Creating digital collectibles: What are attributes?

What defines a digital collectible? 

In our first post on creating an NFT, we explored the three types of NFTs to mint and why. We compared the advantages of each mint type—limited, unlimited, and single —and their potential use cases. But now that you know the kind of NFT you want to create, what’s next? 

From art to music and even sports, digital items stand out because of their immutable individuality. And, much like all of us, they’re defined by specific characteristics that make them unique—known as attributes. These can be anything from physical features, the environment they’re in, personality traits, personal history, etc. They tell a holistic story for a unique piece of art that resonates deeply with their owner. 

As the popularity of digital collectibles grows, it's essential to understand what attributes are and how to properly apply them to your web3 creations. 

Defining attributes

Attributes, or traits, refer to the unique characteristics that differentiate one item from another and help establish different levels of rarity. They can be as diverse as a creator wants to make them, encompassing a wide range of aspects depending on the type of item.

For example, here’s what attributes might look like for different applications:

• ‍Digital artwork: Attributes could include anything from the artist's name, the date it was created, the unique design or pattern, the color scheme, and even the medium (like digital painting, 3D modeling, etc.).‍
• Virtual pets: Attributes could highlight a creature’s color, breed, name, special abilities, lifespan, and even pedigree if it's part of a breeding game.‍
• Digital trading cards: Attributes could showcase the name of the player or character featured, their stats, the edition or series number, and unique art or holographic designs.‍
• Virtual real estate: Attributes could include the location within the virtual world, the size of the plot, any buildings or structures included, proximity to landmarks or popular areas, and associated in-game resources or benefits.

These attributes not only set each digital collectible apart from the next, but they also create a narrative around the item. This narrative plays a crucial role in enhancing each item's appeal.

In context: Nickelodeon digital collectibles

Let’s explore an example of a digital item's attributes:

Meet “Tolga,” a unique digital collectible from Nickelodeon season 1. To receive one of these unique NFTs, collectors had to accumulate a certain amount of slime—the classic Nickelodeon goo—to be burned for their new, randomized collectible.

The result was an ultra-rare mashup of two iconic characters from fan favorites Hey Arnold! and Rugrats. 

But the fun wasn’t over once a collector received their NFT. The collectible’s attributes are just as interesting to fans as the art itself. They help to weave a story about the character and draw attention to specific details that other collectibles are missing. Specific attributes can become highly sought after on secondary markets. 

As you can see, Tolga’s attributes paint the picture of the collectible's identity by highlighting the character’s pre-mashup origins, calling out character names, and the season to which it’s attributed. Additional details about expressions, backgrounds, and actions are also captured to add an extra layer of vibrancy. 

But this is just one example in a sea of possibilities. Attributes can call out distinct utility or even hidden easter eggs that can tease future events or rewards collectors can expect. 

How to assign attributes to your digital collectible

Now that you know the value of attributes, you might wonder how you can create your own digital collectibles with attributes. 

RECUR Builder is designed to help creators, brands, and artists easily build and launch their own web3 experiences. The platform provides a simplified interface to create your digital item, set its attributes, and mint it on the blockchain.

Defining attributes for your collectibles is a breeze. RECUR Builder’s intuitive interface allows you to define your attributes across the collection and then choose which traits are relevant to the item you’re creating. Then all you have to do is add the attribute's value for that specific NFT, and voilà! In just a few clicks, you’ll have an NFT packed with attributes that further immerse your fans in the world you’re building. 

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For the data lovers out there that want to get technical, attribute values are defined by different data types. The data types available include:

• Text (written values like name, accessories, expression, background, etc.)
• True / False (values that act as tags and don’t need an associated attribute value)
• Integers (whole numerical values like editions, points, lives, etc.)
• Decimals (percentage values like discount rates or point multipliers)
• Dates (specific milestones like mint date, birthday, secondary sales, etc.)

No matter how detailed you want to get, RECUR Builder can help you categorize your collection for significant insights into user activity and the health of your collections. 

Write your digital collectible story

Attributes are more than just descriptors. They infuse each piece with individuality and give your digital items their own identities. So, as you embark on your digital journey, craft your attributes with care. Your fans will take note. 

As the line between the physical and digital worlds continues to blur, digital items will likely play an increasingly important role in our lives. It's an exciting new frontier where creativity, technology, and ownership intersect, offering endless possibilities. 

Want to learn more about RECUR and RECUR Builder? Get in touch with our team of experts.