Gaming has undergone a number of revolutions in its relatively brief history. From the emergence of home consoles and the PC to the leap to 3D to the rise of online multiplayer, it’s an industry that is defined by breaking boundaries.
The arrival of the blockchain is arguably the most important shift seen in recent years, following on from virtual reality tech which shaped the last decade.
Looking at the influence of the blockchain over gaming is helpful, as it outlines what’s changed already, and what will shift in the future as adoption increases. So let’s do just that, and discuss the impact as well as what this means for gamers.
The idea of players ‘owning’ in-game content is not a new one, but until the blockchain arrived it was a concept with relatively little meaning beyond the closed ecosystem of individual titles.
Today, NFTs stored on the blockchain allow truly unique items to be earned, bought, or traded by players in compatible games. Even if they are sold, data relating to their original ownership is retained, and they, therefore, have much more tangibility and innate value to them.
Player engagement is one of the cornerstones of mobile game marketing right now and being able to own unique, traceable digital assets allow developers to get people more interested and invested in the experiences they create.
The blockchain is built on the principle of decentralization, meaning that data isn’t stored in some central server which could be compromised by hackers.
This boosts security for games that rely on the blockchain, giving players confidence that their private info will be kept safe, and also that the game itself won’t be hit by DDoS attacks.
While esports is growing and pro gamers are making money from playing titles competitively, the average person can’t hope to wring any cash from their preferred interactive pastime.
That all changes with the arrival of blockchain-based games which have play-to-earn mechanics built into their core design.
This is more than just about earning in-game currency, which is already a staple of the industry. Here, players are paid in crypto tokens, and these can be transferred and used elsewhere.
Thus the relationship between game developer and player isn’t just a one-way transaction, but a mutually rewarding one.
Even gaming services that are not intrinsically linked to the blockchain are beginning to come around to the idea of accepting cryptocurrencies as a form of payment.
This is advantageous because it means players have more ways to pay, and they can do so securely and anonymously without needing a bank account.
Previously, if you wanted to sign up for more than one gaming platform, you’d need to create an account and set up a profile on each. Juggling the likes of Steam, Origin, UPlay, and so forth was more than a little vexing.
With the blockchain, it’s possible for gamers to have just one, uniquely identifiable profile which is compatible with whatever platform or portal they choose to use. This saves time and eliminates the stress of enjoying all sorts of different gaming experiences.
The blockchain is still far from dominant in the gaming industry, and yet you can already see how it has resulted in a reconfiguration of player expectations in many areas.
Game developers are taking note, so while it is not a movement without its share of controversies, the wider adoption of blockchain tech in this sphere is inevitable.
This is a paid guest post.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
