Since the talk of accepting cryptocurrencies in making payments, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have proven time and time again that they can introduce something new in the gaming industry. The development of NFTs heralds a new exciting era in which gamers take on even more important roles to commit in the gaming economy and are rewarded during the process.
Today, as game makers progressively incorporate blockchain technology to make their games even more immersive, this gaming paradigm is beginning to take shape.
What Are NFT Games, And What’s It Good For?
An NFT game incorporates conventional gaming mechanics with unconventional designs to give players more influence over in-game assets such as skins, weapons, characters, virtual lands, and many more. This is feasible by launching games on blockchains and anchoring them with digital asset-powered economies. Because NFTs are unique and tamper-proof, they are often used for these assets. Developers can further ensure that these game items are scarce and exceptional by implementing NFT token standards. As a result, some blockchain gaming assets are seen as more valuable and expensive than others.
Players can claim ownership of game assets by applying three primary strategies. They could create new characters, purchase digital items on native or third-party marketplaces, or earn and unlock additional items. You have exclusive ownership rights to these game assets regardless of how you access them. In essence, you can distribute or sell them and keep all of the profits made from trading.
How Do NFTs Work?
Most NFTs are part of the Ethereum blockchain. Similar to Bitcoin and XRP, it’s a cryptocurrency, but its blockchain also accommodates these NFTS, which store additional information that carries out specific functions differently from, say, an ETH coin. Here are some of the best crypto games, each of which uniquely uses NFTs.
Safe to say, Axie Infinity is one of the most popular NFT games available. (Check our previous article about Axie Infinity) This game makes use of NFTs to enhance its gameplay. The game is similar to Pokemon; you must collect fantasy monsters known as Axie to breed or trade. Monsters in the game exist as NFTs. You can buy and sell them in the game’s marketplace, as well as train and breed them.
Its rarity and distinguishing traits determine the cost of each Axie. To begin playing the game, you must first acquire three Axies. Smooth Love Portion (SLP) – the platform’s ERC-20 utility token – is awarded for each battle, player-versus-player (PVP) combat, and adventure mode you scale.
You must pay a certain amount of SLPs for each try to breed a new Axie, which you can also buy at exchanges. Axis Infinity Shard (AXS), which serves as the platform’s governance token, is another ERC20 token belonging to Axie Infinity.
The native GODS token, which serves as a payment system throughout the game, will be earned by players. Rare cards have a distinct real-world value since they may be sold for GODS, which can be converted into fiat money. This strategy incentivizes users to participate by giving them absolute control of the valuable goods they amass over time. Gods Unchained was announced for the first time when the game’s first mythic card was sold in 2018. Since then, they’ve sold millions of cards, earning $15 million in Series A funding and successfully releasing their first season of the game.
When your gameplay results in your opponent’s life reaching zero before yours, you win the match. You will then gain experience points after each victory. You will advance to the following rating or level as soon as the experience bar is filled, and you will receive a new pack of cards to add to your collection.
Each card has an ERC-721 token backing it up. You can exchange them on the platform’s native marketplace or the open market. Those who choose to sell cards within the gaming platform will be paid in GODs. It’s worth noting that the GODS token has yet to be launched officially. Before purchasing or receiving any token promoted as GODs token, double-check that the development team has released them to the crypto market.
PVU is a spin-off of the famous mobile game Plants vs. Zombies (PvZ). Users who have played on their smartphones will quickly adapt to PVU, as the two games are based on the same concept. Every player has to acquire basic plants and one mother tree in the game. Users must earn in-game PVU tokens and purchase from the marketplace to purchase more powerful and unique seeds and plants. Players can also opt to harvest their power plant by converting100 saplings into one seed. Every plant is unique in its way and may consist of any of the nine elements like metal, dark, light, parasite, wind, water, electro, ice, and fire.
Every game has multiple rounds, allowing a player to use up to 8 plants and one mother tree. A simple tactic that a new player might employ is to keep plants with the exact synergy next to one another, as this will improve the attacking power of those plants. Plants are rewarded in the form of energy when they successfully kill an undead. Players can use the energy they won to upgrade their unique plants or relocate their plants more strategically.
CryptoBlades is a groundbreaking web-based NFT roleplaying game with a dynamic reward system that rewards players with SKILL tokens for completing in-game challenges. Players can also improve weaponry, enhance overall power, and exchange characters and weapons through CryptoBlade’s unique system. Holders of SKILL tokens can also stake their SKILL to increase their earnings. Overall, the CryptoBlade gameplay is relatively straightforward. Fire, earth, lightning, and water are the four elements used in the game. An element is assigned to each character, weapon, attribute, and enemy. Furthermore, different elements can raise or diminish the likelihood of victory in battle.
Players in CryptoBlades have complete control over their newly minted NFTs, as they can sell and trade any item of their choice on the market. Additionally, the market provides players with a diverse selection of characters and weapons, allowing them to expand their inventory and earn additional tokens. In general, a player can gain two types of rewards: SKILL and character experience points for effectively defeating an opponent. The award is directly proportionate to the power of the defeated enemy; the more powerful the enemy, the higher the payout.
As its name suggests, Battle Racers is influenced by popular games such as Super Mario Kart and F-Zero. The goal is to mix various weapons and parts to make the most potent cars possible. Players can mix and match multiple pieces and weapons to gain an advantage on the arcade-style tracks. You can register your prized cars or winning cars as NFTs on the blockchain and then sell them for cryptocurrency on OpenSea. Each player aims to build the ultimate vehicle by prioritizing various skills and characteristics. In the hopes of winning, you could prioritize handling over speed or defense over firepower.
Time To Try
There’s no proof that these games are illegal, so why not? If you spend a reasonable amount of time and effort on it, it can be a viable source of additional income. However, because this is a new technology, it’s best not to make any hasty decisions, such as quitting your work and playing NFT games. Treat them more like a side hustle that brings in the extra cash.