Mar 1, 2023
The video gaming sector is a rapidly growing industry that has gained immense popularity over the years. Video games (including NFT games) are played by millions of people worldwide, across a wide range of platforms. These include consoles and computers, as well as mobile devices. The gaming sector encompasses a wide variety of genres, from action-packed shooters to immersive role-playing games. What’s more, it includes both single-player and multiplayer experiences.
NFT games (and the gaming sector as a whole) now form a significant part of the entertainment industry. This is thanks to things such as advancements in technology and the growing popularity of e-sports. It is attracting large audiences and generating billions of dollars in revenue.
What are NFT games?
Firstly, NFT games are a type of video game that utilize NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), which are unique digital assets. These assets are stored on a blockchain, to represent in-game assets. NFT games enable players to own and trade in-game items, characters and other assets on a blockchain. Of course, this provides a level of ownership and transparency that is not possible in traditional games. This makes NFT games different from traditional video games.
Moreover, in NFT games, players can earn, buy, sell and trade digital assets that are represented as NFTs. These are unique and cannot be replicated, enabling players to truly own their in-game assets. The assets can have real-world value, meaning players can participate in a new type of digital economy.
NFT games are still in their early stages, but some examples include games like CryptoKitties, Axie Infinity and The Sandbox. In these games, players can collect, breed and trade virtual pets, battle monsters, or build and monetize virtual worlds. At the same time, they own their in-game assets on the blockchain.
Overall, NFT games are a new and exciting development in the world of gaming. They offer players new opportunities for ownership, creativity and participation in a digital economy.
Blockchain games
Blockchain games are a type of video game that utilize blockchain technology to create a decentralized and transparent game environment. Game assets and player data are stored on a blockchain, thereby allowing for greater security, transparency and ownership of assets.
The blockchain technology behind these NFT games enables players to own and trade in-game assets on a peer-to-peer basis. For example, virtual currency, items and even characters. This is possible because blockchain technology allows for the creation of digital assets that are unique and cannot be duplicated.
In addition, blockchain games often have a play-to-earn model. Players can earn cryptocurrency or other digital assets by playing the game, participating in game events and completing certain tasks. Within this new type of gaming economy, players can earn real-world value for time and effort spent playing NFT games.
Examples of blockchain games include Axie Infinity, CryptoKitties and Decentraland, among others. These games have gained popularity in recent years due to their innovative use of blockchain technology.
Best NFT games in 2022
Needless to say, there are many NFT games available today, each with its own unique features and gameplay. Here are some of the most popular and well-regarded NFT games:
Axie Infinity
Axie Infinity is a blockchain-based NFT game that allows players to collect, breed and battle fantasy creatures called "Axies". Furthermore, the game takes place in a colorful, immersive world known as "Lunacia". Players can explore different terrains, encounter other players and participate in a variety of challenges and quests.
Before turning to other NFT games, we will explore how this game works in more detail. Players initially acquire three Axies, each with its own unique traits and abilities. As players progress through the game, they can breed their Axies to create new, more powerful offspring to complete quests.
Axie Infinity features turn-based battles, where players strategically deploy their Axies' abilities to defeat opponents. Players also earn in-game currency, known as "Smooth Love Potion" (SLP), by winning battles and completing quests. SLP can be used to purchase new Axies or upgrade existing ones.
One of the unique features of Axie Infinity, as opposed to other NFT games, is its "play-to-earn" model. Of course, this allows players to earn real cryptocurrency by playing the game. Players can earn "Axie Infinity Shards" (AXS) by participating in governance activities or staking their in-game assets. AXS can be traded on cryptocurrency exchanges or used within the game to purchase items or participate in events.
In concluson, Axie Infinity has become one of the most popular NFT games, with a large and dedicated player base. This is primarily due to its innovative gameplay mechanics, emphasis on community and play-to-earn model.
The Sandbox
Next, the Sandbox allows players to create, share and monetize their own virtual worlds. The game uses voxel-based graphics, similar to the popular game Minecraft. Using a variety of tools and resources, players can build and customize environments.
As with some other NFT games, players can buy and own virtual land within the game. This virtual land can be developed and monetized by creating interactive experiences and games for other players to explore. Each piece of virtual land is represented as an NFT, which can be bought and sold on the blockchain.
In addition to building and customizing environments, players can create and animate their own characters using NFTs. These "Sandbox Avatars" can be used to interact with other players and explore virtual worlds created by them. The Sandbox also features a robust marketplace, where players of NFT games can buy and sell virtual assets using cryptocurrency. Such assets include buildings, characters and tools. The game's economy is designed to be player-driven, with players able to set their own prices for their creations.
