DFZ Labs—the artistic studio behind the Deadfellaz NFT assortment on Ethereum and the upcoming RIP TCG digital card sport—is getting into the Bitcoin Ordinals ecosystem with a collaborative gaming mission that it incubated and can assist help.
Bits is a set of 10,000 Bitcoin Ordinals inscriptions resembling the greenish pixel look of Nintendo’s authentic Sport Boy. Possession of every distinctive character profile image (PFP) will present entry to what DFZ Labs calls a “supercharged sport growth incubator.”
The launch will happen on Magic Eden’s Bitcoin market on February 13. Infrastructure startup OrdinalsBot will help DFZ Labs with the inscription course of for the ten,000 Ordinals belongings, whereas Xverse will probably be its most popular Bitcoin pockets companion.
Bits is just not billed as an inside DFZ initiative spearheaded by the pseudonymous married co-founders. Betty and Psych. As a substitute, they’re calling it an “impartial model” that DFZ Labs has incubated, which will probably be led by members of the Deadfellaz group and run as “its personal flagship Bitcoin IP.” Betty and Psych will function mentors and advisors.

Pattern character paintings from Bits. Picture: DFZ Labs
In a press launch, DFZ Labs CEO Betty mentioned that some folks “might need anticipated us to simply make some new Deadfellaz on BTC to promote” however that they “didn’t see any legitimate purpose to do this.”
As a substitute, they’re supporting an effort to create one thing on Bitcoin that’s meant to carry collectively Ordinals holders, creators, and gamers right into a collaborative framework.
“Constructing a gaming ecosystem on Bitcoin round Ordinals affords the potential to leverage Bitcoin’s safety, stability, and decentralization,” Betty instructed Decrypt’s GG, “offering indie builders with the monetary incentives and alternatives of the Bitcoin ecosystem to create merchandise that avid gamers truly need to play.”
“This method fosters innovation, group engagement, and cross-pollination of audiences between impartial gaming and Bitcoin communities,” she continued, “flipping the play-to-earn mannequin on its head to as a substitute embrace a system that rewards contributors and lets gamers play.”
The Bits crew will work with contributors to develop a “roguelite” sport, a riff on the “roguelike” style of tough-as-nails role-playing video games. Roguelites are typically much less punishing and will mash in components of varied different genres, all whereas holding a compelling stability of danger and reward.
The purpose is to design a sport that Bits homeowners may also help form and contribute to, after which finally launch a sport that doubtlessly anybody can play on PC and consoles.

Art work from Bits. Picture: DFZ Labs
Betty described the framework as a “modular” system that lets Bits holders create precise sport content material that may simply slot in, all whereas being rewarded for his or her efforts. After an alpha take a look at model of the sport ships, the core Bits crew will work to “flesh out” the expertise with “fierce enemies, nice fight, minigames, bosses, NPCs, wealthy storytelling, and attention-grabbing improve programs.”
“It is inside this modular system that there is magic,” Betty claimed. “It permits the group to take part with the creation of particular person small items, which, when slotted into the sport, enrich the sport world and make these contributors a part of the sport and its success—which is rewarded with quite a lot of prizes, alternatives, and BTC.”
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— Bits ._. (@BitsOrdinals) January 29, 2024
Forward of the February 13 launch, DFZ Labs says {that a} group snapshot has already been taken and that 500 of the Bits inscriptions will probably be airdropped to “high Deadfellaz collectors and group contributors.”
Betty mentioned that the “pace at which the house strikes” is what excites her concerning the alternative to enter the Ordinals ecosystem, following a whirlwind yr of progress and innovation round Bitcoin’s equal of NFTs.
“The innovation and enthusiasm we now have seen in simply the final yr of Ordinals has been nothing wanting inspiring,” she defined to Decrypt’s GG. “It is the idea of taking one thing and creating one thing new from it—what else is feasible?”
“The proficient futurists that constantly construct out the infrastructure on BTC encourage us endlessly,” she added, “and we’re thrilled to have the ability to construct Bits alongside them, to carry that very same innovation to the indie gaming group.”