Lost Dogs: Story-Driven Telegram Game with a Lore
The viral Telegram clicker game Notcoin has forged a partnership with The Open Network (TON) NFT project Lost Dogs and the NFT trading platform Getgems to unveil a narrative-driven game that seamlessly integrates NFTs and token rewards.
The new Lost Dogs game transports players to a mystical world of enchanted canines, where they become engrossed in an unfolding story that is shaped by their daily decisions.
Players have the opportunity to vote daily on choices that will mould the six-week narrative arc of Lost Dogs.
This innovative approach prioritises interactive gaming and the impact of player decisions, which in turn influence the development of characters within the game.
The characters in Lost Dogs are derived from the Lost Dogs NFT collection, each possessing unique attributes and abilities that evolve according to their engagement within the game.
Users engage with the Lost Dogs NFTs as characters and advance through the game by completing tasks and making choices.
As the game progresses, these characters will acquire special powers and rise to "celebrity" status.
The game's immersive storytelling is facilitated through interactive play within Telegram, ensuring that each player's experience is distinct, as their decisions steer the direction of the game.
Players also have the option to form squads with friends, collaborating to strategise the most effective ways to advance within the game.
Mad Tail, Lost Dogs Co CBO (Chief Barking Officer), said:
"We're just stray dogs who come up with many ideas during our walks. What are ideas without implementation? Empty barking. We went to the people at the TOP, and they gave us everything we needed — all that was left was to take brushes and pens in our paws and write the most jaw-dropping story. We want to unveil to you a world full of discoveries, joy, suffering, cliffhangers and mysteries. And, of course, we want to make sure everyone can play with their Notcoins and distribute WOOF.”
Earn Notcoins and In-Game Currency WOOF
At the heart of the gameplay is a points system through which players "mine" WOOF, the game's unique currency.
Players can accumulate Notcoins and WOOF by engaging in various in-game activities, such as interacting with squads, inviting new players, or devising "strategies."
Each day, players make choices that impact the narrative of their dogs.
The winning choice is determined by the most popular, least popular, or median decision among all players, based on the parameters established at the beginning of the day.
Sasha Plotvinov, Founder of Open Builders and Notcoin, explained:
"Lost Dogs is not an ordinary game, better to call it a gamified experience — every day, you will be asked to make a decision that will shape the story that is happening in this magical dogs world. The more good decisions you make, the better for your pack (and your drop).”
If a player's choice wins, they are rewarded with a share of NOT tokens from a general pool.
Unlike "endless" mining games, "Lost Dogs" is designed to run for a fixed duration of six weeks, although further collaborations of this nature are anticipated in the future.
WOOF is a minable token accessible to players who emerge victorious in the game's rounds.
As the framework for this new token continues to evolve, WOOF is expected to be transformed into a TON blockchain-based token, which will confer real-world value.
Vote on Your Decisions, Choose Wisely
The recently introduced free-to-play game, "Lost Dogs," which is nestled within the Notcoin ecosystem, offers a distinctive gameplay experience.
Players are invited to embark on a dog-themed adventure, forming communities or "squads," inviting new participants, and voting on their dogs' actions in the quest to find a new home.
The team stated:
“Each decision is pivotal, with ethical implications that shape the narrative and impact the dogs' journey.”
The game's characters are depicted by Lost Dogs NFTs, which were initially released in March 2023 on Getgems, the largest NFT trading platform on the TON blockchain.
These characters evolve as the story progresses, "gaining special powers" and "becoming celebrities" within the game, as noted by the development team.
Vanya, the pseudonymous founder of Getgems, the platform that originally launched Lost Dogs, expressed her delight at the game's integration with the TON NFT ecosystem:
"Our goal is to demonstrate how NFTs can build and communicate narratives, driving mass adoption through innovative storytelling and gameplay. This is just the first of many games to be promoted by Notcoin, setting the stage for a new era of interactive blockchain experiences."
Plotvinov said:
"Lost Dogs is not an ordinary game, better to call it a gamified experience. Every day, you will be asked to make a decision that will shape the story that is happening in this magical dogs’ world. The more good decisions you make, the better for your pack (and your drop).”
Is Lost Dogs a Step Towards a More Sustainable Ecosystem?
The NOT token has experienced significant growth, reaching a market capitalisation of $1.3 billion.
However, it has become evident that its tap-to-earn model is unsustainable for long-term engagement and growth.
Despite the substantial user attention, Notcoin had to conclude its mining phase in April.
In April, Plotvinov outlined the project's four-year plan to become independent of the founding team by developing sustainable and efficient subsystems.
The goal is for Notcoin to evolve into the "Netflix of social, viral games."
The recent game launch signals Notcoin's pivot towards a more sustainable ecosystem.
It is clear that the Telegram-based game aims to engage its players on a "deeper, more meaningful" level and potentially transform into a community movement, transcending its role as just a cryptocurrency.
Mad Tail pointed out:
“Because everything in our lives is a form of narrative. Life itself is a narrative concept. Therefore, we aimed to establish this synchronicity in our game — as above, so below.”
The team behind the game has recognised the emerging global appetite for mechanics that provide instant gratification.
Yet, they also acknowledge that this has not deterred many from seeking out compelling narratives, such as the one this story-driven game promises to deliver.
Lost Dogs Perfectly Blends Story-Telling with Web3
Lost Dogs is now playable on Telegram, offering a six-week adventure for participants to enjoy.
The game's creators are already looking ahead to future collaborations, aiming to maintain community interest and excitement with other games in development.
Unlike typical game offerings, Lost Dogs is a script-driven narrative that is intrinsically linked to NFTs.
This approach is part of a broader trend within the TON blockchain gaming community, which is gaining interest and popularity.
The game's narrative is designed to enhance engagement and storytelling, making Lost Dogs a unique blend of narrative depth and the burgeoning trend of digital collectibles.
This innovative game combines an exhilarating and rewarding experience, merging storytelling with the world of digital assets.
So, what choices will you make in the game?
Will you pick the most popular choice, or the least popular choice, or the median choice?
Or will you be like me and just pick your own choice?