Are Blockchain Games A Good Advertisement For Blockchain Games?

I continue my look into blockchain games by examining existing blockchain games. Combining the words "blockchain" and "game" produces an immediate negative reaction amongst a large portion of the public. After looking into what a blockchain game is last week, I thought I'd look into existing games. Do these games deserve the outright venom they seem to generate online? I called upon my trusty AI assistant Copilot once more to dive into the world of blockchains, NFTs, and other web3 type of stuff.

Before digging into individual games, I wanted to know about monetization. I get the impression that those who viscerally despise any game containing NFTs and cryptocurrency automatically associate the games with scummy monetization. Like, Diablo Immortal levels of monetization. So I first asked Copilot about monetization in general.

The cost to start playing a blockchain game can vary widely depending on the game and its structure. Some games are free to start with options for in-game purchases, while others may require an initial investment to buy game assets such as characters, land, or equipment. Here are some general points to consider:

• Free-to-Play: Many blockchain games offer a free-to-play model where you can start without any upfront investment. However, progressing in the game or accessing certain features might require purchasing in-game assets.

• Initial Asset Purchase: Some games might require you to buy a starter set or initial assets to participate. These costs can be as low as $10 but can vary greatly based on the game and the value of the assets.

• In-Game Purchases: Like traditional games, blockchain games may have in-game purchases for virtual items, power-ups, or access to premium features. These purchases are typically made with cryptocurrency.

• Secondary Market: Players can often buy and sell in-game assets on secondary markets, which can be another potential cost if you’re looking to acquire specific items from other players.

It’s important to research each game individually to understand the potential costs involved. Some games might allow you to earn in-game currency or assets through gameplay, which can offset some of the expenses. Always be aware of the financial risks and never invest more than you can afford to lose in blockchain games.

Normally Copilot gushes enthusiastically about subjects. I'm not feeling the positive vibes coming from the AI on this topic. Also, I get the feeling getting into a blockchain game would cost more than the $40 plus monthly subscription fee Square Enix is charging for the Dawnwalker expansion for Final Fantasy XIV. From the above answer, regular people wondering into the blockchain game pool need to look out for sharks.

Not knowing much about the genre, I asked Copilot about the most popular MMORPGs using blockchain technology. I received the following information.

The most popular blockchain-based MMORPGs, as of the latest information available, include:

• Ember Sword: A free-to-play MMORPG that emphasizes a “gameplay first” approach. It features challenging end-game PvE, hardcore PvP, a living economy, and unique progression. The blockchain integration in Ember Sword is used for cosmetic and land ownership, allowing players to have full ownership rights.

• Blankos Block Party: This game allows players to create their own levels and experiences, with a variety of game modes and player-created levels. It uses blockchain to tokenize in-game assets, giving players true ownership over the collectible digital vinyl-figures called Blankos and other special items.

Other notable mentions in the blockchain gaming space include CryptoBlades, My Crypto Heroes, and Axie Infinity, which have gained popularity among players interested in blockchain mechanics.

Just as an aside, I understand the concept of land ownership in a virtual world. I'm not sure just how valuable owning an in-game asset is if the game shuts down. Perhaps a topic for another post?

Anyway, of the five games listed, I had only heard of one, Axie Infinity. Since the game keeps getting mentioned by Copilot in my searches, I'll jump the game to the front of the line and discuss Axie Infinity first. From what Copilot pulled up, Axie Infinity is not an MMORPG.

Axie Infinity is considered a strategy game that incorporates elements of an NFT online game. It’s often described as a play-to-earn game, where players can earn cryptocurrency by participating in the game’s economy. The gameplay involves collecting, breeding, and battling digital creatures called Axies, and it draws inspiration from games like Final Fantasy Tactics and Idle Heroes for its “idle battle” system. Additionally, it has been compared to Trading Card Games (TCG) due to some of its gameplay mechanics. Axie Infinity has helped define the play-to-earn genre within the blockchain gaming space.

Besides going overboard with the hyperlinks, my AI assistant didn't pick out an MMORPG. But some of the history of the game is still relevant to the topic of the post. Launched in March 2018, Axie Infinity reached its peak in January 2022 with an average of 2.8 million monthly players. Then disaster stuck in the form of an issue that captured mainstream attention.

On 23 March 2022, the Ronin Network was hacked in one of the largest breaches of decentralized finance. While fascinating, I'm trying to keep the post short-ish, so I'll just give the rundown provided by Copilot.

