Introduction

The gaming industry has a problem with ownership. Players invest hundreds of hours (and dollars) collecting in-game items they can never truly own, sell, or gift. Traditional marketplaces that do exist are riddled with payment barriers, regional restrictions, and unnecessary complexity. We created KOMPETE to address this fundamental disconnect by building something different: a game economy where ownership is meaningful, accessible, and never forced.

Our approach is intentionally straightforward. We stripped away the artificial barriers between playing and owning, creating a system where blockchain technology serves players rather than the other way around. You can download KOMPETE and create an account for free, start playing immediately, and earn items through merit—no investment required. When ownership makes sense for you—and only when it does—the option is there.

I wanted to take a step back and look at the big picture of how this all came together. Through all the noise of the markets, it can be easy to lose sight of what ultimately matters most: building something of genuine value that lasts. From our Konvert system that puts ownership on your timeline to our Bazaar marketplace and upcoming Kollection meta-game, we've created an ecosystem that values simplicity, transparency, and player choice above all else. In a market full of complicated solutions to simple problems, we believe simple is strong. That's the foundation that remains solid even when the hype cycles and mathematical impossibilities of other systems inevitably collapse.

What we've built with KOMPETE isn't just an iteration - it's fundamentally different from what's come before. While we've drawn inspiration from various sources and you might recognize familiar elements, the complete architecture doesn't follow an existing blueprint. There's no "Idiot's Guide to Building the KOMPETE Game Economy" because we're breaking new ground.

So instead of following conventional wisdom, we took a step back and focused on core principles:

One question became central to the vision: "Why can't players sell or gift the items they've earned in games?" It's a simple idea, but somehow most games make it either impossible or needlessly complex.

The more I thought about it, I kept coming back to this point: ownership is not inherently objectionable. There's no reason to reject ownership of your property unless it comes with a catch. From day one, we wanted players to actually own their items with no strings attached.

Some will say that blockchain isn't necessary to do this. To some extent, that's correct. But the gaming world is global, and traditional payment systems aren't. Many players can't participate in game economies because they lack access to banking, live under international restrictions, or face regulations that are regularly shifting. None of these barriers have anything to do with the players themselves, but they get locked out anyway. And it's not only those players who are affected, the whole market has its potential limited.

Even in games that do allow trading, the process is surprisingly clunky. People talk about blockchain being complex, but have you tried trading items on fiat-railed marketplaces? Count the friction points: KYC registration, long approval times, clunky transaction processes, and everything ultimately depending on the permission of both trading platforms and banks. The current solutions available to gamers aren't good ones, and we knew there had to be a better approach.

After deciding to use blockchain to solve these problems, we faced another reality: it already had established a bad rap in gaming. When we started building on Ethereum, plenty of people told us we were crazy - that it would stain our game and drive away potential players.

That was sobering, but also motivating. The poor reputation came from projects that got it wrong—whether by accident or by design. I've always maintained that the silver lining is that KOMPETE has the opportunity to stand out and showcase how blockchain integration can actually work when done right.

For KOMPETE to break the blockchain stigma, we needed a system that gave skeptics a clear alternative path. We kept coming back to this idea: while ownership is inherently valuable, you shouldn't be forced into it—and the timing should be entirely yours.

We envisioned a player journey that starts traditionally but offers flexibility when ownership makes sense:

Start Like Any Game:

• Download the game and create an account for free

• Start playing and earning items immediately

• Experience the full game without any blockchain requirement

Consider Ownership On Your Terms:

• Evaluate the financial cost (gas fees)

• Weigh the time investment (learning curve, wallet setup)

• Make the mental shift when you're ready (embracing digital ownership)

The key insight driving Konvert's design is simple: ownership becomes meaningful only when its value exceeds its cost—a threshold that varies dramatically between collectors and casual players.

Konvert bridges these worlds by transforming your earned game items—which function exactly like items in traditional games—into blockchain assets with full ownership rights, but only when you choose. No penalties for waiting, no pressure to convert immediately, and no degradation of the gaming experience either way.

This means anyone can follow their own path:

• Play entirely free with standard item acquisition

• Optionally subscribe monthly to unlock additional items

• Convert their digital collection to owned assets whenever the value proposition makes sense for them personally

• Trade, sell, or gift their items once Konverted

This approach prevents the cost/value calculus from excluding players while still offering the benefits of true digital ownership to those who want it.

With players able to own their items, let's talk about what they're earning and how value is created in our economy.

Everything here is driven by scarcity. The more you play, and the better you play (with maybe a little luck), the cooler stuff you'll get. Play a little, and you'll earn the same items as everyone else who's played just a little. Commit more time and skill, and you'll access rewards that few players ever earn.

We put the best stuff where it's hardest to reach. Not only do you have the coolest items, but they're in the lowest supply because fewer players reach that level. This creates value through scarcity in a merit-based way - you can't buy your way to the top, and luck alone won't get you there either. Everyone who's played even a few games can understand the hard work and dedication involved with climbing your way to the top of the rewards ladder each season.

