About CloneX
Do you want to take your NFT avatar with you wherever you go? If Yes, then CloneX is the perfect NFT collection. This portable NFT set was created by RTFKT (pronounced ‘artifact’), the creators of virtual sneakers and collectibles. These NFTs were created by RTFKT in collaboration with the well-known Japanese artist Takashi Murakami to bring his iconic designs to these limited avatars. These avatars have special properties such as eyes, mouths, and clothes that are defined on the blockchain.
CloneX was also created in collaboration with renowned 3D digital and electronic art and software company Daz 3D. Using Daz 3D’s PFP Utility Kit, RTFKT Studios has been able to create such a diverse collection. One of the most eagerly anticipated NFT projects before its launch, CloneX continues to be a hot NFT collection still now. These NFTs were sold out through a Dutch Auction, where the price goes down until all are sold out. In the public sale, each buyer was allowed to purchase 3 avatars per wallet.
This community-focused project is all about quality featuring high-end avatars that are well equipped for the metaverse. There are a total of 20,000 NFT avatars that were released in mid-November, divided between the presale and public sale. The avatars were generated at random with their traits and attribute only revealed after the sale.
These CloneX NFTs are metaverse ready as the team has built a Clone.meta vault to give you access to 3D files to use across platforms. There is also a dedicated clone inventory Clonex Wearables that allows its holders to customize the clones as they wish with unique wearables from RTFKT. CloneX NFTs also gives its owners special access to the RTFKT ecosystem as well as exclusive CloneX experiences.
The Story
The project defines its story as being driven by three extraterrestrials in a world located in the vicinity of the Draco galaxy, referred to as orbitar. Here, human characteristics and behaviors are cloned and implanted into metaverse clones to what it says is to “evolve humans into more complex beings.” Humans are no longer present in this advanced civilization in their organic form but represented by their digital clones or avatars capable of exploring the galaxy in search of new habitats. They further “plan to transfer all human consciousness into advanced clone forms to create the ultimate Metaverse. RTFKT defines this project as one of its “most ambitious” ones yet that is the beginning of an entire ecosystem for its community.
Founded in January 2020 by three friends, RTFKT uses NFT, blockchain authentication, augmented reality, and the latest in-game engines to create one-of-a-kind sneakers and digital artifacts. The studio started the project with sneakers because they are already a cultural collectible and are also the best item to merge gaming with streetwear, said co-founder Benoit Pagotto, in a Forbes interview late last year, during the public drop of the NFT project. Talking about the brand evolution, Pagotto said sneakers led them to fashion such as Metajacket and their Decentraland wearables. Then they created Forging events, where NFT owners can use their NFT to get unique physical sneakers or extra items. Now, they are moving into avatars.
The startup has built its brand on the metaverse, which they feel “allows for a new way for fashion brands to create not only fashion but a full living ecosystem.” In the virtual world, people aren’t restricted by the physical, legacy, and other barriers as in the real world. “Being able to create fashion pieces, and characters to wear them, and used as your identity in the metaverse, is a big new step for fashion brands of the future,” said Pagotto. In 2021, besides NFTs, metaverse was another big story with everyone jumping on the bandwagon. For RTFKT though, this is the start of a new era where the value of objects has shifted to digital possessions to “enjoy a more healthy and simple life in the real world.” Another reason for betting on metaverse is that it is the natural evolution from playing video games, collecting items, and creating friendships. Not to mention, there is “a real shift of power toward the creators.”
Major Development: Facebook Acquisition
In May 2021, RTFKT raised $8 million in a seed funding round led by VC giant Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). Ledger, Dapper Labs CEO Roham Gharegozlou, Mike Novogratz’s Galaxy Digital, Hong Kong billionaire Adrian Cheng’s C Ventures, Shrug Capital, NFT artist Fewocious, Genie founder Akash Nigam and several others also participated in the round.
At the time, RTFKT Studios said that it plans to use the capital to build an NFT marketplace, invest in projects, and scale its team to “push the NFT ecosystem forward and help shape the future of fashion and commerce in the metaverse.”
Before CloneX NFTs, RTFKT made history by selling the NFTs of digital sneakers in collaboration with artist Fewocious. The sale netted over $3 million in less than 7 minutes.
For its physical shoes, RTFKT utilized imagery from other NFT projects, including Bored Ape Yacht Club and CryptoPunks.
But this wasn’t all for RTFKT. In December 2021, Nike acquired RTFTK for an undisclosed sum. “This is a unique opportunity to build the RTFKT brand and we are excited to benefit from Nike’s foundational strength and expertise to build the communities we love,” RTFKT said Pagotto in a statement.
