The gaming industry is one of the most lucrative in the world, where its value was estimated to be $385 billion in 2023, with predictions of faster further growth. Inside this vast industry, many subgenres create its diverse landscape, and crypto gaming is on the fast track to becoming a prominent member. From 2021 until today, the market has reached a $3 billion cap, and experts believe it could skyrocket to nearly $40 billion before 2025. Such a meteoric rise in such a short timeframe shows that the fusion between crypto and gaming could be a match made in heaven.
1. More options
Gamers enjoy when they have more options to play their favorite games. Different consoles, platforms, genres, and payment methods, are just some notable features. Crypto has enabled gamers to pay for or use some of the best offshore casino sites regardless of their country or exchange rate. As gaming is a worldwide hobby, players from different states can now access the same games, which include crypto payments and options, as anyone else.
In short, crypto is leveling the playing field and offering all gamers the same options when playing. By giving access to more markets, crypto games are rapidly expanding, as their platform knows no bounds and thus can tap into a wider revenue potential.
2. Greater security
Games contain plenty of personal data, and gamers rightfully wish for it to remain secure. One of the main driving aspects of cryptos' popularity is its blockchain technology which, amongst many other aspects, provides unparalleled data security. Each part of the blockchain is encrypted and inter-connected, guaranteeing users' privacy and data safety. Popular crypto gambling sites have implemented said tech into their portfolio, and players using them can rest easy knowing their sensitive data is safe.
The security aspect fuels crypto adoption worldwide, and the gaming industry is no different. By implementing cryptos blockchain technology, game devs can guarantee an added layer of data safety. This is one of the reasons we are seeing more and more crypto games, as data security remains a top priority and a concern for all users involved.
3. The Play-to-Earn aspect
People play games to have fun and to escape the chaos of their everyday lives. Games can provide stress relief, a social aspect, and entertainment while educating gamers on various subjects. Crypto integration can offer players a chance to earn while they play, as the play-to-earn model is native to all crypto games. Namely, crypto games implement mechanics that allow players to earn tradeable NFTS or cryptocurrencies. Some games can provide tokens, which can be exchanged for a specific cryptocurrency, while others can give players a chance to earn NFTs, which are tradeable with other gamers.
The value of NFTs is determined by their rarity and market demand, similarly as cryptocurrencies are valued. The ability to earn various amounts of money while playing is very enticing to gamers and is the reason why many flock to crypto games. With the extra monetary dimension added to crypto games, they stand out amongst other genres and are surging in popularity.
4. Asset ownership
Another item on the growing list of crypto games benefits is that players can become owners of in-game assets. Unlike traditional games, where players purchase a game, they can't trade it for any value, and various in-game assets are usually not tradable or have any real-world value. While some exceptions exist, all crypto games give gamers a feature where they can, through NFTs, own in-game assets that can convert to said NFTs.
Later, gamers can sell or trade them at their leisure, as we've previously mentioned. Because gamers can own more parts of the game and earn cryptocurrencies because of said feature, crypto games offer a unique and unparalleled benefit compared to other games. When gamers have ownership of the game, they get an increased feeling of connection and identity with the game as the value of the game rises from their perspective.
5. Deeper gameplay satisfaction
Deep and engaging gameplay is one of the main factors getting gamers "hooked" to games. The core gameplay loop must be satisfying and give gratification and ongoing progression. Crypto games are the latest feature and infusion in the gaming scene, giving games a new twist and some new playing aspects. We've already highlighted what new gameplay options crypto games bring, but it's important to note that precisely those features drive player engagement. Because crypto games are new to the market and give fresh ways to play games, it's natural that they attract crowds and carve a niche for themselves.
But that niche is rapidly expanding into a wider industry sector as more crypto games get made, each offering something new to its player base. Whether it a Tamagotchi-style gameplay where players collect digital pets and sell them as NFTs, digital horse breeding, racing, and trading, or digital land ownership and building, crypto games engage their players by adding a new dimension to games, which is the earning potential with cryptocurrencies.
6. Cross-game compatibility
Multiplatform gaming is in its infancy with regular games. Buying a game on PC will give you access to playing games with other gamers on the same platform, and integration with consoles and mobiles is currently an exception rather than the norm. But while regular games are still struggling with multi and cross-platform compatibility, crypto games are staying ahead of the curve, because cryptocurrencies are universal. While each crypto game can have its unique cryptocurrency backing it up, with special gameplay and other defining aspects, players can always exchange said currency for others or real money.
So gamers can play one crypto game, earn tradeable NFT coins or other cryptocurrencies, and exchange them on the market. Immediately after starting a new game players can use the gained currency and continue playing. This aspect is absent in regular games, where all in-game currency and valuable items are tied to said game and can not be exchanged, even if the same game is released on a different platform, as usually they are not connected. Crypto games on the other hand, support browser, desktop, and mobile gameplay.
7. Easier game development
A rise in the number of crypto games is only possible with the devs making them. Crypto is universal in value and has a worldwide appeal. That aspect directly translates to game development as devs from an improvised market can easily raise funds with crypto, or by implementing it in their games. Crypto brings lower transaction costs and high value, driving overall development costs down and enabling more devs to fund their projects.
When the game does get released, it's tied to the value of one (or multiple cryptos, if they support them) and can thus continue its development. Without the necessity of getting tied to a currency or financial institution, crypto game devs have the freedom and means to create their games without restrictions that apply to standard game devs.
By applying all the benefits that crypto brings to gaming, crypto game devs have created a whole new kind of game. Games that reward their players with cryptocurrencies and in-game progress, thus valuing their time and effort, are changing the gaming industry landscape and taking over the imagination of gamers worldwide. As the trend continues, we'll only see more and better games emerge!