It’s been a year now that blockchain foundations, VCs and other super rich businesses are funding studios in order to be the first the chain or ecosystem for blockchain gaming. If most of the games I’ve been playing so far are shit or rigged, the French ecosystem is unquestionably the most advanced on this topic. Since the 4th extension of Hearthstone, TCG gives me PTSD and Gods Unchained didn’t really helped with that. If you are a retro-gamer and don’t feel uncomfortable with the word “NFT“, you might need to check Cometh, no more Metamask now, everything is integrated inside Ledger Live.
Ledger Live will be the next big thing for gaming
Blockchain technology is revolutionizing the gaming industry, I’ll bet SBF’s hidden money that any triple-A company that is not investing in the next years is digging its grave.
For those unfamiliar, blockchain is a decentralized and distributed digital ledger (≠ Ledger company) that records transactions across a network of computers. It’s the technology behind cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, but it’s also being used in a variety of other industries, including gaming.
One of the biggest ways blockchain is impacting gaming is through the creation of non-fungible tokens, or NFTs. These unique digital assets can represent anything from in-game items to artwork, and they’re stored on the blockchain, making them truly one-of-a-kind and impossible to replicate. This is a game changer for the gaming industry, as it allows players to truly own their virtual items, rather than just having a license to use them.
Another way blockchain is impacting gaming is through the use of smart contracts. These self-executing contracts allow for the creation of decentralized, player-run game worlds and marketplaces. This means that players can trade items and currencies without the need for a centralized authority, creating a more open and transparent gaming experience.
With Cometh in its marketplace Ledger is building the next gaming marketplace. Yes like Steam. This is truly a game changer and we will probably see a rise in the integrations of blockchain games in hardware wallets.
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows in the world of blockchain gaming. One of the biggest challenges facing the industry is scalability. The current infrastructure of most blockchain networks is not built to handle the high number of transactions needed for a successful gaming platform. This could limit the growth of blockchain gaming in the short-term.
Additionally, regulatory issues and lack of widespread adoption are also a concern for the industry. Governments and financial institutions are still figuring out how to deal with the technology, and it’s uncertain what the future holds in terms of regulation.
I recently spoke with Jérôme De Tychey, about the gaming industry and the way he perceived it. Jérôme is the founder of Cometh and ETHCC in Paris. As he said, one of their mission is onboarding new gamers “the day when gamers won’t have to see a wallet to play Cometh and transactions are hidden, people will naturally come to our games”. If you look backwards, remember the amount of knowledge you needed to use a wallet and connect to a game. That’s insane! Do you remember the first game you played? I do, and I also remember that I just needed to push a button and click on an icon to launch my game. “We are in a process of developping a TCG on the blockchain that will fit to the regular Web2 gamers” added Jérôme.
With a brand like Ledger, Cometh will obviously get traction from their user base. And with their new STAX it seems even more relevant for Cometh to continue their journey with a better wallet (even if it looks like a tiny useless Kindle), at least gamers will enjoy displaying their spaceships on a screen.
Gamers are the only reason blockchain-gaming is under rated
Gamers have shown some reluctance towards NFTs and blockchain games for a few reasons.
One reason is that the concept of NFTs and blockchain-based in-game items can be confusing for some gamers. These digital assets are often seen as more of a financial investment than an actual in-game item, and some gamers feel that it takes away from the overall gaming experience (which is totally dumb).
Another reason is that many blockchain games are focused on trading and collecting digital assets, rather than providing an engaging gaming experience. This can lead to some players feeling like the game is more of a speculative investment than a fun pastime.
Additionally, some gamers are concerned about the high transaction fees associated with blockchain-based games. These fees can add up quickly and make it difficult for some players to fully participate in the game.
Lastly, the current infrastructure of most blockchain networks is not built to handle the high number of transactions needed for a successful gaming platform. This can lead to slow transaction times, which can be frustrating for players. This is mostly the case with DeFi-games, but networks such as Polygon have now the capacity to absorb a huge amount of tx at the same time.
It’s important to note that while some gamers may be hesitant about NFTs and blockchain games, the technology is still relatively new and there is a lot of potential for innovation in the space. As the technology continues to evolve, it’s possible that more gamers will begin to see the benefits of blockchain gaming and more blockchain-based games will be developed that provide a more engaging and compelling gaming experience.
Despite these challenges, the future of blockchain gaming looks bright. With big players like Ubisoft and Enjin investing in the technology, it’s clear that the industry is taking notice. As the technology continues to evolve and improve, we can expect to see even more innovative and exciting ways that blockchain is changing the gaming landscape.
Blockchain technology is changing the gaming industry in ways we never thought possible, from allowing players to truly own their virtual items to creating decentralized, player-run game worlds. Still, it’s clear that the future of gaming is on the blockchain.
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