After Baiduโ€™s financial blockchain lab released the blockchain pet Cryptodoggies (่Žฑ่Œจ็‹—), Netease also launched a similar product โ€œLucky Cat (ๆ‹›่ดข็Œซ).โ€ Now, Xiaomi seems to have to use the same form of blockchain layout. It is reported that Xiaomiโ€™s blockchain product is called โ€œCryptorabbit (ๅŠ ๅฏ†ๅ…”)โ€ and is currently being tested, Chinese media iFeng is reporting. Xiaomi chose a rabbit since their mascot, โ€œMitu (็ฑณๅ…”, meaning Rice Rabbit),โ€ is a rabbit.

According to the โ€œUser Services Agreement,โ€ Cryptorabbit is a digital pet service provided by Xiaomi based on the blockchain and feed on digital grain โ€œrice grain (็ฑณ็ฒ’)โ€ in the game.

CryptoRabbits (Image Credit: TechNode China)

Crypto-collectibles show the potential of future gaming because, unlike traditional games, which focus on recreational entertainment, it is highly opportunistic and attracts players into the game. With blockchain technology, the platform guarantees that every pet is unique in the world, cannot be copied and cannot be destroyed.

Cryptokitties was the first digital game based on Ethereum blockchain technology launched by a Vancouver-based innovation studio and attracted a lot of attention from users and reached a valuation of tens of millions of dollars (in Chinese). Showing the huge market potential and profitability of digital pets, this grabbed the attention of Chinese startups started crypto pet bandwagon, including cryptodoggies and crypto alpacas (ๅŠ ๅฏ†็พŠ้ฉผ).

Those who join these crypto pet bandwagon should be cautious not to step the domestic policy red line, however. Netease launched โ€œLucky Cat(ๆ‹›่ดข็Œซ)โ€, taking its name from the figurine cat usually found at the entrance of shops. After a period of internal beta testing, it still hasnโ€™t been released to the public.  Some analysts pointed out that this is maybe because Lucky Cat supports digital currency payment, touching the domestic policy red line.

Eva Yoo is Shanghai-based tech writer. Reach her at evayoo@ovau.ip-ddns.com

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