If you’re already familiar with NFTs, you may have noticed that many of them look pixelated. And if you’re not yet familiar with NFTs, then you probably have no idea what I’m talking about!
A pixelated NFT is an NFT created with software that allows you to create and edit images at pixel level.
Your Nearest Future Token (NFT) may appear pixilated when you first get it. But don’t worry – the pixelation isn’t a defect with your NFT, and it doesn’t mean that your NFT isn’t legit or valuable. In fact, there are good reasons why NFTs are pixelated.
Pixelated NFTs have brought controversy among NFT enthusiast, with some saying that they are of low quality and are not worth spending money on, while others cheer them because they represent nostalgic feelings from the 1990s.
In this article, we will answer the questions: Why are NFTs pixelated? Investigate whether pixelated NFTs are worth investing in, and the give reasons why pixelated NFTs are popular in the NFT market.
So, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
What is a pixelated NFT?
A pixelated NFT is an NFT created with software that allows you to create and edit images at pixel level. The individual pixel in this form of NFT is given a particular color and then arranged in certain ways in order to form a unique NFT.
Why are Pixelated NFTs Popular?
If you’re already familiar with NFTs, you must have noticed that most of the NFTs found in popular marketplaces like OpenSea, Rarible, and others are formed from pixel art. Why are NFTs pixelated? Let’s answer it.
While some NFT creators prefer pixel art because it allows them to create collectibles easily and quickly, some say it is nostalgic, while others like it because of the small file sizes with improved quality.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at the reasons why NFTs are pixelated.
4 Reasons Why NFTs are Pixelated.
There are four major reasons why NFTs are pixelated: One is because it is an easy way to create a unique and different character image for your collection. The second is because of its nostalgia for 1990 games. Let’s take a deep look into these reasons.
1)Pixel Art Represents the Beginning of NFT.
Pixelated art represents the origin of NFT with Cryptopunks, which is an NFT created by Larva Labs, a two-person team made up of creative technologists Matt Hall and John Watkinson, They launched this project in June 2017 after their experimentation with creating tokens. Each portrait of it is made up of 10,000 generated pixels.
Since then, Cryptopunks have received much attention and, being made with pixel art, they have brought some success and fame to any pixelated NFT. Normally, cryptopunks are sold at around $500, 000, although some are sold at more than this.
This success story of Cryptopunks has made NFT creators believe that minting pixelated NFTs is the easiest way to get success in the NFT space, and this has reduced the attention given to traditional digital arts.
2) Pixelated NFTs are easier to mass produce.
Generally, it is easy to create pixel art. Creating pixilated art can be done in a few minutes, and this allows flexibility when creating NFTs. With this flexibility, you can make a large number of NFTs without having to put much effort into it.
With one pixel art, it is very easy to produce other unique art without having to make many changes. As the images are edited at the pixel level, you can easily change some attributes to produce a new unique NFT from the first one.
Popular programs such as Piskel, 8BitPainter, Pixelmator, Krita, Microsoft Painter, and Photoshop are used to create pixelated NFTs.
With these programs, you can create a vast collection of pixel art by changing attributes like eye color, fur color, skin tone, and other applicable attributes of the first one.
3) Pixel Art Is Nostalgic .
A nostalgic feeling is a feeling of admiration for long-gone moments. In the early days of Video games, pixel art was used for building games. These games were efficient and consumed minimal space. So, some see the creation of pixelated NFTs as Nostalgia to the early days of game development.
Furthermore, many forms of pixel art may be considered retro art if they were created with older software such as MS Paint, which means that creators can incorporate nostalgia into their works even if they are designed in a modern manner using cutting-edge technology and techniques.
Most of these pixelated art creators have a strong connection between these art forms and their video game experience when they were teenagers. This brings a strong reflection of their excitement and wonder when they were playing games in the olden days.
Despite the nostalgic characters used in creating these NFTs, all the artwork must be unique and original. Any pixelated NFTs uploaded must be creative commons-licensed or public domain, so that people can avoid selling already sold images that are copyrighted.
4) Pixelated NFTs are Easy to Sell.
Minting and selling of pixelated NFTs is very easy. Many investors are aware of the traction that pixelated has got and are ready to buy it most of the time. So if you are able to market your pixelated NFTs to reach them, you will sell like crazy.
In essence, creating pixelated NFTs is a cheap way to create an NFT that appeals to the mainstream and sells for a premium.
Conclusion
Pixelated NFTs have recently gained traction in the NFT market. This is due to the success of Cyberpunks, the first pixelated NFTs ever made. In addition to this, its duplicability and its use as nostalgia for the olden days of game development also contribute to its success.
If you want to buy an NFT or if you already have one and it is pixelated, don’t worry-pixelation isn’t a defect, and it doesn’t mean your NFT isn’t legit or valuable.
With that said, if you have any questions concerning what we have covered so far, you can leave them in the comment section below. I will do well to attend to them.
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