In recent years, a new term has gained a lot of prominence and has been stirring the gaming industry a lot: NFT. Much is said about it bringing the possibility of making money, but there is still a lot of ignorance on the subject. After all, what are these so-called NFT games?
NFT is the acronym for the term “non-fungible token”. A token is a representation of something, while “non-fungible” means that it is not replaceable, i.e. it has a unique value.
Thus, NFTs refer to the representation of any digital items, such as images, videos and music, through unique tokens on the blockchain, which is the technology best known for its use in cryptocurrency transactions, being a kind of decentralized and immutable record.
Each NFT is registered in a blockchain block, which guarantees the authenticity and ownership of the item. This gives these items the characteristic of being unique and unrepeatable, in addition to allowing the use of the blockchain to trade them securely.
But how do NFT games come into play?
As NFTs represent unique digital items, several games have started to take advantage of this technology by tying it to the content that players can obtain. This way, it is possible to find NFTs representing the most different things in games, such as collectible creatures in the strategic battle game Axie Infinity, skins and weapons in the battle royale Light Nite, cars in the racing game Crypto Cars, and even cards in the card game Gods Unchained.
Utilizing NFTs brings a new level of authenticity and rarity to in-game items, which can increase value and player interest. This is because the item becomes unique, without the possibility of being copied, resembling things like works of art in real life. This way, players can really feel like they own their items, and the fact that they are unique makes them much more special.
This use of NFTs also allows players to have full control over their digital items to do whatever they want with them, being able to exchange them or even sell them without the need for intermediaries, which also allows them to earn real money.
Many people only focus on the possibility of profit, but the developers of these games are prioritizing the players’ enjoyment above all else, with the addition of possibilities that only this technology brings and that can make the gaming experience even more exciting and engaging for the players.
Read more about NFT games:
What are the top NFT games?
There are several NFT games available, of various different genres. Several of them are free-to-play, allowing players to download on mobile or computer at no cost. Here is a list of the top 12 NFT games today:
Mir4: an open-world online role-playing game published by the well-known WeMade Studio that uses blockchain technology and NFTs to represent unique items and characters. Players can explore the classic world of Mir and evolve their characters, as well as collect and trade exclusive NFT items. Mir4 has been gaining popularity since its launch in 2021 and is considered one of the most promising NFT games today. The game is available for download on PC, Android and iOS. A sequel called Mir M was released in 2023 and is also already being very well received.
Axie Infinity: A turn-based strategy game developed by Sky Mavis in which players can collect, breed, and battle creatures called Axies, much like Pokémon. In addition, players can also use cards to help the little monsters in battle. It is one of the most popular NFT games with a robust economy and an engaged community. The game is available on PC, Android and iOS.
Bomb Crypto: a game from the Senspark studio with gameplay reminiscent of the classic Bomberman, in which players use bombs to blow up blocks and obstacles in a maze. Here, the NFTs represent the different characters with different abilities that can be obtained. The game is available to play through browsers.
The Sandbox: an open world game from the Pixowl studio where players can create, build and monetize their own virtual worlds. It is a digital content creation platform that allows players to earn money by selling their items. The game resembles creation experiences like Roblox, giving numerous tools for players to create countless different experiences to be played. It is available for download on PC, Android and iOS.
Light Nite: A third-person shooter battle royale from Satoshi Games that utilizes NFTs to represent weapons, character skins, and other collectibles. Players can compete against each other in online matches and earn rewards in cryptocurrencies and NFTs. The game also has an option for players to bet on themselves in matches and earn real money from their winnings. Light Nite has a growing community and is considered one of the most accessible NFT games for beginners. It is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Mac and Linux.
Gods Unchained: a collectible card game from the Web3 developer Immutable that uses NFTs to represent each card. Players can collect, buy and sell unique cards and battle against each other. The game was produced by Chris Clay, former director of Magic: The Gathering Arena, the digital version of the most popular TCG in the world, and that should be enough to understand why Gods Unchained is so relevant. The game is also recognized for being fair, allowing good players to win without needing expensive cards. It is available for download on PC.
Crypto Cars: A racing game from the developer known as “deandrehaijiel” that uses NFTs to represent unique cars and collectibles. Players can buy, collect and trade unique cars, which can be used in online races and special events. Crypto Cars has been gaining popularity among racing enthusiasts and is considered one of the most innovative NFT games on the market. Available for Android and iOS.
Decentraland: A decentralized metaverse where players can buy and own virtual land and build their own gaming experiences. Lands are represented as NFTs, which allows players to sell or trade them on the market. The game is overseen by a non-profit organization called the Decentraland Foundation. Available to download on PC or to play via browser.
Sorare: a fantasy football game developed by the studio of the same name that uses NFTs to represent real football players from around the world. Players can buy, collect and trade player-exclusive NFT cards, which are used to build virtual football teams. Teams compete in online leagues and special tournaments, with rewards in cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Sorare has a growing community and is considered one of the most popular and successful NFT games on the market today, with partnerships with major football clubs such as Real Madrid, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. It is available on PC, Android and iOS.
CryptoKitties: A collectibles game from the Canadian studio Dapper Labs in which players can create and collect unique virtual cats. Each cat is represented as an NFT, which means that each one is unique and has its own value. They have unique characteristics such as colors, patterns and abilities that make them rarer and more valuable. CryptoKitties was released in 2017 and quickly became one of the first games to popularize the use of NFTs in games. The success of CryptoKitties paved the way for other collectible NFT games, showing that NFTs have great potential to revolutionize the gaming industry and create new forms of digital ownership. Available to play via browser.
Splinterlands: Another blockchain-based collectible card game that has become quite popular in the NFT gaming world. Developed by the studio of the same name, Splinterlands features strategic battles between players using cards represented by NFTs, each with unique abilities and powers. Players can collect cards, improve their skills and build powerful decks to participate in tournaments and competitions. An interesting mechanic is that of merging certain cards to create a new, more powerful one. With its great gameplay, Splinterlands has attracted a large community of players and investors around the world.
Crypto Planes: Also developed by deandrehaijiel and part of the Crypto City metaverse in conjunction with Crypto Cars, this is an NFT game that allows players to collect and customize unique virtual planes. Each plane is represented by an NFT that guarantees its authenticity and exclusivity. Players can participate in air battles with each other and improve their flying and combat skills. Unfortunately, the game was shut down in 2022, and for now there is no news about its return.
In summary, NFT games represent a new form of interaction between players and digital content, offering an innovative and potentially profitable gaming experience. With the continued growth of blockchain technology, we are likely to see more and more NFT games popping up in the future.
Translation by Laura Bonci
