027: Sony Files NFT Bundle Patent

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TL;DR

1. Sony: Files Patent for Bundled NFTs for use in Video Games

2. HUGO BOSS: Enters Roblox For Launch of ‘Hugo Blue’ Denim Line

3. DC Comics: Celebrates 85 Years of Batman with Ethereum NFTs

Around the Block…

1. Sony: Files Patent for Bundled NFTs for use in Video Games

• Sony filed a patent called ‘Super-Fungible Tokens for Gaming’ on February 29th revealing intentions to integrate blockchain-based mechanics within game environments

• The patent reveals their intent to bundle different in-game items (such as apparel, accessories, emotes, powers, etc.) to be transferred, sold, or traded together as a package

• This recent movement follows Sony’s January announcement of blockchain-backed ‘digital birth certificates’ as a way to verify images shot on their cameras & protect against digitally created or manipulated images

• Sources: Milk Road / US Patent Application (Sony) / TechCrunch

2. HUGO BOSS: Enters Roblox For Launch of ‘Hugo Blue’ Denim Line

• HUGO BOSS’s younger fashion brand HUGO celebrated the launch of its new HUGO BLUE denim line with a tech-centered launch event in Berlin on March 6th

• The event showcased the launch of PLANET HUGO featuring two interconnected Roblox experiences: HUGO HANGOUT & HUGO FASHION MATCH

• At the time of publishing PLANET HUGO Roblox experience had over 227K visitors

• The Roblox experience includes shoppable HUGO BLUE wearable items as well as the HUGO FASHION MATCH challenge, where players style another person’s avatar in HUGO items; both players then rank how the other did in styling their avatar which earns collectible badges that can be redeemed for UGC items

• At the time of publishing PLANET HUGO Roblox experience had over 227K visitors

• In addition to the Roblox rollout, VIPs at the Berlin launch event received an NFC-chipped denim jacket that connects to a HUGO BLUE experience on Snapchat

• Sources: HUGO BOSS / Roblox (HUGO - PLANET HUGO) / Roblox (HUGO - FASHION MATCH)

3. DC Comics: Celebrates 85 Years of Batman with Ethereum NFTs

• DC Comics is building on its partnership with Candy Digital& will release a new Ethereum NFT collection on March 29th

• The collection titled ‘The Legacy Cowls’ includes 11,544 Ethereum NFTs priced at $49.99 featuring 3D artwork that was co-created by owners of ‘DC Bat Cowl’ NFTs released in June 2022

• The new ‘Legacy Cowl’ NFTs will include an AR lens compatible with Meta platforms, the opportunity to vote in shaping future experiences, ability to bring their digital item to life physically, as well as access to experiences & future drops

• Sources: Candy / NFT Plazas

Chain Reactions!

• Gaming & Blockchain: Gaming companies continue to tease exploration in integrating blockchain technology

  • SEGA previously announced that its Singapore branch would join Finschia blockchain’s governance group in January, also mentioning its intention to ‘collaborate in the development of Web3 games’

  • EA acknowledged the potential of a metaverse during its earnings call in January, teasing to ‘watch this space’

  • Sony’s patent marks another major gaming company navigating the potential of blockchain & NFT in the space. Their ‘Super-Fungible Token’ patent could enable things like using assets/avatar likeness across different games & integration of third-party assets - which could create a whole new marketplace & revenue stream for digital asset creators including brands (a la Roblox, but with operability across various ecosystems)

  • Again, it is early days, but overall it is promising to see movement - & exciting to ideate around the potential blockchain capabilities bring to gaming

• HUGO Embracing Tech: The HUGO BLUE event leaned heavily into technology, from Roblox to Snap AR lenses to NFC-chipped products to TikTok & Instagram influencers. It is safe to say they are exploring emergent channels while balancing an all-in approach through other established Social marketing tactics

  • I had fun playing their FASHION MATCH game in Roblox - they did a great job finding a way to make the experience personalized while integrating multiplayer capabilities that drive engagement & repeat interest in playing

  • Separately, it will be interesting to see if they integrate NFC chips in a bigger way in the future

• NFT Co-Creation: I like how the upcoming DC Comics Batman NFT collection brings utility to its owner community while catering designs to public preference, which could help drive demand

  • Giving NFT holders the ability to vote on how a project evolves gives them the chance to deepen brand connection by developing a heightened sense of ownership of the project

DISCLAIMER: This content does not contain investment, tax, legal, financial or other advice & is not intended to be used in this way. It includes the opinions of the author & is strictly for informational purposes. Please do your own research.