Episode 56
#56 - Gotta Catch ’Em All—Garrett Lee’s Tokiemon, Where AI, Web3 Gaming, and Token Communities Collide
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🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Garrett Lee, CEO of Alma Labs and the creative force behind Tokiemon — a groundbreaking Web3 gaming project that blends generative AI, token community engagement, and classic monster-battling gameplay.
Garrett brings over seven years of experience building Web3 protocols and companies. As both a product manager and Solidity developer, he bridges technical expertise with business strategy to deliver immersive blockchain-powered experiences. With Tokiemon, he’s pioneering a new model of onchain gaming — one that invites players to explore, collect, and battle unique AI-generated monsters tied to their favorite tokens.
Tokiemon is built on Base and has already seen over 20,000 onchain transactions in beta, integrating with 50+ token communities and boasting a $60 average lifetime value for paid users. At its heart, the game is more than entertainment — it’s a gamified bridge into onchain ecosystems and a new kind of digital community-building tool.
In this episode, we explore:
🔹 What Inspired Tokiemon
Garrett shares how his background in Web3 development and degen culture led to the creation of a game that turns token ownership into gameplay, combining his love of tech, design, and community.
🔹 Blending Generative AI, Tokens, and Gameplay
We dive into the unique challenges of creating one-of-one monsters with provable scarcity — and how Garrett and the team kept gameplay fun and competitive while staying true to onchain principles.
🔹 Driving Engagement During Beta
Garrett unpacks the strategies that helped Tokiemon achieve early traction, from token-based monster minting to community integrations that foster organic growth.
🔹 Building Degenia: Exploration and Competition
We talk about designing Degenia — the world players explore and battle in — and how its quest systems and leaderboard mechanics keep users engaged over time.
🔹 The Future of Onchain Gaming
Garrett shares his vision for where Tokiemon — and onchain games more broadly — are headed. From expanding token integrations to strengthening player communities, he paints a compelling picture of what’s next.
With a deep understanding of both blockchain architecture and player psychology, Garrett offers a thoughtful look into how Web3 gaming is evolving — and why projects like Tokiemon might shape the next chapter of interactive entertainment.
📢 Tune in now to hear Garrett’s insights on product leadership, onchain design, and creating games that connect communities through code.
Links to Tokiemon:
Stay tuned for more episodes as we continue our deep dive into the latest trends and innovations in Web3 gaming. The future is now—let's jump in together! 🎮
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