GM

Welcome to the 14 new subs who joined yesterday.

Starting today we're adding a little feedback poll at the end of our emails when you can tell us if we're crushing it (or bombing).

I'm two Iced Americanos in already - I can handle the truth.

In today’s edition:

• This drop is weird

• Mint and Watch Lists

• Four new mints

More info on Mint/Watch lists HERE.

Did you know?

We have a premium pass that gives you access to a directory of every drop we cover, complete with detailed information on how to get on every whitelist (including those underrated ones that aren’t already full).

And for those curatooors out there, you can get free NFTs just by finding drops that end up on the Mint or Watch list.

Lastly, hang with me and the MoS team in a private discord with weekly voice chats. The vibes are great.

This drop is weird

I spent my Friday morning in the Meataverse. It’s a strange place, and I sort of wish I hadn’t heard about it.

Yet here I am, the man who lived to tell the tale – one that’s fairly cringe, but also…kind of cool?

Now you might ask why I’d spend any time in such a place. Surely I’d be better off enjoying a brunch quiche at the local Bistro du Matin Enchanté.

If you must know, Dear Reader, it was so that I could mint my free GigaJim, the latest NFT from the fine folks at Slim Jim, the snack brand.

In fact, it’s still going right now: only 1,000 out of 10,000 NFTs have been minted so far.

You want in? All you have to do is:

• Be a U.S. citizen

• Give up your email and phone number

• Give webcam access (more on this later)

• Read through the lore behind the Meataverse

• Spend 20 mins clicking through 2003-era flash games

And you too could be a proud owner of your very own GigaJim.

Now what do you actually do with a GigaJim, besides using it as your pfp across your favorite dating apps?

Unclear. We know that it’s a “digital membership club”, that this is season 1, and that there’ll be more seasons as they flesh out their Meataverse platform. That’s about it.

Now, I could end it here

NFTs sometimes remind me of Cameo but for corporate brands – just a lot of moments where you go “Oh yeah, remember this guy?” except instead of a C-list actor we’re talking about a Jerky brand that peaked in the 90s.

But there’s something cool behind all the Meataverse nonsense, and it’s worth highlighting.

You see, the reason they ask for access to your camera is because they’ve tied certain NFT traits to real-life Slim Jim purchases.

Here’s how it works:

• You buy Slim Jims IRL

• You scan these products (with your camera)

• These give you bonus traits

• Those traits can be used to “evolve” your NFT

I have a hazy memory of brands doing this in the early 2000s. You’d buy their products then use the barcodes to get power-ups in some mini-game online.

Except now they affect things that you actually own and can trade for real money (assuming the world starts caring about GigaJims).

It’s a much more powerful way to incentivize people, and I’m sure this will all feel a lot more common and normal in a few years.

Of course, Slim Jim isn’t the first to do this with NFTs, but it’s the most gamified version I’ve seen so far.

So let’s take a second to appreciate the innovation here.

…

Ok, that’s enough moving on.

NOTE: These drops are lightly curated. Our only requirement is that they have recognizable founders. As usual, DYOR. To learn more go here.

Optimistic Zorb

I wrote about the new ZORA NETWORK yesterday, highlighting their celebratory open edition for the launch of their new Optimism-based L2.

That wasn’t the end of the celebrations, however, as Optimism themselves then come out with Optimistic Zorb, another free open edition, this one on the main Optimism L2 chain.

I don’t really know if these are going anywhere, but I’m putting on my collectooor hat.

Om Nom Avatar Collection

You might have missed the partnership between Sandbox and ZeptoLab back in February. After all, metaverses are not the hype du jour anymore, that role has been overtaken by AI and XR.

Despite this, the Spanish game developer is venturing into web3 and integrating their top IP, Cut the Rope, into Sandbox as a collection of 2,000 avatars.

I’m not jumping out of my seat for this one given the decline in Sandbox users, but the jury’s still out on whether platforms like these are done for.

Space Nation Genesis NFT

A web3 MMORPG in space. With a budget of $40 million. Co-founded by a previous Blizzard project manager (World of Warcraft & Hearthstone) and a Hollywood director with bangers under his belt like Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow. Genesis NFT with 3,000 supply coming sometime soon.

You with me yet?

Not everything’s roses though, as the gameplay hasn’t exactly wowed me, and I do have some questions as to the game’s tokenomics which seem 2021-flavored. I’ll be keeping an eye out for any news though.

superchiefordinals

Following their previous pass releases on Nifty Gateway and Foundation, Superchief Gallery is expanding to Bitcoin with the launch of their third pass NFT this year, superchiefordinals.

Although not specifically described as a pass, the utility of this mint fits the bill, with holders getting exclusive access to airdrops, limited edition mints, merch and events.

The mint is split into 2 phases: an initial drop of 200 NFTs, with up to 1,500 NFTs in the second phase (TBD).

Which ETH art curator will we see make an Ordinals move next?

The Mint List

1. Taproot Wizards. OG Bitcoin meme inscribed as ordinals

2. Project Animus. RTFKT's biggest launch since Clone-X

3. Symbiogenesis. Square Enix's upcoming gaming NFT

4. Garbage Friends. New PFP from the creator of Invisible Friends

5. Dimensionals - EVE. Free gaming PFP from doxxed studio

6. 10KTF PFP. Drop from a team that includes Yuga and Beeple

7. Tony Babel x Typical Friends. Limited edition from the popular artist

8. Ether. Anime PFP collection by viii, an artist with a cult following

9. World Flag by Gerrard. AB x Pace drop featuring an established artist

10. Glacier Dreams by Refik Anadol. AI art from the MoMA exhibitor