Otherside land utility shifts through resource testing

New economy rules for landholders

Yuga Labs tests the resource economy for Otherside to introduce harvesting fees for landowners and benefits for characters. Landowners set the fees players pay to harvest resources from their parcels. This system uses 74 onchain resources and relies on ApeCoin to provide the sole medium for transferring value. I find the implementation of these harvesting fees to be the most logical step for establishing actual utility for Otherdeeds. While Yuga Labs allows players to keep crafted items, the company may reset resources during this testing phase, which creates a layer of uncertainty for those who purchased Otherdeeds for around $7,000 each using ApeCoin. Kodas NFTs confer gameplay benefits, while MegaKodas enhance player experiences upon tribute.

The initial sale of 55,000 Otherdeeds on April 30 raised approximately $285 million to $320 million. Investors spent over $176 million on Ethereum gas fees alone, which caused Etherscan to crash and delayed transactions. Even though the floor price of a Bored Ape reached 150 ETH, interest in new metaverse activity faces a difficult environment. The sale also saw ApeCoin trading increase by as much as 50% due to anticipation, though the token launched in March. Yuga Labs also allocated 45,000 Otherdeeds to holders of Bored Ape Yacht Club and Mutant Ape NFTs. Voyagers remain slated to launch in Starpods during 2026.

Engagement data shows a cooling market

The enthusiasm for new metaverse utility clashes with declining engagement in other digital spaces. SunnySide saw its average player count drop by 30.47% in October 2026, reaching a peak of only 10 players. You probably remember the massive Ethereum congestion during the initial land sale, but current trends show a different story. The Outlast Trials active player base decreased by 62.1% compared to the previous month, though it maintains 9,887 active players. Escape from Yandere also experienced a 20% decline in average players throughout October.

These numbers contrast with the historical success of the Bored Ape Yacht Club collection, which saw sales of at least $1.4 billion. Yuga Labs also raised $450 million in a fundraising round in March, valuing the company at $4 billion. The Outlast Trials still maintains a large player base despite recent drops, having reached an all-time high of 147,771 concurrent players on Steam. SunnySide shows extreme volatility, as it previously saw a 40.42% gain in August 2026. Will the specific mechanics of harvesting fees deter players from interacting with landowner property?

Luxury brands maintain digital presence

Gucci maintains a digital presence through its Vault platform, which resells upcycled and vintage Gucci stock. The project follows the vision of creative director Alessandro Michele to present precious objects and archive pieces. Triefus oversees the brand’s metaverse and gaming strategies alongside his role with the Vault. Triefus previously held executive roles for Giorgio Armani and Calvin Klein before joining Gucci in 2008. The platform sells restored archive pieces that curators select for their beauty and history. This differs from the volatile nature of NFT mints, as the brand focuses on physical objects and long-term brand expansion. The platform aims to tell stories through objects that go beyond the borders of time and space.