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In the rapidly evolving gaming industry, every new development has the potential to spark significant changes. Today, we delve into the remarkable journey of Pixelmon, a project that has transformed from a controversial NFT launch into a promising multi-game franchise. This evolution not only showcases the resilience of the gaming community but also highlights the potential for innovation in the beloved monster collection genre.
The Journey of Pixelmon
Pixelmon, originally launched as an NFT project, has undergone a significant transformation since LiquidX Group acquired a controlling interest in 2022. The project, which initially faced criticism after its February 2022 reveal was dubbed the “worst NFT project ever,” has been rebuilt from the ground up under new leadership.
The acquisition of Pixelmon by LiquidX Group in 2022 brought new leadership and a fresh vision to the project. Giulio Xiloyannis, Co-founder of LiquidX and CEO of Pixelmon, along with Chris Sirise, Co-founder of LiquidX and head of the product team, have been instrumental in this turnaround. Both self-described “monster collecting nostalgics,” they identified a significant gap in the market: monster collecting games aimed at an older audience.
Xiloyannis and Sirise’s expertise in monster collecting games and their clear vision for Pixelmon’s future have been pivotal. They recognized the untapped potential in catering to adult gamers who grew up with the monster-taming genre but were seeking more mature, complex experiences.
Under LiquidX’s guidance, the project underwent a comprehensive overhaul. This included:
- Redesigning original characters to meet higher quality standards
- Expanding the Pixelmon universe with new characters and concepts
- Improving overall quality and appeal to align with the vision of a more mature monster collecting franchise
The team faced the challenge of creating a diverse roster of over 200 characters, each unique and sufficiently complex to appeal to a more mature, midcore gaming audience. This presented significant hurdles in both art design (particularly rigging and animation) and game balancing.
The success of the rebuild was reflected in the project’s community growth. Moreover, post-acquisition efforts saw the community expand from 200,000 to over 1,000,000 members. This remarkable growth signaled a successful turnaround and renewed interest in the project. The market responded positively to these changes, with prices for an entry-level (common rarity) Pixelmon NFT spiking over 10X during the turnaround period.
Recognizing the potential of the project beyond gaming, the team adopted a transmedia approach. This strategy involved:
- Integrating print, video, and digital content into the Pixelmon universe of Nova Thera
- Strategically broadening the scope and audience of the franchise
- Creating a broad entertainment franchise that extends beyond gaming
This approach aims to build a rich, immersive world that can engage audiences across various media platforms.
Gamescom 2024
Pixelmon made its debut appearance at Gamescom 2024 in Cologne, marking the first time the rebuilt project has been showcased to a mass gaming audience. Moreover, LiquidX Studios, which now leads the project, presented an experiential booth featuring demos of three upcoming mid-core game titles.
Furthermore, this showcase was particularly significant as it represented the first time the new Pixelmon team demonstrated the latest updates to a broad gaming audience since LiquidX took over the project in late 2022. The event also featured illustrated and animated content from the Pixelmon franchise, giving attendees a glimpse into the expanded Pixelmon universe.
Moreover, the three game demos presented at Gamescom were well-received, highlighting the team’s progress in developing engaging, strategic, and challenging games that appeal to an older audience. Here’s a brief overview of each game:
1. Warriors of Nova Thera (PC – Steam and Epic Games Store) Developed by Pixelmon and published by LiquidX, this roguelike action-adventure game allows players to control Pixelmons directly. Players explore various biomes, battling wild Pixelmon and bosses while collecting shardstones to unlock upgrades. The game features unique playstyles, skill tree progression, and a rune system for stat upgrades, ensuring high replayability.
2. Eternal League (iOS and Android, Release Date: Q4 2024) Developed by Eternal Squares and LiquidX, Eternal League is a 1v1 MOBA experience focusing on strategy and tactics. Additionally, players can customize their hero with robotic parts, assemble and upgrade minion armies, and engage in intense 1v1 battles. The game emphasizes outmaneuvering opponents through level tactics and achieving key objectives.
3. Warden’s Ascent (iOS and Android, Release Date: Q2 2025) Developed and published by LiquidX, Warden’s Ascent is a turn-based RPG for mobile platforms. Players collect, upgrade, and evolve over 100 unique Pixelmon while battling through campaigns and trials. In addition, the game features PvP battles, boss hunts, elemental lairs, and elder dragon encounters. Social elements include a hub to display rare Pixelmon and clan-based gameplay for tackling challenging content.
Tatto (Kinmark)
One of the intriguing elements introduced in the Pixelmon universe is the concept of “Kinmark.” In this fantasy world, certain humans carry a special marking known as a Kinmark, designating them as “Kinbearers.” This aspect adds depth to the lore and potentially plays a significant role in the gameplay mechanics.
While specific details about the Kinmark concept are limited in the provided information, it’s clear that this element is part of the rich, transmedia storytelling approach that the project is adopting. The inclusion of concept art related to Kinmarks suggests that this aspect of the universe is being developed visually, potentially for use in games, animated content, or other media within the franchise.
Future Plans for the Brand New Pixelmon
Looking ahead, Pixelmon’s strategy focuses on three core areas:
Product Development: The team is committed to delivering high-quality gaming experiences. Following the positive reception of the three games presented at Gamescom, they plan to continue refining these titles while exploring additional game genres to expand the portfolio. The focus is on creating unforgettable experiences within their games, constantly building, expanding, and polishing their offerings.
Community Engagement: Tis placing a strong emphasis on engaging with key communities, particularly in Asian markets. With a significant presence already established in the Web3 community across countries like Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines, the team aims to build a mainstream gaming community as they approach the launch of their games. The team considers Asia the most important market, given that the majority of the team, including the founders, is based there.
Target Audience: Pixelmon’s mission is to “reawaken the monster trainer” in adult fans of the genre. They believe there’s a large audience of young adults and adults who desire an edgy, adrenaline-packed, midcore gaming IP in the monster collecting space. Additionally, the team aims to create strategic, challenging, and competitive games that cater to the 18-35 year old demographic, filling a perceived gap in the market for more mature monster collecting games.
As the project continues to evolve, the team at LiquidX focuses on creating entertainment that appeals to a wide, mass audience while maintaining its Web3 heritage. In addition, their vision extends beyond just gaming, encompassing a transmedia approach that includes print, video, and digital/social content, all set in the vast fantasy world of Nova Thera.
The ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3 gaming audiences, potentially ushering in a new era for gamers worldwide. While Web3 and a decentralized IP approach will always be part of Pixelmon’s heritage and infrastructure, the team aims to deliver fun, high-quality experiences for as wide an audience as possible, dissolving the perception barrier that currently polarizes Web2 and Web3 gaming audiences.
For those interested in following Pixelmon’s journey or becoming part of its growing community, more information can be found on the official Pixelmon website at their official website. Additionally, players interested in trying out these games can pre-register for the closed beta for Warden’s Ascent, Warriors of Nova Thera, and Eternal League.