People value looking cool while they play. Look good, feel good, play good - and yeah, a lot of it is about flexing. That happens in the real world just as much as the digital one.

For someone like me who doesn't have all day to play (and let's be honest, doesn't have top-tier skills), I'm never going to own those GOAT items... unless I can buy them from someone who has the time and skill to earn them. When everyone values their time differently, that's a good deal for both sides. The price it settles at is simply the market at work.

With Konvert in place, players could now claim ownership of their earned items, but ownership only matters if you can actually do something with it. What we needed next was a central place for everyone to trade.

By building the Bazaar directly on our website and committing early to a core principle of stripping away friction, we maximize trading activity and build value within the ecosystem. This benefits everyone - players get more value from their time, traders find more opportunities, and the whole market gains as a result.

What makes a great marketplace? Understanding exactly what drives price and value:

• Technical factors: Price history, sales volume, frequency, set inclusion, and most importantly, supply. We have a unique advantage here because we know both the Web3 supply (items that have been Konverted) and the Web2 supply (items that haven't been Konverted yet).

• The story behind items: Where did this item come from? How was it earned? When was it released? Was it one of the first items available? These few data points tell a story that drives value.

Only KOMPETE has the ability, specialized knowledge, and proper incentives to design an entire marketplace exclusively focused on our ecosystem. No third-party marketplace can access our comprehensive dataset of both technical factors and item histories, nor do they have the same commitment to optimizing specifically for KOMPETE items. This unique position allows us to create a trading environment that maximizes value for players in ways our competitors can't match.

With our marketplace established, we needed to decide on a currency. Item-for-item trading is what I call "caveman style"—it simply isn't efficient. You need a currency to facilitate trading. Allowing players to use any cryptocurrency of their choice sounds flexible in theory, but in practice it fragments liquidity, complicates pricing, and creates unnecessary conversion costs. Every trade would require both parties to agree not just on price but on which currency to use, adding another layer of negotiation to each transaction.

We could have chosen a stablecoin pegged to the dollar, but there are good reasons different currencies exist. When you use the dollar, all the value created in your marketplace flows into that currency. Instead, we created KOMPETE Token with a fixed supply of 850 million (after 150 million were burned).

With a fixed supply, as more people join the ecosystem and more items enter the market, each token can represent more value. When demand exceeds supply for certain items, additional value is created. KOMPETE Token captures this value and creates a brand new opportunity stream. What's really cool is that markets tend to compound once they catch traction—success builds on success, and the engine accelerates.

Everyone will use KOMPETE Token to trade on the Bazaar because that's where the liquidity and information exist. It's like Amazon—once you have 60% market share, you effectively have 90%. We're the only ones who can facilitate a marketplace with this depth and clarity. Markets reward transparency and friction reduction.

Ultimately, KOMPETE Token serves as the liquid expression of value in our marketplace. That's real utility, and when our ecosystem reaches scale, it'll be a big job. Without criticizing competitors (who I hope succeed, just a little less than us), the typical approach is designing overly complex systems that produce mathematically impossible results like "1,600% APY staking" or extensive play-to-airdrop campaigns that don't establish sustainable value. Utility designed purely for marketing campaigns has a terrible track record in Web3, and deservedly so.

KOMPETE took a different, less flashy path by keeping it simple. In weightlifting, they say "slow is smooth, and smooth is fast." For us, it's "simple is strong, and strong is resilient."

With KOMPETE Token, traders have options:

• Speculate on specific items you think will outperform others

• Hold the token as an "index" of the entire ecosystem's value

• Participate in a market designed for natural growth

So what is all of this worth? Obviously, whatever someone decides to pay at any given moment. Beyond that, value comes from:

• Visuals: Some things just look cooler than others

• Scarcity: The harder items were to get, the fewer exist

• Sets: Items that share the same theme and design

• History: When it was released and how it was earned

Take our Magma set as an example. The Magma Rattlesnake was earned by only a handful of dedicated players back when our servers were practically empty. It wasn't just a cool-looking skin - it was proof you were there from the beginning, grinding through matches when finding enough players to fill a lobby was half the challenge. Each item in our economy tells a story.

Once you get one piece of a set, you naturally want more, which drives demand. But there's a limitation - you can only wear one outfit in-game at a time. How do you showcase your entire collection?

That's where our upcoming Kollection system comes in (with a K, of course). Think of it as the ultimate meta-game - a way to compete through your accumulated history with KOMPETE itself. It's the grind of all grinds, where your entire journey is scored and ranked against everyone else.

Kollection will assign a score to your entire locker based on:

• How you acquired items (earned vs. purchased) and whether you still hold them

• Item rarity, both globally and within categories

• Set completions (game sets, ticket sets, fame sets)

• Special statuses like Founding Father ownership and KOMPETE Token holdings

The math behind it is meticulous - items you've earned through gameplay will be worth more than those you've purchased. Sets you've completed will provide bonuses. Retired items that won't return will be worth extra. Your KOMPETE Token holdings will be able to multiply your entire score.

With a Kollection score, we'll rank players: Are you in the tenth percentile? The fiftieth? This will be a brand new way to compete without even playing a single match - creating an entirely different meta-game for collectors and traders alike.

