# Agent Launch Mechanisms
There are 2 different ways that you can launch an agent on Virtuals Protocol, which are the Standard Launch and Genesis Launch
## 1. Standard Launch - anyone can create their own agents
Our platform is designed to make agent creation accessible to everyone. The process is streamlined for both technical and non-technical users, allowing them to easily create, deploy, and manage autonomous agents within our ecosystem with minimal friction.
> Virtuals Protocol is framework-agnostic and welcomes all quality AI projects. It is completely fine if you choose not to use or do not wish to use [GAME framework](https://docs.game.virtuals.io/).
When user creates a new agent, the agents will have two phases: **Prototypes Agent** and **Sentient Agents.**
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Usually, we encourage new agent tokens to be launched. However, if you **have an existing token and would like to launch with Virtuals, the agent can be launched by pairing 42K $VIRTUAL with an equivalent amount of the agent token. The agent will be launched as a Sentient Agent (bypassing the Prototype Agents phase).**
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## 2. Genesis Launch - new and fair launch mechanism
Genesis Launches are designed as a fair and permissionless token distribution mechanics tailored for AI agents within the Virtuals Protocol.
This system provides:
* AI Agent teams with the broadest possible holder base from Day 1, increasing visibility, alignment, and market velocity.
* Ecosystem participants (“Virgens”) with early access to top-tier agent projects through point-based eligibility and fair allocation.
Genesis Launches move early exposure away from opaque launches toward public, measurable participation.
## So, what are the differences of Genesis and Standard Launches?
| Feature | Standard Launch | Genesis Launch |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| TLDR of launch mechanism | Launch Prototype agents, and once they have accumulated 42K $VIRTUAL in the bonding curve, they graduate to Sentient Agents. A DEX liquidity pool will be created. | Schedule a launch date. Once launched, Virgens have 24 hours to pledge Points and commit $VIRTUAL.
Genesis Launches use a dynamic tiered raise structure, with thresholds at 21,000, 42,000, and 100,000 $VIRTUAL.
If pledges surpass a threshold, the raise automatically expands to the next tier.
Any contributions beyond the highest threshold are refunded.
If the minimum threshold is not met, no agent is launched, and Points and $VIRTUAL are returned to Virgens.
For more details, refer to the genesis refund policy.
|
| Early Access | Unstructured, speculative | Structured through point pledging |
| Token Distribution | Often dominated by insiders | Capped, proportional, transparent |
| Holder Alignment | Low signal-to-noise ratio | High-signal via real ecosystem contributors |
| Launch Mindshare | Diluted across noise | Concentrated around curated opportunities |
| Fairness | Low | High |
| Community Activation | Weak, post-hoc | Pre-launch coordination via points & pledges |
## What are the pros and cons of Genesis and Standard Launches for builders?
| Feature | Standard Launch | Genesis Launch |
|---|
| Pros | - You can launch a Prototype agent immediately, and do not depend on people's pledge
- You may pre-buy tokens when you create an agent, and you can re-distribute tokens to the community or control supply
| - Your agent/project gains immediate visibility for Virgens to pledge Points.
- Genesis Launches use a dynamic tiered raise structure, with thresholds at 21,000, 42,000, and 100,000 $VIRTUAL.
- If pledges surpass a threshold, the raise expands to the next tier.
- Your agent immediately becomes Sentient upon successful launch there is no need to accumulate along a bonding curve.
- If the minimum threshold is not met, no agent is launched, and Points and $VIRTUAL are returned to Virgens.
|
| Cons | - Agent only turns into Sentient once it accumulates $42K VIRTUALS
- Your project has minimal/no visibility to people
| - Requires sufficient support/pledge from people to launch (i.e., agent launch is fully subscribed)
|
For more details on the Genesis, please [refer to this section](/builders-hub/genesis-launch/genesis-points.md).
***
> *For users who would like to bridge their agent tokens from Base to Solana,* [*here is a guide*](https://docsend.com/view/quzapexrercgtw5r)*.*
{% hint style="success" %}
Builders who would like to lock their tokens pre-bonding can do so by sending their tokens to this vault (standard lock of 6 months post-bonding):
0xdAd686299FB562f89e55DA05F1D96FaBEb2A2E32.
**Agents in the bonding phase do not support third party token lockers such as UNCX, Sablier, etc. Please use our designated lock address below if your agent has yet to graduate**
{% endhint %}
## Other questions
How To Prevent Snipers?
If you're launching a new agent, we recommend scooping up supply for yourselves as the devs to mitigate potential snipers coming in to scoop post launch.
We also recommend you do this in the same block as to when the agent is deployed.
What do I do if I want my tokens to be airdropped to Virtuals community?
We offer a standard airdrop strategy for developers who wish to conduct an airdrop. Speak to our Business Development Team for more details.
I need some launch advice. Who can I reach out to?
Yes! Start by reading these key materials to cement your positioning before launching:
* [Pre-launch Checklist: Prepare using this guide](https://dev.virtuals.io/launch-guide/pre-launch-checklist)
* [Full End-to-End Agent Creation Process Guide: Comprehensive Guide](https://dev.virtuals.io/launch-guide/launch-an-agent-token)
There’s no single best way to structure token-related prompts, focus on defining your agent's characteristics, thought process, and responses. Everything is editable later.
Alternatively, speak to us. Note that this would take longer as we receive massive inquiries.
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