The 90s are back, and along with baggy jeans and large tees, Bandai Namco is also here again. This time with an AI integrated update to one of the most memorable games from the 90s, virtual pets. The creators of the Tamagotchi, Bandai, is looking to recreate the same success they had in the 90s, with a modern take on virtual pets, RYU.
The Tamagotchi OG's Strike Again
In 1996 a handheld virtual pets game named Tamagotchi took the world by storm. The goal of the game was simple, on each handheld is a virtual pet that depends on interactions from the owner to live. Keep it alive. Ignoring your vitual pet for too long could result in it being upset with you, sad, or worse - it could result in the death of your pet. By checking in on your Tamagotchi multiple times a day, "playing" with it, feeding it, picking up after it, not only does it survive but it creates a deeper bond and fondness for the player.
In 2023 the home of these new virtual pets is not an egg-shaped plastic toy on the end of a keychain. They've gotten an upgrade. RYU are NFT based virtual pets, with ai integration. For this new venture, Bandai has teaming up with the Oasys blockchain, the same chain the other popular publishers like Sega and Ubisoft have aligned with for the launch of their own projects.
Virtual Pets mixed with AI
Being AI-powered is RYU's biggest update to previous versions of virtual pets. With the help of AI, pets can learn and grow with you. Each pet develops a unique personality and is able to unlock new abilities based on how gamers interact with it. You can feed it, race it, and even create new generations of RYU within the game.
Currently the game is in what's called the "nurturing phase" of the game experience. This is scheduled to end in a year's time, but the creatures will remain active beyond that. This means that you can continue to interact with your RYU and watch it grow and evolve for years to come. Bandai has also hinted at future collaborations with other game titles, such as their upcoming collab with Brave Frontier Heroes.
RYUZO (the games title) is a unique and innovative virtual pet experience that offers a level of interactivity and customization that is not possible with traditional virtual pets. If you are looking for a pet that can truly bond with you and grow with you over time, then you might want to look into getting yourself a RYU. The game is currently available for play, as of August 2nd 2023.
Watch this tutrial to learn how to play RYUZO
New GameFi catalyst or just an old toy?
It can't be denied that they were the first big catlyst for gamefi / play-to-earn during the last two bull runs. Pet breeding games have a history of being the first movers in blockchain games, due to their ability to attract a large assortment of gamers, not just competitive or casual. Games like Crypto Kitties and Axie Infinity are household names to most people in web3 not just the gamers. This may just be the perfect timing for this type of game.
What's your take? Do you think Bandai will be able to recreate the same level of success they had in the 90s, or is the world tired of breeding pets games?