This is basically why I ask what i ask.
No one has figured out how to be a successful business based on the IP and still primarily be a NFT project.
I’ve always been ok being or creating a NFT project by the holders for the holders and going from there.
Is it even possible to do both? Or if a project is ip driven and successful it’s inevitable the holders will get less and less priority and basically have a floor at the whims of the whales?
When I took over DSJ it wasn’t for the IP potential (though I think it could be used generically). It was for the amount of holders all around the world. And I’m still amazed at how many of you are still actively involved in the space.
I’d bet we have more individual holders than BAYC, Azuki, Pudgy Penguins, but we just never collected enough to work together on something new.
If we had, and found a great ip to build upon, could we have kept it a nft project or is it inevitable that if you want to expand and make money, nft holders just aren’t enough and they become more of a problem than part of the expansion?
Why Azuki does not put NFTs front and center in every mainstream push like the manga and TCG?
The answer is simple: a lot of manga, anime, and TCG fans still hear “NFT” and make a snap judgment before they ever see the art, story, or product.
We’ve had mainstream publications interested in what we are building, but still unable to work with us commercially because of our NFT roots.
That does not make me less bullish on NFTs. In fact it makes me more bullish bc the mainstream still doesn’t get it yet. I still believe digital art and digital collecting will have another major moment, and Azuki will always be one of the most important anime art collections from this era.
But if we want the world to care about Azuki, we have to meet people where they are today.
Lead with great stories. Great games. Great products. Let the collector layer become something people discover because they fall in love with the world.
I really don’t see this as hiding our roots. I’m one of the longest tenured NFT founders still active so I’m beyond even unc status at this point but I’m very proud of how we got here.
Now it’s about giving the IP the best chance to grow beyond our bubble.
Out of all the projects from 2020-2021, only a handful are in the situation you’re in. This was all new territory and basically still is. Hopefully future founders are paying attention and taking notes so they can avoid any potential issues if their projects end up being as successful. Keep sharing the ups and the downs. Glad to be on this journey with you Z.
What should be more important for us?
Because these are 2 different directions.
And clearly it depends on the project and you can have a wallet full of both.
I’m just curious on the direction we should take.