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Epic Games Store Launches The First NFT Game To 194 Million User Marketplace

The latest in NFT developments from the recent Epic Games Store NFT support, MoMA diversifying into NFTs, and the PGA TOURS new NFT platform

September 22, 2022

Estimated Read Time: 6min

Hey friends,

A warm welcome to everyone joining us on this edition! We've curated the best stories from the last couple of days including The Epic Games store's first NFT game, to the Museum of Modern Art diversifying into NFTs, so let's get into it!

The Epic Games Store Launches Their First NFT Game

Epic Games is most known for their hit game “Fortnite” which peaked at 78 million monthly players back in 2018. With that success and over $5.4 billion in revenue during the same year, the Epic Games Store was launched. Now with an over 194 million user marketplace, The Epic Games store has listed their first blockchain-based NFT game; Blankos Block Party. Blankos Block Party is a free-to-play multiplayer creation party game centered around characters of unique collectible digital vinyl toys called Blankos. It is these avatars and accessories which are NFTs that can be bought, upgraded, and sold within the game. The game was developed by Mythical Games who after a recent $150 million in funding put themselves at a $1.25 billion valuation. Since Blankos was launched back in 2020, it has gained more than one million players according to its developers. This recent addition to the Epic Games Store marks an important inflection point for the future of NFT games.

Not necessarily marketed as a Play-2-Earn game, Blankos Block Party utilizes the benefits of NFTs on the blockchain for an online multiplayer game that gives true tradable ownership back to players. The game is built on a private, permissioned blockchain based on the EOSIO infrastructure that uses a Proof of Authority consensus model that is more environmentally friendly and sustainable than the Proof of Work model. There is no need to connect an external wallet to play, sell or buy NFTs in Blankos Block Party, as the game allows users to do it internally, although it also supports Uphold accounts. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney says “Epic Games Store will welcome games that make use of blockchain tech provided they follow the relevant laws, disclose their terms, and are age-rated by an appropriate group… we welcome innovation in the areas of technology and finance”. Epic Games is no doubt a proponent of Web3, where they recently raised $2 billion in funding with intentions to “build the metaverse”. Adding their first NFT support marks an important day for the rest of the gaming landscape, as the benefits of NFTs continue to shape our digital future.

The Museum Of Modern Art Looks To Diversify Into NFTs

The New York Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) hosts paintings like “The Starry Night” by Vincent Van Gogh or “Les Demoiselles d'Avignon” by Pablo Picasso. From these and many other priceless pieces, MoMA has built a reputation as one of the largest and most influential museums in the world, with 2.5 million yearly visitors walking through their galleries. In a recent announcement of a planned $70 million auction, MoMA will sell 29 works from the William S. Paley foundation, with the main driver of the sale being for proceeds “to expand their digital presence”. The museum’s director Glenn Lowry, says “the intention is to extend the digital reach of the museum after attendances slumped during and after the pandemic. The museum has a team of people keeping tabs on the digital art market and it is considering purchasing digital art connected to NFTs”. This statement reveals some of the major benefits that NFTs have opened up, through offering a “Metaverse” experience for digital attendees, to unique non-fungible “digital art” that is only possible through the new technology. Glenn says “We’re conscious of the fact that we lend an imprimatur when we acquire pieces, but that doesn’t mean we should avoid the domain.” Artwork authenticated through NFTs is not only limited to the digital domain, back in May the digital marketplace SuperRare debuted its first NFT gallery in New York, showing the evolution of art where one benefit of NFTs is allowing pieces to be simultaneously displayed in our physical and digital worlds.

If you would like to learn more about the future of art galleries in Web3, check out our breakdown of the innovative MetaSilk project here.

PGA TOUR To Create An NFT Platform

NFTs have opened up a new world through the concept of digital collectibles, and now the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) is looking to use this new technology to redefine the fan experience through content that features the world's best golfers. The recent announcement from the PGA lays out a long-term partnership deal with "Autograph", a Web3 company co-founded by American Football GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) Tom Brady. PGA Chief Legal Officer Len Brown, says "The PGA TOUR is excited to work with Autograph to offer digital collectibles that highlight the most talented golfers in the world and their role in the sport’s history… we’re thrilled to start building the future of golf fandom with the Autograph team”. This collaboration will see the creation of a comprehensive “digital collectibles” NFT platform, revolutionizing golf fandom by allowing fans to celebrate their love of the game by owning a token of its storied history. The officially licensed NFT platform will pull from PGA TOUR competition video, data, imagery, and other competition-related components. Collectors will have a chance to earn rewards with a wide range of utility, including access to exclusive digital, in-person and onsite experiences, along with other program benefits. Four-time PGA TOUR winner Tiger Woods sits on the Autograph Board of Advisers, and says "Enhancing the golf world with NFTs will create a connection between us as players and the fans.”

Co-founder of Autograph Richard Rosenblatt, says "Over the last year, we have defined the future of fandom by leveraging NFT technology to bring fans closer to the icons they love across sports, music, and entertainment and each other". This statement best explains how NFTs are revolutionizing the entertainment industry, where verifiable digital assets open up utility and experiences for fans that were unattainable before Web3.

We hope you enjoyed today's edition, have an awesome couple of days and we will be right back at you with some more NFTea, take care!

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