NFT Lately explores the intersection of art and innovation with PLAY! POP! GO! Founder Amber Park, alongside development partner from Clique, Jaden Yan

Can you tell me about yourself?

I am a multi-hyphenate creative thinker: a visual artist and a storyteller. Throughout the course of my career, I have worn many hats — from art director to designer. Then, to creative director to director, to creative producer. In all these different roles, I realized that the common thread was there was no box.

Growing up, I was always a bit of a dork. Consequently, I was quite shy. I had a bit of a chaotic, dysfunctional childhood. This resulted in my feeling like I did not belong anywhere. Luckily, I found my safe haven through creativity. Whether drawing or painting, I realized I am able to create my own fantasy worlds and stories. I started to process and free my own mind through these self-reflected moments that carried with me as an adult. Hence, art became my best friend.

Following this, as an adult, I found my voice and identity through a creative career. Now, I am proud about not fitting in. I realized that this next chapter of my life is focused and inspired by this intention to free the inner-child. I can show people how their greatest superpowers are their imagination. My imagination saved me and my imagination healed me.

How did PLAY! POP! GO!? form?

Ultimately, it is my imagination that took me to new experiences. They then opened new places and opportunities that I didn’t even know existed. This became the starting point for PLAY! POP! GO! and the brand’s core mission and ethos: “for the dreamers, realized with positive intention, grounded in gratitude. The power of your imagination can take you anywhere.”

PLAY! POP! GO! are fashion, techhnology and art NFTs, and what I like to call an imagination playground. At the core of the project is cartoon & entertainment. The brand’s ethos matches my own non-linear journey as a multi-hyphenate creative and not fitting in any boxes.

Our brand is multidimensional and thus we have built a multiverse in which various divisions of the project exist: (1) IRL Luxury Streetwear Fashion Label (2) Product & Merchandising (3) Web3 division: PLAY3 and (4) Entertainment & Media.

In our first phase, our fashion label and Web3 division, PLAY3, will be launching and leading our dynamic storytelling.

I am excited to also have my tech and development partner, Jaden from Clique joining me in this interview.

Please reveal what makes your project unique:

Art is subjective. I cannot say what others might consider “unique” about it, but I will say that this is a project and a story that comes from a place of love, and we hope through art and the world we are building, we can inspire other creators to keep dreaming. I am thankful to have the opportunity to even share this story and am so excited to see how others connect with our story.

What’s the inspiration behind your fashion and art NFTs?

Amber: Highlighting my roots as a Korean-American as well as being inspired by Hello Kitty and Sanrio, I wanted to dream up the next generation of Sanrio meets Bape. I wanted to create an innovative approach to an IP entertainment brand that meets pop culture and high-end streetwear. On the other hand, I think fashion plays such a key role in storytelling in pop culture ties into music and entertainment in so many exciting ways. These are two things that I am such a fan of and have been such a fan of since I was a kid.

The art is a combination of mixed mediums: kawaii anime meets hyper surreal cute 3D character design. Everything about PPG is about radiating light, kindness and color and is fueled by imagination.

The art NFTs and the integration of character PFPs and a digital closet for our fashion plays off of this culture of collector’s mentality that we have seen in the video gaming world, streetwear and sneaker worlds. Our goal is to create a community through the shared passion and shared joy of experiencing and co-creating a story and world that’s presented through digital collectibles, physical product and art.

How come some NFTs in your collection are rarer than others? What’s your key for customization?

Jaden: Each trait is designed and built personally, and rarities are based off of the quality and also intrinsic representative value of each of the traits. Some traits do represent physical items or future physical drops in PLAY! POP! GO! fashion and merchandise lines.

Through partnering with Chainlink and integrating VRF, we have also ensured fair distribution and randomness for every single trait. Reasons being, to prevent manipulation of rarer/more coveted traits.

Who are your project’s key partners that contribute the most toward success?

PLAY3 has partnered with various major players in the space, including Polygon (SBTs) and Chainlink (VRF).

We will be deploying SBTs and additional rewards to holders on Polygon, and making use of Chainlink technologies to ensure a fair distribution of trait rarities.

