Chapter 1: Introduction to Dookey Dash

Every time I delve into discussions about NFTs, I arrive at the same conclusion: until genuine applications of this technology benefit the broader public, it will remain largely a speculative venture with minimal reward for most participants.

But as it turns out, the situation is evolving.

On January 18, Bored Apes Yacht Club unveiled Dookey Dash, a game that cleverly integrates toilet humor and innuendos. It seems designed for a younger audience, albeit with the financial means to engage in the crypto market. Dookey Dash is an endless runner game where players navigate a sewer, dodging obstacles to achieve the highest score. Picture classics like Earthworm Jim or Temple Run. After several weeks, the player with the best score will supposedly uncover "the key in the waste."

To participate, players must acquire a Sewer Pass NFT, which, while technically free (excluding gas fees), requires ownership of a Bored Ape or Mutant Ape NFT. This isn't truly free, as the floor price for a Bored Ape remains above $100,000. For those without the means, Sewer Passes can be purchased on secondary markets, with current listings starting at around 2.7 ETH (about $4,350), granting three weeks of access to Dookey Dash. Some premium passes have sold for upwards of $12,000 for that same timeframe.

The demand for these passes has led to substantial profits for the project’s creators. The excitement surrounding the game's announcement has also significantly boosted the market for Bored Ape collections. Recent data indicates that sales for Mutant Ape NFTs surged nearly 125%, while Bored Ape NFT transactions increased by over 150%. Even the Bored Ape Kennel Club NFTs experienced a sales spike exceeding 125%.

Thus, while a select few may find financial success, it raises the question: what do the players actually receive? The rewards for achieving top scores remain undisclosed. Sewer Pass holders are promised access to "The Summoning," but details are scant. The promotional video describes a scenario where "Gary, the Great Dog Prophet" believes the time is ripe for a summoning ritual to introduce powerful entities from another dimension. On February 15, eligible Sewer Pass holders will partake in this summoning, with their scores determining the outcome.

Confused? You're not alone. Making sense of this could drive anyone mad.

A critical consideration is whether Dookey Dash genuinely advances NFTs as a functional technology. While it provides a use-case, it doesn't transcend using NFTs as currency for a mobile game. Players cannot embody their apes in the game. The only blockchain aspect of Dookey Dash is the necessity of owning NFTs to play.

In short, its impact on the NFT landscape is likely minimal. It seems that Yuga Labs, the entity behind Bored Apes Yacht Club, may have developed this project to justify a $450 million venture capital investment at a $4 billion valuation from A16z. The skeptical perspective suggests that the game and its ecosystem are primarily designed to demonstrate value to investors.

If the argument for purchasing expensive NFTs is to foster a community rather than merely flipping them for profit, then initiatives like this game are essential for maintaining that sense of community. Even if Dookey Dash achieves only modest success, it may inspire other NFT projects to attempt similar ventures in the coming months, likely leading to diminishing returns until the cycle collapses, leaving many with empty wallets and bruised egos.

Ultimately, Dookey Dash exemplifies the NFT environment since its inception—its momentum relies heavily on hype. As more people invest, the risk escalates, suggesting that early adopters may reap the rewards, while later entrants could find themselves losing their investments down the metaphorical drain.

The video title is "Do NOT Trust The POOP KILLER...!? (FULL GAME PLAY) - YouTube", offering a humorous take on the game's premise while exploring its implications for players and investors alike.