Meebits launched in 2021 as a collection of 20,000 generative avatars reimagining the profile picture for a three-dimensional internet. Algorithmically assembled and fully rigged for moving through virtual worlds, they function as generative digital sculptures—brought to life by their collectors.
After CryptoPunks gave shape to the idea of a ownable digital identity for the 2D web, we asked ourselves: what could we create for a future where avatars move through 3D spaces? Our experience with video game development gave us a solution: working in voxels, not pixels.
In the early prototypes1 of the Meebits that began in 2018, the initial focus was on figuring out the right resolution. For both pixel and voxel art, we believe that there is a sweet spot where the complexity is kept to a minimum to preserve a blocky look, while remaining recognizable enough to provide the right cues for the brain to fill in the details.
Working in 3D demanded more nuance than the relatively simple compositing that was used in the 2D CryptoPunks generator. In two dimensions, layers can simply stack; in three dimensions, each element - hair, hoodies, earrings - must conform to rules of three-dimensional space, fitting and connecting just right. We also wanted to include generative elements wherever we could, so there was a second level of algorithmic generation of attributes like the clothing patterns2 and tattoos.3
In May 2021, the collection of 20,000 generative humans, pigs, elephants, robots, skeletons, visitors, and “dissected”s launched. Every Meebit came with a T-pose OBJ file, ready to be brought to life in game engines, 3D studios, or virtual worlds. Alongside the characters, a custom marketplace was built directly into the smart contract. It allowed multi-asset trades rather than just simple buying and selling. An example trade could be three human Meebits plus a small amount of ETH for a rarer elephant.4
Meebits sold out quickly in a single afternoon. Certain attributes quickly emerged as favorites, the enigmatic “Glitch Pig” was discovered, puzzle hunters made an exciting discovery and collectors began finding creative ways to bring their Meebits to life. However, while the embedded marketplace captured the spirit of barter, network effects meant it was rarely used vs. broader NFT trading platforms that had existing momentum with collectors.
Since their launch, Meebits have lived multiple lives, appearing in music collaborations, exhibitions, and metaverse platforms. Acquired by Yuga Labs in 2022 and later by MeebCo in 2025, these generative sculptures are now expanding into new territory: interactive merchandise drops, 3D printed sculptures, and large-scale public art.