Overall, The Sandbox offers players a unique and immersive sandbox-style gaming experience. Having harnessed the benefits of blockchain technology, this game can facilitate true ownership and monetization of in-game assets. Within the world of NFT games, The Sandbox’s community-driven approach and focus on user-generated content have made it popular.
Gods Unchained
Gods Unchained, however, is one of the NFT games that combines elements of collectible card games and strategy games. The game features a large collection of unique cards, each represented as an NFT. These NFTs can be collected by players and used to build their own custom decks.
Players take turns deploying their cards and using their abilities to defeat their opponent's creatures, thereby reducing their life total. The game features a variety of modes, including casual and ranked play, special events and tournaments with large prize pools.
One of the distinctive features of Gods Unchained, compared with other NFT games, is its ownership model. Each card in the game is represented as an NFT. As a result, players truly own the cards they collect and can trade them freely on the blockchain. This allows players to build and customize their own decks. They can also buy and sell rare and valuable cards on cryptocurrency exchanges.
The game features a token-based economy, with players able to earn "Genesis Coins" by gameplay and participating in events. These can be used to purchase new packs of cards or participate in events and tournaments.
In summary, Gods Unchained offers players of NFT games real ownership and monetization of in-game assets. A focus on rare NFT cards has also made it a lucrative addition to the world of NFT games.
Alien Worlds
Alien Worlds involves elements from both role-playing games and strategy games, combined with a space exploration theme. The game takes place on a fictional planet where players can mine resources, discover new planets and battle other players.
First, players select a planet to start their journey and create a character. They can customize their character with different traits and abilities. What’s more, players can explore their planet and mine resources, thereby upgrading their character and equipment and participating in battles.
One unique element of Alien Worlds, when compared with other NFT games, is its use of a cross-chain mechanism. This is called "Inter-Planetary Exchange" and it allows players to trade in-game resources and NFTs across different blockchain networks. Thus, players can earn and trade real cryptocurrency by playing the game.
The game also features a governance mechanism that allows players to vote on changes to the game's rules and economy. To purchase NFTs, players earn "Trilium" tokens by participating in governance activities and staking their in-game assets.
Overall, Alien Worlds offers players of NFT games a unique and engaging space-themed gaming experience utilizing blockchain technology. The focus on exploration, resource management and player governance has made it a popular and engaging game.
Splinterlands
As with one of the other NFT games above, Splinterlands combines elements of trading card games and strategy games. The game features a collection of unique cards, each represented as an NFT. These are collected and used by players to build their own custom decks.
More specifically, the game involves players taking turns to deploy their cards and defeating their opponent's creatures. There are a variety of modes, including casual and ranked play, as well as special events and tournaments.
One of the distinctive features of Splinterlands, as opposed to other NFT games, is its ownership model. Players truly own the cards they collect and can trade them freely on the blockchain. Understandably, this facilitates the buying and selling of rare and valuable cards on cryptocurrency exchanges.
The game features a token-based economy too, with players of NFT games able to earn "Dark Energy Crystals" (DEC). They do this by playing the game and participating in events. DEC can be used to purchase new packs of cards and participate in special events and tournaments.
In conclusion, Splinterlands is a dynamic card game involving the monetization of in-game assets. A focus on player ownership and rare NFT cards make it an exciting addition to the world of NFT games.
Conclusions
NFT games are a rapidly growing sector in the gaming industry that utilize Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) as game items or assets. These games offer unique features and gameplay experiences for players, while also providing a new way for game developers and creators to monetize their creations.
The NFT games sector is very dynamic, with new titles being released frequently and existing games evolving rapidly. The popularity of NFT games can fluctuate quickly, and players and investors must keep a close eye on the market to stay informed about the latest trends and opportunities.
One reason for the fast-paced nature of the NFT games sector is the community-driven aspect of many of these games. Players often have a say in the development and direction of the game, which can lead to rapid changes in gameplay, features, and popularity.
Overall, the NFT games sector is still in its early stages, and it's difficult to predict which games will become long-term successes.
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About the Author
Beatrice attended a Bachelor's degree in Italian Language, Literature and Civilization and got her Master's degree in 2020 at the Institute of Italian Studies of the University of Italian Switzerland (USI) in Lugano. Next to her humanistic education and passion for art history, she develops a personal interest in the field of communication and content creation, which she deepens in 2021 by attending a social media marketing training course. Since 2020 she has been part of the BrightNode team as a content writer.