The Cats That Crowded Ethereum
28 November 2017
Collecting and breeding digital cats became a test of blockchain usability.
Origins
Axiom Zen built CryptoKitties around collectible cats whose attributes could be combined through breeding. Ethereum recorded ownership, while a playful interface invited people who were not primarily interested in financial applications.
The moment
The public launch took place on 28 November 2017. Each cat was distinct rather than interchangeable like units of a currency. The game brought the experience of collecting into a visible blockchain application.
The aftermath
The project became an influential reference point for NFT games. Its original launch announcement is evidence of the product’s design and ambitions, rather than independent proof of every promotional claim. Later games, including Axie Infinity, explored related combinations of collectible ownership and game economies.