HEROIC x Polkadot sponsorship

It's a pure marketing engagement with no concrete use case, KPIs, and benefit to Polkadot. I've been in the esports scene for over 5 years and we've seen so many of these collaborations fail because of a lack of use cases with clear benefits for user engagement or the polkadot ecosystem. Where are the creative ideas to engage fans with apps or games from Polkadot? For such amount, I would have expected an executable plan with clear objective and benefits.
It seems that polkadot will be the next victim of esports.

Greetings Fellas,

I want to share my take here. The proposal lacks a detailed strategy and execution plan focused on user acquisition and retention, which are critical for demonstrating value and ROI. While the proposal highlights significant brand visibility and engagement opportunities, it does not outline concrete steps or mechanisms to convert this exposure into new users or measurable business outcomes for Polkadot.

The proposal does not specify how Polkadot will attract new users through this partnership. There are no clear methods for converting esports fans into Polkadot users. It lacks detailed KPIs that would help Polkadot track the effectiveness of the sponsorship in terms of user growth, engagement, and financial returns. The current proposal misses a significant opportunity to leverage Polkadot’s existing ecosystem, specifically by not integrating with Polkadot-based games such as Exiled Racers. Incorporating these elements can create a more immersive and engaging user experience, driving both user acquisition and retention. Here are some detailed strategies and ideations that could have been included:

Exclusive Competitions: Organize exclusive Exiled Racers tournaments featuring HEROIC players and fans. These tournaments can require participants to create Polkadot wallets to enter, driving new user sign-ups.
Celebrity Showdowns: Develop high-profile events where HEROIC stars compete against well-known Polkadot-sponsored personalities like Conor Daly, the Indy500 Driver. These events can be live-streamed to maximize visibility and engagement, attracting gaming and motorsports fans.
"Beat the Stars" Competitions: Create events where fans can compete against their favorite HEROIC players and Conor Daly. This could include various game formats and challenges designed to engage users and encourage them to participate actively.
Live-Streaming and Interactive Features: Ensure these events are live-streamed with interactive features, such as real-time voting and audience participation, to enhance the viewer experience and encourage wider engagement.
NFT-Based Rewards: Utilize Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to reward participants and winners. These NFTs can include unique game assets, special badges, or meet-and-greets with HEROIC players or Conor Daly.

This is only for the Exiled Races example; it could include other ecosystem games and those that will eventually come through the Mythical Games partnership and Games Bounty.

While the proposal mentions fan tournaments and activations, it lacks a comprehensive plan to use gamification elements to engage and retain users effectively. Developing well-designed gamification strategies can incentivize users to engage with the Polkadot ecosystem. Here’s a detailed approach to what could be included:

POAP Tokens and Digital Badges: Issue Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP) tokens and digital badges to participants of events, tournaments, and community activities. These tokens can serve as collectibles and status symbols within the community, encouraging repeat participation.
Achievement-Based Ranks: Implement a system of ranks and achievements that users can earn through various activities, such as participating in tournaments, completing challenges, or being active in the community.
Reward Mechanisms: Offer composable NFTs with Polkadot ecosystem cooperations as rewards for engaging in the Polkadot ecosystem. These NFTs can include exclusive in-game items, digital art, or other unique assets that hold value within the community.
Developed Marketplace: Create a dedicated marketplace, leveraging Polkadot parachains, where users can trade their NFTs. This marketplace can facilitate the exchange of in-game items, rewards, and other collectibles, adding an economic incentive for users to participate and stay engaged.
Tradeable Rewards: Ensure that all rewards and incentives are tradeable on the marketplace, allowing users to monetize their gaming achievements and engagement. This can include exclusive access to events, special NFTs, or even real-world prizes.
Exclusive Experiences: Develop and incorporate “money-can’t-buy” experiences as NFTs, such as meet-and-greets with HEROIC players, personalized coaching sessions, or behind-the-scenes access to esports events. These experiences can be highly valuable and drive significant engagement.

In conclusion, the proposal should undergo significant enhancements to include a detailed strategy and execution plan. This plan must focus on user acquisition and retention, leveraging the Polkadot ecosystem to create immersive and engaging user experiences. By integrating exclusive competitions, celebrity showdowns, and interactive live-streamed events with existing Polkadot-based games like Exiled Racers, the proposal can attract and convert esports fans into active Polkadot users. Furthermore, incorporating comprehensive gamification elements such as POAP tokens, digital badges, achievement-based ranks, composable NFTs, and a developed marketplace for tradeable rewards can significantly incentivize user engagement and retention.

Additionally, the proposal should outline clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the partnership's success in user growth, engagement, and financial returns. Without these critical components, it is difficult to justify the $1,337,000 investment and ensure that Polkadot derives tangible benefits and a positive ROI from this sponsorship.

Therefore, due to the lack of a well-defined strategy and execution plan and measurable KPIs, I must vote NAY. Addressing these shortcomings and presenting a more robust, actionable plan is essential to securing the desired outcomes for Polkadot and HEROIC.