Over the years, gaming has seen massive shifts, from consoles, games, environments, and audiences. The way we interact with games has evolved in more ways than we think. From physical cartridges to easy online downloads, everything happens in an instant.

But things are changing even more when we introduce digital gaming economies and experiences, digital collectables for ownership, and online marketplaces to sell, trade, and buy.

Now with NFTs, our gaming patterns have shifted. And they’re moving to a decentralized world, called Web3 (coined by Dr. Gavin Wood) – taking into account digital assets, interoperability, decentralization, and Web3 modern-day engagement.

Take a look inside Polkadot’s gaming narrative with the latest NFT projects, the challenges we currently face, and what you can do to push this new movement forward.

A quick recap of the emergence of Web3 Gaming & where we’re heading

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), or more specifically, their next evolution, NFTs 2.0, have emerged as a revolutionary force in the digital world. They’re unlocking new opportunities for innovation, powering emerging projects, creating jobs, and driving adoption across sectors like gaming and beyond.

Since the emergence of NFTs in 2021, Web3 gaming has been booming and shows no signs of slowing down. The industry is projected to grow from $4.6 billion in 2022 to a whopping $65.7 billion by 2027. We’re now witnessing a slight shift, where players are gradually moving away from a “pay-to-play” to an “earn-to-play” incentivized model.

CryptoKitties and Axie Infinity are widely recognized Web3 Games due to their popularity and unique revenue model. These games leverage NFTs to create an immersive and rewarding gaming experience for their players.

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You can think of Web3 Gaming as a new wave of online games that specifically utilize blockchain technology and NFTs behind the hood, offering unique incentives to players without the centralized aspect. This is primarily known for its security and transparency, core elements that encompass Web3 as a whole.

In this shift, we’re seeing creators and Web2 projects take charge. You only have to see the data that is pushing this:

So, where are we heading?

We can now see that NFTs also play a big role in Web3 games:

  • In-game character skins
  • Items you earn on quests
  • Tradeable experiences
  • Unlocking new content & maps
Gaming isn’t just about FPS or PvP mechanics. It’s about:
  • Avatars you identify with
  • Worlds you want to live in
  • Digital items you’re proud to own or trade

It’s certain to say gaming isn’t going anywhere, and this new era is only going to get bigger.

Navigating the Challenges in the Gaming Economy and Why Web3 Gaming is Needed Now More Than Ever

NFTs in gaming serve as a tool to represent in-game assets as unique, tradable items. Players can buy, sell, and trade these assets on the secondary market, providing a new layer of engagement and revenue generation in the gaming world.

You can imagine this idea by completing a quest in a game, earning a rare sword, and then keeping it forever. Even if the game shuts down, it lives on in your digital wallet.

That’s how Web2 games differentiate from Web3 games. And on Polkadot, it’s even easier than ever before to see your game come to life.

With NFT XCM, NFTs can move across chains. With parachain composability, we can build a true cross-game, cross-platform digital asset economy.

Nevertheless, game developers from big studios to indie developers face several challenges in Web3 game development, such as:

  • Technical roadblocks
  • High transaction fees
  • The average cost to mint
  • Platform choice
  • Barriers to entry
  • Regulatory issues
  • Interoperability issues
  • User adaptability
  • Lack of ideas, innovation, and tooling
  • … and lots more.

This leaves many Web3 game developers with open questions about how to safely and properly create games on the blockchain.

We overcome these challenges by:

  • New Protocols: Scalable, secure frameworks like Polkadot’s XCM enable cross-chain functionality and Unique’s NFT XCM Model for easy transferring of NFTs.
  • Creator grants: Focused on artists, gamers, developers, and not just coders.
  • Better Tooling: Low-code/no-code platforms & tooling, SDKs, and templates make building in Web3 more accessible than ever.
  • Real Use Cases: Games that prove real-world value, from digital collectibles to tokenized achievements, & core infrastructure drives user adoption.
  • Better Documentation & Use Cases: Improved documentation by developers and del rels to assist teams in their development journey, and use cases to inspire devs.
  • Community-Driven Innovation: DAOs, modding communities, and on-chain incentives ignite constant iteration and creativity.

The NFT & Gaming Projects to Watch out for in Polkadot

NFTs are shifting into the gaming world, and the place to be? It’s on Polkadot.