The Ronin network compromise in March 2022 was a significant security breach that resulted in one of the largest thefts in the history of decentralized finance (DeFi). Here’s a detailed breakdown of the event:

• Date of the Hack: The exploit occurred on March 23, 2022.
  
  
• Amount Stolen: Hackers stole approximately 173,600 Ethereum (ETH) and 25.5 million USD Coin (USDC), valued at around $624 million at the time of the theft.
  
  
• Method of Attack: The attackers exploited compromised private keys to gain control over five of the nine validator nodes required to approve transactions on the Ronin bridge.
  
  
• Discovery: The breach wasn’t noticed until six days later when a user reported being unable to withdraw 5k ETH from the bridge.
  
  
• Aftermath: Following the hack, the Ronin bridge was closed, and all deposits and withdrawals were halted. Sky Mavis, the creator of Axie Infinity and the Ronin network, worked on enhancing security measures and collaborated with authorities to track the stolen funds.
  
  
• Involvement of Lazarus Group: The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) tied the North Korea-based hacking group, Lazarus, to the exploit and added an Ethereum wallet address associated with the group to its sanctions list.

The incident had a profound impact on the Axie Infinity community and the broader blockchain ecosystem, highlighting the need for improved security measures in DeFi platforms.

While deserving of a post of its own, the compromise of the Ronin network pretty much ruined the reputation of Axie Infinity. From the peak of 2.8 million monthly players, the game had fallen to 363,000 players in July 2023. A counter tracking the amount of players currently active in the game showed a little more than 30,000 players active in the game on 30 May 2024.

Security breaches can definitely impact a game that relies on transferring value out of the game to attract players. But what about the other games. I had Copilot look up information on Ember Sword. I was disappointed to find out the game is scheduled for early access release in late 2024. I don't know if the inclusion of a game not even in early access yet is more an indictment of Copilot's ability to search or of the genre itself. But I quickly moved on to the next game.

Blankos Block Party launched in September 2022. I'm not going to lie, the graphics remind me of a kid's game. Copilot provided a features list for the game.

Blankos Block Party is a vibrant and colorful open-world multiplayer game that’s styled like a giant block party. Here are some key features of the game:

• Custom Art and Design: Players can express their creativity by designing and customizing their own levels with a wide range of in-game assets.

• Building and Exploration: There’s a strong emphasis on world-building and exploration, encouraging players to create and discover user-generated levels.

• Collectibles: The game features unique Blanko designs that players can collect. These Blankos can be customized and leveled up, adding rare attributes to grow an impressive collection.

• Blockchain Integration: It uses blockchain technology to tokenize in-game assets, giving players true ownership over their collectibles.

• Social Interaction: Blankos Block Party is designed to be a social experience where players can meet up, show off their Blankos, and compete in various challenges.

• Game Modes: The game includes racing, vibe collection, shooting, and brawl game modes, providing a variety of ways to play and compete.

• Accessibility: It’s available for free on PC and Mac, making it easily accessible to a wide audience.

The game sounds more like a social game than an MMORPG. I'm not sure how well the game was received either, at least as far as the number of players are concerned. Copilot pointed me to MMO Stats which claims the average number of users online at any one time in December 2023 was 726.

Next up on the list of games is CryptoBlades. The game looks like everything I'd expect from an actual blockchain MMORPG. Copilot supplied the following details.

CryptoBlades is an innovative blockchain-based role-playing game (RPG) that combines gaming with decentralized finance (DeFi) elements. Here are some key aspects of CryptoBlades:

• Play-to-Earn Mechanics: Players can earn $SKILL tokens by defeating enemies, participating in player versus player (PvP) combat, and staking their gains. The play-to-earn model allows players to receive tangible rewards for their in-game achievements.

• NFT Integration: The game features non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in the form of powerful weapons and characters. Players can forge and trade these NFTs on the game’s proprietary marketplace, adding a layer of strategy and economic interaction.

• Elemental Combat System: Characters, enemies, and weapons in CryptoBlades are assigned elements that influence the outcome of battles. This elemental system adds depth to combat and requires players to think tactically.

• Expanding Universe: CryptoBlades is set to expand with CryptoBlades: Kingdoms, which will introduce a 5000x5000 grid map with different tiers of lands. Players can acquire land through gameplay, purchase, or raids, and the land system will play a crucial role in the game’s mechanics.

