Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to transform the gaming industry since their inception. The NFT explosion ushers in an exciting era in which gamers play important roles in the gaming economy and are rewarded with cash, sometimes mightily. In this article you will learn more about some of the most popular NFT games.
As game developers use blockchain technology to make their games more immersive, a new gaming metaverse is taking shape.
In this article we’ll explore some of the best NFT games available. But, before we get into our list of the best NFT games, let’s do a quick dive into what NFT gaming is all about.
The NFT Metaverse
An NFT game combines traditional gaming elements with novel gameplay mechanisms to give players more control over in-game assets such as gear, characters, weapons, virtual territories, and the like.
This is made possible by launching games on blockchains and anchoring them with digital asset-powered economies. Because they are unique and tamper-proof, NFTs are commonly used for these digital assets. A sword is no longer just a sword, but rather a unique-collectors item.
The use of NFT token standards also allows developers to keep certain in-game items rare and distinct. As a result, some blockchain gaming assets are valued higher than others.
With this system locked and loaded, players can claim ownership of game assets in three ways. They can make or breed new characters, purchase digital items on native or third-party markets, or earn and unlock new items.
You have sole ownership of these game assets, regardless of how you gain access to them. In essence, you can distribute or sell them while keeping 100% of the profits. This is what the play-to-earn gaming model in NFTs is all about.
Our Top 7 NFT Games
Certain platforms have positioned themselves as the kingpins of the NFT gaming industry.
These games are at the forefront of the current NFT craze because they have effectively merged NFTs with popular gaming themes. As a result, gamers may be able to enjoy some of their favorite game genres while also participating in a profitable NFT market.
Axie Infinity
The game that kick started NFT gaming, Axie Infinity draws inspiration from the Pokemon video game franchise and adds a blockchain twist to make the final product even cooler. In this Ethereum-based game, players breed and collect NFT-based digital creatures known as Axies with the primary goal of combating other players. Each Axie has a distinct genetic fingerprint. As a result, the flaws and strengths of Axies are passed down to their descendants.
As predicted, these digital creatures may be traded on Ethereum NFT markets, with prices varying according to their rarity and distinguishing characteristics. To begin the game, you must first obtain three Axies, and then breed and train them for battle.
An ERC20 token native to Axie Infinity is Axis Infinity Shard (AXS), which serves as the platform’s governance token. It will also serve as the foundation for the game’s staking service, which will debut in 2021.
Alien Worlds
Alien Worlds is an NFT DeFi metaverse that simulates economic struggle and player collaboration in the hopes of discovering new planets. This is achieved by encouraging users to compete for Trillium (TLM), which is required to manage competing decentralized autonomous organizations (Planet DAOs) and gain access to new games.
In the Alien Worlds metaverse, players can use NFTs to harvest TLM, fight in combat, and complete in-game objectives.
Based on their strategy, players can purchase and assemble NFTs that best suit their approach. Players can also participate in government by electing the Councillors of six Planet DAOs, thereby influencing the game’s outcome.
Sorare
If you’re addicted to football (soccer for those in the US) Sorare is a fantasy football game that is more than just football. Traditional fantasy football games are available, as well as Sorare, a game in which you earn rewards by defeating other managers. You’ll be able to manage and build your very own virtual squad of digital playing card NFTs. Cool, right?
Find out more about Sorare here.
The cards are officially licensed, and each one depicts a real-life football player from that season. There are three levels of scarcity in this game: unique, extremely rare, and rare. When you collect a card, you own it completely and can sell it to other players. Cha-ching!
In the SO5 game, you can also use a five-card team to gain points based on the real-life performance of the footballers.
Neon District
This is a role-playing game in which all of the game items are based on blockchain technology. Almost anything can be purchased or sold. As is customary, supply and demand determine the price.
The goal of the game is to acquire your equipment before engaging in combat with your team in order to earn more money. Neon is the gaming currency in the Neon District. It can be used to purchase items and level up your character.
Tokens are now blockchain-connected NFTs, but they can’t be traded on a legitimate cryptocurrency exchange just yet.
Gods Unchained
Gods Unchained is a free-to-play card-trading game that combines NFT elements with a traditional card-trading game.
You obtain cards by purchasing them from other players or by winning PVP matches, which are often decided by the quality of the cards and the players’ gaming ability.
For example, more emphasis is being placed on skills and tactics. This is because the game’s ranked game mode pairs players with similar ratings.
You win the match when your gaming causes your opponent’s life to expire before yours. After each victory, you gain experience points. As soon as the experience meter is full, you will advance to the next rating or level, and you will receive a new pack of cards to add to your collection.
This is serious geek gaming.
Splinterlands
Splinterlands, like Gods Unchained, is a tradable card game in which players earn money as they play. You are rewarded when you win card matches. To start playing Splinterlands, you must first buy a starter pack of cards, then create a Steem account and reveal the purchased cards in the game.
In some cases, you might get lucky and get rare cards in your first set of purchased cards. You may also come across duplicates of the same type of card. If this is the case, you can combine identical cards to strengthen them or sell one for cryptocurrency.
After you’ve gotten a feel for the cards, you can go on to fight other players or participate in missions. The results of these actions will determine whether or not you earn more cards.
3D Sandbox
The Sandbox is a game metaverse based on voxels and one of the most popular NFT gaming platforms for creating and trading virtual assets. In this game, players can modify and monetize voxel objects.
Consider it a blockchain-based version of well-known games such as Minecraft and Roblox. The platforms offer tools for designing and animating objects, which can then be sold on markets. Users can also create and play their own games on the platform.
Sandbox 3D has introduced SAND, an ERC-20 coin, as the metaverse’s native token. Players can use this to purchase in-game items from the platform’s marketplace.
LAND tokens are NFT tokens that are among the most valuable and sought-after assets in the Sandbox game. A total of $8.5 million in LAND transactions were completed in April alone.
Final thoughts
NFT games are combining popular gaming scenarios with blockchain features, making them especially useful for establishing rarity and uniqueness. As a result, NFT games aren’t too difficult to learn.
They’re also entertaining and lucrative, as evidenced by Axie Infinity, where some players can make a decent living. You should now have a basic understanding of NFTs in the gaming industry, as well as their significance in allowing players and entrepreneurs to profit from them.
Now, go buy some Axies and quit your day job.
Just kidding.
These games can be fun, but also a little addicting, and expensive if you’re not careful. Have fun but make sure you know what you’re doing when slaying monsters in the metaverse.
Jay Speakman is a technology writer based in San Francisco, California. He writes on the topics of blockchain, cryptocurrency, DeFi and other disruptive technologies. Clients include Avalanche, Be[in]Crypto, Trust Machines and several blogs devoted to blockchain gaming. He will not rest until fiat currency is defeated.
