PewDiePie Pushes Video Game That Gives Out Crypto

By Adriana Hamacher

Pewdiepie, the world-famous gamer, and YouTube sensation, is promoting a novel, Pokemon-style game called Wallem, and selling his own “PewDiePie skin” as a non-fungible token (NFT).

NFTs and blockchain-based virtual worlds are having a moment. In just the past week, almost $1.5 million has been spent on NFT sales. In May, L’Atelier, a research company that’s part of the French international banking group BNP Paribas, identified a $100 billion market of gaming platforms such as Fortnite and Minecraft, and virtual worlds such as Decentraland. And now, even mainstream YouTubers are jumping on the bandwagon.

Pewdiepie unveiled the blockchain-based, treasure hunt game to his million-plus subscribers on Friday. Wallem uses a 3D map and augmented reality (AR) technology, to place virtual objects in the real world. It features a cryptocurrency wallet and allows its users to find and collect Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and other cryptocurrencies, which can be transferred to external wallets and then sold on an exchange. 

“You can walk around outside and get tokens. Based on where you live, they will spawn around you nearby,” explained PewDiePie in the video.

Wallem, which is available on iOS and Android, rewards players with an Ethereum-based ERC-20 token called Pteria (PTE,) and features special events with prizes from major brands including Armani and Motta.

Wallem features its own Pteria token. Image: Medium

Players can buy a PewDiePie’s NFT skin on the Rarible marketplace, and use it in Wallem’s virtual 3D world. Other limited-edition NFTs will also be available, according to Wallem, and players benefit from simply possessing the NFTs during special events.

The game’s inventor, Andrea Bempensante, said that a future version of the game will allow players to steal tokens from each other. An “open wallet” will display the value of tokens captured by players, who must then protect their stash with special items or by moving away and turning off the application.

PewDiePie is no stranger to blockchain-based applications. Last year, he partnered with decentralized video streaming platform DLive, only to leave it for his home turf YouTube. But he hasn’t abandoned crypto.

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