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Popular Solana NFT collection Claynosaurz and the 3D animation studio behind it are expanding into gaming. On Thursday, the makers of Claynosaurz announced a collaboration with leading game publisher Gameloft to develop a mobile game based on the brand.
While specific details about the game have yet to be fully revealed, the development team hinted that it will combine elements of a "choose your own adventure" experience with gameplay reminiscent of hit location-based game, Pokémon Go. The game will be available on both Android and iOS platforms.
Initially launched as NFT collectibles on Solana in 2022, the digital dinosaur characters quickly gained traction, later expanding into short-form content on social media. The project has racked up more than 350,000 followers across all platforms, and in addition to the mobile game, the studio will be also releasing long-form Claynosaurz video content.
Nicholas Cabana, co-founder and creative director of Claynosaurz, described the partnership as a significant turning point in the gaming industry, signaling a new era in how IP is developed and communities are built.
“By empowering players with true ownership of their digital assets and placing them at the center of the experience, Gameloft is embracing this shift. Their history is rooted in emerging technology and forward-thinking culture,” Cabana said, referencing Gameloft’s history as a mobile game developer even before the original iPhone arrived.
“We're thrilled that they’ve chosen to champion Claynosaurz as their partner in this groundbreaking mobile adventure,” he added, “setting the stage for a bold, player-driven future in gaming."
Like the creators of Doodles, which have used their NFT collectibles as a jumping-off point to explore film, music, and live play experiences, the Claynosaurz team said they always intended to expand their franchise to span both Web2 and Web3 audiences in fun and creative ways. And the game will attempt to bridge that gap without being aggressive about the crypto hooks.
"Players care about fun, whether solo or with friends. They prioritize user experience, not the technology behind it,” said Jacques Letesson, Head of Product at Claynosaurz. “We're not loudly onboarding people into Web3; it will happen naturally through a game that's playable, accessible, and beautifully crafted.”
“Our goal is to create rich, immersive experiences that draw players into our world,” he added. “We must challenge the traditional gaming economy and introduce a new paradigm where digital assets hold the same tangible and transferable value as physical goods.”
Just like physical toys can be kept or sold, or even given away as desired, the Claynosaurz team wants to maintain that same approach in its digital universe. Letesson said that the game will offer up digital collectibles to players, though the extent of the Web3 integration still hasn’t been fully revealed.
“We want to bring that same sense of ownership into our world, where the collectibles earned through quests and crafting form the foundation for even deeper player experiences,” he added. “It’s about blurring the lines between gaming, content, commerce, and community."
Gameloft has a rich history in mobile gaming, with original franchises including Asphalt and Modern Combat, along with a wide array of branded games from the likes of Disney and others. Claynosaurz marks the publisher’s first collaboration with a Web3 IP.
"Partnering with Claynosaurz represents an exciting moment for Gameloft, combining our gaming expertise with a brand that has rapidly built an engaged and passionate community,” says Gameloft Chief Sales Officer Guilherme Lachaut, in a statement.
“The strength of the Claynosaurz characters and their already impressive brand presence made them the ideal partner for us to collaborate with,” he continued, “and we are thrilled to bring these beloved Claynosaurz to life in a mobile game that will captivate and engage players worldwide."
Edited by Andrew Hayward