Amber: I am really excited to be partnering with Jaden Yan and the incredible Clique team on the technical development of PLAY! POP! GO! There was such an incredible synergy and magic when I met Jaden, and it’s been such an incredible journey working with someone who is like-minded and is always open to creative conversation and listening to all my crazy ideas and figuring out how we can build them out in our project’s interface. As a result, I am so excited with what we are building and constantly we – the PPG team – is trying to actively innovate and keep pushing boundaries.

Jaden: In terms of deeper integrations, we are developing together with Clique to build greater off-chain utilities for our holders through their Identity Oracles. Holder’s will be able to prove their loyalty to the PPG community, so to speak, based on social media engagement, purchasing of physical items,  attending real life events, and taking part in our future game ecosystem. These proofs of brand loyalty will come in the form of on-chain badges, metadata, and changing traits. They will then be translatable into off-chain rewards like early access, discounts and exclusive benefits.

If you have advice for anyone creating their own NFT project, what would it be?

Amber: Be yourself. Be bold. Tell your story. Web3 is an incredible platform that allows creators to be in the driver’s seat where their IP becomes their platform. Their dreams, their ideas, their art – is the core and ethos of their project. Be genuine. Be unapologetic, and focus on building your story and your art to really foster community. Your art and  your story should be the core of your project and then the storytelling becomes the threading that should guide the utility.

Jaden: Build something with real utility that your community can truly benefit from and enjoy being a part of!

How do you feel about the NFT industry this year?

Amber: I am truly excited. I think it’s an incredible time and there is this renaissance happening. I think people are excited and hungry for stories and to enter new worlds and experiences.

Jaden: We feel that the industry as a whole has become much more sophisticated. Buyers are much more aware of cash grabs and rugs pulls, meaning that only projects with true utility and an intention to grow the web3 space will be able to prosper.

We see this as a huge win for the space overall and are excited to be able to prove ourselves as one of the projects that can deliver true utility.

What do you think the Web3 space needs to see more of?

Amber: I think the space needs to see more free-thinkers who are disrupting and making noise because this is what the space is built for and how I see the potential of Web3 really creating new opportunities. I would love to see more POCs and females taking charge, amplifying their stories, and building communities. I think right now there is still an exploitation and marginalization of female creators that mimics what you see in Web2 and IRL. There are some incredibly brilliant females and especially young creators with such powerful stories who deserve the space and platform to really shine.

Additionally, I would love to see more projects really focused on how they can harness their digital utility to bridge back to making real impact and change IRL.

My personal opinion is that technology and innovation as well as the progress of human capability and mind are important. Both truly matter when used to make our physical present existences a better place. Moreover, with all the things we are seeing socially, economically and politically in our current world’s climate – we can be using art and technology to bring people together. This can help to make a real difference and impact to better the world we live in.

Jaden: Web3 is still in desperate need for experienced founders and builders who truly want to execute on projects that bring sustainable and tangible value to users.

The growth of projects with long-term vision will be the true driver of further web3 adoption.

What’s in the pipeline for and PLAY! POP! GO! in 2023?

Amber: We have a lot of very exciting things that we are building in our virtual ecosystem, but also a lot of IRL immersive activations planned throughout this year.

PPG Fashion is launching its first capsule in early March. It will be the first of several capsule collections releasing throughout the year that will seamlessly tie back to what we are building in our digital gaming experience. With our launch of our PFP collection in March, our story will begin and our roadmap will be released.

Jaden: Without revealing too much, we have plans to build out an engaging social experience. However, holders and users will be able to play mini-games together, chat, and also collect various collectibles — all of which will be based on our collabs with major Web2 artists and brands!

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NFT Lately chats with Cryptopreneurs NFTs on aiding Indian entrepreneurs for business expansion through valuable digital assets

Tell me about your NFT project:

Cryptopreneurs NFT is more than just a collectable asset. The digital assets are unique collection of 3333 NFTs with more than 200+ traits. They offer a platform and ecosystem where holders can network, collaborate, and work with like-minded individuals.

