Amazon’s NFT Metaverse Avatars Sell Out in Under 24 Hours

Amazon.com Inc.'s co-branded digital avatars sold out in less than a day, an early sign of consumer interest as Yuga Labs Inc. prepares to launch its long-awaited metaverse platform.

The "Boximus" avatars, nonfungible tokens that function as playable characters, were listed on Amazon's website before Otherside's Nov. 12 launch. The collection was part of a broader rollout that included a 300-piece series by digital artist Daniel Arsham.

Yuga Labs, the creator of the Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT collection, designed the avatars to work within Otherside's new Voyager system, which lets players use blockchain-based characters in the virtual world. Michael Figge, Yuga Labs' chief creative officer, said the avatars were priced to be "reasonable and affordable," though the company declined to disclose specific figures.

The rapid sellout underscores lingering appetite for branded digital collectibles, even as the broader NFT market has cooled from its 2021 peak. Unlike traditional video game items, the avatars are recorded on the blockchain, allowing owners to resell them on secondary markets.

Otherside Platform Opens to Crypto and Mainstream Users

Otherside is designed to accommodate both cryptocurrency enthusiasts and mainstream users. Players can access the platform using either a crypto wallet or a standard email login, then explore environments like The Swamp and the Nexus or try community-created games. The platform also features NFT land plots, blockchain-based currency and "Bubbles," audio chat rooms reminiscent of the now-defunct Clubhouse app.

Yuga Labs announced the project in 2022 after raising $450 million to build what it described as a "gamified" and "interoperable" digital world. An alpha version released earlier this year gave select users early access to social and creative tools.

The Amazon partnership represents a notable collaboration between a major retailer and a metaverse developer, suggesting continued corporate interest in virtual ownership models. "Otherside offers a great way to get exposed to what it's like to actually own digital assets," Mr. Figge said.