actually<\/em> look, the project\u2019s investors were in for a rude awakening. Sales for the project immediately dipped, and so did each Pixelmon\u2019s value on the open market. There were even allegations that Pixelmon founder Martin van Blerk used funds from the Pixelmon treasury to go on what can only be described as a blue-chip NFT shopping spree.<\/p>\nWith all this surrounding the project, its future was in jeopardy to say to least. However, despite the way Pixelmon\u2019s mint deterred collectors, several investors in the space thought the hype of the initial mint would be worth stoking once more. Following the acquisition of a 60 percent controlling stake in Pixelmon, Web3 VC LiquidX is set to take on a fully operational role in all of Pixelmon\u2019s existing departments.<\/p>\n
Aside from that, a new \u2014 and much clearer \u2014 roadmap for Pixelmon\u2019s future has been established. According to a press release, the game is set to launch a playable alpha version in Q1 2023, with a full release planned for some time in late 2023.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s next<\/h2>\n
Along with a clear release date, Pixelmon\u2019s new leadership team has directly spoken about the game\u2019s future as a title in the blockchain gaming space. There was no mention of play-to-earn or play-and-earn mechanics in the planned release. Instead, Pixelmon\u2019s new top brass are pushing the planned title toward a play-to-own model.<\/p>\n
\u201cI firmly believe that over time we will be able to build Pixelmon into one of the strongest IPs in the gaming and web3 spaces, spanning across an ecosystem of entertainment-related assets. These assets will be interconnected and interoperable thanks to NFT technology. Gamers will be able to port characters, abilities and skins across the ecosystem, and NFT holders will be able to benefit from the performance of all assets,\u201d said Pixelmon\u2019s new CEO Giulio Xiloyannis in a press release.<\/p>\n
Aditionally, Pixelmon is getting ready to launch a brand-new collection of Pixelmons to go with its upcoming revamped game. Reportedly, the Generation 1 Pixelmon NFTs will \u201cencompass 68 genesis playable species and over 130 unique evolutions,\u201d according to the press release. Early adopters are also promised exclusive access to own in-game land, which is set to be sold as NFTs.<\/p>\n
Hopefully, Pixelmon will back up these bold claims and assuage the doubters. Flipping a script this burned would be a massive feat not only in Web3, but across the entire gaming industry. Another Pok\u00e9mon<\/em>-inspired title called Temtem<\/em> took four years to develop, with an incredible span of nearly two years in early access. Should Pixelmon achieve its aims, and land a successful launch in 2023 with its new leadership at the helm, others in the Web3 space would definitely need to take note, if they want to take on the titans of Web2 gaming.<\/p>\nBut the opposite, less fortuitous result is more likely than not for Pixelmon. After all, it initially overpromised and underdelivered following a catastrophic mint and game reveal earlier in 2022, and this will lead many to suspect Monday\u2019s bold claims are just history repeating itself. When the game\u2019s new iteration releases its playable alpha in Q1 2023, we\u2019ll know how things turned out. With a timetable of six months maximum, Pixelmon\u2019s new developers will need to call in a miracle. To make amends with everyone who poured tremendous amounts of their hard-earned money into the original drop and continued to hold, the new Pixelmon can\u2019t just be another Pok\u00e9<\/em>-clone. It needs to be a Pok\u00e9<\/em>-killer.<\/p>\nBut wait, there\u2019s more:<\/h4>\n
Editorial note:<\/em> <\/strong>An earlier version of this article lacked a clarity of tone that accurately represented the stakes of Pixelmon, considering its previous reputation in the Web3 space. This has been corrected to reflect a complete context.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n