- NFT project Pudgy Penguins has unveiled physical toys featuring figures in the collection
- The toys are available in Walmart stores across the United States
- The toys offer access to a virtual world known as Pudgy World
NFT project Pudgy Penguins is looking to increase the collection’s adoption with the release of physical toys featuring figures in the collection. The toys are available in Walmart stores across the United States, with each toy acting as a pass to the collection’s digital world Pudgy World. Their availability in 2,000 Walmart stores is the project’s second attempt to link the collectibles with the virtual world after offering them online in May, an indication of web3 brands’ commitment to take virtual items to the physical world.
Transforming the Toy Industry
According to Walmart’s merchandising VP Brittany Smith, the move is meant to link the two worlds in an engaging way. Pudgy Penguins CEO Luca Netz added that the decision to launch physical Pudgy Penguin toys is part of the project’s mission to transform the toy industry.
The toys have QR codes that link them to Pudgy World and which reveal a toy’s unique characteristics. The project disclosed that holders of virtual collectibles from the collections will “receive licensing royalties for each corresponding toy that is sold.”
When unveiling the Pudgy Toys and Pudgy World in May, the project revealed that the virtual world is meant to give “the non-NFT public their very first blockchain wallet” and other blockchain-based assets consequently onboarding them to the web3 space.
Here’s the twist. Every toy comes with a digital experience linked to https://t.co/sGm5cqcjTh.
Pudgy World is an experience that gives the non-NFT public their very first blockchain wallet, Soulbound NFT, and Tradeable NFTs, all in one simple sign up with an email address. pic.twitter.com/kvQ0WlO5CT
— Pudgy Penguins (@pudgypenguins) May 18, 2023
Pudgy Penguins Aren’t Alone
Pudgy Penguins’ move follows similar actions by other web3 projects looking to take their creations beyond the virtual world and vice versa. Cool Cats NFT creator, for example, recently announced that the collection’s prominent figure will participate in this year’s Macey’s Thanksgiving Parade.
Art Blocks and Bright Moments are also working to link digital collectibles with real-word objects. Traditional firms looking to connect the physical with the virtual include Nike, Adidas and Louis Vuitton.
Although it’s still in its infancy, Pudgy Penguins’ move is likely to influence other popular NFT projects to unveil physical products.