The system will also ensure every item has value, even if it's not particularly stylish. Those common rewards you thought nobody cared about? They'll contribute to your score and therefore inherently matter with Kollection. We also plan to provide ecosystem rewards based on your Kollection score—the higher your score, the more you get back from participating in KOMPETE.

The interface on our website will give you a complete view of our game economy - allowing you to track what you own, what you're missing, and how it all contributes to your score. It bridges the worlds of trading and playing, creating multiple paths to seize opportunity in the KOMPETE ecosystem.

Build your score by grinding matches, or by becoming a savvy trader. Collect sets that tell KOMPETE's story. Hold tokens that contribute to the ecosystem's total value. However you choose to engage, Kollection will turn your history with the game into a measurable legacy with tangible rewards for contributing to the KOMPETE movement.

What we've created with KOMPETE is a genuinely unique game economy—one that bridges worlds rather than forcing players to choose between them. By taking the best elements of traditional gaming and blockchain technology while discarding the limitations of both, we've built something that's accessible to everyone regardless of their prior experience or investment capacity.

It's been an interesting journey positioning ourselves in this space. We're sometimes not considered "Web3 enough" for the blockchain purists, while simultaneously being too Web3 for skeptics who've been burned by previous projects. But as we've methodically delivered on our promises, we've seen people from both camps recognize the elegance in our approach. The proof is in the experience itself—simple, intuitive, and valuable on its own terms.

For those who've been with us through market volatility and industry shifts—keep your focus where it matters. Market fluctuations are just noise. Consider that while broader crypto and stock markets have recently declined, the CS skin market has grown significantly. Our goal is to eventually reach this same kind of "escape velocity" where KOMPETE's economy stands entirely on its own merits, disconnected from the whims of broader market sentiment.

This is our North Star: build something genuine while ignoring short-term distractions we can't control. That's precisely what we're doing with Bazaar V2, our upcoming Kollection system, and constant improvements to the core game experience. When the foundation is solid, everything else follows naturally.

The entire system circles back to our founding principle: ownership becomes meaningful when its value exceeds its cost. We've designed every aspect of KOMPETE to maximize the value proposition of ownership—stripping away friction, creating comprehensive marketplace information, building incentives for participation, and allowing value to accumulate where it belongs: with the players.

Your items in KOMPETE represent more than just digital assets—they're your legacy, a record of your personal journey through this world we're building together. Whether you're here for the economic opportunity, the competitive edge, or simply because you enjoy the game, we've created something you won't find anywhere else—an ecosystem where simple is strong, and strong is resilient.

I've felt it brewing all summer, but as of this week, I'm convinced that Web3 gaming has hit a real inflection point in its life trajectory.

Over the last few years of building KOMPETE, I've had front-row tickets to watch blockchain fight to find its footing in gaming culture. I'll be the first to admit it hasn't always been easy. If you've been paying attention, you know there are some real extremes to the conversation. On one hand, you have those who fully embrace and even proselytize the decentralized tech as revolutionary. These beliefs are built on foundational principles like ownership, player autonomy, and decentralization—none of which should be objectionable and all of which are (in my opinion) a net positive for players. However, the overwhelming majority of traditional gamers have been hesitant to embrace this new path forward. A sizable number will even go out of their way to disparage and obstruct progress however they can. Nonetheless, I believe that the Overton window has shifted this week, and we're seeing our first glimpse of what mass adoption looks like for the Web3 gaming industry. So, what's changed?

Our Teenage Identity Crisis

In my opinion, Web3 gaming has spent the last few years working through a stage of life we're all likely familiar with—the teenage identity crisis. As early adopters of blockchain in gaming, we've been responsible for deciding how we present ourselves and what we stand for as we look to enter the 'real world' of the mass market. In these early years, that testing has taken place largely within the digital hallways of a sheltered enthusiasm bubble. Here, we have been free to experiment with how to best capitalize on this new freedom and opportunity that blockchain provides.

As we move from teenage experimentation to life in the real world, two distinct archetypes have formed. On one side are the Nerds, those 'here for the tech' with a passion for leveraging blockchain to genuinely enhance gaming for its players. Their approach, which I've previously termed the 'Game with Web3' strategy, centers on building an engaging game where blockchain elements are smoothly integrated to enhance gameplay and ensure genuine digital ownership. The objective is to avoid overburdening the core mechanics or exploiting the technology, instead focusing on creating real, ownable value for players.

Opposite them stand the Degens, reminiscent of those kids sneaking away to get 'high on the fumes' of crypto under the bleachers. They chase quick, speculative gains, often ignoring the sustainable applications of blockchain in favor of immediate boom-or-bust opportunities. Their strategy, which I've termed 'Web3 with a Game,' treats the blockchain as the main attraction, with the game serving mostly as a veneer to add legitimacy and intrigue. This approach leverages blockchain primarily as a marketing tool, targeting hyper-speculative interests while sacrificing the quality, depth, and sustainability of the ecosystem for a flashier front-end offer. Degens will tell you they value ‘ponzinomics’ and consider getting rugged a right of passage. I fully support a free market, but gamers deserve better.

