Ready Player Me’s Player Zero sees momentum for Web3 collectible avatars

Ready Player Me said its PlayerZero Web3 avatar collectible platform is seeing momentum in changing how users experience digital identity across games and virtual worlds.

Since its launch in October, PlayerZero has gained significant traction with 81,000 Collection ZERO wearable pack mints, and more than 15 games supporting its avatars.

Ready Player Me‘s Web2 avatar tech is actively used by more than 4,000 developers (including VRChat, Spatial, and HiberWorld) with millions of end-users who can personalize their avatars to express themselves across compatible applications.

With a mission to create consistent, interoperable digital identities, PlayerZero is redefining the possibilities of avatars and wearable collectibles in a connected metaverse, said Timmu Tõke, CEO of Ready Player Me, in an interview with GamesBeat.

“We’ve already done the foundation for interoperability. And PlayerZero is a gamer-facing platform where you can actually go and create an avatar and jump into games right away. That will be the central point for the player experience,” said Tõke. “We launched it in October with a drop of our open mint NFTs on Base.”

A new approach to digital identity

It took a while to create a smooth user experience in Web3, Tõke said. He wants PlayerZero to lead the charge in transforming the concept of digital identity. The platform allows users to create highly customizable avatars, reflecting their individuality through hairstyles, outfits, accessories, and cosmetics. These avatars are designed to travel with users across a variety of games and virtual experiences, enabling a persistent identity across worlds. That’s where the Web3 functionality comes in.

For the larger business, Tõke said that there has been a lot of new demand in the last six months for interoperability and more open persistence. The company makes money by selling wearables to players who like to decorate themselves in the same way they buy clothes in real life. In the future, Tõke hopes to scale up through the user of influencers and streamers.

“PlayerZero is all about giving users control over who they are in the digital space,” said Tõke. “Someone’s carefully curated identity and digital presence shouldn’t be confined to a single platform or walled garden. We’re bridging the gap between isolated ecosystems, allowing users to take their avatars—and everything that makes them unique—across multiple games and virtual worlds, ensuring their identity is truly theirs, no matter where they go.”

Increased avatar usage in virtual worlds

Tõke believes that digital identities take center stage, especially among Gen Z, and PlayerZero is addressing the growing demand for customizable avatars across multiple virtual worlds.

He noted that 40% of Gen Z players update their avatars monthly, according to Roblox/Parsons. And he noted that 84% of Gen Z players see digital fashion as increasingly significant to their self-expression.

Users spend more time in games and virtual worlds, emphasizing the need for cross-platform compatibility and interoperable identities. With PlayerZero, users aren’t just creating avatars—they’re building evolving digital identities that seamlessly integrate into the games and worlds they inhabit, Tõke said.

Collect and level up with rare digital items

A key feature of PlayerZero is its integration of digital collectibles. Users can evolve and level up their avatars by collecting rare items like clothing, accessories, and other personal traits. These collectibles not only enhance customizability but also provide users with a deeper sense of ownership and progression.

The Collection ZERO launch demonstrated the power of this model, with 81,000 NFTs minted and items immediately usable across supported games, Tõke said. This collection established the foundation for future drops, blending accessibility with functionality.

Introducing Genesis: Limited Edition

Building on the success of Collection ZERO, PlayerZero is unveiling Genesis: Limited Edition, its first premium NFT collection.

Designed for high-value collectors, Genesis features limited availability and six rarity tiers. It has narrative-driven art. The collection tells the story of a celestial Hero and a chaotic Villain, representing the duality of light and chaos. Items from Genesis are designed for immediate use, enhancing avatars and showcasing rare, exclusive digital fashion.

“Genesis is about elevating the collector experience while staying true to our mission of empowering users with interoperable identities,” said Tõke.

A platform built by Ready Player Me

PlayerZero’s foundation lies in the expertise of Ready Player Me, an avatar tech leader trusted by over 4,000 developers and serving more than two million monthly active users globally.

“We have an existing developer network of games and experiences and they all use the Ready Player Me character system,” he said.

Backed by notable investors like A16z, Gmoney, and Punk6529, Ready Player Me has been at the forefront of avatar technology, building bridges between virtual worlds to create a more connected metaverse. With PlayerZero, the focus shifts to empowering consumers directly, enabling them to take control of their digital identities.

As for platform choices, Tõke said the team wanted to make it as easy as possible for players to go back and forth between applications with avatars. That’s why for this first generation the company has chosen web-based avatars. On the NFT side, it chose Base, the blockchain created by Coinbase, because it has strong momentum thanks to the popularity of Coinbase wallets.

What’s Next for PlayerZero?

PlayerZero is continuously evolving to meet the demands of its growing community. Upcoming updates include expanded digital collectibles. Future drops will feature collaborations with established brands and artists, offering users even more ways to personalize and enhance their avatars.

Ready Player Me is also enabling enhanced collector experiences. New tools and features will make it easier for collectors to showcase and level up their digital items.

And it will have broader platform integration. PlayerZero aims to support even more games and virtual worlds, solidifying its position as the go-to platform for interoperable avatars.

Tõke still believes in the dream of the metaverse and that NFTs are a way to bring players the flexibility and portability of their avatars.

“We’re making great progress in that direction and I’m very excited about the tools we’re building,” he said.