1 What are Blockchain Games?2 Several key concepts3 How blockchain games work4 How To Get Started Playing Blockchain Games5 Best games based on blockchain technology5.1 Alien Worlds 5.2 Axie Infinity5.3 CryptoKitties6 Closing Thoughts
Blockchain games are decentralized, they have no centrally controlled server. Gaming projects can either issue their own token or use an existing token as a payment and reward unit. A great tokenomics and gameplay triggered the rise of blockchain gaming popularity though legal, regulatory, and financial challenges remain. Anyone considering getting involved in a blockchain business should hire an experienced video game and Web 3 attorney.
Several key concepts
Tokenomics — mainly refers to the economics of a crypto token and refers to all the qualities of a digital asset that make it attractive to investors. Tokenomics exists exclusively for blockchain-based platforms. This creates different interest groups in the system, and we can use different properties of game theory. Using tokens to develop incentives or create new assets lends tremendous power to blockchain gaming. Decentralization means network governance without a single authority or data center. The open-source nature of blockchain allows anyone to analyze the code used in crypto games. This provides transparency and gives equal rights to players and authors. No one controls the outcome of the game. Users can also fork the game in case a developer tries to perform updates that are not supported by the community. Then, a different version may be created.
How blockchain games work
Game development is notoriously difficult and requires a lot of money and resources. Often, games take years of work and millions of dollars to see the world. The developer may not even profit from it. Many companies use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to create resources and code for their products. Blockchain helps developers to create code and implement their game vision faster. They can design the whole game on a blockchain, combining efforts through a distributed ledger. Or, developers can simply use crypto for the in-game currency. In the former case, every interaction within the game is confirmed and recorded as new blocks in the blockchain. Thus, a game doesn’t need an administrator or moderator. For the second case, gamers frequently use non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as in-game digital assets.
How To Get Started Playing Blockchain Games
Most crypto games are built on the Ethereum blockchain, and you’ll probably need to buy Ether to play them. There are many crypto-to-fiat exchanges available, so find the one that best suits your needs. Opt for the one with good reputation and security measures. Also, check what payment methods are available. Better look for a platform that accepts credit cards as most banks support automatic currency conversion and you’ll be able to pay for crypto in your local currency. For instance, the CEX.IO exchange is a global regulated platform and you can securely buy 80+ digital tokens there. It allows purchases with your debit or credit card. The process is simple and straightforward, you’ll have the necessary tokens in minutes. After that, transfer them to your game platform account. The exchange also allows you to get Ether for another crypto, by trading ETH to BTC pair, for example. The final step to getting started playing blockchain games is choosing the game you want to play.
Best games based on blockchain technology
Alien Worlds
Launched in late 2020, the Alien Worlds community has grown to almost 3.6 million players. Unlike other blockchain games, Alien Worlds didn’t require crypto or a Metamask wallet to begin. So many early testers wished to try it in action. Alien Worlds represents a Metaverse where users can play using NFTs, participate in Trilium staking, vote, and run for planetary council. It involves over 3.5 million players and has rapidly climbed the DappRadar ranking charts. The game inspired people to try the new heights of imagination and create, share and increase in the Social Metaverse. Players are quickly attracted by a play-to-earn approach that they created and govern for themselves while exploring planets across the metaverse. The game’s daily tasks include designing NFTs, meeting other players, and selecting land and tools for a strategy of the gamer’s choice.
Axie Infinity
Axie Infinity is famous for being one of the first Pokemon-style games. To get started, you need at least 3 Axies, it’s an NFT-based digital creature you can buy online. You will get a Smooth Love Potion (SLP) as a reward for completing a mission, coming through the adventure mode to for winning the player-to-player combat. SLP is the ERC-20 utility token of the platform. Also, by combating other plyers, users breed and collect Axies. Each is unique in terms of its genetic indication. The descendants receive all the powers and weaknesses of the Axies. Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? Well, you can also trade the Axis on many Ethereum NFT trading platforms. Their prices are different, depending on the hero’s characteristics and rarity.
CryptoKitties
It was one of the first games to bring attention to the potential of blockchain gaming. CryptoKitties is a video game where you can buy, sell, breed, and trade cartoon-like digital cats. The game was extremely popular in 2017 and has maintained its position as one of the most exciting crypto games in the world. However, breeding new kittens comes with high crypto costs, which can hit your wallet hard. At CryptoKitties, you need to collect and breed cats in order to eventually expand your collection. The uniqueness of each CryptoKitty is determined by individual genes, just like in real cats. You can breed them with others to create new species and spawn new traits that can end up being good or bad.
Closing Thoughts
What’s more, you’ll have real possession of game assets so you’re a stakeholder contributing to a community-driven ecosystem (DAO). Traditional, centralized gaming doesn’t offer you this. The more blockchain games develop, the bigger the motivation for players to join virtual experiences.
