The gaming and cryptocurrency industries have significantly increased in the past years. When the pandemic struck, and there wasn’t much to do at home, people started playing games and investing in crypto more than ever. But lately, these two businesses emerged, creating the cryptocurrency gaming market, where you can play to earn digital money. Sounds too good to be true? Here’s how to get into the world of cryptocurrency gameplay.
The cryptocurrency blockchain
A blockchain is a distributed database technology that stores information in digital formats. In this system, the data is collected in groups or blocks that have a certain capacity which, when filled, are closed and linked to other filled blocks that form a blockchain. These blocks allow digital information to be recorded and distributed but not edited; therefore, data can’t be altered or deleted.
What does a blockchain have to do with cryptocurrencies? Well, as cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin or Ethereum began to spread, there was a need for safe transactions without the involvement of third parties, like banks or other institutions. These networks work through a cryptographic base that makes transactions more secure than regular debit or credit cards because you don’t need to provide sensitive information when making payments.
So, through these blockchains, cryptocurrencies are able to manage digital money, like Bitcoin. Some of them offer much more than that, like Ethereum, which allows coders to build applications leveraging the blockchain. Another use of blockchains includes play-to-earn games that will enable individuals to play games and earn digital currencies through which they can buy NFTs or transfer tokens to their digital wallet.
How does Ethereum work?
Ethereum is the latest trending technology in the cryptocurrency world. It has become a place for managing finances and assets, and its peer-to-peer network has increased Ethereum’s popularity. If you want to know more about it or the Ethereum price, there’s plenty of information online to help you get started in cryptocurrency.
This cryptocurrency operates on a decentralized system, which makes it securely execute and verify application codes, also known as smart contracts. These codes allow users to make immutable and secure transactions across the network without a central authority controlling these processes. To send and receive Ether, the platform’s currency, you need to have an Ethereum account, but without including sensitive data, as you’d normally do when making a new credit card. Because it’s a flexible platform, you benefit from a rich ecosystem of developing tools and practices continuously added as Ethereum evolved. For example, in response to the latest difficult mining process, Ethereum started changing its mining model from a proof-of-work network to a proof-of-stake method.
Ethereum and gaming
Being a programmable blockchain, you can also use Ethereum to create and use games and apps because it uses a decentralized technology that lets users contribute to the blockchain.
The Ethereum blockchain includes interactive game tutorials for developers to learn how to develop smart contracts and check errors and program blocks. This has been a massive help for every person who wants to enter the gaming world and create new ways to learn tokens.
The first gaming project was CryptoKitties – a game built on the Ethereum platform where you can breed and collect digital cats. The game increased pending transactions on the platform, as each cat was an NFT, making them unique and therefore good for sale.
Some of the best games that use the Ethereum Blockchain
Plant vs Undead
A playful game on the market, Plant vs Undead provides a farm mode that keeps you engaged in earning money through producing the currency inside the game, called Light Energy (LE). Simply put, you have to harvest seeds and water plants as daily quests, and you will earn money that you can transfer to your wallet. Or you can sell NFT plants in the marketplace, and if you’re lucky and get some rare plants, you can make a good penny out of this game.
Axie Infinity
This blockchain-based trading and battling game is one of the most played NFT games with millions of active users. It’s inspired by the well-known Pokémon game, where you can build a team of characters called Axies and use them in battles.
There are two ways to play this game that lets you earn two different types of tokens:
- Getting into the PVP leaderboard. In other words, you need to play with other players and rise in rank to earn the primary cryptocurrency of the game, called AXS (Axie Infinity Token).
- Completing adventure mode levels and winning arena matches to get SLPs (Smooth Love Potion).
Each Axie owned is an NFT, making them unique through their skills and rare body parts. You can sell them for up to thousands of dollars, which makes the game one of the largest marketplaces in the Ethereum gaming arena.
Age of Rust
Another interesting game from the platform, but this time it’s about interactive story-based content. You find yourself in a post-apocalyptic era, in the 44th century, where AI and machines rule the world. To collect tokens, you have to explore the mysterious surroundings and complete puzzles.
To play this game, you need to link your wallet to it, and it’s free to play. But if you want to reach higher level rewards and unlock bounties for additional NFTs, you need tokens.
An upcoming game on the blockchain: Mirandus
This fantasy RPG is set in a massive digital world, where you can collect items and level up your characters. You can choose an avatar and personalize it, and as you explore the world and fight monsters, you’ll gradually earn tokens. There are unique avatars with specific skills, like dwarfs, who have the ability to move massive rocks or humans capable of making potions and elixirs.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re a regular player of games or interested in investing, combining them might be one of the most exciting experiences you’ve ever had. The possibilities are almost limitless, as you can create your own games and trading rules or just explore the multitude of universes in the blockchain.