With a promise of DeFi to break the chains of traditional finance, GameFi, the synergy between gaming and finance, promises to perform the transformations of the gaming space. In fact, GameFi is reckoned to be the future of gaming: integrating both video-gaming elements and digital collectibles of NFTs, GameFi also stands at the threshold of Metaverse: the virtual environment that holds the promise of the total submersion of gamers in the fantasy world. Combined with the lucrative earning possibilities on top, it’s no wonder that GameFi is attractive for gamers and investors alike; further, facilitating the Web3 model of decentralised internet space already put blockchain-based games in one line with the most front-edge innovations of the new decade. Consolidating its position among Gen Z users, GameFi is rivalling the dominance of old-school online gaming, threatening to debunk its value proposition devoid of any tangible benefits and instead, replace it with reward- and incentive-driven decentralised games.

As a strong proponent of the Engage-and-Earn philosophy, Taunt Battleworld turns into UFC of Metaverse by combining gaming and viewing into one experience. This mechanism allows players to effortlessly earn in-game currency while simply watching events or interacting with the community.  Driven by the talented team of experienced professionals from Amazon, EA Games, IGT and THQ, Taunt Battleworld has created an ecosystem 

The idea has already been endorsed by venture capital funds like Polygon Studios, Genblock Capital and Shima Capital. 

Taunt Battleworld has recently announced major events in Q1 2023. 

In addition to a fixed supply of 25,000 Genesis Acolyte Warriors NFTs, Taunt Battleworld has several commitments from the world’s top combat sports athletes to be playable characters in the game. The "Black Magic" Collection will be available on leading marketplace Magic Eden on January 14th and will feature rare playable characters such as Floyd Mayweather Jr, Cris Cyborg, and Andy Ruiz Jr. In addition to these world champions, the collection will also include a selection of other warriors, totaling 1,000 pieces. You can learn more about the collection here. 

The incoming release of $TAUNT is planned for late Q1 2023. Confirmed launchpads include BSCpad, Wepad, and Spores. Stay up to date on the latest with $TAUNT here. $TAUNT will power all in-game utility for Taunt Battleworld and the Taunt Live platform. 

In addition to the launch of the Black Magic Collection, players can also earn free airdropped tokens by voting for $TAUNT to be a community-based launch on the DAO Maker launchpad from January 10th through 17th. $TAUNT will be used for in-game utility and to power the Taunt Live platform. Players can cast their votes and earn their free tokens here. 

Ahead of this wildly-anticipated event, I reached out to the CEO of Taunt Battleworld to discuss the impact blockchain may create in the gaming world.

Hi, thanks for joining me for an interview. First things first – how did you arrive at the idea of Taunt Battleworld NFT fighting game? 

Taunt Battleworld was created at the convergence of three rapidly expanding sectors that we are extremely enthusiastic about: Web3, gaming, and live entertainment. We believe that these fields have a significant potential to engage with consumers in innovative and unique ways. The Covid pandemic played a crucial role in our consideration of how Web3 could change entertainment. As we, like many others, found ourselves with a lot of free time during the early months of the pandemic, we saw several trends emerge. First, there was a high demand for live entertainment and sports, highlighting the value of in-person experiences. Second, gaming emerged as a popular outlet and demonstrated its potential as the future of entertainment. Finally, the concept of digital ownership through Web3 and NFTs gained traction, with more people recognizing the value of their digital assets and their transferability.

What is the mission of Taunt Battleworld? How does it align with GameFi industry values - and in what sense it takes a step further?

Taunt Battleworld introduces "engage-and-earn," a new way of playing that rewards participants in real-time through various mechanics, such as play, watch, and predict. Play allows players to own NFT fighters and enter them into simulated fights, with skilled players having a higher chance of winning. Watch rewards viewers with in-game currency for watching fight streams and being a part of the Taunt community. Predict allows spectators to predict the outcomes of simulated fights and win in-game currency for free. Turnt Gaming's engage and earn model makes it accessible for players of all levels, from whales looking for rare warriors to new Web3 users with no investment.

GameFi is said to be yet an unstable ground, primarily due to the lack of enforced regulations. What’s your perspective on that? 

It is true that the field of GameFi, which embodies the intersection of gaming and finance, is still relatively new and unregulated. Some people may view this as instability, as there are currently no established guidelines for how this space should operate. However, others may see this lack of regulation as an opportunity for innovation and growth. It is important for companies operating in the GameFi space to prioritize ethical and transparent practices, even in the absence of specific regulations. It will also be important for industry stakeholders to work with regulatory bodies to establish appropriate guidelines and protections for users as the GameFi space continues to evolve.

There’s a broad network of partners who already gave their approval to Taunt Battleworld. Could you please tell us how they contribute to the success of your project? 

Having a broad network of partners is an important factor in the success of any project, and Taunt Battleworld is no exception. Our partners bring a range of expertise and resources to the table, and their support helps us to achieve our goals and objectives. We are excited to share these partners with the world over the next few months. Our first major partner was announced in November, as we were named as #1 of the first 7 gaming launch partners on Magic Eden. 

To my knowledge, there are 25,000 NFT collectibles by Taunt Battleworld to be distributed during the upcoming Token Genesis Event. How do those differ in features and rarity? 

There will only be 25,000 Acolytes ever created, with each of the five races being represented by 5,000 warriors. These warriors offer the lifeblood of the game and Contenders who hold will be rewarded by the Old Gods with exclusive tournaments, multipliers on rewards, and other unique ways. Each has a distinct fighting style and moveset. It’s up to the user to figure all of that out to really set a winning strategy in the long term. 

Please, tell us more about the benefits of Genesis Skull Pass. How does it bring value on a long-term horizon? 

The Genesis Skull Pass is the exclusive founders pass for Taunt Battleworld and will always have value within the ecosystem. Only 2,500 of these passes will ever be created. If you missed the opportunity to obtain a Genesis Skull Pass during our Blood Money: Genesis event in March 2022, you can still buy one on the secondary market. Stay tuned for some exciting details. 

Generally speaking, how do you estimate the scale of the impact of blockchain technology within the gaming industry? 

It is difficult to estimate the exact scale of impact that blockchain technology will have on the gaming industry, as it is still a relatively new and rapidly evolving field. However, it is clear that blockchain technology has the potential to disrupt and revolutionize many aspects of the gaming industry, from in-game economies and virtual asset ownership, to the way games are developed and distributed. Overall, the impact of blockchain technology on the gaming industry is likely to be significant, but it is difficult to predict exactly how it will unfold. It will be important for companies and individuals in the gaming industry to stay up-to-date with developments in blockchain technology and consider how they can leverage it to create value for their customers and stakeholders.

From your perspective, what are the trends that will dominate blockchain gaming in the years to come? How is Taunt Battleworld planning to embrace that? 

Some experts predict that blockchain technology could enable new business models for the gaming industry. Blockchain technology could also create new opportunities for developers to monetize their games and for players to own and trade virtual assets. I believe this is very important as user acquisition is becoming increasingly difficult across the board. Blockchain will allow really smart people to find value for gamers. 

Finally, what are some other essential dates Taunt Battleworld users should keep an eye on? 

Black Magic Collection mint on 1/14/23. Dao Maker vote and airdrop through 1/17/23.  $TAUNT release in Q1. It is shaping up to be a huge start to the year.