In a recent press release, legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk announced he had partnered with the Sandbox. The idea is to build the biggest virtual skatepark ever made in the Metaverse, ‘Tony Hawk LAND’. A Tony Hawk 3D avatar collection will accompany the skatepark.
The project is a 3-way partnership between The Sandbox, Tony Hawk Inc, and Autograph whom Tony has previously partnered.
Tony Hawk should need no introduction, both as a skateboarding legend (12 in a row World Skateboard Champion) and an entrepreneur. His video game, Tony Hawk Pro Skater, with sales of over $1.4 billion, attests to his entrepreneurial skills.
Tony Hawk LAND
They will construct the metaverse skatepark on a 6×6 parcel of Land in the Sandbox, thus the moniker, ‘The largest virtual skatepark ever made’. As part of the in-game functionality, gamers will be given the tools to create their ramp and skating challenges and unlock digital gear.
In the PR, Tony Hawk states his reason for his latest venture into Web3,
“I have been a fan of new technology all of my life – from the first video games and home computers with CGI capabilities – so I am fascinated by the Metaverse, and excited to bring our culture into the virtual landscape of The Sandbox,”
The Sandbox to Host the Skatepark
The Sandbox, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, is a minecraftesque virtual world built on the Ethereum blockchain. Often, the gaming platform is described as part virtual real estate and a part amusement park in the Metaverse. It permits gamers to buy and build on virtual lands, and earn crypto via their gaming experience.
The Sandbox sees Tony Hawk as a perfect partner to add to the over 300 projects, including Snoop Dogg, on the platform.
Sebastian Borget COO, and co-founder of Sandbox, stated, “We share his passion for innovation, creativity, and the drive to constantly create something: this is the energy that powers our entertainment metaverse. There’s no better way to bring skateboarding culture to The Sandbox.”
As part of the partnership, The Sandbox will make any NFTs and digital gear interoperable in the Sandbox Metaverse. They will turn the accompanying 3D avatar NFTs into 3D voxel versions. According to the press release, the “3D voxel versions that have in-game functionality for experiences, adding utility and value for their owners.”
Tony Hawk 3D Avatars by Autograph
Tony Hawk has partnered with NFT platform Autograph in the past. Autograph is part-owned by Tom Brady and concentrates on NFT collections connected to famous sports stars, including Derek Jeter, Tiger Woods and Wayne Gretsky.
Autograph will design a collection of Tony Hawk 3D avatars, plus some of his most iconic skateboards, digital gear and clothes for use in the biggest skate park in the virtual world.
One NFT from the collection is sure to be coveted more than others, a digital replica of the skateboard he used in the 1999 X games. The moment is etched in skateboarding history as the first time anyone successfully landed a 900, one of skateboarding’s most difficult tricks.
Dillon Rosenblatt, co-founder and CEO at Autograph, stated that they were once again “thrilled to be working with Tony Hawk and the Sandbox”, to build unique virtual experiences in the Metaverse skatepark.
Afterthoughts
After his sustained success in computer video games, Tony wants to check the potential of blockchain games. Even in this crypto winter, who would doubt his chances of long-term success.
As always, if investing in NFTs, there is a chance of losing your investment. It is important to DYOR and keep abreast of the latest NFT news.
