Whereas it could have disbanded its Web3-specific crew as a part of its latest restructure, Snapchat’s nonetheless engaged on associated initiatives, with the corporate asserting a brand new collaboration with musician J Balvin on its first ever ‘Bitmoji Drop’ of restricted version digital Air Jordan 2 Balvin sneakers.

The Drop will allow Snap customers to choose up a pair of those sneakers for his or her Bitmoji character, for a restricted time, marking one other growth in Snap’s evolving digital identification push.

As defined by Snap:

“The digital model of the AJ2 Balvin is offered solely to Jordan followers through Snapchat earlier than the bodily gadgets can be found on September fifteenth. The wanted shoe will solely be obtainable for a restricted time on the app, and might solely be secured and saved till September 14th at 11:59 p.m. PST. Snapchatters who cop the Drop inside the restricted time-frame can sport the sneaker on their Bitmoji in fashion, indefinitely.”

In the event you don’t declare the digital merchandise inside that timeframe, nevertheless, you’ll by no means get them, with Snap retiring the digital merchandise to take care of exclusivity.

Whereas not as advanced as among the digital avatar choices which might be at present in growth, Snap’s Bitmoji characters are vastly common, and will turn out to be a key channel for Snap to maneuver into extra superior AR and even metaverse experiences.

On that line, Snap’s been engaged on varied digital clothes partnerships, designed to assist customers create extra personalized, personalised Bitmoji depictions, which they will then use in several digital settings.

The broader plan, primarily based on a beforehand filed patent from Snap, is to construct a Bitmoji style retailer, the place customers would be capable of purchase digital replicas of just about any real-world style merchandise, with each Snap and retailers taking a reduce.

Unique drops may very well be one other ingredient, ushering in a brand new section of digital commerce within the app, which might additionally serve to make customers extra invested of their Bitmoji characters as representive of themselves on-line.

And if Snap is then in a position to incorporate metaverse schemas, enabling customers to take their Bitmoji character with them to different digital realms – like, say, Meta’s VR metaverse – that may very well be the principle path that Snap takes into the following section, if and when it turns into a actuality.

They might not look as superior as among the digital character fashions round, but when Snap can begin constructing on its Bitmoji choices, and improve that person connection to their characters, they might find yourself being key instruments in that shift.

Which is why ‘Bitmoji Drops’ is an attention-grabbing idea, and an attention-grabbing testing floor for Snap to measure potential demand for extra unique gadgets for Bitmoji characters.

Which, finally, will result in shopping for and promoting, both by Snap, and/or doubtlessly by customers who’re in a position to choose up the unique gadgets.