September 25, 2024
Gaming Levels Up from Pixels to the Blockchain
Dear Subscriber,
Imagine sitting in front of an old arcade machine in the 1980s, mesmerized by a simple dot bouncing around the screen.
If you're like me — an avid gamer who's been along for the ride since those early days — you've witnessed firsthand how technology has transformed gaming into a multi-sensory experience.
Fast forward to today, and you're navigating intricate virtual worlds with VR headsets or eagerly awaiting the release of Grand Theft Auto VI.
But the next gaming revolution isn’t going to come from consol games.
Rather, it’s blockchain technology that is poised to redefine gaming in ways that might seem as groundbreaking as those early pixelated games once did.
Blockchain Gaming: The Early Days
Let's be honest. The blockchain games of today might remind you of those old-school arcade classics. They’re often not as polished or gripping as the big-budget titles we've grown used to.
But just like the 8-bit games of yesteryear, they're essential first steps. Just as Pac-Man and Space Invaders laid the groundwork for today's immersive games from Balder’s Gate to Animal Crossing, the current wave of blockchain games precursors to what we can expect from web3 gaming in the future.
Take Axie Infinity (AXIE, Not Yet Rated) and The Sandbox (SAND, “D-”), for example.
These games go beyond mere entertainment. They are experimenting with what's possible by introducing concepts like digital ownership through non-fungible tokens, or NFTs. Indeed, in these games, you can own, trade and even make real money from in-game items.
In fact, “play-to-earn” models make gaming a lucrative way to spend your time.
Imagine telling your mom you earned real money just by playing games. It sounds like a 15-year-old’s power fantasy. But it is a real prospect, thanks to blockchain technology.
Games like Axie Infinity have already started down this path. They allow players to earn cryptocurrency through gameplay. This is especially exciting in regions where gaming could become a significant source of income.
And as interoperability across blockchains improves, these types of games are likely to be even more appealing. That’s because players will be able to use assets from one game — a powerful sword or cool skin, for example — in another on a different network.
This kind of interoperability could create expansive and interconnected gaming universes.
And, as a gamer myself, I like seeing the decentralization of the gaming industry. Web3 gaming is driven by the community and often governed through decentralized autonomous organizations, or DAOs.
That means no single company controls the broader gaming economy, which could mean more balanced and fairer in-game economies.
So, which blockchains are set to become the leaders in this expanding sector?
Well, no one can know for certain. But I’ve got my eye on three that are already at work bringing the future of gaming closer.
Avalanche Offers a Sneak Peek into Blockchain Gaming's Potential with Shrapnel
Based on the Avalanche (AVAX, “B+”) blockchain — which has been performing well lately considering the broad market conditions — Shrapnel (SHRAP, Not Yet Rated) isn't just another first-person shooter game.
Developed by industry veterans from Microsoft, 343 Industries, EA, ConsenSys, Amazon and HBO Interactive at Neon Machine, it's designed to harness blockchain's benefits fully. Players will have real ownership of in-game assets, which they can trade or use across the game's ecosystem.
An image from game studio Neon’s Shrapnel.
Souce: Neon.
Click here to see full-sized image.
Right now, Shrapnel is in its early access phase. A select group of players has been given access to taste what's to come.
This also helps the developers fine-tune the game before its full release in 2025.
Its choice to develop on Avalanche isn't just a tech choice. It's a strategic move to create a decentralized in-game economy that empowers players and content creators.
If Shrapnel sets a new standard, imagine what that could mean for the future of blockchain gaming on the Avalanche network … and beyond!
And speaking of beyond, there is another game-changing blockchain that’s making waves.
Sui Sees Another Game-Changer on the Horizon
Recently, I wrote about Sui (SUI, Not Yet Rated). It’s a blockchain platform developed by Mysten Labs that's gearing up to make a big splash in the gaming world.
Designed for high speed and scalability, Sui is perfect for gaming applications. It offers cool features like zkLogin for easy integration with existing platforms and sponsored transactions to eliminate those annoying gas fees, making life easier for players.
And its impressive Sui Play device, which is available now for pre-order at $599, only increases the appeal of the blockchain to gamers and game developers.
Sui's ecosystem is growing fast. Web3 games are set to be a big part of that, with exciting titles like E4C: Final Salvation and The Walking Dead Lands already in the pipeline.
These games leverage blockchain for unique ownership experiences and push the envelope of what's possible in web3 gaming.
With its focus on user experience and empowering developers, Sui is positioning itself as a significant player in the blockchain gaming space.
Play Solana Brings the Blockchain to Handheld Gaming
Not one to be left out, current market darling Solana (SOL, “B”) also has a horse in this race.
The Play Solana Gen1 is an upcoming handheld web3 gaming console that adds another layer to the evolving landscape of blockchain gaming.
Following in the footsteps of devices like the Solana Saga phone and the recently announced Solana Seeker, Play Solana — which has a familiar appearance for any OG Gameboy fans — is pushing the boundaries of blockchain-integrated hardware.
The official preorder announcement for the Play Solana came over the weekend at the Solana Breakpoint conference. (You can read more about it and the experts’ top takeaways in yesterday’s Weiss Crypto Daily update.)
If you're a holder of the Player 1 NFT — which sold out after being minted on Magic Eden’s Launchpad on Sept. 16 — you'll receive priority and discounted access to these preorders. For everyone else, preorders are priced at $199.
NFT holders also gain early access to future updates and can participate in community-driven initiatives within the Play Solana ecosystem.
Hardware launches on Solana often create quite a stir in the crypto market.
For instance, the first Solana Saga phone airdropped thousands of dollars’ worth of tokens and NFTs to users, surpassing the phone's retail value. While this generated excitement, it wasn't all smooth sailing. The device faced criticism from popular tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee, who dubbed it the "Worst New Phone of 2023" in his annual smartphone awards.
Still, Play Solana's venture into handheld gaming devices signifies an ambitious step toward integrating blockchain technology more deeply into the gaming experience.
Looking Ahead: The Next Decade in Gaming
Peering into the future, the next ten years in gaming are likely to see blockchain become a cornerstone of how games are developed, played and monetized.
Sure, today's blockchain games might feel like the Pong or Pac-Man of their era. But that’s because a lot of focus is put on laying the groundwork for something much bigger.
As technology continues to evolve, we can expect blockchain games to become more complex and engaging. I anticipate they’ll offer richer stories, deeper gameplay and more meaningful player interactions.
Developers like Animoca Brands, Sky Mavis and Mythical Games are already experimenting with these possibilities. It's only a matter of time before blockchain gaming reaches its full potential.
For those of us who've watched the industry grow from its earliest days, the next decade promises to be one of the most exciting yet.
We're on the brink of innovations that could once again transform how we play and interact with digital worlds … and the blockchains they’re built on.
So buckle up: The real game is about to begin!
Best,
Mark Gough
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