The Problem with 'Web3 with a Game'

While it might initially seem thrilling to hang with the Degens and sneak off for a quick sesh, it's no secret that the real world demands more substance. As the teenage years wane and the realities of adulthood set in, a more balanced approach becomes necessary. What was once considered cool in high school can quickly become childish in the real world—a kind of Peter Pan syndrome. The mass market understands this principle: not all that glitters is gold, and it's wise to see past the shine to recognize when something is too good to be true. Unfortunately, everyday players initially saw Web3 gaming adopting this Degen approach. This cast a lingering shadow over the entirety of Web3 gaming, making it seem like the notorious 'Make Money Online' niche—full of promises but short on real value.

Consider dropshipping as a parallel example; initially appealing as a fast track to wealth with minimal effort, it has largely been debunked as an unrealistic grift. Are there winners? Certainly. But most profits in dropshipping are not from selling products, but from gurus peddling their strategies in 'idiot's guides' on YouTube. The field has more self-proclaimed experts than genuine success stories, and the average person, seeing through this veil, understands it's not a viable path forward, no matter how simple and guaranteed the latest video tries to make it seem. What began as a promising opportunity has been so misrepresented for exploitative reasons that it has become the butt of the joke. The real world is tough and unforgiving, leading people to develop a keen bullshit detector. It's no wonder that 'Web3 with a Game' has been as maligned by the gaming community as it has.

It Pays To Be A Nerd: Off The Grid

So, where does that leave us? For some time, I've been vocal in my belief that for our industry to be accepted in the mass market, we must embrace our inner Nerd and pursue the 'Game with Web3' approach. This strategy, which KOMPETE has diligently aimed to embody, has never been the path of least resistance within the safe confines of the 'enthusiasm bubble.' Despite this, we've remained true to our identity, and with the recent rollout of Off The Grid, it has become evident that it truly pays to be a Nerd.

This past week marked the beginning of Off The Grid’s mainstream introduction, and there's no doubt it's captured the attention of the broader gaming community—including the Web3 Degens. In my opinion, the game's early breakthrough success has hinged on its steadfast commitment to the 'Game with Web3' philosophy. If you look at their game itself, it's obvious they've put a high priority on creating a quality product. They've found creative ways to integrate blockchain while simultaneously emphasizing that it's an optional feature, not the main focus of the product. Their marketing and branding, much like KOMPETE's, adhere to this Nerd identity, emphasizing the underlying game experience that the average gamer finds most important. This isn't an endorsement of their long-term potential, but the initial traction should be celebrated.

As a result of their 'Game with Web3' strategy Off The Grid has secured endorsements and streaming partnerships with industry giants like Ninja and TimTheTatman, who had previously steered clear of Web3 games that pursued a more Degen identity. This has led to millions of views across streaming platforms and additional promotions by major players like Epic Games, along with successful listings on consoles like PlayStation and Xbox. Most notably, TimTheTatman has made significant efforts to engage with viewers about the game's Web3 features, such as the marketplace, making a case for their potential value to those who are interested. His endorsement serves as a powerful signal to the gaming world that this new technology deserves reconsideration when it's done right.

Final Thoughts

It's clear we're hitting a major turning point in Web3 gaming, sparked by the breakout success of Off the Grid and our own traction with KOMPETE and traditional gamers. This isn't just about blockchain anymore—it's about making better gaming experiences for everyone by using this new tech for the right reasons. It's a validation for us Nerds, proving that deep, thoughtful integration of blockchain can enrich gameplay—a stark contrast to the quick-fix tactics favored by the Degens of the scene.

This week, Off the Grid capitalized on our industry's first serious opportunity. It demonstrated to the gaming world that this tech adds valuable depth to gameplay, far beyond just being a hype gimmick. By maturing our approach, we've evolved from niche appeal to mainstream potential, demonstrating that player-centric games are redefining success in our industry. It's an exciting time: the question is no longer if 'Game with Web3' works—it's about recognizing the new standards it has set and exploring how far we can take it.

In the last few years we have seen Influencoor tier lists explode in popularity, becoming the go-to format to rank games and stir the pot. They are remarkably effective at attracting attention by pitting projects against each other in a public 'show trial' that sparks debate and keeps their audiences engaged. Tier lists rely on broad, overly-simple categories to boil down the admittedly overwhelming gamefi market into something more digestible for viewers. They can offer a snapshot of the current meta, highlight what’s gaining momentum, and provide guidance for players who want to know which games are considered 'the best' at a given time. They’re entertaining, easily shareable, and a fast way to gain visibility in a crowded market.

However, tier lists have their weaknesses. Without clear, defined metrics, they struggle to capture the true depth and complexity of evaluating where games actually stand in relation to one another. Influencers are forced to evaluate a large number of projects based on short-sighted criteria, focusing on what’s easily visible rather than the deeper potential for long-term success. The focus tends to be on things like pre-development fundraising rounds, how many influencers have been onboarded to push hype-cycle marketing, or the inclusion of unsustainable economic mechanisms that generate short-term excitement (even if they predictably lead to disaster later on). This type of evaluation misses out on the games that are focused on longer-term, sustainable growth. Games that don't invest in making immediate waves can be overlooked, even if they are laying the groundwork to ultimately be most successful.

