The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is using Web3 games and NFT rewards to encourage visitors to explore the world of art history. The new game, called Art Links, invites players to identify common threads and connections between more than 140 artworks from The Met's collection, with new challenges released weekly.

It was built on blockchain base Coinbase In collaboration with the startup TR Labs. In the game, players must create a chain consisting of seven artworks and six connections. They have four attempts to complete each series.

The game offers multiple types of possible connections, such as the artistic movement the work was a part of or the materials used. For example, a player can create a link by correctly identifying that the two pieces are made of the same materials or are part of the "cubist" movement.

Players can also link artworks through shared “emojis,” tags, and symbols. Upon successfully finding art-based connections – or “chains” – between works, players can then claim free NFT badges and achieve achievements.

Players who achieve these achievements can receive real rewards, such as discounts at the Met Store or special personal tours led by curators. Art Links also includes built-in teaching moments, available via clickable icons, so users can brush up on their knowledge of art history.

The game is now available on Met website It will last for 12 weeks in total.

This isn't the museum's first foray into blockchain, but it's a little different. Back in 2023, The Met The Met cooperated With the gaming platform for Replica, an augmented reality-based app (available for iOS and Android) tied to the Met experience within the Roblox metaverse. The app, created in collaboration with technology partner Verizon, guided visitors via an interactive map to 37 selected artworks spread throughout the museum, which they could explore further by scanning the pieces in question.

In return, players can obtain digital collectibles - such as Van Gogh's famous straw hat - for their avatars.

Themes explored in the game include “Objects in Disguise”, which highlights artworks made from deliberately surprising and deceptive materials, such as Papermaid No. 18 By Su Xianzhong. The game also explores 'Art x Tech', showcasing works that explore artists' dialogue with technological innovation over time, including the work of Matthew Jensen. The 49 states.

The Met's show of faith in blockchain technology comes at a time when demand for NFT art has greatly declined. NFT trading volumes on the Magic Eden market decreased by 91% Compared to its all-time highs, the mainstream art world appears to be turning its attention elsewhere.

Digital artist Pebble holds the record He said in December that the NFT market was "back to earth" and speculators had "moved on," though he noted that "there's still a lot of enthusiasm around this stuff."

However, intersections between high-profile art institutions and the NFT space continue to emerge.

In October, Christie's London Hosted an auction to ascend, A dynamic digital artwork engraved on Bitcoin's Ordinals protocol, a first of its kind at the auction house.

Modified by Stacey Elliott.