Here are some of the NFT & Gaming projects to watch out for in the Polkadot ecosystem that are changing the NFT landscape:

  • Evrloot: Dark-fantasy MMO game on-chain, built and secured by Polkadot. Season 2 is now ready to play, with over 10,000 people already playing.
  • KodaDOT: NFT Marketplace for artists looking to showcase their designs, artwork, and talents.
  • Unique Network: The number one next-generation NFT chain for Polkadot and Kusama, bridging the gap between Web2 and Web3 by giving you all the necessary tools and platforms to achieve your NFT dreams, as easily as possible.
  • TapNations ‘Color Water Sort’: The Unique mobile game bridging Web2 gamers to Web3 with crypto rewards and seamless wallet integration.
  • Mythical Games ‘FIFA Rivals’ & ‘Pudgy Party’: FIFA Rivals is currently out now, with Pudgy Party on its way – two games on Polkadot, blockchain tech integrated behind the scenes, and many players transitioning from Web2 to Web3.
  • ChessOnChain: Mix high-intensity chess with NFTs. Play chess games with other members of the community, win rewards, and climb to the top of the leaderboard.
  • Nova Shots: A new prediction game built for Blast.tv Austin Major, where you start out with tokens to distribute among various teams in the Counter-Strike tournament.
  • WUD: A popular community meme coin on Polkadot introduces Flappy WUD, and with soon to come the WUD Universe – integrating NFTs as mysterious items, collectables, and more.
  • Exiled Racers: A browser-based race car game where you can play among friends, reach the leaderboards, and win monthly leaderboard prizes.

And that’s just the beginning; many more groundbreaking projects are building on Polkadot. Some of the most promising ones have emerged from Unique Network’s CodeCraft program, designed to help early-stage teams launch MVPs and showcase their innovations to the community.

Projects include:

  • KooponCraft
  • Softlaw
  • DragonSoulBound
  • … and more to come very soon!

Looking for NFT inspiration? Explore the most exciting use cases on Polkadot, a deep dive into cutting-edge innovations from builders across the ecosystem.

We encourage you to also check out the official NFT Wiki on Polkadot, where you can learn more about Polkadot NFTs, how to get started, implementation details, the best tooling & lots more.

Gaming on Polkadot? Here’s How You Can Get Involved

Polkadot is already making major moves in the gaming space, with the likes of Mythical Games, the gaming boom, and NFT initiatives. But there’s more to be done. And we need people like you to lead this new era.

If you're a developer, investor, or founder in the Polkadot ecosystem, here’s what you can explore to get started:

  1. NFT XCM (Cross-Chain NFTs): The next-gen tech, developed and led by Unique Network, giving you the ability to transfer NFTs across Polkadot parachains/roll-ups. Learn more here.
  2. DOT Play: A Polkadot gaming-focused accelerator aimed at projects (small and big) looking to build, develop, and showcase games in the Polkadot ecosystem. Learn more here.
  3. NFTMozaic: An NFT-focused project & hub for all things Polkadot NFTs, focusing on development, marketing, business development, and governance. Learn more here.
  4. NFTs on the Polkadot Wiki: Dive into everything NFTs on the official Polkadot Wiki.
  5. More gaming & NFT-friendly grant programs: Fund not just backend protocols, but creative contributors who bring worlds to life. Importantly, align support with outcomes that advance Polkadot’s priorities.
  6. Create and nurture artist communities with purpose: Build communities of gamers and NFT enthusiasts, and artists.
  7. Collaborate with platforms like Unique Network, Mythical, KodaDOT, and more: These projects are already proving how NFTs can become real infrastructure for engagement and art, not just static and boring collectibles.

So what are you waiting for?

Final Thoughts: Our Take on the Future of NFTs & Gaming

The next generation of the internet continues to evolve, offering both opportunities and challenges that are set to redefine the future of the gaming industry.

UGC ecosystems, blockchain-based games, or programmable economy won’t just be built by developers, but by empowering creators, developers, and artists.

Unlike traditional gaming, Web3 offers a streamlined experience, free from unnecessary complexity, poor user interfaces, and limited tools and products.

Let’s make a home in Polkadot, the home for that creative renaissance that will feed the virtual worlds we are hoping to be a part of.

Keywords: Web3, Web3 Gaming; Non-Fungible Tokens; NFT; Crypto; Ethereum; Decentralized; Unique Network; Chain; Blockchain; Polkadot.

Join the Polkadot & Unique Ecosystems!

Polkadot offers a robust, scalable, and interoperable blockchain ecosystem for NFTs with exceptional developer UX. NFTMozaic brings together the best capabilities from across parachains, including Unique Network, Monbeam, AVentus, Mythical, and more!

Follow us on NFTMozaic & Unique Network.

If you’re a team, project owner, or community member, join the NFTMozaic ecosystem! Get involved with respective teams (e.g, Marketing, Governance, Technical, or BD) and connect with other Polkadot ecosystem agents!

Stay Up To Date

Follow Unique Network to get all the latest information, and join us to start your own NFT development journey:

  1. Follow us on X @Unique_NFTchain
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  4. For Developer Queries: [email protected]
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