The best games — the ones that create the most real, lasting value in their ecosystem — are those that draw people in and foster a community with shared values and identity. Degens should understand this, as it's the primary driver of value for the meme market (yes, that's a reality we live in LOL). But the mass market of gamers aren’t Degens, so you must appeal to something deeper than 'pumpamentals,' or you risk missing the forest for the trees. Tier lists, by their nature, aren’t built to capture these early signs of genuine cultural formation at the ground level. To truly understand the value proposition of what KOMPETE is creating, influencers would need to immerse themselves in our day-to-day and experience these deeper connections firsthand. This is the foundation that sustains a game far beyond the momentary buzz of a tier list ranking.

Edmund's Sticker Tier List: A Window into Real Gaming Culture

Recently, one of our very own kings of KOMPETE culture, Edmund, jokingly proposed a tier list... for stickers. At first glance, it may have seemed lighthearted, but to me, it struck a deeper chord. If tier lists are supposed to represent the most promising opportunities, perhaps they should focus on what truly matters: culture. Edmund’s sticker tier list, even as a joke, revealed something vital — the presence of real gaming culture emerging within KOMPETE.

So, what do I mean when I say KOMPETE is building culture? It’s the creation of a shared sense of identity, values, and community within KOMPETE—something deeper than just the mechanics or the design of the game itself. It’s about fostering an environment where players feel connected to the game on a personal level, engaging with it beyond just the surface gameplay, and building their own stories and meanings around the items, experiences, and interactions they have.

This kind of culture is incredibly valuable. It transforms a game from being a transient source of entertainment into a community where players belong. Culture, in this sense, creates an emotional connection between players and the game that endures even when trends shift. This deep bond fosters loyalty, creativity, and more meaningful engagement with the game. It is the 'secret sauce' that will carry KOMPETE through the inevitable market shifts and beyond, ultimately allowing us to transcend into a self-driven ecosystem — one that unlocks unlimited potential and blazes its own path forward, untethered by the current meta.

How KOMPETE Builds Culture and Why It Matters

At KOMPETE, building culture isn’t something that happens by accident — it’s always been intentional. From the start, we’ve worked to foster real connections within our community. It’s not just about the game itself but about the shared experiences that players create together. Whether it’s through our tournaments with custom player card mementos, the legendary early-day duck races, our monthly 'State of the Game' and AMAs, or the tight-knit community chats, everything we do is designed to nurture a deeper connection between players and the game.

It doesn’t stop there for us, though. To double down on the social value, we take the culture that emerges from our community and inject it back into the game. A great example is how we honor influential members with custom stickers. Players like Hash, Samurai, Knight, Maverick, and Goose have been 'immortalized' in our game lore forever through stickers we've released. The 'Toxic Can' and 'Cope Harder' pill bottle stickers, as another example, are lighthearted nods to an early community argument, turning a tense moment into an inside joke. Our 'Founding Fathers' outfit will forever represent the deepest level of commitment as a KOMPETITOR, and we intend to ensure that always carries undeniable significance. These items reflect our commitment to embedding the community’s identity into the game itself.

Another way we build culture is through the universal challenge of our extended grinds and the exclusive rewards that come with completing them. In KOMPETE, there are no paid shortcuts — if you want the glory, you have to put in the work or make a trade at the Bazaar. Take GOAT Fame status, for example — the items earned after these long efforts carry universal value. Every player understands the dedication it takes to achieve GOAT status, and those who own these reward items, whether they’ve earned them or bought them, are recognized as top dogs in our ecosystem. Flash these items in-game, and you’ve instantly signaled that you’re a true OG. Our upcoming Kollection rank will push this concept even further, gamifying KOMPETE culture and giving players an even deeper way to showcase their ownership and stake in the community.

To close, I’ll say this: Tier lists have their value, and there’s certainly a time and place for climbing them through traditional metrics. But the foundation of any truly successful game is built on culture and community. When a game jumps straight to money and hype without first putting in the hard work to build its cultural foundation, it sets up expectations that are impossible to meet because the groundwork for lasting success simply isn’t there. Building culture takes time and dedication; it’s what allows a game to thrive not just within Web3, but in the broader gaming market. Without that foundation, no amount of marketing or influencer backing will be enough. This month's 'S Tier' ranking is meaningless next month, and especially a year down the road. At KOMPETE, we know that culture is what truly matters, and that’s why it’s our top priority.

Well, it's hilarious – and maybe true – and I've got to admit I feel a little called out. When I'm not knee-deep in KOMPETE, I end up deep down the rabbit holes of history pretty often. A few days back, predictably enough, that hole led me straight to ancient Rome. As I was learning the story of the 'Praetorian Guard,' something clicked. My mind jumped to the current landscape of web3 gaming – specifically, to our dear influencoors. Weird, huh? Actually, I don't think it's so strange after all.

