Q&A: Find Out More About This AIP That Aims To Add $Ape As A Payment Option In The 'Meta Merge' Game

There is an Ape Improvement Proposal on the ballot this week that asks the ApeCoin community whether they would like $Ape to be included as a payment option in the Ultiverse’s mobile game, Meta Merge.

AIP-280 titled “Exploring New Frontiers: Bring ApeCoin ($Ape) into the Mobile Gaming World,” is a brand decision proposal written by ApeCoin DAO Contributor, Jimbol.

“By integrating ApeCoin into the game, $Ape becomes another in-game asset in Meta Merge for new holders and game players to enjoy gamified experiences based on real-world utility,” Jimbol wrote. “We aim to reinforce and leverage ApeCoin and its ecosystem by creating new user experiences through the power of the game. Thus, this integration will provide an ecosystem where players can utilize APE tokens within the game, alongside the other benefits they know APE tokens for.”

The Meta Merge game is part of the Ultiverse, a gaming network. In Meta Merge, users collect pets that they can train to fight enemies.

“Meta Merge is an ideal game to expand the ApeCoin ecosystem and bring more value to ApeCoin holders,” Jimbol wrote. “It is light, easy to spread, and fun with a sustainable economy.”

Adding $Ape as a currency option in Meta Merge will not cost the DAO anything and Jimbol estimates that $Ape could be used in the game by September 2023, according to the proposal.

To find out more about Meta Merge and why the Ultiverse wants to add $Ape into its game’s ecosystem, the Bored Ape Gazette reached out to Jimbol for an interview. Check it out below:

1.In a sentence or two can you sum up what your AIP is all about?

“In simple terms, the proposal aims to enable the first mobile game incubated by @Ultiverse to support Ape Coin as a payment method. This proposal only requires authorization from the DAO and involves no costs. The Metamerge team will handle the smart contract deployment and, most importantly, carry out advertising through Web2 channels, leveraging their experience of reaching 20M-100M daily active users (DAU). The goal is to increase external traffic and raise awareness about APECOIN. Additionally, as the game is licensed under both my Ape and Ultiverse's NFT ElectricSheep IP, we hope this collaboration model can serve as a reference for future endeavors. This allows game developers and project owners to explore the combined use of NFT IP and Ape Coin to create more diverse use cases.”

2. Can you tell me a bit about the Meta Merge game? How and where can people play it?

“Meta Merge is mini metaverse that combines AIGC, NFTs, DeFi, and gaming. Users will collect and train their pets to create their own storylines and participate in thrilling PVE/PVP battles. Pets are creatures in the Meta Merge world, and users can summon, capture, and upgrade their NFT pets through various in-game methods. Higher-level pets will possess stronger abilities to thrive in the game and can also increase earnings. People will soon be able to download Meta Merge from both iOS and Android platforms. The game follows a free-to-play model with a play-to-own mechanism. This means that while there is a traditional version accessible without any crypto-related knowledge, certain features will be unlocked by owning NFTs.”

3. What made you want to write this proposal?

“I am an Ape and also an ApeCoin holder. From every angle, I am hoping to see the DAO succeed. Before writing this proposal, I dedicated a significant amount of time to studying our previous AIPs, aiming to understand and align with the DAO's mission while considering the desires of our community. I also focused on addressing practical considerations and communicating in a way that is easily understandable to everyone. In our journey, taking action rather than relying solely on words is crucial. We need to make more attempts to push the DAO forward and make progress. One common mistake is assuming that everyone shares the same understanding of the costs involved in achieving our goals. Explaining and educating about fair costs can be challenging, especially as market conditions fluctuate. What may seem cheap during a bull market might appear expensive in a bear market. Unlike in the real world, in the DAO, there is no option to return something we dislike afterward. When requesting funds from the DAO, it means that the DAO assumes the risk, and the community will assess whether the expenditure is worthwhile and yields the expected return on investment (ROI). Therefore, I have decided not to ask for any funds from the DAO, even though there are costs involved in accomplishing the AIP. I perceive the DAO's brand and the value of the community extending beyond ApeCoin itself. There are various methods and opportunities for projects to contribute to the DAO's growth and benefit. Our aim is to quickly provide a lasting contribution that allows the community to assess its merits. I believe that Meta Merge is a perfect fit for these principles. Ultimately, success or failure remains uncertain. Nevertheless, we are willing to invest the necessary resources, take risks, embark on this experimental journey, and wholeheartedly support this AIP.”

4. Why do you want to adopt $Ape as a payment option?

“By adopting $Ape as a payment option, Metamerge can strengthen its integration not only with the Apecoin community but also with other communities that hold a significant amount of $Ape, such as the Mocaverse community. This integration allows community members who hold $Ape to directly utilize their tokens within the Metamerge ecosystem, fostering engagement and loyalty. This direct utility for $Ape holders can also potentially enhance the token's liquidity and create additional demand in the market, resulting in an improved overall user experience. Moreover, it opens up opportunities to attract new users who are interested in using $Ape for transactions, thereby expanding the user base for Metamerge and ApecoinDAO. This exposure and marketing strategy not only increase brand visibility but also raise awareness among traditional casual game gamers and crypto enthusiasts, inspiring them with similar attempts and possibilities.”

5. Where do you see Meta Merge and $Ape a year from now?

“One year from now, I hope to see Ape Coin emerge as the center of the Web3 economy, driving further innovation, content creation, and utility that contribute to a positive feedback loop and facilitate the growth of the community within the DAO. In the case of Metamerge, my aspiration is for our gamers to actively participate in the journey, not only as players but also as contributors who help shape the narrative and direction of the game.”

6. Do you have anything else you’d like to add or say?

“Apecoin DAO is structured to be community-driven, where the possibilities are boundless through the power of imagination. There is no better way to explore and discover what interests us the most and how to align with the mission than actively participating in it. My personal journey of proposing AIPs within the DAO has been immensely enjoyable, surpassing my initial expectations. From the ideation stages to engaging with the community and explaining the perspective behind AIP280, the iterative discussions have been valuable in assessing what will work and what may not. Witnessing these conversations, I have learned a great deal, both through my own proposed AIP and interactions with fellow peers. It is evident how deeply our members care about the DAO. With that being said, this path is not without its challenges, and there is much work to be done. Nevertheless, I take immense pride in being able to be part to this journey.”

The window to vote on AIP-280 is currently open and $Apes have until tomorrow night at 9 P.M. EST to cast their coins!

ApeCoin DAO Contributors can read Jimbol’s full proposal here: https://forum.apecoin.com/t/aip-280-exploring-new-frontiers-bring-apecoin-ape-into-the-mobile-gaming-world/13556

The Bored Ape Gazette will continue to follow AIP-280 and will let you know how the community votes tomorrow night. Stay tuned for updates!