You’ve probably heard about NFTs. Their rapid rise in popularity has taken both the average consumer as well as crypto experts by storm. The increased demand for NFTs has also influenced the video game industry. Today, game developers are finding new ways to include NFTs in their games.
Some experts say NFTs are like bubbles poised to pop, but others believe NFTs are here to stay for the long haul and that their influence will go far beyond the crypto and gaming industries. NFTs present new opportunities for game developers. Let’s dive deeper into the topic and find out how to create NFT games.
What Is an NFT?
If you plan on jumping onto the NFT bandwagon for game development, you need to understand the basics. An NFT or Non-Fungible Token is a specific type of cryptographic token. Like any other crypto token, it exists within a blockchain and is representative of a specific item. As it’s a non-fungible coin, an NFT is unique and cannot be swapped like other fungible coins or tokens for something else of the same type and value. NFTs are precisely opposite to fiat money, where $1 can be exchanged for another $1 or when one Bitcoin or Ether can be traded for another Bitcoin or Ether.
NFTs represent the ownership of any unique item, from art to real estate. Only one person can be the official owner of such tokens. NFTs are secured by blockchains. Ethereum was the first blockchain to create and explore the NFT world. However, Ethereum isn’t the only player in the NFT market.
With all the hype built up around NFT projects, the technology is just starting to debut in the real world. NFTs are the ideal means for tokenizing game items, digital collectibles, digital artwork, and other similar items. They’re also used for tokenizing memes, digital cartoons, and GIFs.
Artists can upload their artwork and use NFTs to document the ownership information. Thanks to tokenization, they can claim creative rights and get all the money and fame they are entitled to. Since NFTs are stored and managed on a decentralized blockchain platform, no one can change the ledger and manipulate the creative rights. NFTs protect the artists and their works.
With that being said, the application of NFTs goes far beyond the virtual world. The real estate industry can also benefit from tokenizing. Startups are exploring methods for using NFTs to tokenize real-estate properties. The goal is to make them the trusted medium for securing ownership and attracting even more investors.
NFTs are widely used in the video game industry, where developers create NFTs for in-game assets. They’re like virtual trading cards that new players can buy and then trade with existing gamers. Building a game that supports NFTs requires particular skills and knowledge.
What Are NFT Games?
As the name suggests, NFT games seek to incorporate NFTs in their rules, mechanisms, and player interactions. For example, your avatar can be represented by an NFT. Or you can find and collect digital items through the game that can also be NFTs. Then, you can swap or trade your collected NFTs with other players to earn a profit.
From a technical point of view, developers create smart contracts to swap, create, and implement NFTs within a game. Smart contracts are blockchain-based and self-executing pieces of code.
Play-to-earn NFT games allow players to generate income while playing. As a rule, players are rewarded with tokens and occasionally NFTs. The more users play, the more they earn. With in-game NFTs, users can earn NFTs in the form of collectible items. There is no way to keep playing and earn a fixed number of NFTs without the element of chance.
How to Create NFT Games?
Developing NFT games is a multi-stage process involving developers, designers, QAs, PMs, and others. It consists of several steps youāll need to carefully navigate while building your game from scratch.
Define the idea of your game
The first thing you need to do is to choose the type of game you want to create. It can be a puzzle, strategy or battle, roleplay, or sports-like title. Once youāve defined the type, it’s time to browse the internet and research your competitors, if any. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Learn from existing successful blockchain-based games first to get inspired.
Don’t set limits on creativity
There is one thing that most successful NFT games have in common – cute creatures. A vast majority of them are pixel art figures, but they also require designers, 2D or 3D graphical artists, and experienced developers. Don’t underestimate the value of creative work.
Turn your idea into a game
It’s time to hire an experienced team to build your blockchain-based app. When partnering with a professional blockchain development agency, you wonāt have to think about all the technical issues. At Unicsoft, we supply a team of experienced professionals capable of delivering the full-cycle development of your NFT game.
Choose a crypto wallet
You can use a crypto wallet for login and authentication. A crypto wallet is similar to a physical one, but it’s used for storing and managing digital coins. Different wallets provide different services. You can take advantage of third-party integrations or develop your own crypto wallet.