They say history repeats itself, so let me break it down for you…

'The Guard' was an elite squad of the ancient Roman army, established by Emperor Augustus around the turn of the era. At first, these guys were just glorified bodyguards for the Imperial family, tasked to lead out front and cover the flanks. They were remarkably effective, as you'd expect. And, when you've got a good thing, more is always better, right?

Soon enough, they were doing everything from playing spy games to cracking down on uprisings in order to keep Rome more civil. They started to build up a lot more 'utility' than was initially intended for their role. These dudes were a real force to be reckoned with, and they certainly learned to flex their muscles.

Now, here's the kicker – and this is crucial for where I'm going with this – while they were tasked with protecting the Emperor, it was ultimately supposed to be in service to the Roman people. Sounds noble, right? Well, not exactly… because it didn't shake out that way.

As their influence grew, so did their egos. It turns out that when you're in proximity to power you usually end up developing a taste for it. They learned to start taking more self-serving liberties. Eventually, this led everyone down the road to chaos, with The Guard stepping way outside their now murky role and attempting to call the shots. In case you're not enough of a man to understand what that means in Ancient Rome, it meant they murdered the Emperors they deemed unfit. And when I say "unfit" I really mean "not serving our interests." They overreached bigly and ended up as the jury, the judge, and the executioner.

This whole arrangement didn't end well for anyone. The Guard, the Imperials, and most of all the people ultimately suffered badly. It turns out that in Rome – and I'd argue in Web3 gaming too – power has a nasty potential to corrupt, and people will seek it out if left unchecked.

But here's the thing… Just as the meme suggests, we're drawn to history. Why? I'd argue it's because we're looking for the wisdom our ancestors already paid for in blood and treasure. In my opinion, the lesson of The Praetorian Guard is crystal clear. If it's 'real gainz' we are after in Web3 gaming, we're better off when everyone sticks to the roles where we provide the most value.

At the risk of it not being obvious, I should clarify a few distinctions in my analogy. Our Web3 Influencoors are autonomous – there's no Imperial oversight, and they can do what they want. Taking it a step further, I don't believe Influencoors owe games anything beyond standard respect. However, just like the Praetorian Guard, I do believe they have a moral obligation to the communities they've built trust with and are supposed to serve. In fact, I think the responsibility that comes with their influence cannot be overstated.

In their proper role, I'd argue that web3 gaming influencoors are among the most important contributors to our collective success. Here are some of the things they do so effectively:

• Organize and amplify: The best ones share, promote, and even help create gaming experiences in an authentic way that brings players together and creates culture.

• Educate: They introduce newcomers to complex web3 concepts, lowering barriers to entry and building trust. But it's not just about normies – they also keep the OGs in the loop, tracking the latest developments and trends for everyone in the community.

• Save time: By acting as authority figures and doing research, they showcase the best options for their community.

• Provide feedback: Using their reach, they serve as strong advocates for their community.

This isn't meant to be a comprehensive list. The point is that there's tremendous value for everyone – both Games and Gamers – in having Influencoors who can amplify the signal and help drown out the noise. They deserve our gratitude, respect, and even our money for these services. Just like 'The Guard', however, they're exposed to great power in their role, and like any of us, have the potential to use it badly if left unchecked.

At their worst, influencers can be a huge liability, capable of causing significant damage to both their trusting followers and the games they cover. Here are a few ways some have acted unethically:

• Promoting unrealistic returns or "get-rich-quick" opportunities to capture more attention.

• Getting their audiences "high on the fumes" by repeatedly suggesting unrealistic results are normal or expected.

• Requiring increasingly out-of-touch payments in return for baseline objectivity.

• Gatekeeping their audiences unless they've been incentivized (and prioritized) above that same audience in advance.

• Advocating for Games to take actions that are unambiguously not legal, either through ignorance or malice.

• Misrepresenting game development realities by speaking with authority on technical topics without understanding the complexities involved.

Now, I want to be clear that these criticisms genuinely aren't meant to disrespect anyone who's put themselves out there in good faith to create content and build a business. Anyone in the ring trying to build an honest brand is someone I highly respect. It's not easy. I think the line between what is 'fair play' and what should be universally looked down on is pretty easy to distinguish. If you're reading this as an Influencoor, I'm sure you know where you stand and we're probably even friends. :)

So, what's the sweet spot? When are Influencoors at their very best? After all, we saw The Guard take on a range of liberties beyond basic protection, and for a while along that spectrum, everyone was better for it. In my opinion, Influencoors (and projects) should aim to create and contribute to culture as their north star. It's what truly connects people at a deeper level, and I believe it's the lynchpin that will take Web3 gaming to the next level. And no, I don't mean the degenerate culture we saw in the second list of bad behavior. To grow, we'll need to promote ideas and experiences that are palatable outside the siloed walls of Crypto Twitter (X) and have a more universal appeal.

