- Yuga Labs, creator of Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs, addressed vision issues attendees experienced after recent ApeFest event in Hong Kong.
- Yuga Labs claimed less than 1% were affected and are improving, but community criticized lack of health/safety precautions.
- Incident highlights issues around event management and community responsibility for NFT companies like Yuga Labs.
Yuga Labs, the creators of the Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT collection, recently held an event called ApeFest in Hong Kong. Several attendees reported experiencing eye-related injuries and vision problems after the event. Yuga Labs has now addressed the issue, but the Bored Ape community was critical of their response.
Yuga Labs’ Statement on the ApeFest Vision Issues
Yuga Labs’ official Twitter account stated that they are investigating the cause behind the reported eye injuries. They claimed that less than 1% of attendees were affected and that most are improving.
Community Criticism of Yuga Labs’ Handling of the Situation
Many in the Bored Ape community blasted Yuga Labs’ response. Some pointed out the injuries are similar to a past event where unsafe UV lights were used. Others criticized the lack of basic health and safety precautions. Attendees who paid to go vented about having to pay more for medical bills.
The Impact on the NFT Market
The mishap occurred as the NFT market shows signs of slowing down. OpenSea, the largest NFT marketplace, recently laid off 20% of its staff. However, data shows weekly NFT sales volumes have been increasing, reaching over $129 million in early November. Bored Ape Yacht Club remains a top collection.
Conclusion
While the NFT market continues to grow, the ApeFest incident highlights issues around event management and community responsibility. Yuga Labs faces criticism for not preventing easily avoidable medical risks. The situation serves as a lesson for NFT companies to prioritize health and safety.
