Learn what is Clone X NFT project in this article. A set of high-end metaverse ready avatars designed by legendary Japanese artist Takashi Murakami.
The Clone X NFT collection is the product of an unlikely collaboration between RTFKT, a digital sneaker company recently purchased by Nike, and Takashi Murakami, a highly-respected contemporary Japanese artist.
According to RTFKT, Clone X is their most ambitious project so far. The avatars are high-end and a part of a rich ecosystem designed to take full advantage of the metaverse.
As you would expect from Takashi, the avatars are incredibly detailed, and RTFKT’s plans for the Clone x collection have made this project one of the most anticipated NFT drops.
The first Clone X auction of 20,000 avatars sold out almost instantly in November 2021, and now the community is waiting for the ecosystem’s metaverse compatibility to evolve.
This post will explore the Clone X ecosystem, how to buy a Clone, and what the future holds for the project.
Table of Contents
What Is Clone X?
Clone X avatars are 3D NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain created with unique traits decided by their ‘DNA’ of which there are eight ‘types’ with different rarity levels.
An estimated 50% of Clones are humans, 30% are robots, and the remaining 20% are made of demons and angels (8.75%), reptiles (1.25%), undead (0.6%), avatars resembling Murakamis (0.5%), and aliens (0.15%).
Like with most NFT avatar collections, those with the rarest traits, so in this case, aliens, are the most valuable and those with common traits are less valuable.
However, one distinct feature of these Clone X is that their owners get a say in how they look. Token holders have access to files that allow them to customize specific attributes of their avatar.
The customization feature is more or less unheard of in the NFT world, and it makes the avatars perfect for the metaverse, where people will want to express themselves through their characters.
According to OpenSea, the all-time average floor price of the Clones is just over ETH 10 ($29,100) as of March 2022. But, the floor price has shown a robust long-term uptrend. For example, between December 2021 and March 2022, the floor price went from around ETH 6 ($ 17,000) to ETH 19 ($ 55,400).
Who Is Takashi Murakami?
Takashi is a contemporary artist from Japan who works across various artistic fields, including sculpting, fashion, and animation.
Takashi is credited for developing the ‘Super Flat’ theory, which states that Japanese art has a legacy of 2-dimensional imagery in manga and anime. The ‘Flat’ approach is distinct from western artistic styles because it focuses on the surface and the use of flat planes of color.
Takashi got involved in the NFT space last March 2021 with his ‘Murakami Flowers’ collection, consisting of 108 pixelated flowers. However, Takashi paused the project because he was not familiar enough with NFT technology.
In November 2021, Takashi collaborated with RTFKT and the Clone X project, and he is believed to have re-started the ‘Murakami Flowers’ project. Owners of Clone X NFTs designed by Murakami, which sell at a premium on OpenSea, received a whitelist invite for Murakami’s Flowers, whenever it launches.
Space Pods
After Nike acquired RTFKT in December 2021, they announced on Twitter that all Clone X holders would be airdropped a Space Pod.
Space pods are virtual metaverse ready galleries where you can show off your Clone X to your virtual friends. If you want to take a look around one of the pods Clone X has a video tutorial on their website.
According to the project’s road map, the pods are customizable and will undergo upgrades in the future.
Mint Vials
Mint vials are used to redeem new Clone X avatars; every vial has one random clone waiting inside.
There’s no way to tell what sort of clone is hiding inside the vial, but this hasn’t stopped people from parting with some serious crypto to get their virtual hands on a vial.
According to data from OpenSea, there are 475 vials, and their all-time average floor price is ETH 5.6 ($16,100).
Even though it’s impossible to tell which Vials hold the ultra-rare Alien and Undead clones, over half a dozen have sold for over $70,000, according to NFT-Stats.
Where Can You Buy Clone X NFTs
If you’re impressed with the Clone X ecosystem like I am, then you’re probably wondering what the best way to buy a Clone X is.
You can buy a CLone X that’s already been minted on the secondary market, or you take your chances and buy a mint vial at a premium.
Both Clone X and vials are for sale on the OpenSea marketplace, where you can pick up a clone or vail in exchange for ETH. The OpenSea Clone X collection can be found here, and the vials have their own page here.
Remember that trading NFTs on the Ethereum network requires paying transaction fees known as ‘gas.’ The gas price fluctuates, so it’s advisable to track its price using ETH Gas Station and trade during dips.
Before you buy a clone, you should check out the project’s official discord channel to familiarize yourself with the community.
If you buy a Clone X, you’ll be happy to hear that the project’s future is littered with exciting developments.
The Future of Clone X
RTFKT and Nike aim to continue Clone X’s development as a diverse metaverse friendly ecosystem.
The First Forging Event
A forging event brings NFTs into the real world, and it’s something RTFKT has done in the past with its sneakers, and it’s one of the reasons Nike is believed to have purchased RTFKT.
Following the purchase, John Donahoe, Nike CEO, said: “This acquisition is another step that accelerates Nike’s digital transformation and allows us to serve athletes and creators at the intersection of sport, creativity, gaming, and culture.”
The idea of forging is that NFT apparel can be re-created in the real world; imagine your Clone X wearing a fresh pair of custom Nike’s linked to the ones on your feet through a transaction on the Ethereum blockchain.
In 2021, RTFKT collaborated with a digital artist known as FEWOCiOUS in the sale of 600 pairs of virtual trainers on the Niftygateway marketplace.
Some of the trainers sold for over $100,000, and using RTFKT’s forging technology, those who own the NFT trainers can redeem a physical pair.
According to the roadmap, the first Clone X forging event is slated to begin in 2022 and will allow token holders to redeem exclusive physical collectibles from their clones.
3D Vault
According to the official Clone X roadmap, a digital 3D vault will be built where you’ll be able to access live 3D data and updates that will add to the avatar’s metaverse compatibility.
Information on the 3D vault is currently limited; the best way to keep up-to-date on its developments is to join RTFKT’s discord channel.
Wearable Marketplace
The virtual marketplace will create a digital space for Clone X holders to customize their clone’s wearables, get new apparel, receive airdrops, and trade with friends.
The marketplace will mark an important step in the development of Clone X as it will put it on par with other blue-chip NFT projects such as Meebits and BAYC that have their own internal marketplaces.
Final Thoughts On What Is Clone X NFT Collection
The Clone X NFT project is impressive for numerous reasons, a globally renowned artist has designed the clones, the ecosystem is already growing into the perfect metaverse companion, and Nike has purchased the developer responsible for the project’s future.
We can’t be sure how long it will take for the metaverse economy to really take off, but it’s almost certainly going to happen eventually and Clone X is the most impressive attempt to develop avatars for the metaverse.
