To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Atari has partnered with Republic Realm to produce gift NFTs (GFTs). The GFTs will be the first to be available on Republic Realm’s new GFT Shoppe platform.

Atari’s Republic Realm Commemorative GFT collection

Today, February 1st, Atari’s GFT sale begins. The set of ten GFTs commemorates the iconic game company’s 50th anniversary. The GFTs will indeed include Atari goods such as the classic Atari 2600 machine, as well as fan-favorite games such as Combat, Swordquest, Asteroids, Centipede, and others.

“What better way to mark Atari’s 50th anniversary than by ushering in a new age of technological innovation while also recognizing the brand that started the modern video game industry?” stated Atari CEO Wade Rosen of the release with Republic Realm.

What exactly are GFTs?

GFTs are essentially NFTs designed expressly for gifting to others. They are based on the Ethereum blockchain and come in the form of a digital gift box. The GFTs are then “unwrapped” on a specific day, depending on the collection they are a part of. Because GFTs are sent in a digital box, you can transfer them directly to the recipient’s crypto wallet.

Republic Realm is the forerunner of the new concept, and the Atari GFTs are its first. Republic Realm will sell GFTs through The GFT Shoppe, a metaverse-based e-commerce platform and retail store. Users can buy GFTs using crypto or a credit card, as is becoming more common in the NFT industry. Not to add that the GFT Shoppe features a Decentraland virtual storefront.

With this new GFT concept, Republic Realm appears to be counting on ongoing expansion in the NFT industry. To that purpose, it answers the question “Why should I buy a GFT?” on its website, stating, in part, that “GFTs are the most in-demand gifts to buy this year.” Amazon will not postpone the release of GFTs. They will not be harmed by UPS. You don’t have to sit in traffic to get to the mall to buy them. They are the ultimate present.”