Gaming has gradually become a popular part of the crypto sector as the industry’s level of adoption grows. While use cases like finance and supply chain management may be more popular uses of digital assets, the crypto gaming industry is also quite significant and has pulled in big numbers. For instance, between January 2021 and January 2022, the number of active blockchain games, with at least one active wallet in 24 hours, spiked 92% to 398. Including inactive games pushes this number by 71% to 1,179.
According to data from decentralized app tracking platform DappRadar, the blockchain gaming space received $2.3 billion worth of investments in 2023, with $600 million in the third quarter alone. The interest in cryptocurrency and blockchain gaming has birthed a long list of offerings currently shaping the crypto industry. The following are four popular options.
Plinko
Plinko was popularly seen on “The Price Is Right,” a television game show that began in the 70s and still runs. The objective is to drop a small disc called a plinko chip through a pegged board and have it end up in one of the multiple slots at the bottom of the board. Each slot has a different cash value, and players target the slot with the largest possible value.
Online gameplay involves a similar procedure: dropping balls through several pegs to the bottom after setting a bet amount and modifying risk levels. There are also multiplier slots that can increase wins depending on the amount staked. For instance, a $20 bet through a 0.5x multiplier slot wins $10. Depending on the platform used, players can win up to 1,000 times the wager.
Plinko is a random and luck-based game that does not require any skill. Although originally a traditional game, anyone can play plinko with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies via any of the platforms on B2C’s review of plinko gambling sites. Several of these online platforms have a low barrier of entry with no KYC requirements, and offer players great bonuses, including free spins, cash back on losses, and rakebacks.
Splinterlands
Splinterlands is a popular trading card game where players collect digital cards to trade and battle. The cards are NFTs that allow players to earn in-game rewards by completing quests and winning battles.
Based on the HIVE blockchain, Splinterlands mints each card as an NFT exclusively owned by the player. In addition to trading, collecting, and battling cards, players can also merge cards to level up. Furthermore, players can burn their cards to earn Dark Energy Crystals (DEC), Splinterlands’ in-game currency.
The game features several hundred unique cards with different features that affect the outcome of each battle. Splinterlands battles are very fast-paced, usually not lasting more than 3 minutes. Players select a maximum of 6 cards from their collections, as the game automatically matches cards through rules that ensure the battles are as action-packed and dynamic as possible.
Upon registration, the game automatically sets up battles by finding opponents with similar skill levels and experiences. When there is a match, players can view specific battle rules and limitations, including the type of cards allowed. Players may then craft teams and then start the battle.
Axie Infinity
Easily one of the most popular games in the blockchain space, Axie Infinity is a play-to-earn (P2E) game based on the Ethereum blockchain. The game requires players to collect, raise, and battle monsters to earn Smooth Love Potion (SLP) and Axie Infinity Shard (AXS) rewards. Players receive SLP tokens for battles won and can use them to breed Axies, then sell or auction the Axies in the game’s marketplace. On the other hand, the AXS is a utility token that gives holders governance rights to vote and send governance proposals. Unlike SLP, AXS has a maximum supply and is unlocked in tranches until 2026 when all tokens will be available.
To enjoy Axie Infinity, players start by creating a wallet on the game’s Ronin network and then buying at least three Axies. After carefully assembling an Axie team, players may then battle against the game in Adventure Mode (PvE) to level up Axies and earn experience. Alternatively, Arena Mode (PvP) is available for players looking to rise through the leaderboard by competing against other players.
Crash
The world of crypto gambling gave rise to crypto casino games like Crash that require players to bet using digital assets. Crypto Crash is a high-risk game in which participants bet on how much the game’s multiplier will rise before it crashes. Players begin by placing bets and launching the multiplier. As the game progresses, the multiplier rises and continues to increase until it crashes at a random point.
Players must decide when to cash out their bets before the crash. If a player cashes out early enough, they win their bet based on the multiplier when they cash out. Unfortunately, players who don’t cash out before the crash lose their bets.
Conclusion
Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology have considerably expanded the online gaming industry, introducing innovation to regular gameplay. Whether it’s a regular casino game like plinko or a blockchain-based option like Axie Infinity, players enjoy unique and potentially rewarding experiences online. As digital assets become more popular and the evolution of crypto gaming continues, these offerings are likely to increase in number and become more innovative, with new gameplay styles and features.