Moreover, the NFTs come with exclusive access to a community of smart, experienced, and highly collaborative people. Therefore, the team behind the proejct have to knowledge to provide a useful roadmap, and convenience to start a B2B or D2C brand.

What makes Cryptopreneurs NFTs stand out from competitors?

The NFT project is the next big thing for Indian entrepreneurs. It offers users a solution to some of the most significant challenges faced by those trying to start a business in India. Consequently, entrepreneurs can learn high-income skills, build businesses or portfolios around those skills. They can then monetarize them by offering B2B services to international clients.

Furthermore, the platform allows for communication with experienced individuals who can provide guidance on building a successful business.

Tell me more about the digital assets unique use cases:

Our NFT collection is the perfect solution for Indian entrepreneurs who are struggling to get their ideas off the ground. With access to a supportive community of like-minded individuals, entrepreneurs can network and collaborate to lay the foundation for long-term business growth.

Additionally, the platform offers the opportunity to learn high-income skills that can be monetized by offering B2B services. All services are also available in North America, Western European countries and Australia.

Can you tell me about your portal, Cryptosphere?

Cryptosphere is a portal that will take you into the Atmosphere of Entrepreneurs. Cryptosphere will be the exclusive community only for the HODLERS. Following on, it will be accessible only to the HODLERS who have at least one Cryptopreneurs NFT. Real business owners and coaches will come LIVE and tell you how they got started. This can help collectors of the NFTs avoid mistakes while starting their businesses.

These brilliant people will cover various skills. This includes business fundamentals, NFT and blockchain development, Stock trading and investing, Web2 and Web3 marketing, e-commerce, etc. The biggest flex of being in this community is the wealth created. Members can learn new skills by collaborating with other Cryptopreneurs.

Check out our whitepaper to dig into all the details.

Anything else you would like to add?

Cryptopreneurs NFT is a one-of-a-kind collection that provides tremendous value to entrepreneurs. With its exclusive platform and ecosystem, such NFTs offer a supportive community of individuals who can provide guidance and support. All skills go toward building successful businesses.

There will be only 3333 NFTs to ensure a super high demand and exponential ROI for our investors. This platform is poised to revolutionize the entrepreneurial landscape. It offers a solution to some of the most significant challenges faced by those trying to start a business.

So, if you are an Indian entrepreneur looking to build your dream business, Cryptopreneurs NFT is the solution for you.

Join the Cryptosphere and take your entrepreneurial journey to new heights!

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Zack Sabban, RLTY co-founder, talks to NFT Lately about what sets RLTY apart and how it creates immersive experiences.

At RLTY, we understand the challenges that brands and event organizers face when entering the web3 and building 3D immersive experiences in the metaverse. That’s why we have created a platform that simplifies the process of creating and launching 3D immersive experiences for businesses.

Our no-code platform offers a user-friendly back office. It enables brands and event organizers to build and manage customized spaces without the need for technical expertise. Additionally, our proprietary 3D virtual environment, RLTY World, enables captivating and entertaining events or permanent experiences for participants.

To ensure a seamless and user-friendly experience, we offer a suite of features and tools. They allow for easy integration with Web2 and Web3. Our platform enables the integration of regular e-commerce features but also cryptocurrency transactions and NFTs. This allows brands to create engaging experiences for their community by leveraging the best features of Web2 and Web3. Moreover, how they fit best with their brands DNA.

Our user-friendly back office allows brands and event organizers to track all the data and analytics of their virtual experience in real-time. It enables brands to gain valuable insights into their audience’s behaviour and preferences, which can help them make informed decisions about future events or experiences. The real-time analytics also enable brands to measure the success of their immersive experiences and make adjustments to optimize the user experience.

We have a unique approach to platform development that sets us apart from other metaverse platforms. We prioritize collaboration with our clients, co-constructing custom-built 3D immersive experiences. They allow us to create features that meet their specific needs and requirements.

Our platform features gating Emails/non-fungible tokens (NFTs), live streaming, Ready Player Me avatar integration, CRM and Analytics in-real time, website integration, geospatial voice chat, text chat, visio, typeform/quiz integration, live polls & gamification functionalities, among others… We also offer a back-office control panel that enables easy configuration of a space by multiple users. We also launch a page generator with countdown and email capture features.

