Kingship, Bored Ape Yacht Club supergroup, has just announced a novel gaming experience on Roblox, called Kingship Islands. Bringing together holders of Bored Ape Yacht Club and Mutant Ape Yacht Club NFTs, the initiative seeks to redefine digital entertainment within the evolving landscape of web3 games. 

Yuga Labs is the $4 billion startup responsible for the Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT collection. They are actively building in web3, with the major focal point for Yuga Labs being its upcoming metaverse game, Otherside. The company has actively pursued technical and creative partnerships and recently made a strategic investment in spatial computing startup Hadean to strengthen Otherside's development. Other projects in Yuga Labs portfolio include Dookey Dash, and HV-MTL (Heavy Metal) Forge.

Iconic IP

Kingship Islands is their latest project to be announced in collaboration with 10:22 PM, the web3 label under Universal Music Group led by Celine Joshua. The launch of Kingship Islands invites Roblox users to embark on quests within the "Floating Villa," uniting the four band members. While entry to this virtual hub is open to all, exclusive access is granted through the completion of in-game quests.

A notable feature includes direct entry for holders of the 5,000 Kinghsip Key Cards, utilizing special Roblox badges to unlock unique roles within the experience. Players can engage in quests, accumulate rewards, and acquire exclusive avatar emotes, enriching the immersive nature of the gaming journey.

Looking ahead, Kingship plans to expand the virtual goods catalog, introducing fresh music from Hit-Boy and James Fauntleroy, the dynamic duo comprising the Kingship "sonic creative team" unveiled last year.

Roblox and Web3

In a recent CNBC interview, Roblox CEO David Baszucki subtly alluded to the possible integration of web3 and NFTs within the Roblox ecosystem, signaling a potential transformation for the gaming community. Could this news be what he was referring to? His vision aligns with the principles of web3, aiming for a future where digital assets seamlessly move across platforms, challenging the boundaries of closed virtual ecosystems.

While the collaborative aspect of his vision was not explicitly confirmed, Baszucki outlined a scenario where influential figures, like Elton John, could create exclusive items on Roblox and convert them into NFTs for charitable causes. This departure from the platform-exclusive model could reshape the functionality of digital assets in the metaverse. Baszucki highlighted the pivotal role of creators in this envisioned interoperability, drawing parallels with Nike's venture into the web3 space. 

The integration of web3 into popular mainstream gaming platforms like Roblox holds promise for web3 enthusiasts, game makers, and content creators. These key contributors to the Roblox experience may find new avenues for monetization through potential NFT incorporation or other blockchain-based revenue models. This isn't the first time Roblox has hinted at web3 and NFT integrations.

In 2022, then Chief Business Officer Craig Donato discussed NFTs working on Roblox but downplayed the urgency. Despite the platform's colossal 70 million daily active users, Roblox seems in no rush to embrace the web3 trend.  The latest financial report underscores the platform's robust performance, with $839.5 million in bookings during Q3, a 20% YoY increase. Notably, Roblox's revenue predominantly comes from the sale of its in-app currency, "Robux." Moreover, in the third quarter of 2023, developers earned $170.7 million, an increase of 13% from the $151.5 million earned in the third quarter of 2022.

Kingship Islands stands as a testament to the symbiosis of digital creativity and utility within web3 gaming. The convergence of music, art, and gaming in this NFT-driven adventure marks an exciting chapter for enthusiasts. The project not only showcases the potential for immersive experiences but also highlights the evolving landscape of web3 gaming, offering a glimpse into a future where NFTs seamlessly integrate into diverse digital realms, setting a precedent for what lies ahead in this exciting frontier.