Following the announcement, secondary sales of CloneX NFTs shot through the roof as investors rushed in, sending the floor price of the collection to 6 ETH, up from 3 ETH before the news was made public.
Nike’s metaverse play has long been speculated on, as the company filed multiple patent requests in October for “downloadable virtual goods” bearing its trademark Jordan and Swoosh logos.
As brands and companies prepare for metaverse, apparel brand Nike also jumped on this bandwagon by acquiring RTFKT Studios which President and CEO John Donahoe said; “accelerates Nike’s digital transformation and allows us to serve athletes and creators at the confluence of sport, creative, gaming, and culture.”
Already tech giants like Facebook have invested billions of dollars into the metaverse and rebranded to Meta. Recently, Apple CEO Tim Cook, who is a cryptocurrency owner, also said that the company sees “a lot of potential” in the metaverse and is investing in the technology.
Google is another giant trying to capture this virtual reality, which Goldman Sachs has predicted to be an $8 trillion opportunity on the back of the fact that the digital economy today is already roughly 20%-25% of the global economy.
Google, however, isn’t only looking at metaverse but also blockchain. “It’s such an interesting and powerful technology with broad applications,” said CEO Sundar Pichai. Google Cloud meanwhile has launched a new enterprise focusing on blockchain applications and exploring the possibility of enabling its customers to make payments using crypto.
The Roadmap
As we covered above, RTFKT aims to make the metaverse readily available to its users. For this, they have built a Clone.meta vault to give you access to 3D files of the avatars to use them across platforms.
It is in the 3D vault, where you get live 3D file updates for your clone to use on the metaverse. Formats available to download include .blend .obj .fbx .MA, glb, and Unreal Engine.
RTFKT also offers Forging events, where one can forge unique physical collectibles created from your clone. If you own an NFT that the startup is planning a physical redemption for, you can claim its physical item through the forging events. To claim the item in real life, you have to first create an RTFKT account and then link it to your Metamask or Bitski wallet. Your wallet must contain the NFT that you would like to forge and once the event is live, just follow the steps to select your sizes and input your shipping address.
Your NFT is the key to the forging process, and each NFT gets you one physical item. According to RTFKT’s official website, they will be doing multiple such events. The upcoming forging event is called Space Drip, for which 18 artists will come together.
There is also Clonex Wearables, which is basically a dedicated Clone inventory where you get new collection drops as well. You can customize your clones as you wish with unique wearables from creators and RTFKT.
Owning a CloneX NFT also provides you with special access to the RTFKT ecosystem.
There are space pods as well where you can show off your NFTs and hang out with other CloneX NFT owners. Powered by OnCyber, space pods are exclusive to Clone X owners.
In an interview, when asked what to expect from RTFKT in 2022, co-founder Pagotto said, “If there’s one thing we’ve built with this brand, it’s to always expect the unexpected from us.”
How to Purchase a CloneX NFT?
The popularity of CloneX has its floor price at 14.4 ETH, the lowest price at which it is currently available for sale, up from 0.05 ETH, the price point for the RTFKT pre-sale, and 3 ETH starting price for Dutch auction.
At the time of its sale, RTFKT Studios had to pause the minting to be resumed the next day due to “too many attacks.” Then as the sale resumed, it quickly sold out.
Now, with the hype surrounding NFTs on an uptrend ever since last year and not showing any signs of slowing down, you might be tempted to own some colorful NFTs as well. So, if you want to get your hands on CloneX NFTs, you have to buy them on the secondary market.
These NFT avatars are currently available for sale on the most popular NFT marketplace OpenSea. To buy CloneX on this platform, you just have to go to the OpenSea website, search for the NFT and either buy it directly or make an offer.
Now you have to connect your wallet. OpenSea supports several wallets such as Metamask, Coinbase Wallet, WalletConnect, Kaikas, Bitski, Trust, and others. Once the wallet is connected, you would see information regarding your purchase and the estimated gas fees and transaction processing time. Make sure you have enough funds to cover the gas fees, which depend on the network activity.
Once you have hit confirm, your transaction will process, and you will have your NFT in a matter of a few seconds, which you can see in your collection.
Final Word
Profile Picture (PFP) NFTs are the hottest trend in the NFT space, and RTFKT’s CloneX collection is currently trending, pulling a lot of attention, transaction volume, and funds. The fact that it can be used across multiple platforms and is metaverse ready speaks a lot about its potential.
By providing special access to its NFT owners and connecting it with the real world with physical items, CloneX can see a lot of appeal. It also offers many benefits through updates and the ecosystem RTFKT is building long-term around them. And as its co-founder, Pagotto said, “having a Clone will definitely be a flex.”
