EM, creators!

EMC Episode 18 delivers a sharp and spicy critique of crypto-native experiments—examining how far we've come (and where we’re still missing the mark) when it comes to onchain participation, content monetization, and creator ownership. Whether it's playing games on social platforms, minting tokenized shorts, or launching new drops, the crew asked one question over and over:
Are we building with purpose—or just porting Web2 into Web3?

Let’s get into it.

1. Crypto: The Game vs. Fully Onchain Contests

The crew kicked off with a critical look at Crypto: The Game, a viral, Survivor-inspired experience that captured the community's imagination—but, according to the EMC panel, fell short of crypto’s potential.

Despite leaning into crypto branding, the game mostly relied on Web2 infrastructure—Google Sheets, Telegram chats, and centralized coordination. The experience was fun, yes, but raised a question: What makes this a crypto game, really?

“This is the gamified version of what’s wrong with crypto: centralized tools wrapped in a Web3 aesthetic.” — Humpty

They then contrasted this with Jokerace and other onchain-native games that held up as better examples of decentralized coordination:

• Onchain rules and verifiable outcomes, enforced by smart contracts.

• Permissionless entry with transparent, auditable votes.

• Creative formats like quadratic voting and sybil-resistant design.

The crew praised games like Castout by GM Farcaster, which blends crypto-native tools, onchain quests, and social challenges in a way that feels truly Web3. While Crypto: The Game sparked strong participation, it served as a reminder that crypto isn’t just about vibes—it’s about designing mechanisms that are provably fair, composable, and autonomous.

2. Zora Coins & The Evolution of Tokenized Content

Next up: Zora’s big shift from NFTs to coins—a change that stirred both excitement and skepticism. Zora Coins now let creators tokenize their content as fungible tokens instead of traditional ERC-721 NFTs.

For some, this move makes content more liquid, more social, and more memeable. Launching a coin tied to a podcast clip or short video is simple, fast, and comes with built-in distribution. Humpty minted one live during the stream and immediately had liquidity on Uniswap.

But the crew questioned whether this model creates long-term value or short-term speculation:

• Are these tokens meaningful expressions of fandom and support, or just meme coins with extra steps?

• Do they help creators build sustainable relationships with their communities, or just inflate numbers without depth?

• Does replacing NFTs with coins strengthen or dilute the core principles of crypto art and media?

There’s also tension between monetization and mission. Zora once positioned itself as a platform focused on onchain culture and art—but the shift to coins feels, to some, like a pivot to chase the current meta rather than lead it.

“It feels like a last-ditch effort to stay relevant, rather than an intentional evolution.” — Diana

Still, the potential is there: if creators can use coins not just for financial games, but as tools for access, governance, or collaborative funding, Zora Coins might become more than just trend-chasing.

3. Owning Your Contract as a Creator: Autonomy in Onchain Publishing

One of the deeper philosophical conversations of the episode centered on contract ownership, and what it means for creators in a tokenized internet.

Historically, Zora allowed creators to mint under their own contracts, meaning they had full control over the metadata, royalties, and long-term portability of their content. But with Zora Coins, that seems to be changing—content is minted into a shared system, which may limit flexibility and ownership down the line.

“I used to be able to own my smart contract. Now I don’t see that option. That’s potentially a step backward for creator sovereignty.” — Humpty

This sparked a broader conversation about the importance of creator-controlled infrastructure. Tools like Pods were highlighted for doing this well—giving creators their own contract environment where content can live, evolve, and connect to other platforms without permission.

Why this matters:

• Portability. If you leave the platform, your content still exists—and can move with you.

• Programmability. You can build additional functionality on top of your own smart contract—airdrops, subscriptions, DAO governance, and more.

• Trustlessness. You don’t rely on a third party to maintain or update your media.

The takeaway: Owning your smart contract isn’t just about tech—it’s about creative and financial independence. As the onchain media stack matures, platforms that prioritize creator sovereignty will be the ones that win long-term trust.

Conclusion: Don’t Just Play the Game—Change the Rules

From tokenized podcasts to social games, this episode of EMC asked a powerful question: Are we truly building something new, or just reskinning the old world with smart contracts and tokens?

What became clear is that crypto-native tools unlock new possibilities—but only when they’re used intentionally. Whether you're running a contest, launching a coin, or minting a new drop, the strongest projects aren’t chasing trends. They’re designing with purpose, empowering communities, and giving creators ownership over their work.

So, what’s your next move?
Not just what will you build—but how will you build it?