Run tests
Your NFT game needs to work flawlessly in order to win over more users. There are a number of tools that you can use to test your NFT game, a couple more notable tools are Rinkeby or the Ropsten Testnet. In order to grow your gameās userbase, you need to ensure the bug-free performance of your app.
Deploy and launch your app
It’s better to start building a strong community long before deploying your app. Create some content, start posting on FB and Twitter, spread the word, and attract as many new people to your community as possible. Once you’ve run a series of QA tests, you are ready to present your app to the world.
What are NFT collectibles in Games?
Anything that comes in digital form and has value can become an NFT collectible, specifically in-game assets. You will need to register your items on the blockchain market and distribute them.
The process of turning your collectible into an NFT is called tokenization, and we’ve described it in detail in another article.
Once your NFTs are on the chain, you can begin trading them like you would with physical collectibles. Each non-fungible token contains proof of ownership of an asset coupled with reference to the digital file. Similar to tangibles, the value of your NFTs will be defined by factors such as scarcity and uniqueness.
Why creating NFT collectibles in games makes perfect sense today
Until recently, trading digital collectibles has had its challenges. If you can create unlimited copies of a file, how can a collector prove the asset they own is original or unique? And how can creators keep earning as their work keeps making the rounds?
Thanks to blockchain technology, NFTs pass those tests with flying colors, adding extra benefits on top:
- When an NFT is minted, it gets a unique identifier that can’t be duplicated
- Blockchain tech makes it easy to track each payment and change of owners
- The creator of the token receives royalties every time their NFT is sold, even on the secondary market
And let’s not forget the apparent advantages of digital vs. physical assets:
- Immediate, hassle-free delivery to the new owner
- no degradation of quality over time
- no risk of damage, loss, or theft
Most popular types of NFT collectibles: Game NFTs
You can turn in-game items such as weapons and artifacts into NFTs or create sophisticated 3D avatars ā like the author of the Clone X collection did ā the choice is yours. You can also tokenize game passes, club memberships, or unique moments from online championships and then sell them at your own marketplace. Your digital game collectibles will help incentivize players and become an additional source of revenue.
3 Reasons to get started with NFT collectibles
We’ve already established that NFTs are a perfect medium for digital collectibles as in-game assets. At the risk of preaching to the converted, let’s look at things from a strictly business angle and search for more reasons to get into NFT collectibles and create pay-to-earn games.
Engage Players in New Ways
Incorporating NFTs into your game can significantly enhance player engagement. Imagine allowing players to collect, trade, and own unique digital assets. This not only adds a new layer of interactivity but also makes the gaming experience more immersive. Players can earn or purchase NFTs representing in-game items, characters, or achievements, creating a deeper connection to the game.
Boost Retention with Reward Programs
Introducing NFT-based loyalty programs can keep players coming back. Offer NFTs as rewards for reaching certain milestones, participating in events, or completing challenges. These collectibles can unlock special features, provide discounts on future purchases, or grant exclusive access to new game content. The prospect of earning rare and valuable NFTs can drive continuous engagement and retention.
Attract New Audiences
NFTs appeal to a younger, tech-savvy audience that values digital ownership and rarity. By integrating well-designed NFT collectibles, you can attract new players who are enthusiastic about blockchain technology and digital collectibles. This can help expand your player base and create a vibrant community around your game.
Generate Additional Revenue Streams
NFTs offer a new revenue model through the sale and trading of digital assets. Players can buy, sell, and trade NFTs on various marketplaces, generating continuous revenue for your game. Additionally, you can earn royalties from secondary sales, providing a steady income stream. The potential for NFTs to appreciate in value adds another layer of excitement and financial incentive for both players and developers.
Enhance Gameplay with Utility
NFTs can introduce unique gameplay mechanics and utility. For instance, certain NFTs could provide in-game advantages, access to special areas, or enhance the playerās capabilities. This adds strategic depth to the game and encourages players to seek out and collect these valuable assets.
Summing Up
Even though NFT game development is a complicated process, we specialize in doing the heavy lifting, especially where development comes into play. At Unicsoft, our skilled experts are ready and waiting to build your NFT game from scratch. Contact us to discuss the details and let’s start building your NFT game together.
