Ever since it burst on the scene, blockchain has been gaining more and more interest and use. It brought numerous changes in how we manage our finances, but it also paved the way for new types of games.
These games typically involve cryptocurrencies or non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in some element of the gameplay.
Let’s take a closer look at what different types of blockchain-based games there are and explore what they have to offer.
Gambling Games
Traditional online casinos have been around since the early days of the internet and they’ve undergone a lot of change over time. One of the biggest transformations in the industry was the introduction of cryptocurrencies as a payment method. New crypto casinos emerged, offering more convenience and better deals to players.
First of all, since all transactions in crypto casinos go through blockchain, they take place almost instantly, allowing players to deposit and withdraw money whenever they want. Transaction fees are also lower when using crypto, leaving players with more money to spend on slots, blackjack, and their other favorite casino games.
But this isn’t the only way blockchain has transformed online gambling.
You can now also play in casinos that do not require KYC, meaning that you don’t have to input any personal info other than your email and crypto wallet address.
In addition, crypto casinos are the safest place to gamble online. With all transactions taking place on blockchain, there’s no possibility for anyone to interfere with or alter your transactions once they’ve been recorded.
Lastly, Provably Fair technology on blockchain offers more transparency in online gambling, increasing the trust between players and casinos.
Collectible and Trading Games
Collectible and trading games go hand-in-hand with blockchain, as they allow players to have true ownership of in-game assets.
In these games, things such as characters or cards are represented as NFTs. This means that players who own them can sell or trade them in online marketplaces outside the game itself. The main benefit for players is that they have tangible value in their collections and can sell items for profit.
Much like physical collectibles and trading cards, these items often grow in value based on demand, rarity, and gameplay utility.
Outside of buying or trading for these assets, players can also earn them as rewards by completing challenges, competing against other players, or taking part in events.
Blockchain games that fall under this category usually have their own in-game economy and allow players to earn assets either through gameplay or investing.
The most popular titles in the genre are those such as CryptoKitties and Gods Unchained, but we’re constantly seeing new collecting and trading NFT games emerging. As the genre grows, it attracts not only more players but collectors and investors as well.
Virtual Real Estate Games
Games falling under this category are based around real estate, such as land, buildings, and items, that exist in the metaverse.
The metaverse has gone a long way since it first emerged, becoming an extension of our reality. With it, virtual properties have gained significant value.
Players can interact with their digital properties just like with physical ones, meaning that they can acquire, hold, develop, and sell them. If you buy metaverse land and digital real estate, you can even choose to open your own gallery or start a casino. Some players have even paid a premium to have land next to celebrities who are also in the metaverse, such as Snoop Dogg.
Some companies are even paying architects and developers to create specifically designed buildings as they look to establish their presence in the metaverse.
Of course, the use of blockchain technology also allows all players to hold their real estate as NFTs and have true ownership of it.
Perhaps the most famous virtual world is Decentraland which in 2022, had a market valuation of $1.2 billion. Earlier in June, a plot of virtual land on the platform was sold for $900,000.
However, the record for the most expensive virtual real estate was set on The Sandbox, when a plot of virtual land was sold for a whopping $4.3 million.
Role-Playing Games (RPGs)
There’s no denying that role-playing games (RPGs) are one of the most popular genres in the world of gaming. With the emergence of blockchain, it was only a matter of time before RPGs integrated this tech into gameplay.
Now, players can have true ownership of important in-game assets such as weapons, armor, and equipment. Characters in these games can also be NFTs, meaning that players can level, customize, and eventually sell or trade them in online marketplaces.
Think of these games as traditional RPGs but with players being able to gain tangible value from their in-game assets. In some of them, players can even earn cryptocurrency rewards by completing quests or winning battles.
That blockchain RPGs are mirroring traditional ones is best exemplified through The Six Dragons, the first ever open-world RPG on blockchain. The game comes with a 256km2 map and over one billion dungeons.
Another game in the genre that has sparked a lot of interest is Ember Sword which is getting its full release in late 2024.
The Bottom Line
Blockchain-based games have brought us an entirely new way to interact with games and assets within them. With features like true ownership and in-game economies, they’ve blurred the lines between entertainment and investing.
The best part – this is only the beginning of what blockchain gaming has to offer and we can expect these types of games to evolve even more in the coming years.
