BLOCKCHAIN is not just for the tech-savvy and technology entrepreneurs as Filipino-owned technology company Zynappse Corp. made it fun, accessible and engaging particularly to those who want to become digital dragon collectors by developing Drakons.IO, a strategy game and blockchain-powered site with crypto-collectibles called “Drakons.”
Everything was all about mobile apps and websites at first, said Cris Tagle, Zynappse chief executive officer, until the company came across an article about the cryptocurrency craze “non-fungible token” (NFT) four years ago, perhaps taking inspiration from a popular blockchain game.
“We got addicted to it and bought a lot of NFT without looking at the prices,” he added.
“The feeling is different when you download an NFT, try to breed a creature, wait for a few hours to see another creature.”
Because of this, the company eventually decided to create its own decentralized application (DApp) since it has been developing digital solutions. In its annual meeting three years ago, it decided to introduce its digital dragon as its creature because every attendee loves the character.
Thereafter, the DApp was named “Drakons” as the company is “looking for more, something artistic, and something that people could really love to collect,” Tagle explained.
To get started, users need a Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Brave or any browser that supports web3 for optimal performance. They need to install and sign up for a digital wallet such as Metamask or Coinbase to manage cryptocurrencies.
Since Drakons.IO runs in the Ethereum Network, they need to load Ether (ETH) cryptocurrency to their wallet to perform activities in the game. Any reputable cryptocurrency exchange site may be used to load up or send ETH.
A Drakon Master can buy and own their Drakons directly from its marketplace.
Drakons come in basic elements and have their assigned elemental gems/orbs and their own unique strengths and powers, and can also be collected based on their agility, strength, intelligence and health points.
Special edition ones, which are rare and scarce in terms of numbers, kinds and types, are also released.
These, complemented with best strategies, will bring users to victory and enable them to collect medals and orbs, taking their game to the next level — unlocking more powerful battle moves or unleashing skills.
“It was for fun and a passion of buying NFT that we converted to our own DApp,” he said, adding “we didn’t realize people were addicted to DApp as well as to collecting things like Drakons” which could be traded in and out of its website.
These Drakons are indestructible and live eternally in the blockchain. Each of them has a unique identity and features (own DNA signature) that will not be duplicated within its environment.
When it was launched, a lot of players from across the globe remarked “it is something the company should be proud of and something they have never seen in other DApp,” Tagle noted.
There are battle arenas in the game for it not just to be an ordinary collection of Drakons.
Users can likewise earn rewards on every battle like card boosts, food boosts, shards and gems. Last year, its utility token Drakoin (DRK) was also introduced which serves as an in-app virtual currency inside the game.
Tagle said the company hopes to create a world where artists, players, collectors and gamers could participate and work with one another. “We would also like to come up with an ecosystem wherein they will somehow be able to apply and realize the term ‘play to earn’ besides fulfilling everyday challenges in their battles as well as victories,” he stressed.
Despite the fact that many Filipinos are still scared of crypto due to concerns about this technology, “we are very active” such that the Philippines recently topped cryptocurrencies ownership, albeit “a little bit slower,” Tagle cited.
