SEATTLE — The NFT gaming space is heating up, and in a move that surprised at least tens of people, Amazon has embarked on a new venture that melds the burgeoning world of NFTs with the ever-evolving gaming industry.

Codenamed “NFT Bait” this initiative is not just a standalone endeavor but is intricately linked to Amazon's push for subscriptions to Luna, their cloud gaming service. I bet you didn’t even know Amazon had a cloud gaming service. You’re welcome.

By offering free gaming NFTs, Amazon is not only capitalizing on the latest burgeoning FOMO craze, as well as nerds' insatiable need ~~to collect digital garbage~~ to acquire tasteful items, unlocks, and cosmetics but is also strategically enhancing the appeal of Luna+, which currently has less appeal than Cardano.

In the competitive cloud gaming market, with the likes of Microsoft and Nvidia, standing out is crucial. By integrating NFTs with Luna, Amazon is not just offering a gaming service but an enriched, exclusive gaming community that nobody asked for.

But Amazon already offers NFTs? Right, you are! If you pay for an Amazon Prime subscription, then there’s already a selection of free NFTs that you can claim and use in current blockchain games, but they all suck worse than your cousin’s kid at Apex. Think greens and blues. If you want the good stuff, well get ready to pony up $10/month space cowboy.

But fear not fellow gamer. These aren’t just digital collectibles; they hold intrinsic value within the gaming ecosystem, such as exclusive in-game items, characters, or even unique game levels. This initial move aims to attract a niche market of gamers who value digital ownership and uniqueness in the gaming experience and then convert the masses of traditional gamers who loathe NFTs.

Until January 17, 2024, new Luna+ subscribers can claim the “freemium pack”, which includes a Polygon NFT for a guaranteed legendary character in the hit blockchain game Chess, but Web3.

No pawns here, fren. Only Kings.

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