BSC News NFT Influencer Spotlight: Defi Raf

Defi Raf talks BNB Chain NFTs

BNB Chain is constantly making a name for itself in Non-Fungible Token (NFT) space, an area that has been dominated by collections on Ethereum and Solana.

Many project developers, community leaders and influencers are actively working to take the narrative on BNB chain NFTs ahead. Today our NFT Influencer Spotlight is on Defy Raf.

Defi Raf works with his NFT GameFi project called Chain Legion. But apart from that, he is also the community manager for Haddie’s Bay Club and DezBet, and a moderator for The Non-Fungible Lounge and DegenApeClub.

BSC News sat down with DeFi Raf to learn about his NFT journey and his thoughts on building a GameFi project.

“Big NFT boom last year”

Q: How did you end up in the NFT ecosystem?

A: My journey into crypto began over a year ago. During the big, crazy bull run of 2021, I got into crypto when Bitcoin and Dogecoin were running wild. Time was crazy, with projects starting every day and crashing. I then started playing a few coins with some success and some failures.

After that I started meeting people, got involved in different communities and even participated in a few projects. As a result, I formed relationships with other people and NFT’s project team members.

When there was the big NFT boom last year, I decided to focus on it, mainly because the communities were so much warmer and more inclusive; I would say closer together. As I gained some experience, I started interviewing project teams to see what worked, and most importantly, what didn’t.

Q: This is great. You are also developing your own project, Chain Legion. How did you end up working on this project?

A: Our goal was to create a solid, legitimate project. A real programmer friend of mine has been working with crypto for a long time. So we decided we wanted to do our own project.

It was our idea to have an NFT project that would be used in a game, and we also wanted it to be an RPG. Users can train and upgrade their NFTs, build their attributes, and choose whether their character should be easy or challenging. I know more RPG stuff like that, so we adapted it into a BNB Chain NFT browser-based RPG.

Eventually, we intend to expand this to include a players’ guild. There is already a story, but it hasn’t been released yet. Our goal is to have different factions leading this Chain Legion universe, so that players decide for themselves which direction the story of the Chain Legion universe will unfold.

‘GameFi NFTs should feel useful’

Q: Based on that, what do you think makes a good GameFi NFT project?

A: First of all, good art. In my opinion, it must look good. Unfortunately, there are many people who just jump blindly into projects. Even though these are supposed to be about art, sometimes it feels like people ignore it completely.

Furthermore, it should be in relation to the game itself. If you look at NFT itself, it must actually be useful. When it comes down to it, if you could just play the game without NFT, then I think a mistake has been made. Therefore, it must be useful.

In a game like Chain Legion, you can develop or upgrade NFTs in-game or use NFTs with the game. Therefore, it is important to consider which attributes you choose to build your NFT character.

It ties back to what I said: that the GameFi NFTs should feel useful and have actual utility in the game. There should not be a feeling that NFT is only there to line the pockets of developers. Instead, when an entire game is made for utility, it should be at the center of the project.

Q: These are some pretty good insights for GameFi NFTs. As you know, many NFT projects are currently based on the Ape narrative. As you are also connected to two projects, such as Degen Ape Club and Ape Fam Elite. Some like it, but others say it’s very monotonous. So, what do you think about it?

A: I have to split between both, really. In a way it is exaggerated, there are so many monkeys in the market. But while I don’t think people should be constantly coming up with monkeys in the crypto scene, I understand why they want to since the Monkey theme has been central to NFTs for a while.

They really want to emulate the craziest story of the Bored Yacht Ape Club. My opinion is kind of in the middle – it’s exaggerated, but I also understand why people like it.

‘NFT alliances helped bring people together’

Q: How do you think NFT alliances, such as BNGA, can be instrumental in bringing more value to NFT projects?

A: I think this is great where different projects and teams come together before embossing to help each other, whether it’s through marketing, hosting AMAs, or things like that. This helps in more ways than one for projects that may not have a lot of marketing funding.

Project owners can also ask for ideas like “Hey, do you think this is good or not?” People say “Yes” or “No” and give valuable tips to strengthen the projects. As a result, this type of NFT alliance helped bring people together to find new solutions for their projects.

Q: What do you think is the most efficient blockchain network for NFTs?

A: I would have to say that Ethereum is still the king in that area and probably the most efficient right now. Furthermore, Solana has developed a lot in the last year and is trying to catch up with Ethereum. However, Solana has many problems, including a constantly down network and recent hacks.

Ethereum is my first choice and I am split between Solana and the BNB chain for number two. Project-wise, as well as community-wise, the BNB chain has been in a whirlwind of activity. It’s been crazy and I think this year will be even crazier for the BNB chain.

“Dude, come on. Don’t be so humble.’

Q: What are your favorite collections on BNB Chain?

A: Wow. It’s hard, I like a lot of them, I wouldn’t say I have a clear favorite, but I love Degen Apes. I liked Pixel Sweepers; the volume they did during embossing is impressive. And before it was the big BTC dump, but still the volume went crazy. Also, the 3D art done by Cecy Meade for Pixel Sweepers is excellent.

I also love Bull Society. I have minted like five of them. I was there when they were still minting and have followed them ever since, especially because I met a good friend who you probably know through the Bull Society. We hear his name all the time when it comes to BNB Chain NFTs: it’s him Dehuffski.

He is undoubtedly an inspiration to me, even if he will turn around and say that I am an inspiration to him. And I say, “Dude, come on. Don’t be so humble.”

I love Chain Legion. It is my own project. It is, of course, a preconceived notion. I also like GDogs. There are probably 80 of them in my collection and I can’t wait to play their game. I hope I’m not missing anyone. I mean, there are so many good projects on the BNB chain.

I also want to give a massive shoutout to the manager of the Haddie’s Bay Club and I’m actually involved in that project. So I do my community and advise them with project ideas and leads. So Haddie’s Bay Clubs is definitely on my list too? More so because it has actually been funded by an IRL, Get Maine Lobster. So there is a lobster fishing company that also serves lobster dishes to customers.

They decided to create their own NFT based on their famous Lobster Hattie, a one of a kind, unique, special type of blue lobster that you only find in one in a million lobsters. And their idea for this project is that the NFT holders will get real benefits from them.

Q: How do you manage all the responsibilities since you are the developer of one project, CM of Haddie‘s Bay Club and DeZBet, and moderators for others?

Due to Web3 being a full-time job and projects having some “down time”, I can fit them all into my schedule. Plus, moderation usually keeps the group safe and clean, so it’s not too time-consuming or challenging! Still, I wish the days were longer and we had more than 24 hours so I could have time for everyone.