We need to talk about crypto games. Not the metaverse and utopian vision of play-to-earn empires, but the stark, real-world situation of forlorn servers and contracting token value. The crypto game graveyard is already filling up quickly. Turning into the wild west, like a DeFi yield farm in a bull market! What went wrong? They forgot about the game.
They Prioritized Tokens Over Gameplay
Think about it. How many crypto games can you name where the gameplay is genuinely compelling, addictive, and fun, irrespective of the blockchain elements? Probably not many. Instead, we were treated to a tidal wave of projects that were investment schemes in fancy costume. Most of them featured half-formed games tossed together at the last minute.
It’s like constructing a house and trying to figure out the plumbing and wiring before you’ve ever poured the foundation. Even if you had the most futuristic pipes and cables, it doesn’t matter. What good are they if the building caves in before anyone has a chance to live there?
Deadrop, Nyan Heroes and Blast Royale are a few of the projects that have really made waves and generated massive buzz. In some instances, they even pre-sold expensive NFTs without players getting an opportunity to determine if the underlying games were worthwhile at all.
That “founders pass” or “early access” NFT turns into a just expensive little piece of paper promising disappointment. That’s a recipe for player frustration and a quick exit.
Tokenomics Pushed Game Design Aside
The promise of fast cash with the rise of token sales and NFTs was a siren song that most developers couldn’t resist. They needed to pay more attention to creating fun overarching gameplay loops and shorter term driving narratives. Instead, they found themselves sucked into the vortex of tokenomics.
Finding out the right way how to implement a sustainable, balanced token economy is of course very essential. This change definitely should not be made at the cost of the central gameplay experience. Imagine a chef obsessing over the presentation of a dish so much that they forget to actually season the food. No matter how great it does look, the end result is going to be flavorless and tragic.
Additionally, the developers were under tremendous pressure to increase their token supply. Their true intent was to manufacture artificial scarcity and inflate short-term returns for investors. This made for a toxic culture where the quest for the next quarter’s profit came at the cost of long-term viability. It's like trying to fuel a marathon runner with energy drinks and sugar rushes – they might start strong, but they'll inevitably crash and burn.
| Factor | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Premature Tokenization | Diverts resources from game development |
| Token Price Pressure | Distracts developers from core gameplay |
| Focus on "Pump" | Creates unsustainable hype cycles |
Definitely, but it will take a change of attitude at the most basic level. We must re-align to be less “crypto-first” and more “game-first.” Tip #1 Put game design first Retain the core product After you’ve mastered the art of compelling gameplay and dynamic community creation, only then should you consider tokenomics.
Can the Industry Fix This Mess?
Look at Off the Grid. They’re putting their time into actually crafting an incredible gaming experience that will help it stand out from the pack. They’re going after industry mainstays like Steam and consoles to maximize their reach. That's the right approach.
Let’s put an end to magical thinking about blockchain. Instead, let’s understand data for what it really is—a powerful tool that if used appropriately, can lead to more effective and equitable outcomes. This tech should be used to make the gaming experience better, not to take the place of it.
The future of crypto gaming, first and foremost, rests on our ability to learn from the mistakes of the past. Let’s not lose sight that day-in and day-out, it really is about the game. If we can do that, then we’ll be on our way to doing everything else right, too. If not, we’re simply building sandcastles and inviting the next tidal wave to come erode them away. Please stop pursuing the next pump and get out there and build something worth a damn. Your players—and your wallets—will thank you for it.
What can the industry do?
- Focus on Fun: Prioritize gameplay and player experience above all else.
- Sustainable Tokenomics: Design token economies that are balanced and sustainable in the long term.
- Target Traditional Gamers: Make blockchain games accessible and appealing to a wider audience.
- Long-Term Development: Invest in long-term development and avoid premature tokenization.
The future of crypto gaming depends on our ability to learn from the mistakes of the past. We need to remember that at the end of the day, it's all about the game. If we can get that right, then the rest will follow. If not, we're just building castles in the sand, waiting for the next wave to wash them away. Stop chasing the next pump and start building something real. Your players, and your wallets, will thank you for it.
