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The Open Web gaming industry had an eventful and exciting year in 2021, and Web 3 gaming’s momentum will continue into 2022 and beyond. Blockchain-based gaming is gaining traction with players, improving accessibility, and gaining new developments every day. Based on recent activity on the Near Blockchain, here are three trends that are worth mentioning.
The play-to-earn gaming model
As of this year, OP Games, one of the largest Web 3 gaming platforms built on Near, changed the way players trade in-game assets. The OP Games platform is converting them into collectible non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which players can own outside of the OP Games platform. This is in contrast to traditional AAA games, which are developed by major publishers, and mobile games, which often sandbox digital assets.
Players and fans can co-own projects they love with fractionalized NFTs in the OP Games gaming arcade. The game’s decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) will allow players to have input on how the game evolves if the game is popular and long-lasting.
The OP Arcade is expected to offer 500 play-to-earn games by the end of 2022. It’s a big goal, but one that can help revolutionize gaming, whether you’re playing AAA titles or mobile versions.
The online marketplace of another Near app, Vorto Network, takes a similar approach. In-game items and digital assets can be purchased with a crypto wallet. The real-time strategy game Hash Rush from Vorto Network immerses players inside the Hermeian Galaxy, where they compete, build, and exchange goods throughout the game’s various levels. Creating a digital goods economy for players, the game is an example of a play-to-earn model gaining traction on Web 3.
A social media meet-up with gaming
Near’s games function as hybrid social media platforms. Players can participate in Near Lands, a pixelated open-world game, both for the sense of community and gameplay. Characters and items can be built as players explore the open world of the game.
As part of its recent launch on Octopus Network, Reality Chain also explores this concept with its multi-chain, social gaming metaverse. Through a combination of 2D and 3D experiences, players can take their social and gaming lives to the next level.
Gaming with NFTs
In 2021, $2 billion will be invested in the crypto industry for NFT gaming. NFT games have been created by developers across a range of styles and genres.
For its unique take on NFT gaming, Inite received a $50,000 grant at the end of 2021. Inite, a Metaverse experience, is a game based on motivation, where players gain NFTs as they complete daily tasks that boost creativity, improve cognition, and boost productivity.
Battlemon, a competitive third-person shooter, is at the opposite end of the spectrum. The game is built on the Near blockchain and Unreal Engine 5. Players compete in one-on-one or five-on-five battles against each other with customizable, unique NFT characters.
There’s still a long way to go in blockchain gaming
Blockchain gaming is still in its infancy. As the Near ecosystem is only one year old, this is especially true. Early adopters of crypto and gamers will experience much excitement as the world moves towards mass adoption. As a result of Near’s unique sharded platform, which will provide super-fast speeds, low costs, and carbon-neutral sustainability, it will help to lead the way.
