{"id":3716,"date":"2023-02-13T22:47:45","date_gmt":"2023-02-13T22:47:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/02\/13\/heres-what-really-happened-with-digidaigakus-controversial-super-bowl-ad\/"},"modified":"2023-02-13T22:47:45","modified_gmt":"2023-02-13T22:47:45","slug":"heres-what-really-happened-with-digidaigakus-controversial-super-bowl-ad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nft.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/02\/13\/heres-what-really-happened-with-digidaigakus-controversial-super-bowl-ad\/","title":{"rendered":"Here’s What Really Happened With DigiDaigaku\u2019s Controversial Super Bowl Ad"},"content":{"rendered":"

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NFTs didn\u2019t take over this year\u2019s Super Bowl like they did in 2022<\/a>. But perhaps this was to be expected, considering the NFT space only recently began to emerge from a market lull<\/a>. Despite a lack of blockchain-centric ads featured during the big game, NFTs still had a presence \u2014 and one that went far beyond Reddit\u2019s highly successful collectible avatar collaboration<\/a> with the NFL.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re talking about DigiDaigaku<\/a>, of course. An NFT-powered game created by Web3 startup Limit Break<\/a>, DigiDaigaku made waves as one of the only Web3-leaning commercials to air during the Super Bowl. Although the project garnered mass attention, it mustered a mixed bag of reactions, sending many in the NFT space reeling and ultimately resulting in controversy.<\/p>\n

The DigiDaigaku NFT Super Bowl commercial<\/h2>\n

According to a press release shared with nft now, the DigiDaigaku commercial was meant to inspire \u201cthe largest minting event ever.\u201d Those who viewed the ad would be prompted to scan a code allowing them to mint one of 10,000 free collectibles. But that\u2019s not exactly what happened. <\/p>\n

In short, the commercial suffered from poor execution. While the content itself<\/a> \u2014 which featured 3D animated protagonists going wild for a QR code for the better part of 30 seconds \u2014 may have left a bit to be desired, the prominent fixture within the ad (i.e., the QR code) was flawed. For many, the code didn\u2019t direct them to mint an NFT but to the Twitter profile of Limit Break\u2019s CEO and Co-Founder,\u00a0Gabriel Leydon<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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I dropped everything to watch the Super Bowl for a 30 second ad that was supposed to bring generational wealth from a free mint and all I got was the opportunity to follow a Mfer on Twitter \ud83d\ude2d<\/p>\n

\u2014 ThreadGuy \ud83d\udc51 (@notthreadguy) February 13, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

With a large banner that read \u201cfollow to win\u201d set as Leydon\u2019s Twitter header, many believed that the commercial and QR code were a form of high-level (and expensive) engagement farming. But apparently, that wasn\u2019t the case. Instead, it was an unfortunate result of the DigiDaigaku website redirecting to Leydon\u2019s Twitter account after the site failed to load. A significant hiccup for an ad reportedly costing $6.5 million<\/a>. <\/p>\n

NFT Super Bowl commercial aftermath<\/h2>\n

Shortly after airing, it became apparent that the commercial was only a part of a quickly developing DigiDaigaku debacle. Apart from Leydon tweeting the ad<\/a> and mint link before the commercial actually aired, users noticed that the NFT claim itself was only accessible to those who had an Ethereum wallet \u2014 meaning that the majority of the millions of people watching the SuperBowl likely would not be able to claim.<\/p>\n

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Dude really paid millions on a Super Bowl ad to leak the link on twitter first and rug the mass public of their first NFT experience \ud83d\udc80<\/p>\n

This could have been massive if it was a super easy onboarding process with no wallet creation etc.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Popeye (@PopeyesNFTs) February 13, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

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How are @gabrielleydon<\/a> and @DigiDaigaku<\/a> onboarding ’21 million viewers’ if people need a Web3 wallet in the first place?<\/p>\n

I dont get why this is not just a Web2 claim with a transfer to Web3 (and explain users how to install metamask etc)?<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n

\u2014 WolfsRain.eth (@ItsWolfsRain) February 12, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

As many took to Twitter to comment on the missed opportunity<\/a> to potentially onboard enthusiasts into the NFT space, it became clear that DigiDaigaku was not the guiding light it could\u2019ve been. While some collectors were<\/em> able to claim the digital collectibles and made off with a successful quick flip of 0.5 ETH ($700 at the time) or more, floor prices began to drop and currently sit at 0.288 ETH. Before the game was over, Leydon announced a second-chance mint<\/a> featuring another 5,000 of the free unrevealed NFT Dragon Eggs<\/a>, but only time will tell what\u2019s next for the project. <\/p>\n

Regardless of the public sentiment, Leydon sees the commercial as a success. During a DigiCult Twitter space<\/a> after the game, he responded to the detractors, saying, \u201cI don\u2019t know what they were expecting, but Digi did exactly what we said it was going to do.\u201d Further, concerning accusations of engagement farming, Leydon noted he was simply doing what made financial sense. \u201cWhat was I supposed to do?\u201d he asked. \u201cWe spent seven million dollars, and after 4k minted, I\u2019m supposed to say thanks for stopping by? No, I\u2019m going to use that money for engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n

It remains to be seen how Limit Break and DigiDaigaku will move forward from the poorly-received launch. But perhaps, similar to other hyped NFT drops<\/a> of the past, they will remain a reminder of the potentially toxic effects of falling short of expectations while operating under a microscope.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n