Sky Mavis, the innovative minds behind the immensely popular blockchain game Axie Infinity, have introduced a revolutionary upgrade named "Stage 2," ushering in a new era for digital collectibles. This groundbreaking evolution system transforms over 250 Axie NFT parts, promising players an unprecedented level of gameplay complexity and visual aesthetics. The introduction of dynamic and evolving experiences aims to reshape the landscape of blockchain gaming.
1. A Vision Fulfilled: Axies as Dynamic Digital Collectibles
1.1 Long-Term Vision:
Jeff 'Jihoz' Zirlin, co-founder of Sky Mavis, shares insights into the long-term vision behind the evolution system. The goal is to transform Axies into dynamic digital collectibles, enriching the strategic battles that millions of players have been engaging in since the game's inception in 2018.
1.2 Narrative Experience:
Accompanying the upgrade is an immersive narrative experience, featuring a 20-page comic and an animated video. Players embark on a captivating journey with characters Ema and Bing, exploring the world of Axie, known as Lunacia. The quest involves seeking "spirit shells" that lead to the Atia Temple, the cradle of Axie evolution.
1.3 Sacrifices and Empowerment:
The evolution process demands sacrifices, requiring players to use crafting materials and potentially sacrifice other Axies to empower their chosen one. Jihoz emphasizes the long-term viability of evolving NFTs, offering benefits like introducing new content without flooding the market with new collections.
2. Ronin Blockchain Thrives: Boosting the Ecosystem
2.1 Blockchain Progress:
The innovation extends to the Ronin blockchain, attracting game developers and fostering growth within the ecosystem. Recent data highlights significant progress, with Ronin hosting over 150,000 Unique Active Wallets and a 13% surge in its native token, $RON.
2.2 Merch Store Inauguration:
In a move that adds another dimension to the Axie universe, Sky Mavis has inaugurated its first merch store. The store proudly features the exclusive >Code: Axie_ Collection, commemorating the game's origins. Token-gated figurines catering to Mystic Axie NFT holders are among the offerings.
3. Axie Evolution Mechanics Unveiled
3.1 Stage 2 Upgrade:
Over 250 Axie "parts" can be evolved, enhancing both the character's battle strength and aesthetic look. This major update, set to begin on December 14, fulfills Sky Mavis' vision of turning Axies into digital collectibles that evolve with gameplay.
3.2 Evolution Process:
To upgrade Axies, NFT owners must use crafting materials or "burn" other Axies, removing them from the blockchain entirely. Players need to reach level 10 and be "ascended" for one part to evolve. Only one Axie part can be evolved at a time, and the process takes 36 hours to finalize.
3.3 Speeding up Evolution:
Players can choose to expedite the evolution process by paying an extra 200% in materials cost, allowing them to witness their Axie part evolve instantly. This innovative approach adds a strategic element to gameplay and provides an avenue for customization.
4. Dynamic NFTs and Market Impact
4.1 Market Dynamics:
Jihoz reflects on the pitfalls of some NFT projects and emphasizes the significance of dynamic and evolving NFTs. This approach allows developers to introduce new content without saturating the market with new collections, thereby maintaining the value of existing Axie NFTs.
4.2 Existing Supply:
Axie Infinity boasts over 11.9 million different Axie NFTs, distributed across 1.9 million crypto wallets. The diverse pricing, ranging from a few dollars to thousands, reflects the varied and dynamic nature of the Axie NFT market.
The introduction of Axie Infinity Stage 2 marks a significant milestone in blockchain gaming, aligning with Sky Mavis' long-term vision. The evolving NFTs promise an engaging and ever-evolving gaming environment, connecting various gaming experiences seamlessly. As players eagerly anticipate the transformative upgrade, Axie Infinity is poised to redefine the gaming landscape.
Join the Axie Infinity community in embracing the evolution of digital collectibles! Explore the new possibilities and strategic depth offered by Stage 2, and be part of the dynamic gaming revolution. Engage with fellow players and stay tuned for more exciting updates from Sky Mavis.
