 |
Look, I really don’t know where they all come from.
All I know is that any time a drop doesn’t go off as the VeVe fam planned (and despite the fact that 80% of them had declared they weren’t interested or were going to wait for the market), everyone pulls out an armchair. In fact, so many armchairs get dragged out all at once that we could probably open a digital furniture store.
Like a lot of other people who have to step out of the Matrix and into real life, my available time to check in on social media shifts around on a daily basis. Maybe I can make it, maybe I can't. You never know when I’m going to slip in the back and quietly listen in for a few minutes.
When I do find the time to drop in, I often hear different people from various groups coming up with the exact same idea, just as if it was the first time anyone ever mentioned it.
Hey! I thought it was my idea! No, honest, I really believed it was my idea until I heard several other people repeating it as if it was their idea.
Perhaps it’s because we simply came to a natural conclusion based on what we already know.
A lot of our collective consciousness was prompted because of the Epiko drop. It had everyone asking: if the VeVeVerse is nothing more than a social hub and a glorified showroom, where’s the true gamification?
Okay, so VeVe has a points system. But so does Starbucks, Mcdonald’s, and every grocery store who wants to data-mine our buying habits. I don’t see how a point system is really offering anything different than any other store out there.
Yes, there are levels, but unless you're capable of reaching 100, I just don't see much of a point. What about everyone not in the top tier? There isn't even a badge system for “first comic” or “first secret rare on drop” or even “third anniversary” or whatever else people would want to show off on their profiles. That would be a lot more gamifying than just having points.
Dropping Epiko figurines inspired the idea that I’ve heard over and over again this week: why aren’t these collectibles being used as utility keys to unlock features in other games?
VeVe says they aren't doing any games, but VeVe doesn’t have to run any games. They just have to collaborate with the right brands, who use the figurines as proof of ownership that unlocks super cool gaming features in the IP's games.
Got a superhero figurine you'd like to play?
Just click on a button in your collection window to get a code so you can play it in another game. But don’t sell it; thanks to the blockchain, it would be easy for the game company to do a quick check before you play that character to make sure you still own it.
Even if that idea is too complicated for now, there are easier solutions. Another popular idea was to turn them into avatars, so that we can walk around as Deadpool or maybe a Mighty Marvel Doom. I've seen a lot stranger things walking around in those VR headset videos.
I know it's easy to make these kinds of suggestions from an armchair. Even so, I thought I'd better get them in print... before the next time I go into a chatroom or stream and someone offers up one of these "original" ideas again.
With any luck, someone in VeVe thought of these before any of us did and they are already working on it.
If not, never fear!
The VeVe fam is always eager to offer up ideas and opinions, especially when we have no idea how hard they are to implement!
Have armchair, will travel.