Originally aired on September 22, 2023
In this episode of the Edge of NFT podcast, the hosts interview David Goldberg, one of the co-founders of Swoops, a revolutionary basketball simulation game in the Web3 space. David discusses how Swoops integrates NFTs and blockchain technology to redefine ownership involvement in virtual basketball. He shares the journey of Swoops, from its inception to its current season, highlighting the importance of community engagement and the evolution of the platform based on user feedback. David also provides insights into the future roadmap for Swoops, including plans to expand the game to include different roles and create a more traditional sports league experience.
Web3 Fantasy Basketball Game SWOOPS welcomes next season with free-to-play option
- Swoops is a Web3 basketball simulation game that incorporates NFTs and blockchain technology.
- The game focuses on providing a fun and engaging experience, giving players the opportunity to own, manage, and coach their own virtual basketball teams.
- Swoops has seen success and engagement from its growing community, with user retention increasing by 250% between the first and second season.
Swoops’ Open IP and Branding Initiatives
- Swoops allows players to create unique team names and player backgrounds, fostering creativity and community engagement.
- The platform provides the tools for players to develop their own team identities, including logos, jerseys, and color palettes.
- Swoops’ community has shown great creativity in designing logos and creating team identities, with some teams even securing sponsorships.
Implementing Free-to-Play Mechanics
- Swoops is introducing a free-to-play option to allow new players to experience the game without needing to purchase NFTs initially.
- Players will be given off-chain players to use in the game, and after a week of playtime, they have the option to upgrade to on-chain players, granting them true ownership.
- This new mechanic aims to lower the barrier to entry for new players and help them gradually dive deeper into the game.
David’s Insights on the Current State and Future of Web3
- David believes that the Web3 space is in a bear market phase, with a need to refocus on building long-term, scalable solutions rather than chasing short-term financial gains.
- He sees the future of Web3 innovation coming from infrastructure and underlying technology, unlocking countless possibilities for new companies and projects.
- David anticipates another one or two quarters of market cleanup before a potential bull run, where real builders and innovators will shine.
Swoops’ Contribution to Changing the Landscape of Web3 Gaming
- Swoops is redefining the concept of utility in blockchain gaming by focusing on providing an immersive and enjoyable gaming experience.
- The platform allows players to participate in league-like structures, with different roles such as owners, GMs, and trainers, mirroring a traditional sports franchise.
- David envisions Swoops becoming a scalable digital sports platform that appeals to a wide range of players and creates a real community and league environment.
Swoops Co-Founder Shoutout and Well Wishes
- David Goldberg gives a shoutout to Manish Sinha, the CEO of Swoops, who has been instrumental in managing the engineering team and building the amazing features of Swoops.
- Manish is currently recovering from a motorcycle accident, and David and the entire Swoops family send him best wishes for a speedy recovery.
00:00 – Introduction: What is SWOOPS?
01:38 – Who is David Goldberg? (And the Outer Edge Travelers!)
04:00 – Swoops’ humble beginnings: David’s inspiration for the game
07:07 – Learnings from the past 7 months and what to expect next
12:53 – SWOOPS Free-to-Play: Bringing the game to all with No Strings Attached!
26:52 – Edge Quick Hitters: Get to learn more about David Goldberg
35:53 – Hot Topics: Howl.xyz & Fair.xyz; Gala Games’ Mystery Boxes and the Recur shutdown
49:34 – SWOOPS Giveaway (LAST CHANCE to Join Before it Ends!!)
50:17 – Eathan Janney’s journey with the Edge of AI as Richard Carthon steps into the Edge of NFT as a
David Goldberg is the Co-founder of SWOOPS and a founding partner at Alpaca VC, an early-stage venture capital firm
Visit David and the SWOOPS team here:
https://app.playswoops.com/gm
https://www.twitch.tv/playswoops
Helpful Links:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/hom…
https://blog.gala.games/unwrap-the-fu…
https://cryptonews.net/news/nft/21465…