• Cross-Chain Availability: Initially launched on the BNB Chain, CryptoBlades is now available on multiple blockchain networks, including Polygon, Avalanche, and Aurora. This cross-chain availability broadens the game’s reach and accessibility.

• Community and Development: The game is developed by Riveted Games, a team with diverse skills dedicated to bringing the vision of CryptoBlades to life. The community around the game is active, with players contributing to the ecosystem and participating in its growth.

The game claims to have 1.1 million active players. But I'm not sure I want to take Riveted Games's claims at face value. When I clicked on the "How to get started" link, I received the following message from ZenDesk.

Oops, this help center no longer exists

The company you're looking for is no longer using our help center. We suggest reaching out to them directly via their official website.

Perhaps I'm too judgmental, but if I'm a new player receiving such a message, I'm moving on to the next game. If a company can't pay attention to one of the first things a potential player will see, how much confidence do I have that the company will pay attention to larger details like security?

Finally, we get to My Crypto Heroes. The game sounds like an MMORPG but, no, not after seeing an example of the combat. I was reminded more of Final Fantasy I than Final Fantasy XIV. But the features list pulled up by Copilot sounded good.

My Crypto Heroes is a blockchain-based role-playing game (RPG) that allows players to collect, train, and battle with characters inspired by historical figures. Here’s a detailed look at the game:

• Historical Characters: Players can collect heroes such as Napoleon, Einstein, and other figures, each with unique abilities and stats.

• Gameplay Modes: It features both PvE and PvP modes. In PvE, heroes can be sent to dungeons to gain experience and materials. In PvP, players compete against others for rewards and recognition.

• Asset Ownership: Heroes and equipment called extensions are NFTs (ERC-721 tokens), giving players true ownership of these digital assets.

• Crafting and Trading: Materials gained from dungeons can be used to craft equipment, which can then be traded on the blockchain.

• Ecosystem Roles: The game has a diverse ecosystem with roles like farmers, warriors, creators, and traders, each contributing to the game’s economy.

• Governance Token: MCHC, the game’s governance token, can be earned by top players in PvP battles along with NFTs and honors.

• Community and Development: Developed by the Japanese company doublejump.tokyo, My Crypto Heroes has a strong community with over 20K members on Discord and 23K followers on Twitter.

Launched in November 2018, My Crypto Heroes has become a prominent game in the crypto gaming space, offering a complex and engaging experience for players interested in the intersection of gaming and blockchain technology. Whether you’re a gamer looking to explore blockchain technology or a crypto enthusiast interested in gaming, My Crypto Heroes offers a rich and complex experience. For more information or to start playing, you can visit their official website.

I decided to leave Copilot's cheerful conclusion in for a change. I did want to know about the cost to play. Given the tone of Copilot's answer, I'm not sure the cost is worth satisfying my curiosity. 

My Crypto Heroes is a blockchain-based RPG that you can start playing for free. However, to fully engage with all the game’s features and to compete at higher levels, you might need to purchase heroes, which are NFTs inspired by historical figures. The cost of heroes can vary based on their rarity and the market demand.

To play, you’ll need an Ethereum wallet to store your in-game items. While the game is free to try, having at least three heroes is necessary for the full experience, which may require an initial investment if you choose to purchase them from the game’s shop or third-party marketplaces like OpenSea.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on any costs associated with My Crypto Heroes, it’s best to refer to the official game website or community channels. Remember to always do your own research and consider the risks before investing in blockchain games. Happy gaming! 🎮🛡️

Once again, take note of the financial warning at the end of Copilot's answer. I don't get the impression of a game I can play to forget about the worries of real life for a few hours. How many people play the game and disagree? While noting the game was developed in Japan, the Discord server had over 20K members, and the game's English Twitter account had 23K followers

After doing the research for this post, I came to a conclusion. As vehicles for entertainment, blockchain games don't sound very appealing. For those who want blockchain games to reach mainstream audiences the games can't concern themselves primarily with the mechanics of creating and distributing real world wealth. Instead of identifying themselves by the technology they contain, perhaps the developers and fans of the genre just make good video games that incidentally contain blockchain and other web3 technologies. Because after looking up 5 blockchain games I'm not interested in playing any blockchain game. The games I looked at just don't serve as a good advertisement for the entire genre.