Have you ever tried crypto gaming? You might know it by the name of play-to-earn gaming. At one point, around the same time as the NFT hype, this gaming style was big. Connected to the illusive Metaverse and Web3, those in the know were in the know. But the fact that only a few people were in the know, and those in the know are no longer in the know, questions whether crypto gaming is worth it, you know? Before we get too confused, let’s explore the history of crypto gaming, whether it has fizzled out, and how you can play – if you want to.
The History of Crypto Gaming
Crypto gaming almost revolutionized gaming. Its roots can be traced back to the early days of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. Initially, these games were simple and often centered around earning cryptocurrency through basic gameplay. However, as blockchain technology advanced, so did the complexity and appeal of these games. They began to offer more than just digital currency earnings and offered more variety of coins to play with – the DogeCoin Price is much better than Ethereum, and most of the games used to run on Ethereum.
The real turning point for crypto gaming came with the introduction of Ethereum and its smart contract capabilities. But with Ethereum came its prices, putting crypto gaming almost out of reach.
Still, this advancement created more sophisticated games with complex economies and in-game assets, known as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).
Games like CryptoKitties, where players could breed, collect, and sell digital cats, became overnight sensations. CryptoKitties was one of the biggest. It gained insane popularity almost overnight – its transactions accounted for more than 10% of the Ethereum traffic.
What About The Metaverse?
The concept of the Metaverse – a collective virtual shared space – intertwines with crypto gaming. The Metaverse concept gained traction as blockchain technology and virtual reality converged.
It created a space where virtual assets and experiences have real-world value.
But still, not everyone jumped aboard the Metaverse train just like they didn’t with crypto gaming.
What Were The Most Popular Games?
During the height of crypto gaming’s popularity, several titles stood out for their innovative use of blockchain technology and play-to-earn models. Apart from the earlier mentioned CryptoKitties, games like Axie Infinity and Decentraland gained significant attention. But they’re just so expensive to play – they rely on the Ethereum blockchain, and some of the things you need to buy to play Axie Infinity are crazy. Let’s not talk about how expensive it was to purchase land in Decentraland.
But Axie Infinity allowed players to breed, raise, and battle fantasy creatures called Axies, earning cryptocurrency through gameplay. Decentraland was a virtual world where players could buy, develop, and sell land and experiences – all in the form of NFTs.
Another noteworthy game was The Sandbox. It’s a virtual world where players can build, own, and monetize their gaming experiences using the Ethereum blockchain. It was similar to Decentraland.
Can You Still Play?
The landscape of crypto gaming is ever-evolving, and while some games have seen their popularity wane, the genre still needs to be fizzled out. Many of these games continue to have a dedicated player base and are evolving with new features and updates. The play-to-earn model remains attractive, especially in regions where these earnings can supplement income.
The integration of NFTs (although, beware, they’re not valuable anymore) and the continued interest in the Metaverse suggest that crypto gaming still has a significant role to play in the future of gaming. New titles are in the making, and existing games adapt to the changing landscape.
Potential of Crypto Gaming
The potential of crypto gaming is promising. One of the most exciting prospects is the further development of the Metaverse – although even talk of that is simmering down. Still, it’s where crypto gaming could serve as a foundational element. In these expansive virtual worlds, gaming could go beyond entertainment. It could become a platform for social interaction, e-commerce, and digital asset trading.
Then, there’s the potential to integrate crypto gaming with mainstream gaming platforms- although that seems like a pipedream. Would traditional games like Fifa or Call of Duty allow players to make that much money simply by playing the game in their homes? No, they would have to be professional eSports gamers.
Crypto gaming could significantly advance blockchain technology. As game developers encounter the unique challenges of integrating blockchain into games, they contribute to developing this technology – and like everything, it needs refining.
Are you invested in crypto gaming now? The idea is interesting. Usually, we pay for (now) very expensive games and play them for a few weeks before forgetting about them.
At least with crypto gaming, you can feel like you’re getting some back. And even though the fad has somewhat fizzled, the opportunities are still plentiful. You could call them more generous.
With some research and caution (given the volatility of cryptocurrencies), players can find games that cater to their interests.
And it’s always exciting to make some money from it potentially.
Whether as a casual pastime or a more serious venture – explore your options.
