Dogamí Academy hopes to break into mainstream gaming as the Web3 mobile dog racing game debuts on iOS and Android.
Paris, France-based Dogamí is backed by Ubisoft and Animoca Brands. And now it has debuted on the Google Play and iOS App Store, bringing the fun of canine competition to mainstream gamers worldwide.
The game saw success during its exclusive non-fungible token (NFT) holder early access phase, where 1,500 NFT holders completed over five million races in just four months.
Now the free-to-play edition of Dogamí Academy is now accessible to a broader audience. The game’s global release spans over 170 countries, and the company hopes to hit downloads above a million.
The company said the Dogamí Academy represents a fusion of dog-centered gameplay and blockchain technology. The early access period reached 1,500 players. With its 60-minute daily average playtime and a 21% Day 30 retention rate (compared to the industry’s 7% average), the game tested both content and monetization. Over 7% of players made in-game purchases, averaging $250.
The move to mainstream mobile gaming positions Dogamí Academy in a group of companies testing the app stores. Starting with NFL Rivals, both Apple and Google have allowed blockchain games onto their platforms so long as they have non-crypto payment options.
Dogamí Academy is a “Web 2.5” game in that you can play it as a normal free-to-play game, making purchases via fiat currency with in-app purchasing or opting to make Web3 purchases as preferred. The company says its complies with app store rules.
Adrien Magdelaine, cofounder of Dogamí Academy, said in an email to GamesBeat that the gameplay and experiences of NFT players and free-to-play gamers are the same. You can’t earn, buy or sell tokens directly in the app.
With a gameplay focus on dog management, Dogamí Academy is designed to target a broader audience, including women and families, setting it apart from traditional Web3 games that often struggle to appeal to mainstream users.
In addition to the store listings, Dogamí Academy is entering into strategic partnerships with gaming and canine influencers. Coupled with targeted user-acquisition campaigns, these collaborations are expected to drive downloads and attract audiences from the traditional Web2 gaming sphere.
Beyond immediate game development, DOGAMÍ Academy has ambitious plans to expand its brand and establish a strong gaming IP. Initiatives include merchandise, new issues of the Comic Book, a TV series, toys, and various other exciting ventures.
“We’re very pleased to see the launch of DOGAMÍ Academy, another major milestone for the team, and an exciting new experience for the DOGAMÍ community,” said Robby Yung, CEO at investor Animoca Brands, in a statement.
Mansoor Madhavji, partner at Blockchain Founders Fund, said in a statement, “Our mission is to propel Web3 into the mainstream by backing innovative ventures – DOGAMÍ is doing just that by pioneering Web3 gameplay on the iOS and Android app stores.”
Kristofer Penseyres, cofounder and chief business officer at Dogamí, said in a statement, “We are delighted to announce the launch f Dogamí Academy. The game, which is a demonstration that we can merge web2 and web3 technologies, seeks to redefine the way we play. Our goal? To continue to support the scalability of our game and to reach one million downloads within three months.”
The core product, Dogamí Academy, is a hybrid management mobile game available on iOS and Android app stores. Users can train their Dogamí, participate in mystical obstacle courses, and win $DOGA tokens in competitive PVP events. Dogamí is built on the Tezos and Polygon blockchains. It has a community of more than 200,000 gamers, and 24,000 NFTs sold.
The firm has 25 people and it has raised $14 million from Ubisoft, XAnge, Animoca Brands, The Sandbox co-founders, Blockchain Founders Fund and Tim Drapers’ DGH fund.
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