Retro game publisher Atari is set to unveil 500 limited-edition physical patch packs via DYLI, a new marketplace for collectibles powered by blockchain technology. This platform is built on the upcoming Abstract Chain, which is an Ethereum layer-2 scaling solution. This release signifies Atari’s ongoing venture into the Web3 commerce landscape.
Details of the Patch Release
Each patch pack will feature one of seven newly designed Atari patches or two classic designs from the 1980s, as announced on X. The price for each pack is set at $15, and some packs will include additional items such as stickers and gift cards. Notably, one lucky pack will contain a unique item autographed by Atari’s founder, Nolan Bushnell. This latest initiative is part of Atari’s broader strategy to enhance its blockchain-related efforts, which have been in motion since at least 2018, aimed at modernizing its brand for today’s audience.
Focus on User Engagement
Alex Needelman, the founder of DYLI, emphasized on X that the goal of these partner drops extends beyond merely offering appealing products or providing creators with top-tier tools. “They’re about onboarding the next million users,” he stated. Collectors interested in the patch collection are encouraged to register in advance of the launch scheduled for next week.
Why Choose Blockchain?
DYLI (Do You Like It?) is designed to harness its physical goods drop feature to boost user engagement on its Abstract Chain-powered marketplace. The platform claims to use blockchain technology to verify authenticity, thereby creating a link between collectors and creators. In a previous post on X, Needelman assured that “every product dropped on DYLI is a tradable redeemable non-fungible token,” with a secondary marketplace enabling users to trade both physical and digital items. To streamline transactions, DYLI accounts come equipped with an integrated wallet, as noted on the company’s webpage.
Understanding the DYLI Wallet
The DYLI wallet operates as an externally owned account through Privy and can export for use with other wallet managers. However, it currently only supports USDC and in-app ERC-1155 tokens. Notably, all transactions on the platform are gas-free, with DYLI absorbing the costs through Abstract’s native paymasters, according to the company.
Atari’s Role in the Web3 Space
The gaming industry’s shift towards Web3 has seen Atari emerge as an unexpected leader, blending nostalgia with innovation. Founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell, Atari was at the forefront of creating home video games, a concept that was only just beginning to gain traction at the time. The term “video game” itself took over a year to become widely recognized following Atari’s inception.
Atari’s Continued Innovation
Today, Atari remains a frontrunner in the field, having launched its crypto initiative, Atari X, in 2022. This initiative consolidated the company’s various crypto and NFT projects under one umbrella, a move that might have seemed unlikely during the height of its arcade success. However, the transition has not been entirely smooth, facing challenges such as the initial struggles with its ATRI token and regulatory hurdles.
Strategic Partnerships and Future Outlook
Despite these challenges, Atari has maintained its crypto collaborations, partnering with notable industry players like Coinbase and The Sandbox to introduce classic games like Asteroids and Breakout through the Onchain Arcade initiative led by Base last year. While many traditional gaming companies approach Web3 with caution, Atari has embraced it with the same innovative drive that characterized its early days in Silicon Valley. “Web3 is a clear avenue of pushing the boundaries and what we believe is going to be a foundational element of the future of all tech, not only gaming,” Tyler Drewitz, a director at Atari, stated in a prior interview with Decrypt. He further remarked, “We’re legacy, we’re pop culture, we have a really good onboarding ramp.”
