Casio Takes its Iconic G-Shock Brand to the Metaverse with NFT Initiative

September 23, 2023 – The watch world is about to undergo a digital revolution. Japanese electronics behemoth, Casio, has unveiled its plans to transport its renowned G-Shock watch brand into the vast expanse of the metaverse. The move is a leap forward as the company seeks to adapt to the Web3 era.

In a strategic collaboration with Polygon Labs, Casio is launching the "Virtual G-Shock," a pioneering blockchain-fueled "community co-creation" program. The initiative's kickoff will witness the release of 15,000 G-Shock Creator Pass NFTs that are free to mint. This will serve as a passport for holders to enter the program's freshly launched Discord channel, offering a unique platform for community-driven design innovation. Once inside the Discord, enthusiasts can participate in a co-creation challenge, striving to craft a novel design variant for the NFT passes. The ultimate design will be chosen by the community itself, through a voting mechanism.

For those eager to jump onboard, Casio has delineated the rollout timeline for these NFTs. Between September 23-26, there will be an exclusive claim window for users possessing a Casio ID. Following this, the NFTs will be available for public minting from September 26-29. Notably, all NFTs will be minted via Polygon, a prominent Ethereum scaling network.

Takahashi Oh, the senior general manager of Casio’s timepiece division, commented on this groundbreaking move. “In the wake of the burgeoning Web3, the decentralized face of the internet, there's been an unprecedented surge in demand for immersive virtual experiences," he said. "Through the Virtual G-Shock initiative, we aim to broaden the G-Shock brand's horizons, reaching out to previously untapped market segments."

In an exclusive conversation with Decrypt, Oh elaborated on the company’s broader vision. He emphasized Casio's aspiration to seamlessly integrate its G-Shock watch brand – a titan in its own right with over 100 million devices shipped since its 1983 inception – into the fabric of the metaverse and other interactive digital ecosystems. This NFT-centric venture is all about empowering the community to shape and develop those digital wearable accessories hand-in-hand with Casio.

Taking a peek into the future, Oh envisioned, “In metaverse settings linked with these NFTs, we dream of a realm where avatars sport wristwatches and G-Shocks, mirroring the real world. Our objective is to nurture a thriving virtual fanbase via this co-creation journey, thereby amassing a community that collectively forges the future that Virtual G-Shock envisions."

This move exemplifies how traditional brands can adapt and reinvent themselves in a rapidly evolving digital age. The metaverse awaits the arrival of Casio’s G-Shock, and only time will tell how this bold endeavor unfolds.