Kolex launches new on-demand service
Kolex launches new on-demand collectibles services to further support esports teams with fan engagement and scalable revenue streams
Collectibles company Kolex launches print-to-order and print-on-demand services to commemorate esports players and teams and to support teams with fan engagement and scalable revenue streams.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the collectible card hobby experienced a remarkable resurgence. As people around the world found themselves confined to their homes, many turned to hobbies that provided a sense of nostalgia, community, and personal satisfaction. Trading cards saw a significant increase in popularity. This renaissance of the collectible card hobby provided a much-needed escape and a way to connect with others during a time of unprecedented isolation.
“Every collectible represents a moment in time. We let teams and players decide which moments they want to celebrate and memorialise. These are the Mickey Mantle or Michael Jordan Rookie Cards of esports and looking back in 50 or 100 years we want them to serve the same purpose as time capsules and keepsakes for the sports they represent.” — Mark Donovan, Co-Founder and CEO of Kolex.
Since 2018, Kolex has provided esports and pop-culture fans with the cards they want. The combination of physical trading cards with a connected digital experience allows fans to collect and earn rewards on the Kolex platform through social features like quests, leaderboards, games and more.
Kolex’s new services will help esports teams celebrate the moments they care about most. Selected cards will either be made available for pre-order, and fulfilled as physical cards after the pre-order window closes, or distributed as a digital-first card with the ability to be printed whenever collectors choose to do so. In both scenarios, the physical and digital cards are connected through Kolex’s unique hybrid technology that securely ties together the digital and physical versions of cards. This will not only supply collectors with the cards they want and the ability to engage in digital experiences, but also deal with a huge challenge in the trading card industry: paper waste and excess duplicate cards.
The services are scheduled to launch later this quarter with the first print-on-demand cards being showcased and handed out as promo cards at the SK Gaming booth at gamescom in Cologne.
“Last year, we launched a set of hybrid trading cards with Kolex for gamescom and we are happy to do so again this year. With our long standing team history and Kolex’s new services, we are looking forward to launching on-demand trading cards with Kolex in the future.” — Alexander Müller, CEO of SK Gaming