Atari teams up with DYLI for a limited-edition, physically redeemable NFT drop

Atari, the legendary video game company, has recently announced a partnership with DYLI, a blockchain-powered collectibles marketplace, to release 500 limited-edition physically redeemable NFTs. The NFTs, themed around Atari’s rich gaming legacy, will be sold in packs priced at $15 each and will feature collectible patches, either new designs or vintage patches from the 1980s. Additionally, purchasers of these packs will have the chance to receive bonus items like gift cards or even special items signed by Atari’s founder, Nolan Bushnell.

These collectible packs will be available for sale on DYLI, a blockchain-based platform built on Abstract Chain, an upcoming Ethereum layer 2 solution developed by Igloo Inc., the creators of Pudgy Penguins. Each pack will be linked to a redeemable NFT, which enables buyers to unlock their collectible items digitally before redeeming the physical versions. Notably, buyers will not know the exact patch design they will receive until after they purchase the pack, and bonus items will remain a mystery until the physical pack is claimed.

The NFTs associated with the collectible packs will be securely stored and managed in DYLI’s integrated wallet, which supports gas-free transactions, with transaction fees covered by Abstract Chain’s native paymasters. Buyers will have the flexibility to either hold their NFT packs indefinitely or trade them on DYLI’s secondary marketplace. This feature allows users to buy, sell, or relist their packs before choosing to redeem the physical versions of the collectibles.

These special edition patches will be available starting next week. According to Alex Needelman, the founder of DYLI, this collaboration aims to attract a significant number of new users to both DYLI and Abstract Chain, with a goal of onboarding the “next million users.”

For Atari, this marks another significant step in its ongoing exploration of blockchain and Web3 technologies. Atari has been engaging with the digital world since 2018, when it launched its own cryptocurrency, ATRI. Since then, the company has continued to expand its Web3 initiatives, partnering with major industry players like Enjin and LiteCoin. Additionally, Atari made waves in the blockchain gaming space in 2022 by collaborating with Coinbase to bring classic Atari games, such as Asteroids and Breakout, to the Ethereum layer 2 network via Onchain Arcade.

Atari’s latest move into the world of blockchain collectibles follows the growing trend of traditional gaming companies venturing into Web3. Industry giants such as Sega and Ubisoft have also embraced blockchain technology. Sega has partnered with Oasys, a blockchain platform optimized for gaming, to bring its popular Sangokushi Taisen title to the Web3 space. Similarly, Ubisoft has entered the blockchain gaming market with its Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles, a game set to launch on the Oasys blockchain.

Through its collaboration with DYLI, Atari is not only advancing its Web3 presence but also helping to drive mainstream adoption of blockchain-based gaming and collectibles. This partnership with DYLI represents an innovative way to blend physical and digital collectibles, offering fans a new and exciting way to interact with the Atari brand. As more gaming companies continue to explore the potential of blockchain technology, the gaming industry is on the cusp of a major transformation, combining the excitement of gaming with the cutting-edge capabilities of decentralized finance and NFTs.