In this article, we discussed the meaning of blockchain gaming, we also talked about the types, the future, advantages and disadvantages.
Definition
Blockchain games are simply those that incorporate elements of blockchain technology. In some cases, in-game items are minted as NFTs, allowing players to trade or sell them to others.
A blockchain game is any game that uses blockchain technology to enhance or rearchitect traditional video games.
Types of Blockchain Games
Although the categories that blockchain games fall into are constantly developing and growing as the technology becomes more advanced, there are few game types that currently stand out.
Collectable games
These blockchain games are at the heart of the crypto gaming world. The main idea is for players to collect certain assets or characters in order to develop them and increase their value. A great example is the Ethereum-based blockchain game Crypto Kitties, were players train and trade kitties. Fantasy sports games played on No Limit Fantasy Sports, are another success story from the space.
Role-playing games
Role-playing games or RPGs are those that require players to take part in real-time combat using characters. These are typically shooter games or hack-and-slash games. As a reward for playing these games, you can receive NFTs or crypto tokens. Some popular examples include Benimon, Six Dragons and Lost Relics.
Open world games
In open-world games, the player enters a whole world created using assets based on crypto. Imagine buying virtual land and building it, customizing it with people, plants and anything you can imagine. Later, you can sell your virtual parcel of land to another player and receive real-life money. One of the most veering examples here is The Sandpile, a game similar to Decentral and, where you can create, sell, use, and monetize virtual reality NFTs that you have ownership of.
The Advantages of Blockchain Gaming
Secure in-game exchanges – with the rise of numerous digital wallets like MetaMask, players can safely buy and sell crypto tokens and in-game assets through the use of digital currencies.
Interoperable gaming profiles – by using their unique public address, players can transact with their crypto on a number of different games. Assets can be used in completely different gaming universes, offering more flexibility and new opportunities.
Full ownership of in-game assets – players have authentic ownership of their game assets, meaning that they’re not dependent on developers, who can delete a game at any given time.
Decentralization – unlike in traditional games, where all decisions are made by the developers, in blockchain games the players have the power to make decisions.
Creation of rare in-game assets – the use of smart contracts can be extremely advantageous in creating rare digital collectables that will be highly priced. These in-game assets will be created as a result of specific types of interaction. We’ve already seen this with CryptoKitties, where unique cat breeds are more expensive.
The Disadvantages of Blockchain Gaming
Monetizing a hobby – for most players, games are designed to bring joy and an alternative way to relax and escape from reality. By striving to fully monetize the gaming experience, this concept could undergo a complete shift, which is currently not favored by some players in the gaming community.
High barriers to entry – blockchain could make gaming an expensive hobby for players by tokenizing assets and in-game cosmetics.
Technological immaturity – as the technology is still relevantly new, blockchain gaming still lacks the technical sophistication of traditional gaming.
What is the future of blockchain gaming
Blockchain is already making some progress in the gaming industry but the question still remains whether blockchain gaming is something that players around the world would appreciate or would rather oppose as it completely changes the idea of gaming as a hobby. Without a doubt, there is undeniable potential in blockchain gaming, but challenges like speed and user experience are yet to be addressed.
Conclusion
In a very short period of time, blockchain has transformed the way we think about exchanging money, storing data, and communicating with others in a distributed yet trusted and secure environment. With inventions like NFTs and Metaverse, blockchain technology opens up exciting opportunities in one of the world’s most popular and profitable industries.