Overall, our approach to development, combined with our unique features and infrastructure, sets RLTY apart from other metaverse platforms. It allows us to provide unparalleled customization and flexibility in the creation of 3D immersive experiences for businesses in the metaverse.

How does RLTY handle scalability and performance, especially during large-scale events like concerts and festivals?

We understand the importance of scalability and performance when it comes to hosting large-scale events like conferences, concerts or festivals. To ensure that our platform can handle high volumes of traffic, we use a distributed architecture that enables us to spin up new servers automatically as needed.

Each event is hosted on a dedicated server, providing high performance and stability. We also offer the ability to choose the location of the server, which can help reduce latency and ensure a smoother experience for participants.

To further optimize performance, we limit the number of users on each server to 128, with the ability to scale up to 50,000 users across multiple servers. This ensures that each user can enjoy a seamless experience without any lag or interruptions.

As a co-founder of RLTY, we believe that inclusivity and accessibility are crucial in the metaverse. That’s why we’ve made it a top priority to create a user-friendly platform. One that is welcoming to people of all backgrounds, geographical locations and abilities. To achieve such goals, we will offer various features such as accessibility tools, translation services, and customization options that allow participants to make their own experiences. Additionally, we strive to create a safe and respectful environment. We will do so by implementing community guidelines and moderation tools for the experience organizers. Our goal is to enable everyone to connect and engage in the metaverse without any barriers!

In less than a year, we have been lucky enough to create immersive experiences with renowned clients across a wide range of industries (Art, Fashion, Conference, Corporate, Music, Web3 Communities, etc..).

For example, we collaborate with Paris Blockchain Week, an annual conference that brings together industry experts, investors, and innovators in the blockchain space. RLTY provided a virtual space for the conference that allowed attendees to network, attend talks and panels, and participate in various activities like find a job in a virtual talent fair, discover 40+ prestigious sponsors and discuss with them through the virtual world, etc. We also facilitated a live NFT auction which happened simultaneously in person and in the RLTY virtual world.

We also worked with L’Oréal to help bring their famous Brandstorm competition to the metaverse, with Cristóbal Balenciaga during the Metaverse Fashion Week in Decentraland, with The Fabricant and World of Women NFT community, with La Clinique des Champs-Elysées for huge medical event, and many others Web2 and Web3 brands!

First and foremost, NFTs can be used to token gate an experience. This means that event organizers can monetize their 3D immersive experience by selling NFT tickets to access the virtual world. The can also sell NFTs in-world such as: collectibles, wearables, etc… NFTs can also be used to reward a community of fans or clients. The digital assets create unique utilities for their products as a means of accessing exclusive content. Additionally, NFTs can be used to represent virtual items or experiences within the metaverse. This allows for ownership and trading of unique digital assets. Overall, the use of NFTs in the RLTY metaverse benefits both event organizers and participants. It provides new opportunities for monetization and engagement.

At RLTY, we see a future where immersive 3D experiences are a key part of businesses’ engagement strategies. Our vision is to be the leading platform that enables brands and event organizers to bring their community together. That includes for social connection, commerce, and entertainment. Consequently, we believe that RLTY will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the metaverse. Reasons being, it’s a place where people can connect, create, explore, buy, trade and explore new possibilities in innovative ways.

In the coming year, RLTY plans to incorporate AI in the world generation process to create more unique and immersive 3D experiences for our clients and their communities. By utilizing AI, we can automate certain aspects of world generation while enhancing the level of detail and complexity in the virtual worlds we create, resulting in more engaging and memorable experiences for participants.

Additionally, we plan to make our metaverse a multi-device experience, allowing users to connect from a range of devices including mobile, tablet, desktop, and various VR hardwares such as the Meta Quest and upcoming Apple Reality Pro headset. We believe that these efforts will allow us to provide an even more immersive and accessible metaverse experience for all users.

Please leave us your socials so we can keep in the loop with your project:

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