A real free-to-play model that allows users to “earn” from their online actions is necessary for gaming.
Sadly, the models of current “play-to-earn” games are not exactly honest. Axie Infinity, Splinterlands and the rest games that claim to follow such a model require vast allocation of funds invested even at the beginning stage.
The model is based on new “gamers” joining, though, to pay the older. Since the initial investment required to begin earning is more than buying a single game for entertainment, the name used for this model is misleading.
The proper term should be “pay-to-win-and-perhaps-earn”. Especially in the Axie Infinity, the initial investment can easily reach $1000, creating a vast entry barrier for new users of this platform.
The lack of quality titles in blockchain games is detrimental to the position of blockchain gaming in the industry. The model to exploit the new user in favor of the early ones is just irresponsible and not attractive.
The model should be free to play instead. One that allows a vast world of opportunities instead, and always based on skills, not on a P2W (pay-to-win) system disguised as play-to-earn.
Inferior Design & Gameplay
Examining the blockchain games closer, they are nothing serious containing simple graphics almost no animation, and average design. Gameplay is all about stats, making these games just another cards game. The supposed competitive edge these games have is the monetization features. The NFTs and the ability to sell them in decentralized marketplaces.
The blockchain gaming industry is still in a poor state compared to the gaming experience the gaming industry offers. It is in such a bad shape that early 90s Amiga games look better than what the blockchain games bring.
Individual attempts by a limited number of devs that are remarkable to achieve all alone and beginning with low funds, but when there is such competition as Ubisoft, EA, Nintendo, Sony, Activision, etc., it gets depressing.
There is no cutting-edge graphics, animations, or at least solid gameplay to bring the hundreds of millions of gamers into blockchain gaming.
Nobody will abandon League of Legends, World of Warcraft, or Call of Duty and start playing Axie Infinity.
The point of gaming is entertainment and every blockchain game so far has missed this point.
Of course, inside any online world (like RPGs or 3D Shooters), a whole economy exists. This is where the use of NFT technology becomes important. Yet, it is currently up to the gaming industry to adopt NFTs or consider it as a threat to the business model of not relinquishing control of digital assets to the gamer.
There is no mass migration of gamers to blockchain games. Anyone playing Axie and Splinterlands does that only for "earning" purposes. Any gamer with enough self-respect would consider these games a waste of time since they offer limited excitement and a sense of accomplishment.
In Conclusion
There is a whole industry thriving on gaming with a revenue of 37 billion dollars in 2020. Yet the experience the modern gaming industry is offering to gamers is beyond expectation.
Virtual Reality is now becoming a hot subject and billions of USD are poured into R&D to develop the Metaverse.
Instead, we have blockchain games that can't compete with the gameplay of the arcades from the 80s or even the amazing feeling delivered by the first VGA and console games in the 90s.
For years we just find mere speculation and bad games in the blockchain part of this industry. No platform is impressive enough and has potential for even slight adoption.
The competition in this field is fierce and any money entering the blockchain games niche is not re-invested in research which is the main reason the blockchain gaming field has not evolved during these 4-5 years they exist.
Images:
Lead Image Source: Pixabay
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