The Rise and Fall of OUTA: A Cautionary Tale of Web3 Gaming in the Telegram Ecosystem

　　In a decisive move, we have officially ceased operations of OUTA, our mini-game on Telegram. While TON's ecosystem exclusivity requirements played a role, the primary driver behind this decision was the game's underwhelming financial performance. Despite high initial expectations, OUTA failed to generate sufficient revenue to cover development costs, let alone sustain ongoing operations.

　　Our original vision for OUTA was ambitious: to bridge Web2 brand equity with Web3 through a unique NFT integration strategy. The plan involved distributing whitelist spots for our second-generation NFT collection through in-game memory fragment collection, aiming to expand our IP universe. However, a pivotal conversation with an investor led us to pivot towards the Telegram ecosystem, promising rapid user acquisition and easier funding opportunities.

　　This strategic shift, while seemingly advantageous, proved to be our undoing. The transition required significant technical adaptations, including TG ID and MID integration, game asset management through account systems, and login module implementation. These unexpected complexities not only increased development costs but also delayed our launch by several months, causing us to miss crucial market timing.

　　The gaming industry's reliance on user acquisition through paid advertising became another stumbling block. Without expertise in this area, we struggled to compete effectively. As market interest waned and our data metrics remained subpar, securing additional funding became increasingly challenging.

　　In our quest for survival, we explored various ecosystem grants and partnerships, encountering a spectrum of challenges:

　　Exaggerated funding promises from ecosystem representatives

　　Unrealistic monthly active user targets exceeding entire chain metrics

　　Last-minute funding cancellations due to organizational restructuring

　　These setbacks nearly led to team dissolution due to financial constraints. However, we've recently secured a Launch Grant from a public chain, providing a lifeline for continued operations. Our focus has shifted to sustainable revenue generation rather than pursuing grandiose narratives for investment purposes.

　　Our next casual game is scheduled for an early April release, slightly behind schedule but still within acceptable parameters. Learning from past mistakes, we've engaged professional distribution partners for this launch. The game will initially debut on WeChat Mini Programs for testing, with subsequent platform expansions planned based on performance metrics.

　　Contrary to common perception, reputable game distribution companies often operate on a profit-sharing model for quality games, covering all user acquisition costs and providing revenue guarantees. This partnership model has validated our commitment to product quality.

　　In parallel, we're advancing our IP development and e-commerce initiatives. Key lessons learned include:

　　1. Industry-specific development approaches are crucial

　　2. IP content creation requires long-term strategic planning

　　3. Sales channels must be established before product launches

　　Our previous attempt at e-commerce, CutUp, serves as a cautionary example of overemphasis on branding without proper sales infrastructure. We're now in discussions with an experienced e-commerce team to launch an official store for our IP merchandise, leveraging their expertise in platform operations and marketing.

　　To maintain financial stability, we've also ventured into design outsourcing, capitalizing on the growing demand for rebranding and merchandise design in the current market climate.

　　As a small, self-funded startup navigating our first entrepreneurial venture, we've experienced significant challenges but remain committed to growth and adaptation. While our current trajectory may diverge from traditional Web3 models, our focus remains on building sustainable business operations and delivering value to our community. The road ahead remains challenging, but with each obstacle overcome, we grow stronger and more resilient in our pursuit of long-term success.