Sky Mavis has launched the Stage 2 evolution system for Axie Infinity, allowing players to upgrade more than 250 distinct Axie parts. The update transforms how players interact with their NFTs, adding both combat improvements and visual changes. Co-founder Jeff 'Jihoz' Zirlin described the feature as the realization of a five-year vision: "We're turning Axies into digital collectibles that evolve as you play with them. This has been something that's been at the core of our vision for over five years now."
Since launching in 2018, Axie Infinity has attracted millions of players who battle using NFT-based creatures. The game survived a $622 million hack and continues to expand within the Ronin blockchain ecosystem. Zirlin compared the system to CryptoKitties, noting that Axies function as animated entities with individual traits.
The Part Evolution feature works through App.Axie using Atia's Flame. Players can now level Axies to 60, up from the previous cap, and evolve all six parts on each creature. The system introduces new mechanics around materials, the Garuda Shrine Shop, and consumables that players need to understand.
Evolution requires specific materials, AXS fees, and ascension levels. Players select their Axie in Atia's Flame, confirm it meets the requirements, then provide the materials and AXS to start the process.
The system addresses a practical problem with NFT collections. With 11.9 million Axie NFTs spread across 1.9 million wallets, creating new collections would flood the market. Evolution lets Sky Mavis add content without minting more NFTs. Zirlin explained the approach applies across all Axie games through shared experience points, crafting materials, and progression systems.
Material costs scale with each part. The first evolution costs 100 materials. Evolving all six parts on one Axie requires 1,013 materials total. AXS fees vary by part. Standard evolution takes 96 hours, but players can instant-evolve by doubling the material cost.
Radiant Spirit Shells add another layer. These tokens are mandatory for evolving certain parts. Players obtain them by ascending Mystic Axies, earning Garuda Shrine Shop rewards, or buying from the marketplace.
Vertical progression through evolution solves a recurring issue in NFT projects. Zirlin noted: "We've seen some, let's say, disasters over the last year where NFT projects would need funding, or their communities wanted new content, so they would mint an entirely new collection. And that would crash the market for their NFTs. Dynamic NFTs and evolving NFTs allow developers to introduce new content without expanding the supply of their initial collections."
Sky Mavis is running the Race to Evolution Challenge, rewarding the first 10,000 evolved Axies with Origin Axies and Radiant Spirit Shells. An extra prize goes to whoever evolves all six parts first.
The studio also opened its first official merch store. The launch featured the limited >Code: Axie_ Collection, referencing the 2018 release when the first Axie NFTs appeared as raw code. The collection includes a hoodie, t-shirt, and cap. The store also sells figurines, plushies, and other apparel. Mystic Axie NFT holders get token-gated access to exclusive figurines in both physical and digital formats, plus updated licensing terms for their Axies.
The part evolution update changes how players approach progression in the Axie universe. Between the raised level cap, Radiant Spirit Shells, and material requirements, the system adds depth without requiring players to buy new NFTs.
