Pixelmon Discontinues Game Development After Failed Playtest
Pixelmon has announced the end of all game development and the dissolution of its game team, following a failed playtest with an external publisher. This decision concludes a four-year effort to establish a gaming venture centered around one of the NFT era's most controversial collections.
Overview of Pixelmon's Closure
Pixelmon has officially halted all game development and eliminated its game team, as revealed in a recent Discord announcement. This decision marks the end of a four-year journey aimed at creating a gaming business around a well-known NFT collection.
The termination of development came after a three-week playtest with an external publisher failed to yield a long-term commercial agreement. Internally, retention figures from the playtest were deemed insufficient to warrant further investment.
Future Directions and Community Involvement
Despite the closure of game development, the core team will remain intact and shift their focus to unspecified "other verticals." To discuss the future of the Pixelmon intellectual property (IP), a community town hall is scheduled for Thursday, September 18. This meeting aims to clarify the direction of the IP, whether it will be licensed, put on hold, or transferred to the community.
Background and Financials
Originally launched in 2021, Pixelmon aimed to deliver an open-world RPG featuring NFTs as playable characters, virtual land, and play-to-earn mechanics. Its initial Genesis sale in February 2022 raised $70 million, starting at 3 ETH (approximately $8,100 per NFT). However, the subsequent art reveal sparked significant controversy, leading to a loss of trust among buyers.
In September 2022, LiquidX acquired a 60% stake in Pixelmon, appointing Giulio Xiloyannis as CEO. The team later launched projects including "Kevin the Adventurer" and "PixelPals," and raised an additional $8 million in February 2024. The recent closure reflects a total capital deployment of around $15 million, significantly less than the original $70 million raised by the previous team.
Pixelmon's shutdown represents a notable exit from the web3 gaming landscape, which has seen a decline in viable projects. The upcoming town hall may provide clarity on the future of the Pixelmon brand and potential community involvement.