If you’re a gamer and follow the latest tech, odds are that you’ve heard about Ethereum. We all know the great potential of Ethereum. However, it is much more than a cryptocurrency. It is also a platform changing the gaming industry.
In fact, there are now several innovative games that use Ethereum, leveraging its blockchain technology to create unique in-game economies and experiences.
The recent Ethereum ETF launch is also drawing attention, highlighting Ethereum’s growing influence and integration into broader financial markets.
Here’s how Ethereum is changing the way we play and interact with games!
Ethereum Explained and Why It Matters to Games
But first, let’s get a quick idea about what Ethereum is before diving into the games. Ethereum is a public blockchain platform used to build dApps (decentralized applications) and smart contracts—essentially, anything you can program as software.
This includes crypto games using the Ethereum blockchain, which leverage the platform’s capabilities to create unique gaming experiences with real-world value.
Unlike Bitcoin, which is largely just a cryptocurrency (i.e. digital money), Ethereum was designed to be much broader in scope: its blockchain can handle any type of decentralized application developed on top of it as a software platform — one such application is games.
Ethereum’s unique selling point in the game world is that they were one of the first to host NFTs or Non-Fungible Tokens — a kind of digital asset created and managed by them.
These NFTs may embody almost everything from game characters and items to the entire virtual worlds. In Ethereum, these assets are more than digital—they are real with value and can be traded, sold, or bought just like any other item.
Games That Use Ethereum
With a good understanding of Ethereum now, we are going to look at some games using Ethereum that are making the most of this tech, creating new and exciting experiences.
Axie Infinity
In the Ethereum ecosystem, Axie Infinity is a well-known game. In it, you gather, crossbreed and have a go at the so-called Axies. Each Axie is an NFT with its own traits. Players can buy and sell or just trade them in the Axie marketplace. The game uses strategy and collection features, allowing players to earn cryptocurrency in the process of playing it. It therefore is an amazing precedent that shows how Ethereum takes gaming far beyond fun into potentially profitable territory.
Decentraland
Decentraland is a game where you can explore an entire virtual city, which is built on Ethereum. Players can buy, sell and build on virtual land using cryptocurrency called MANA that is tied to the Ethereum blockchain. Each piece of land is a unique NFT and you can customize it with buildings, items and host events. It’s literally a glimpse into the future of metaverse where what you create and choose to do has an actual effect in the virtual world.
The Sandbox
Another game that uses Ethereum, The Sandbox is a rich and engaging virtual world where players can buy virtual land to build games and experiences on. You can think of it as being like Decentraland, in that the land and items are NFTs (meaning they’re all unique and truly obtainable), but The Sandbox takes this concept even further. It’s a lot more focused on creators, enabling them to monetise their creations by selling games, items, and other content to other users.
Illuvium
Illuvium is a NextGen collectible adventure game built on the Ethereum network, with your characters and assets stored forever on the blockchain. This video game features players wandering around an alien planet, catching creatures and fighting each other in tactical battles. All creatures and items are one-of-a-kind NFTs, making the game assets more special. Our focus is on RPG fans looking for a deep and visually appealing experience, therefore Illuvium itself will be exceptionally interesting.
Zed Run
Zed Run is a game that allows you to race your horses, and the races are live. If a horse in Zed Run has already raced several times, it may have a limited number of races left in its career. Players can own, breed and raise virtual horses before entering them into races to win cryptocurrency in this game. Every horse is different, having its own stats and traits to affect the way it runs in races against others. Zed Run brings the thrill of horse racing to Blockchain and offers a solid competitive gaming experience.
What Is There to Gain from the Ethereum-Based Games?
And you must be thinking, “Why should I care about these crypto games using Ethereum blockchain?” Here are a few reasons that might just convince you to give them a try:
- True Ownership: Ethereum games leverage NFTs, so the digital rewards you obtain in these games are solely yours. They are not simply lines of code but objects you can sell, trade or hold.
- The Actual Economic System: A lot of these games will allow you to cash out cryptocurrency. It is one of the innovative ways to earn money online and have fun at the same time.
- Create and Customize: In Decentraland and The Sandbox, you can truly be yourself by building a virtual space that best represents your creative self. A special opportunity to discover and innovate freely.
- Tech Innovation: Ethereum is exploring the new frontiers of gaming, and playing these games means you’re experiencing one very early use case of this technology.
Conclusion
Ethereum-based gaming is one of the most fascinating aspects of the gaming world. This move introduces innovative ways to play, own, and earn within their connected blockchain experiences. With the added benefit of Cross-Chain L2 Interoperability, these games can interact seamlessly across different blockchain platforms, enhancing the overall experience.
Whether you are a fan of gaming or just want to explore the latest trends, crypto games using the Ethereum blockchain really provide an insight into what is in store for us all further down the line.
Sit down and traverse, gather or make money for playing with these games that are shaking up the face of gaming as we know it. Thanks for reading, and happy gaming on Ethereum!