What's cool is that we're already seeing some excellent examples of Web3 culture starting to flourish:

• Gamers like Brycent, Spike, Stache, YinNGMI, Gaspode and more are creating genuinely impressive game-focused communities that have appeal even beyond Web3.

• Pudgy Penguins has expanded beyond the digital realm of NFTs by making a line of widely-loved children's toys, now available in stores like Target.

• Karate Kombat has built an entire real-life fight league on top of their blockchain project. Influencoors duke it out in the ring against each other. Special shoutout to Paisan for being KOMPETE's first sponsored Influencoor fighter!

As we navigate the evolving landscape of Web3 gaming, the parallels with the Praetorian Guard serve as both a cautionary tale and a blueprint for success. Just as the Guard's role expanded beyond mere protection, our Influencoors have the potential to shape the future of this industry as they define it on the front lines. The key lies in striking a balance – leveraging their influence to create authentic value, foster inclusive communities, and promote sustainable growth, all while resisting the corrupting allure of unchecked power. Ultimately, it's up to all of us to hold this standard by supporting the Influencoors that are doing the hard work and pushing back on the ones that deserve it.

By learning from history and focusing on culture creation, we can ensure that Web3 gaming evolves into a thriving industry that benefits not just a select few, but all participants. After all, isn't that the real promise of Web3?

It's up to us – developers, gamers, and yes, Influencoors – to make it a reality.

We're still early in the process, so I don't want to imply anything mentioned here is final or coming next month. A lot could (and probably will) change before Kollection goes live. From there, it'll continue to evolve.

That being said, I think what's most exciting about Kollection is what it represents: a 'grind of all grinds' to become the best KOMPETITOR - whether that's as a player, trader, or both. It's a chance to forge your KOMPETE legacy through your documented history with the game's relics, each carrying a fragment of our shared story. Your rank is measured by how deeply you've woven yourself into the fabric of KOMPETE's culture.

To preview some of these ideas, I had Claude interview me about Kollection using the documentation we've created so far. Here's the conversation:

Where did the concept for Kollection come from and why do you believe it's important for the KOMPETE ecosystem?

It's been fascinating to see certain items get released into our game economy and take on a life of their own with our players. Stuff like the 'Mad Sus Bro' and 'Trash Can' Stickers, obviously the Founding Fathers Outfit, and the Magma Series (among many others) have all come to represent something deeper than surface level. These game items mean something more to players, and it goes beyond the obvious utility of being able to use them in-game.

It's because those items are all tangible pieces of KOMPETE's history. Their lore tells the story of KOMPETE’s evolution through the details of how and when they were released. Many of the items were only obtained by way of a long, sustained grind. After the 100+ hours needed to earn the reward, players have made friends, hit headshots, and had fun. There’s hard work embedded right into those game items. The ‘street cred’ that comes from owning these items is born out of the shared experience of seeing your XP bar tick up one game at a time. The scarcity is the point.

As a result, we've seen players work hard to build out their collections. Some maintain spreadsheets to track game items. We’ve seen guys go find old players who have moved on and paid them good money for otherwise lost items like the Race Champion Jerseys. It’s clear everyone has their ‘grail’ pieces, regardless of if they were earned or scooped up on the secondary market. Naturally, there's a real demand for wanting 'the full picture' of everything that's ever been released. The way I see it, a player's history with these items reveals their accomplishments as a KOMPETITOR, whether that be on Mahzookoo, at the Bazaar, or both.

I wanted to find a way to gamify the collecting experience and give players a way to show it off. Players take pride in having exclusive items, full sets, or the entire ticket or fame seasons. The challenge is that, regardless of how you've built your collection... you still only get to wear one outfit at a time. When I was trading Pokémon cards, it was the full binder that mattered most. 

Kollection tracks your ownership history within our game economy and gives you a rank so that you can see how you stack up compared to everyone else. Those common, more basic rewards you thought nobody cared about because they're not super flashy? Think again. Inherently, every item in our game economy now has a brand new depth of value. Everything you own, or don’t own, contributes to your score. That's really important.

How does Kollection translate a player's history and achievements into something tangible and visible to others?

I think it’s most impactful and clear if your Kollection is boiled down into a level, which for now we’ll call your Swag Score Rank. The name isn't final, but the concept is what's important. I’d love to see that number follow you around in our ecosystem. We're not settled on how or where it’ll be displayed yet, but it should be prominent and easy for all to see.

Tentatively there are 50 levels, along with a special ranking for the top 25 overall. We’re not going to reveal the specifics of how that score is calculated, but generally it'll revolve around your ownership history with everything we've released. Have you owned it before? Did you earn it? Do you currently hold it? Did you acquire it on the Bazaar (vs another marketplace)? Those will all likely have an influence on your individual score for a particular item. The more scarce the item, the heavier it’ll be weighted.

We want to reward the players who have put in the effort to get their hands on the most rare stuff. The sum of all your item scores gives you a raw Swag Score. That swag score is distributed across percentiles to assign your Rank. Stuff like the Founding Fathers Outfit or your KOMPETE Token holdings will also provide an additional bonus directly to your raw Swag Score.  

