Sky Mavis, the powerhouse behind the NFT sensation Axie Infinity, is setting its sights on expanding the universe with the launch of the card game Axie Infinity: Origins. Initially introduced in selected regions via Google Play and the Mavis Hub, the game is now taking a significant leap, marking its debut on the Apple App Store in markets where it has found a solid fanbase.
The strategic card game, offering free non-NFT “starter” characters for new players, is kickstarting its Apple store journey in Latin America and Asia. Boasting 1.5 million installs across all platforms, the game’s global expansion is on an upward trajectory, aiming to reach even more Google and Apple mobile users.
The Mavis Market
In another development, Sky Mavis is unveiling the Mavis Market, a specialized NFT marketplace empowered by the company’s native Ronin blockchain. The platform will feature a selection of collectibles from third-party game or dApp developers who have chosen to deploy on the Ronin blockchain. Adding more spice to the mix, Sky Mavis is gearing up to launch a merchandise store.
Axie Infinity: Origins represents a strategic pivot from the original Axie Infinity model. Offering free non-NFT “starter characters” extends an inclusive invitation to new players, making the Axie Infinity universe more accessible and engaging.
Sky Mavis CEO Trung Nguyen asserts, “Sky Mavis remains committed to our vision of a player-owner digital nation and is excited to work with app stores to open our ecosystem to a new generation of Lunacians.”
Axie Infinity’s Challenges on Road to Recovery
Axie Infinity, once the vanguard of the NFT gaming world, has experienced a stark decline in popularity over the past year. The downward trajectory closely aligns with the fluctuations in the broader cryptocurrency market, which has also witnessed a substantial dip. Notably, Axie Infinity’s in-game cryptocurrency, Smooth Love Potion (SLP), has borne the brunt of this downturn, with its value plunging 99% from its peak in May 2021.
Last year, a hacker or group of hackers successfully stole about $625 million from Axie Infinity.
