INDEX / AGENCY
Nostalgia IP Licensing & Play-to-Earn Partnership Agency
An agency or fund that brokers and structures play-to-earn and Web3 licensing deals between major nostalgic IP holders (Pokemon, Nintendo, etc.) and blockchain gaming studios.
▶ WATCH THE SOURCE SEGMENT — How to Leverage Nostalgia and Win at Marketing with Danny Trinh01 THE IDEA
The conversation surfaces a compelling structural opportunity: massive nostalgic IP franchises like Pokémon represent arguably the most powerful on-ramp into play-to-earn and NFT gaming, but the IP holders are slow-moving joint ventures with conservative licensing practices. There's a clear gap between what blockchain gaming studios want (iconic IP to bootstrap player loyalty and retention) and what IP holders are willing to experiment with.
An agency or structured fund that specializes in educating IP holders on Web3 mechanics, de-risking experimental licensing deals, and structuring revenue-share agreements between IP franchises and P2E studios could capture significant fees and equity. The agency could also advise on the right experimentation framework — small contained pilots (like Pokémon Pinball or Snap were in their day) — rather than requiring full franchise commitment, lowering the barrier for IP holders to say yes.
02 THE NUMBERS
$150K – $1.8M
$50K + 400h
$15K + 150h
2/10
3 · DECLINING →
entertainment IP licensing experience, blockchain / Web3 technical literacy, deal structuring / M&A, relationship building with large IP holders, gaming industry network
03 THE VERDICT
The opportunity is real and large if Web3 gaming recovers and matures, but the timing is terrible in 2022-2023 post-Ronin hack and crypto bear market — IP holders will be even more gun-shy than before. The business requires an extremely rare skill combination and is entirely dependent on relationship access. Worth building relationships now as a hedge, but not worth going all-in until market sentiment improves.
04 THE FIELD
- Animoca Brandsest. 2014GROWING · ADDED 2026-06-07
CATEGORY LEADER IN BLOCKCHAIN GAMING IP LICENSING
The dominant player acquiring and licensing IP for blockchain games; they do some of this brokerage function internally.
- Dapper Labsest. 2018STEADY · ADDED 2026-06-07
NICHE LEADER IN SPORTS IP NFT DEALS (NBA TOP SHOT)
Pioneered IP-to-NFT licensing deals with the NBA and NFL; a blueprint for this model but focused on sports.
- Mythical Gamesest. 2018GROWING · ADDED 2026-06-07
NICHE PLAYER IN BRANDED P2E GAME DEVELOPMENT
Builds blockchain games around IP licenses; combines studio and licensing functions.