CryptoKitties launches in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan; appoints Tuzki creator Momo Wang as brand ambassador and first contributor to Artist Series
Highlights
- CryptoKitties launches in China with localized website and support, iOS app in beta exclusive release for 5,000 lucky players selected from the official WeChat account
- Momo Wang joins CryptoKitties as brand ambassador and first contributor to the Artist Series, a series for official artist collaborations on limited edition Kitties.
- Ms. Wang is the creator of Tuzki, one of the world's most popular characters, with over 40-million uses per day across social media, mostly in China and Japan.
- The Artist Series is the first collaboration of its kind, illustrating market demand for digital art and blockchain's potential for artists worldwide.
HONG KONG, March 8, 2018 /CNW/ - CryptoKitties, the world's first and most successful consumer product built on blockchain technology, officially launches in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan today. To avoid the Ethereum network overload CryptoKitties caused when it premiered in North America in late 2017, the iOS app launch is initially limited to 5,000 new players in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. To participate in the exclusive launch, new players simply need to join the CryptoKitties official WeChat account and register their email address on a special entry page. Open spots will be awarded to lucky players on an ongoing basis.
In recognition of CryptoKitties' China launch, CryptoKitties announced Momo Wang as brand ambassador. Momo Wang is a multiple award-winning and internationally recognised illustrator based in Beijing. She has been named the 46th most powerful person in "China's 100 Most Powerful People" by Century Weekly in 2007, and is the author of seven books. Her book I, TUZKI, U won the Best Graphic Novel Award at the Annual Book Industry Awards of China.
Momo Wang is the first celebrity contributor to the CryptoKitties Artist Series, which will offer special edition digital cats designed by prominent artists, influencers, and designers. A series of unique and limited-edition "fancy" cats designed by Momo Wang will be available globally. One of the cats will be the subject of a global auction that represents one of the first examples of an internationally-recognized artist auctioning ownership of their art via blockchain technology, underlining the technology's potential for art and artists, as well as their fans. These special edition cats are expected to be highly sought, and this demand could lead to a significant increase in transactions on the Ethereum blockchain.
Momo Wang is the creator of the highly popular Tuzki character, a black and white line drawing of a bunny that is one of the most recognised characters in China and used widely across various instant messaging platforms, particularly WeChat. Tuzki has featured in advertising campaigns by companies as diverse as Motorola, KFC, and Fujifilm. Tuzki is also popular across Asia, with over 40 million Tuzki stickers sent daily on messaging platforms such as Facebook and WeChat. Additionally, Tencent and Turner Entertainment are collaborating on a motion picture based on the character.
CryptoKitties is the ethereum network's largest blockchain game, responsible for over a quarter of the network's traffic during its peak. Unlike cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin or ether, CryptoKitties are cryptocollectibles that secure ownership of digital art via blockchain technology. Since launching in late 2017, the game has acquired 1.5 million registered users and conducted over US$40-million in transactions, with some of the game's most popular cats selling for the equivalent of over US$200,000.
In January 2018, Animoca Brands partnered with Axiom Zen, the developer of CryptoKitties, to publish the game on mobile in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Accompanying today's launch are localized website for Chinese-speaking audiences, native-speaker support services, and numerous giveaway events.
"We created CryptoKitties to make blockchain technology accessible to everyday consumers," says CryptoKitties co-founder Benny Giang. "Games like CryptoKitties drive adoption of emerging technologies like blockchain. They also showcase blockchain's potential beyond cryptocurrency, gifting users with a working fluency in the underlying technology by hinting at what the future of digital art ownership may look like."
CryptoKitties launched to 5,000 users in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan on iOS devices on March 8th. The game is available in most of the world via the website www.cryptokitties.co.
About CryptoKitties
CryptoKitties is the world's leading cryptocollectible game, loved by devoted communities of super-users from around the world. The game has captured the world's imagination by bringing consumer interest to the blockchain in a dramatic new way. CryptoKitties is the most popular distributed application ever developed, responsible for thousands of transactions on the Ethereum blockchain every day.
About Animoca Brands
Animoca Brands (ASX: AB1) publishes globally a broad portfolio of mobile games and subscription products including several games and e-books based on popular intellectual properties such as Garfield, Thomas & Friends™, Ever After High and Doraemon. The Company is based in Hong Kong and Finland. For more information visit www.animocabrands.com or get updates by following Animoca Brands on Facebook, Twitter or Google +
About Axiom Zen
Axiom Zen is an award-winning venture studio that specializes in new platforms and emerging technologies. Axiom Zen was named first among Canada's Most Innovative Companies by Canadian Business. Products developed by Axiom Zen have touched 200+ million consumers and are used by the world's leading companies and government organizations.
SOURCE Axiom Zen
For additional context or access to key team members, please contact [email protected].
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