An AR game similar to Pokemon Go could become the first steps into the metaverse and the first experience of having an NFT for music fans.
So hopes Pixelynx, a Web3 startup co-founded by Richie Hawtin and Joel “Deadmau5” Zimmerman.
Web3 startup Pixelynx
The startup has shared that it will launch its Elynxir music metaverse gaming platform this week with the launch of an augmented reality scavenger hunt in conjunction with the annual Art Basel event.
Pixelnyx co-founder and CEO Inder Phull defined Go Astral, the scavenger hunt, as a “Rock Band experience with Pokémon Go.” Elynxir’s platform is being established at Polygon.
Like Pokémon Go, the Elynxir app will layer digital content over users’ real-world environment when viewed through a smartphone, allowing them to interact with music-themed objects in the world.
During the scavenger hunt, users will try to win one of 20 fractional pieces of an NFT from what the company says is an existing “blue chip” profile picture project (PFP).
By owning one of those fractional NFTs, players will be able to help shape the future of a virtual musician that will be introduced on the Elynxir platform.
Phull said the goal is to gamify the concepts of coordination and collaboration, letting these early users develop a virtual artist that can potentially thrive within the upcoming music metaverse platform.
“We want to give a series of winners the right to vote, in a sense, to this virtual act,” he explained, “and for the community to then contribute and make proposals on how this virtual artist will evolve.”
The digital content will be overlaid onto users’ real-world environment when viewed through a smartphone to allow them to communicate with the music-based elements.
Users will try to earn a non-fungible token from Blue Chip’s current profile picture project.
Phull shared that Hawtin and Deadmau5 could be among the artists to partner with Elynxir’s virtual act.
Pixelynx has collaborated with a number of labels including Mau5trap Records and Spinnin’ Records. To create a supergroup on the music metaverse platform, the virtual artist will team up with others.
This is not the first virtual band or artist powered by NFT
Kingship is a major label virtual band made up of characters inspired by NFT’s Bored Ape Yacht Club avatars, with Grammy-winning musicians Hit-Boy and James Fauntleroy providing the music.
Also, producer Timbaland launched his record label for BAYC-based artists.
Elynixr will be a cross-platform metaverse music-based experience coupled with the AR app to offer functionality beyond the first scavenger hunt.
In addition, an even more luxurious digital experience is in the works with Unreal Engine and will have user-generated content in addition to providing opportunities for fans to associate close to the musicians.
Phull shared that the first playable version of the Pixelynx platform has been created by the musician and both he and Hawtin are engaged in creating Elynxir in the metaverse for music junkies.
Both are developing their technology as well which will be integrated by Pixelynx into its ecosystem.
Elynxir’s AR app uses the Niantic Lightship engine from Pokémon Go developer Niantic, and that studio also invested in Pixelynx.
The real-world dynamics should be familiar to anyone who has played Nintendo’s hit collaboration, but with a look and feel unique to Elynxir.
Phull says the AR app is designed to help guide new users to Web3 and NFT.
“It’s very simple in terms of onboarding,” he said. “The idea is that you can get your first NFT for free, in principle. The idea is to start giving fans a new way to get a digital collectible, and then slowly bring them into the ecosystem where we have more products and experiences that we’re going to start launching next year.”
“We’re excited to explore this combination of music, gaming and the Web3, Phull said. “Gaming really presents the avenues for music to grow and become much more than a static format.”
Deadmau5 and Web3
Deadmau5 has conducted several NFT collaborations in the past, including Web3 games such as Blankos Block Party and The Sandbox.
Pixelynx previously released reactive music NFTs that will serve as early access passes in Elynxir.
The company was founded in 2020 and raised $4.5 million last year in a seed funding round led by well-known metaverse investor Animoca Brands, with participation from Solana Ventures, Everyrealm and others.
Alameda Research, the trading firm that played a key role in the recent collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, also invested in the round.
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