#231: RTFKT's New Mobile App

PLUS: 🎟️ Free tickets to Doodles x CAMP in Chicago and a web3 marketing resource

Ahoy folks! I’m back from my friend’s bachelor party and I’m riding the struggle bus, mainly because I came down with a cold. However, this bus line is still running and the next stop is today’s piece.

RTFKT’s Cryptokicks iRL app

This morning, Zaptio (one of the founders of RTFKT) posted that updates were coming to the Cryptokicks iRL app along with a screen recording of the app’s home screen intro video.

The first second of the recorded video showed the Apple App Store listing and then the app intro video, making me piece together a few clues that were lying around this whole time.

Although it was mentioned before, this was the first I heard of the app being live, so I was intrigued and proceeded to download the app.

Cryptokicks iRL, the app

The mobile app is available to download on iOS and Android. Based on the Google Play app listing, it seems that the app was released on August 24th, so this app is only ~2 weeks old. This also provides more context to Zaptio’s above post of “Update coming soon”.

What can we gather from the app so far?

• The app connects to a user’s Cryptokicks, with the first compatible model being the iRL

• Cryptokicks iRL are autolacing (a feature that first appeared on the Nike Air Mags in 2016), so the app has features that help maximize the autolacing feature

• There are only 5,993 pairs of Cryptokicks iRL, which is considered rare in terms of sneak supply. These sneakers were minted and forged in a similar multistep fashion similar to the RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1’s.

• There are 4 main sections of the app

  • My Fits: Pair your sneakers to your account and customize autolacing and preset adjustments (eg: an ‘active’ preset will have a tighter preset vs. ‘walking’)

  • Lights: There are various ‘light packs’, or lighting customizations for the iRL

  • Explore: This section includes news about New Drops, RTFKT News, and upcoming features

  • Inventory: View all your RTFKT NFTs

The app makes sense as a companion to the sneaker’s autolacing and lighting features, but the upcoming features section had a sneak peek that made it clear the app has a lot more in store:

The timing of the app launch and incoming updates complements last week’s announcement that the Cryptokicks iRL will begin shipping this week.

Quests

This isn’t the first we’ve heard about iRL Quests. Seeing the app released and Quests as an upcoming feature in the app hits differently though.

• Move to Earn / iRL Quests were announced in the initial Cryptokicks iRL announcement in December 2022

• The first Quest seems to focuses on steps and movement, which makes sense

• The first Quest seems to only be available for iRL holders

When it comes to promoting physical activity, step counters and apps like Sweatcoin and STEPN do a great job as a tool and motivator. Cryptokicks takes this to the next level with specific physical goods that allow users to qualify for the quests. Where could this go next?

• Quests can extend beyond steps: They could be associated with attending events, visiting retail locations, or pairing the Cryptokicks with other NFC-embedded items, such as RTFKT merch. I specifically called this out in August 2022, and it looks increasingly likely this could happen.

• Quests can be public or holder-specific: For example, there could be a quest with a holder tier and a non-holder tier, or a quest for holders of specific item.

• A user’s inventory can result in additional benefits for Quests: Access to specific quests, early access, a bonus multiplier, etc.

What’s next for Cryptokicks and the app?

The RTFKT WM (World Merging) chip is the key to linking the digital and physical in the RTFKT ecosystem. The chip is in all the RTFKT models that have been recently released:

• RTFKT Cryptokicks iRL: Forged December 2022, shipping September 2023

• RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1’s: Forged May 2023, shipping October 2023

• RTFKT x Nike Dunk Genesis Cryptokicks: Forging TBD, shipping TBD

RTFKT x Nike Dunk Genesis Cryptokicks prototype

These 3 sneaker models will likely be eligible to participate in the app’s Quests and other features, starting with the iRL.

Different sneaker lines

Based on the massive sample size of 3, it’s possible that there are two sneaker product lines:

• RTFKT x Nike: A collaboration between RTFKT and Nike, with a reimagined interpretation from the RTFKT team. We see this with the Air Force 1’s and the Nike Dunk Genesis. For the newer folks, RTFKT is owned by Nike.

• RTFKT: The brand’s own line of sneakers that they’ve developed. The iRL does have some similarities to the Adapt BB 2.0 though.

Maybe I’m reading into this a little too much lol. If I’m wrong, the Air Force 1’s and Nike Dunk Genesis are a marketing play as those models are some of the most recognizable sneakers under the Nike portfolio, while the iRLs are a rebranding play of sorts for Nike’s autolacing line. The last update for the Nike Adapt app was over a year ago, so that would make sense. Better product market fit with an emerging tech audience with move to earn + quest integration too 🤔

Additionally, it’s notable that the Nike Dunk is called Genesis, suggesting that there will be more releases of the reimagined Dunk in the future.

.SWOOSH integration

It’s possible there could be some cross-pollination between the growing .SWOOSH and the virtually established RTFKT ecosystems. It would be an additional for Nike fans who are used to Nike physical products to understand how virtual products can provide utility beyond just being a digital collectible.

I’ll report back when I receive my Cryptokicks iRL, hopefully soon. In hindsight, I wish I ordered more than one pair 😢

Anyone in Chicago?

As a Doodles holder, I have a few free tickets to the Doodles x CAMP experience in Chicago. DM or reply to this e-mail if you’re local! Priority will be given to Premium subscribers and friend.tech key holders.

You and your kids could be here!

A collection of 100+ web3 marketing talks

Last week, I came across a great Web3 marketing resource, THE MKTDAO's Best Web3 Marketing Talks.

The Airtable contains 100+ free videos and sessions curated from 30+ conferences, most of them from the past couple years.

The talks are broken down into the following categories: Advertising, Analytics, Brand, Community, DAO, Marketing, Growth Marketing, Influencers, NFTs, and PR.

Shoutout to Paul Martin for putting this together. This is a great start to the community you’re building.

I now have a nearly endless list of videos to watch in the evenings and weekends. They’ll have to compete with football and college football (and F1, Welcome to Wrexham, and Curb Your Enthusiasm) though 😅

See you Thursday!