Buzz
According to Decrypt.co, Axie Infinity is set to add a series of free “starter monsters” to assist new gamers in accessing this somewhat expensive game.
Axie Infinity is currently the most popular NFT game, boasting over two million frequent users. However, it is also perceived as quite costly for gamers in general, as they need to pay for characters and assemble a battle-ready lineup—an aspect that concerns many. To provide more accessibility and broaden the game's audience, the Sky Mavis development team has plans to make significant policy changes. Therefore, introducing a free-to-play mode with “starter monsters” for newbies to experience the game before making any purchases.
Sky Mavis revealed plans for free starter Axies last year, but in early February 2022, the game development team announced the possibility of launching the free feature in the Axie Infinity: Origin update at the end of Q1.
Axie Infinity has become a successful model for many NFT games aiming to develop the ownership of digital assets. According to the current Axie Infinity policy, new players are required to buy three Axie creatures to start playing, followed by accumulating rewards and valuable items through tasks or battles.
Being built on Ethereum blockchain technology, the game's initial cost for three Axie NFT creatures is approximately $600—a substantial expense for many players, acting as a barrier to entry. Even when the price for a set of three Axie creatures drops to just over $100 at times, economic concerns still discourage many potential gamers from participating in the game.
The initial creatures in Axie Infinity allow new players to experience the game, although they won't earn rewards for completing tasks—a policy that may change in the future. Additionally, the free creatures won't be tradable NFTs; they're simply a feature for players to try out.
Co-founder of Sky Mavis, Jeff Zirlin, stated in an interview with Decrypt.co last fall that free Axies will play a smooth transitional role for the game, creating a bridge for players and encouraging them to spend on items after the trial experience.
Alongside the free Axies, the game is introducing a new combat system called V3, promising players a more strategically rich experience than before. In addition, the development team is releasing battle cards, enhancements, and various settings. Sky Mavis plans a major update at the end of Q1 2022, although the new combat system will operate in alpha mode, meaning no token rewards.
Axie Infinity gained prominence last summer after launching on its Ethereum sidechain, Ronin, significantly reducing transaction fees and wait times. The game has now generated transactions worth around $4 billion, according to CryptoSlam data, making it a leading NFT project at the current time.
Axie Infinity's shift is seen as a move to encourage gamers as both its in-game value and token are significantly decreasing. Moreover, NFT transaction volume has been declining for months, leading to a sharp drop in the floor price of Axie NFT items. Sky Mavis announced plans to change their token reward model in the 20th season of the game to curb SLP inflation. This announcement has significantly boosted the game's token value.
