Quick Take
- Animoca Brands completes SOMO acquisition on January 14.
- SOMO integrates into Animoca’s network for cross-promotion and growth.
- Community pushes for token clarity and game launches.
Animoca Brands wrapped up its purchase of SOMO this week, pulling the Web3 gaming outfit into its sprawling ecosystem just as NFT trading volumes tick upward. SOMO, pitched as a next-gen monster brand for the TikTok crowd, mixes digital collectibles with playable battles and gacha-style hooks across titles like SOMO Battleground, SOMO Duel, and SOMO Codex. The deal, announced on January 14, lets Animoca tap SOMO’s cultural vibe to layer on real ownership and scarcity, turning packs and duels into streamable, tradeable assets.
SOMO launched in 2023 with its Monolith NFT drop amid a hot market, then pulled in around $20 million through a token sale the next year. Trailers and Telegram minis like Crystal Dash and TapTapTrips kept buzz alive, but full releases lagged, sparking frustration in threads where players questioned delays on the promised SOMO token and Battleground rollout. As X conversations flare today, some label it a team exit after quiet spells, while others point to Animoca’s track record with long-haul projects like The Sandbox as a potential turnaround.
Yat Siu, Animoca’s co-founder, frames SOMO as a fit for their digital property push, aiming to link it with global partners and communities for cross-game play. SOMO’s own update echoes that, calling the move a milestone to scale its universe beyond early backers. With Animoca’s resources, expect tighter live-ops, shared rewards, and broader distribution, echoing how seasonal events in their portfolio drive retention.
This lands as NFT floors climb 20 percent in early 2026, hinting at collector appetite for branded IP like SOMO’s monsters. Discussions on X build around token timelines and airdrops, with cautious hype tying into Web3 gaming’s shift toward repeatable loops over one-offs. Animoca’s bet could reshape SOMO from stalled promise to ecosystem player, though execution will dictate if it delivers the dopamine hits players crave or fades into acquisition lore. Time will tell as updates roll in.
