity out of inverse mode. A worthy fight. Legends only 🚀
As crazy as this journey has been since the early days, needing to repeat some fundamentals time and time again, while the ETH scene erodes further, luckily there are people who see what I do and support the perspective to be a part of it all. Much gratitude for Lecks and Scarlett for including me in the 2024 show.
Back to the Future
Notice what is on screen during my lecture about all things decentralised in 2019 at BitBasel
Back then, I was commenting a lot on how the world is on fire, how we need to fix the monetary system, the origin story of creativity, how AI will replace most low-end lawyers, accountants, etc., within five years, and how the banana fuckery of the art world couldn’t possibly sink any lower. Man, was I wrong—again—on that one. It seems the art world has found new ways to hit rock bottom in the Web3 space. At least then, SuperRare was still just taking off with hope. My naive self still believed back then that blockchain was going to bring more transparency to the art world. LOL.
Anyhoo, both the divine touch and the banana were featured in my slides during the presentation, and now they will be part of the 2024 BitBasel as a combined artwork. The piece comments on how the West has lost its way and explores what we can do to revitalize it. The reverse of the great inverse is the avant-garde, and I keep being here for it. Eventually, this will be seen by everyone and recognized as self-evident. In the meanwhile, I gotta double up as an artist as well as a culture critic. It’s a weird position but someone’s gotta do it.
I’m Potency
I’m Potency will be on show, infamous now from the precious SuperRare debacle.
The NFT comes with a physical canvas print, painted over with acrylics, which launches an AR animation.
I wrote an article here called “Proof of censorship” recently on the substance.
Here is the longer original tweet as my “submission” for the competition.
Price 6 ETH
BitRam!
See if the scanning works via the Artivive app!
The second piece on show is the live version NFT of the BitRam artwork re-imagining the animal lore of Bitcoin a bit. BTC keeps trucking along, breaking new number heights, but most importantly fighting to have an alternate space marked safe from the fiat inflation machine.
The animation original piece comes with a 2/3 physical, hand finished canvas art piece that launches into an AR version via the Artivive app.
Price: 9 ETH
BitRam physical re-paint (sold 1/3) on show in Switzerland at the Swiss Web3 Conf earlier in 2024 during Art Basel. 2/3 is now available and married together with the 1/1 animation NFT on sale at BitBasel.
Renaissance 360
Lecks also asked me to get some metaverse material on a screen, which I was happy about. The compilation video of some of the best made thus far through Asvoria (launching soon), Superworld and Cornerstone Land will be presented as part of a larger metaverse reel.
Why are we not allowed to ask, in art, the most basic of questions. Why can’t we be inspired by excellence, beauty, harmony and the spirit? Time after time, we just revel in this mud like pigs with no future. At least the pigs derive some nutrients and skin care from their play, whilst we just reduce ourselves to animals with no instincts.
Program schedule and links:
BitBasel Miami Art Week 2024, scheduled from December 3 to December 8 at the Sagamore Hotel South Beach, offers a dynamic fusion of art and technology. This week-long event features a diverse lineup of activities, including exhibitions, panel discussions, and immersive experiences.
Event Highlights:
- December 2: The week commences with the ActNowXR Summit, focusing on art’s role in sustainability and impact, followed by the BitBasel VIP Vernissage showcasing fine art masterworks.
- December 3: “Beyond A.I.” explores the future of creativity, delving into artificial intelligence’s influence on art and technology.
- December 4: The Creative Tech Investor Summit brings together leading minds in finance to discuss investment trends at the intersection of art and technology.
- December 5: A day dedicated to special events, offering opportunities for brands and partners to host their own activations within the BitBasel framework.
- December 6: “Mooon.Party Vol.2” celebrates art and technology with an unforgettable night featuring top DJs and live performances.
- December 7: The 23rd Iconic Sagamore Brunch presents “The Future of the Arts,” featuring immersive live art, panel discussions, and performances by the South Florida Symphony. Later, the Jayne Pierson Runway Show blends high fashion with artistic innovation.
- December 8: The event concludes with the 305 Pool Party, a vibrant gathering celebrating local impact and community, featuring music and poolside fun.
Ready to be touched by God?
Throughout the week, attendees can explore “The Gallery,” a curated space showcasing cutting-edge creative expressions in fine art, digital masterpieces, and space-bound art.
For more details and ticket information, visit the official BitBasel website.
Proof of Effort
T(r)opical from 2017 was the first Miami specific work I ever made. The 2/3 re-paint is still available now priced at 1 BTC. I kept the idea I had that some of the early works will keep the thread to the 1 BTC price, when bought from me. Of course, I needed start making others without it, as about 10k remains the constant “fuck you money” that people in the scene use for art. These piece are historic though, so if you want in on that action, I solute you! I saved it here as the last thing, so it’s only through proof of collector effort, that you even get to them.
Also, forever respect for Moe Levin, the founder of the North American Bitcoin Conference, for giving me my first ever spot to showcase my art in January 2018. Cool to have a fren also in Joel from the Bad Crypto Podcast, who is lurking there in the background 😂 The 1/50 signed print was given to Moe as a gift.
At 100k, the 6×3 foot re-paints are still cheap to what some of the earliest holistic works will eventually cost, once the dust settles a bit.
VESA
Crypto Artist, Speaker, Consultant, Writer
All links to physical, NFTs, and more below
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