First what exactly is The Abyss?
By The original uploader was Yoruno at Italian Wikipedia [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The Abyss appears to be a competitor to the Steam gaming platform (not Steem!). This competitor is built on Ethereum and in my opinion looks to be the first true killer app for Ethereum which leverages Ethereum's strengths. Cryptokitties showed us that Ethereum is an excellent gaming platform while we also know Ethereum is the best ICO platform. The Abyss seems to provide an ecosystem for creating crypto games, ARGs, MMOs and the like. For an overview watch this descriptive video.
The Abyss has a "motivational programs" layer and a "referral programs" layer
What makes Abyss unique is they will have both a motivational programs layer and a referral programs layer. The motivational programs layer seems to work in an actions to earn rewards model. The details of all of this can be found in their whitepaper. The referral program works down to 5 levels and rewards gamers and developers, best described by watching their video
Fully SEC compliant and first example of a DAICO
What stood out about this ICO is that it's fully SEC compliant. They went by the book and did all the required process to crowdfund by the letter of the law. The good news is they limit regulatory risks (if it's a security then they did it by the book). The bad news is they are doing KYC which means you have to be an accredited investor to participate in the ICO. The silver lining is you don't have to be accredited to participate in the referral program. It appears we can earn our way in by our effort and participation similar to how Steemit lets us earn our way in.
If you are a gamer or if this opportunity interests you
When you register you will have the option to request to be put on the whitelist. There is also a potential waiting list as this looks to be a big deal for an ICO being that it's the first ever DAICO based on the model put forth by Vitalik Buterin. Personally I did not expect the concept of DAICO to take off so quickly but the idea if the code actually works as intended could be a game changer. Do not take this post as investment advice and I would in fact not put a lot of money into the first iteration of a DAICO, but they appear to have done everything right including achieving full SEC compliance. I think this project has massive potential based on the marketing which is some of the best I've ever seen and based on the concept which targets a huge growing market (gaming is a big deal!).
Anyone who wants to take advantage of this opportunity can join by my invite.