Crypto and NFT games ??

Tokenised economies, and exciting gameplay mechanics power the next wave of NFT-infused games. These games are not your average play-to-earn experiences, but a mix of new-age gaming experience with stunning graphics.

Let's look at some of the games that could be the flag bearers

Illuvium

Prepare for an epic sci-fi fantasy adventure across multiple game genres like RPG, autobattler, and card games. The graphics in Illuvium are already jaw-dropping, and the game offers NFT characters, loot boxes, and a crypto marketplace for trading assets.

Deadrop

This sci-fi first-person shooter game is making waves, thanks to the involvement of popular YouTuber and game industry veteran, Dr. Disrespect. Battle it out in a thrilling extraction game mode, eliminating other players on your way to the extraction point.

Symbiogenesis

Square Enix, the creators of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, are entering the Web3 world with this strategic narrative experience. Immerse yourself in a dystopian, post-environmental-disaster setting, and collect unique NFT profile pictures.

Shrapnel

Gear up for a sci-fi FPS extraction game that offers in-game assets as NFTs. Create your own NFT content and trade it using the game's GameBridge feature. The cinematic gameplay of Shrapnel sets it apart as one of the most AAA-like crypto games.

My Pet Hooligan

Take control of brightly-coloured bipedal rabbits in this stylised third-person sci-fi shooter. With team deathmatch and battle royale modes, My Pet Hooligan offers unique movement mechanics and quirky aesthetics. It's a promising game with Disney and Pixar developers on board.

Champions Tactics

Grimoria Chronicles: Ubisoft, known for Assassin's Creed and Just Dance, is bringing a new PvP tactical RPG to the Oasys blockchain. Expect a fantasy-themed game with figurines reminiscent of tabletop RPGs. Ubisoft plans to offer a free drop at launch, making it a highly anticipated release.

Wildcard

This alpha game combines elements of card games, MOBAs, and autobattlers in a PvP arena. Strategically throw cards onto the arena and watch your characters battle it out. Created by Paul Bettner, the mastermind behind Word With Friends, Wildcard promises an exciting NFT-based gameplay experience.

Otherside

From the creators of Bored Ape Yacht Club, Otherside is a metaverse game where players can build their own games and content. Explore a shared game world and immerse yourself in Yuga Labs' Ape-themed experiences. It's a massive project that aims to redefine the metaverse concept.

Star Atlas

Brace yourself for an outer space simulation game built on the Solana blockchain. Star Atlas aims to provide a vast and immersive gaming experience with player-owned assets and a tokenised economy. This game has immense potential and is one to watch out for.

MapleStory Universe

Fans of the classic MapleStory MMORPG will love this NFT-enabled spinoff. Dive into the colourful and cute pixelated world of MapleStory, where NFT elements and a dedicated crypto backend on Polygon will enhance the gameplay. Release date to be announced soon.

Crypto games looking ahead

These games are taking NFT gaming to the next level, combining stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and the power of blockchain technology. Perhaps the gaming industry could lead the way into a world where owning and trading digital assets becomes an integral part of the gaming experience.

Hang on. Can this all be true? Reality check.

Blockchain Games: Doubts Impact on Franchise Value

Sega, renowned for iconic franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog, has reportedly decided to distance itself from blockchain games. The company's Co-Chief Operating Officer, Shuji Utsumi, expressed concerns about devaluing their content through blockchain integration. This stance marks a significant shift for Sega, which had previously explored blockchain technology and even announced plans to release its own NFTs. However, Utsumi's doubts regarding the widespread adoption of blockchain in gaming have prompted Sega to reconsider its involvement.

1. Concerns about Play-to-Earn Games: Utsumi dismisses the appeal of heavily financialised blockchain games, referring to them as "boring." Sega aims to prioritise the fun factor in gaming experiences, highlighting that play-to-earn mechanics may undermine the overall enjoyment.
2. Reevaluating Blockchain Technology: Sega's perspective on blockchain has transitioned from curiosity to doubt. Although the company previously revealed intentions to incorporate NFTs, Utsumi questions whether this technology will gain traction in the gaming industry.
3. Sonic Franchise and In-House Development: Sega has decided to retain its largest franchises, like Sonic, and refrain from licensing them for third-party blockchain games. Additionally, the company currently has no plans to develop its own in-house blockchain games, expressing concerns about potential devaluation.
4. Licensing Smaller Titles: While Sega withdraws from blockchain gaming for its major franchises, there is a possibility of licensing smaller titles to developers interested in exploring blockchain technology. Sega has already licensed its Sangokushi Taisen IP to Double Jump Tokyo for the creation of Battle of Three Kingdoms on the Oasys blockchain.
5. Diverging Approaches in Blockchain Game Development: Following the success of Axie Infinity, which experienced significant NFT trading volume but later faced player decline and a significant hack, blockchain game development has splintered into two approaches. Some developers continue to emphasize financial and play-to-earn aspects, while others, featured on GG's Most Anticipated Games list, prioritise gameplay and offer NFTs as optional features.
6. Caution in the Industry: Utsumi acknowledges that blockchain proponents and early adopters in the technology sector should not be underestimated. While publishers like Square Enix, Nexon, and Ubisoft continue to develop original blockchain games, Western developers approach the space more cautiously.

Sega's recent stance indicates a departure from blockchain games due to concerns about devaluing its content and prioritising enjoyable gameplay experiences. While the company may still license smaller titles for blockchain development, it remains skeptical about the widespread adoption of blockchain technology in gaming. However, Utsumi recognizes the potential impact of blockchain and emphasizes the need to monitor its progress closely.

TTD Week That Was ??

The week AI took the limelight, crypto and NFT struggled for good news.

Saturday:?Titanic submarine's decentralised truth ??

Friday:?Did Blur crash the NFT market? ??

Thursday:?Brewing Binance cup of trouble ?? ??

Wednesday:?UK cryptosphere ???? ??

Tuesday:?The NFT nosedive ?? ??

Monday:?Crypto scrapes dust ?? AI gets gold rush

TTD Week in Funding ??

Shardeum ?$5.4 Million. An EVM-based, scalable smart contract platform that provides low gas fees and security through dynamic state sharding.

CryptoQuant ?$6.5 Million.?Data analytics platform to redefine investment methodologies for digital assets and evaluate asset value on accurate data.

Web3Go ?$6.5 Million.?Data Intelligence Network offering a suite of AI-native digital asset tools and real-time data infrastructure.

SuperSight ?$1 Million.?Building crypto-specific Large Language Models (LLMs) to streamline the crypto data discovery process.