Casio Brings Iconic G-Shock Brand to Web3 With Polygon NFT Collection

• Casio is launching a “Virtual G-Shock” NFT collection on Polygon, offering 15,000 free Creator Pass NFTs that allow holders to co-create watch designs.
• The initiative aims to introduce the classic G-Shock brand to new virtual audiences, envisioning community-driven digital wearable accessories.
• While aiming to tap into the trendy virtual spaces, Casio faces challenges in crypto onboarding for mainstream users, yet hopes the allure of digital iconic watches will draw enthusiasts.

Japanese electronics giant Casio is entering the metaverse by bringing its popular G-Shock watch brand into Web3 through a new NFT collection minted on Polygon.

Dubbed “Virtual G-Shock,” the blockchain-powered community initiative will begin by offering 15,000 free Creator Pass NFTs starting this month. Holders gain access to a Discord server where they can participate in co-creating designs for the NFTs and vote on a winner.

Casio envisions bringing G-Shock to virtual world

Casio aims to introduce G-Shock, known for sporty digital watches since 1983, to new virtual world audiences through the Web3 activation. The company envisions developing digital wearable accessories with the community.

The NFT minting uses Polygon, aligning with Ethereum’s leading scaling network. Alongside the high-profile brand experiment, it exemplifies corporations increasingly embracing Web3 as a new marketing frontier.

For Casio, the goal is to bring its 100+ million-selling watch brand into trendy virtual spaces through collaborative NFTs. While novel, the foray into blockchain will pose customer experience challenges as crypto onboarding remains confusing for mainstream users.

But the appeal of unlocking virtual versions of an iconic watch could entice brand enthusiasts to enter Casio’s new metaverse. As digital worlds expand, expect more brands targeting Web3 crowd connections through token-gated experiences.