For players, the plan is that you’ll be able to access Kollection on our website. Players can filter through and see the whole history of our game economy… the ticket rewards, the fame rewards, Divine items, etc. It should be easy to see where points are being earned, and what's still left to Kollect.

How do you think Kollection will impact player behavior and the overall marketplace dynamics in KOMPETE?

Everything has a brand new depth of value, not only to the person that earned it or holds it, but to everyone else too. Before, the value was more so 'in the eye of the beholder' than it will be with Kollection, where the scarcity in-and-of-itself has direct, measurable value regardless of what you think of the design. People should look at the items with a new meaning. When I was trading Pokemon cards, the obvious goal was to catch them ALL. Not just the ones I liked the most.

On a broader level, I think players will have a new way to feel like they are 'progressing' and it's maybe the deepest, most meaningful grind we have in KOMPETE. It's a grind of grinds. There are many paths to glory.

How might Kollection encourage more active participation in the marketplace and holding of KOMPETE Tokens?

Our onchain economy gives us a unique opportunity - and responsibility - to provide players with an experience that fully capitalizes on its potential. We're in a unique position to do this because we have access to offchain supply and ownership data that reduces friction (uncertainty) and creates a deeper connection to the items. With the Bazaar, our goal is to share this information transparently, offering the best possible trading experience for all.

The more traction we see on the Bazaar, the more efficiently our market operates. This is fundamental to our success. But we also need to recognize that being onchain means our players can trade anywhere. So, our challenge is to incentivize the use of KOMPETE Token and encourage trading on the Bazaar over other marketplaces. We're aiming to gain as much traction 'at home' as possible, while still respecting player choice. Players who choose our marketplace contribute to this momentum, and we believe they should be rewarded for actions that benefit the ecosystem.

KOMPETE Tokens are the liquid expression of value in our game economy. By holding them, you're positively impacting our ecosystem. It's not the same as holding game items, but it's still an equally important form of ownership - and in my opinion, it should be rewarded. The same goes for making trades on the Bazaar. Choosing to use our marketplace for buying game items helps us consolidate volume and improve the experience for everyone. Again, actions that positively impact our ecosystem as a whole should be rewarded.

This is where Kollection comes in. If Kollection is meant to reflect your history with our game economy, that score should capture the totality of your engagement. It should recognize not just the items you've collected, but also your KOMPETE Token holdings and your trading activity on the Bazaar. By incorporating these elements into the Kollection score, we create a powerful incentive for players to participate more actively in our marketplace and hold onto their KOMPETE Tokens.

Are there any plans to reward players more ‘tangibly’ for their Swag Score Ranking?

I'll just leave it at the slightest tease for now. We'd love to find a way to complete the loop and reward players for their relative success in 'playing KOMPETE' - whether that's by amassing an epic Kollection through dedicated gameplay or dominating the market as a savvy trader. I think it would be huge for our ecosystem if we can pull it off. Our focus is always on what's best for our players because that's how we all win.

As players and potential investors read about Kollection, what's the main takeaway? How do you see Kollection shaping the future of KOMPETE and potentially influencing the broader gaming industry?

Investment in gaming isn't new - it's as old as gaming itself. Since Tetris, players have been pouring time and money into reaching top levels, having the coolest stuff, and flexing high scores on friends. Billions of gamers get the deep value of in-game achievements and assets.

Gamefi's big revolution? It lets players extract, own, and trade that value way easier. The idea's not new, but traditional payment systems made it a pain for everyone, and inaccessible to many. This new decentralized tech is leveling the playing field globally, making it more unified, accessible, and fair for gamers everywhere.

We've seen how game and cultural assets blow up globally - just look at Pokémon and sports cards. People are hardwired to collect, and Kollection taps right into that human urge to 'have them all.' The new, decentralized experiences that really catch on are going to explode in my opinion, the efficiency in these new digital marketplaces is orders of magnitude higher than what we've seen before.

Kollection offers a unique opportunity to bridge the worlds of trading and playing. It recognizes that these are often the same people at different phases of their life, with different skills, interests, and available time. Both traders and players will collect and value the same set of game items, which collectively tell the 'lore' or story of KOMPETE.

This system creates flexibility: you can grind the game to earn items for free, or leverage your real-world earnings to build your Kollection through the Bazaar. It's essentially the gamification of a game economy, allowing players to establish status in a measurable, flexible way within KOMPETE.

In the real world, value is largely driven by the desire to 'climb the ladder' and build status among peers. Kollection offers gamers a deeper way to participate in this fundamental human drive. Whether through time spent playing or trading, your hard work is recognized for all to see.

This concept has already taken off in various aspects of life - from cars to art, from Pokémon to baseball cards. Bringing a game economy onchain is the next logical iteration. It's in our name: KOMPETE. Humans love to see who comes out on top, and Kollection gives both players and traders a fresh battleground.

My hope is that Kollection isn't just reshaping KOMPETE's future; it's redefining how we view value and achievement in gaming as a whole. We're creating a gaming experience that's more immersive, rewarding, and interconnected - one that speaks to our core desires and provides the purest expression of what it means to KOMPETE.