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#56 - Gotta Catch ’Em All—Garrett Lee’s Tokiemon, Where AI, Web3 Gaming, and Token Communities Collide
Earn up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at:
https://river.com/signup?r=X3KBKD7A
🎙️ 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:
- Website
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! 🎮
Shoutout to my good friend Cheeky Face for making the intro to my podcast. Give him a like, listen and stream.
You can find more on him here:
Spotify
If you enjoyed the episode, your support means the world to us. Here’s how you can help:
- Leave a Review: Your feedback helps others discover our podcast.
- Share the Episode: Spread the word by sharing with friends, family, and on social media. Tag us—we’d love to connect with you!
- Support Us: Consider contributing on Patreon or sending BTC to help us continue bringing you this content. Every bit counts!
Patreon
BTC Wallet: bc1q5sngh2w2cjj04pm9taw4m4rkapy6zhgqy3vnj2
Mentioned in this episode:
Free Bitcoin with River
If you’re buying Bitcoin, you need a platform that’s secure, reliable, and built for Bitcoiners—and that’s exactly what River delivers.
Not only does River offer zero-fee recurring buys and full Bitcoin custody, but they also provide 3.8% APY on cash deposits, giving you Bitcoin rewards just for holding your money with them. Plus, your cash is FDIC insured for extra peace of mind.
But here’s the best part—River has ForceField, their next-level security feature designed to stop hackers, scammers, and cyberattacks before they can touch your Bitcoin. With ForceField active:
✅ Your withdrawals are protected even if your account is compromised.
✅ You control your send limits or turn them off completely.
✅ There’s a 5-day delay for deactivation, giving you time to stop an attacker.
And don’t worry—you can still stack, deposit cash, and auto-withdraw to self-custody without interruption.
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By Matthew SimoneEarn up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at:
https://river.com/signup?r=X3KBKD7A
🎙️ 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:
- Website
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! 🎮
Shoutout to my good friend Cheeky Face for making the intro to my podcast. Give him a like, listen and stream.
You can find more on him here:
Spotify
If you enjoyed the episode, your support means the world to us. Here’s how you can help:
- Leave a Review: Your feedback helps others discover our podcast.
- Share the Episode: Spread the word by sharing with friends, family, and on social media. Tag us—we’d love to connect with you!
- Support Us: Consider contributing on Patreon or sending BTC to help us continue bringing you this content. Every bit counts!
Patreon
BTC Wallet: bc1q5sngh2w2cjj04pm9taw4m4rkapy6zhgqy3vnj2
Mentioned in this episode:
Free Bitcoin with River
If you’re buying Bitcoin, you need a platform that’s secure, reliable, and built for Bitcoiners—and that’s exactly what River delivers.
Not only does River offer zero-fee recurring buys and full Bitcoin custody, but they also provide 3.8% APY on cash deposits, giving you Bitcoin rewards just for holding your money with them. Plus, your cash is FDIC insured for extra peace of mind.
But here’s the best part—River has ForceField, their next-level security feature designed to stop hackers, scammers, and cyberattacks before they can touch your Bitcoin. With ForceField active:
✅ Your withdrawals are protected even if your account is compromised.
✅ You control your send limits or turn them off completely.
✅ There’s a 5-day delay for deactivation, giving you time to stop an attacker.
And don’t worry—you can still stack, deposit cash, and auto-withdraw to self-custody without interruption.
If you’re serious about securing your Bitcoin and earning 3.8% APY on cash, sign up with my referral link [insert link] and start stacking with confidence today.
https://river.com/signup?r=X3KBKD7A