Are Metaverse games the upgraded version of traditional ones?

From the early days of Tetris and Pong, online gaming has captivated audiences worldwide. As the Internet evolved, so too did gaming graphics and capabilities. This progression has not only enriched entertainment experiences but also created opportunities for individuals to earn a living through online gaming. And as technology advanced, a new concept took shape and started gaining popularity: the Metaverse. 

Metaverse gaming delivers unique, immersive experiences by allowing players to interact with their environment and others in ways that closely mimic reality. To fully engage with these blockchain-based games, players often need to use cryptocurrencies like Ethereum because they have to use digital currencies to pay for Metaverse services and products. The majority of Metaverse games are built on Ethereum, hence ETH is the main cryptocurrency to be used when accessing the Metaverse, as its Ethereum blockchain’s native token. Checking the ETH price chart becomes essential, as it helps players track price trends and make informed decisions when acquiring the digital currency necessary to access and participate in the metaverse.           

Digitalization brought several innovations to the gaming landscape, from blockchain to virtual reality and segmented reality. All of them enhance the player's experience and allow them to engage in more dynamic activities. Blockchain experts believe that Metaverse games play a paramount role in the sector's development, and passionate gamers show an increased interest in playing blockchain-based games. We have also witnessed a technological fusion between traditional and Metaverse games because developers want to reshape how they entertain the public. 

Let's further explore the concept of Metaverse and try to figure out if blockchain-based games could take over the traditional online ones. 

What should you know about the Metaverse?

The term Metaverse was first mentioned in the novel Snow Crash in 1992 and brought to life for the first time in 2003 when the platform Second Life was created. Nowadays, we use the term to refer to a virtual world that exists in parallel to the real one. The Metaverse is often described as a combination of physical and virtual realities that allows users to interact both with objects and with other players in real-time. Besides playing games, people can socialize and even work in this immersive world. 

The potential applications of the Metaverse are endless, as it can be used for almost everything from education to entertainment and online shopping. 

What about Metaverse gaming?

Gamers have always sought immersive experiences because they desire to engage as much as possible with the worlds created by developers. 3D virtual games have been a hit since they were first introduced in the sector. Hence, it was no surprise that the public has had an intense relationship with the Metaverse since its inception. At its core, it was designed to blur the lines between physical and virtual worlds because it offers players an environment where they can create, compete, and collaborate. Metaverse gamers aren't confined to specific mechanics or narratives, as it's the case with traditional games, but they engage with an ecosystem that evolves continually. 

What makes Metaverse games different from traditional video games?

Size and purpose

Metaverse games often feature large, networked worlds that extend beyond the confines of individual games. In contrast to typical games with set levels or maps, metaverse games are designed to support multiple players at once, encouraging a sense of community and continuity between different experiences.

 Continuous experience

One of the hallmarks of metaverse game development is creating persistent universes. Unlike traditional games, where players' progress is usually reset after finishing a game, metaverse games continue to exist and change as a result of player interaction with the environment and other players. By fusing the roles of player and developer, metaverse games enable players to become makers themselves.

Player-generated content

Metaverse participants have the opportunity to play an active role in the games and create themselves. This blockchain-based world blurs the line between developers and players because it provides the users with tools that allow them to design content and share their ideas with the other participants. They can contribute to expanding the ecosystem by enriching it with new items and features, which fosters a sense of investment and ownership. 

The Metaverse is based on blockchain technology

Blockchain technology is used by several metaverse games to support safe transactions, digital scarcity, and asset ownership. By allowing users to purchase, sell, and exchange virtual items with real-world value, this integration creates new economic models that close the gap between virtual and real-world economies.

Accessibility across platforms

Metaverse games put an emphasis on cross-platform accessibility, in contrast to traditional games, which are sometimes restricted to particular gaming consoles or platforms. Players may move between environments and devices with ease, guaranteeing a consistent experience no matter which device or location they choose.

Social Communication

Social connection is essential to the metaverse experience, with games acting as focal points for cooperation and community involvement. Metaverse games facilitate significant connections between players by fostering virtual events and meetings, shared quests, and challenges beyond real locations' confines.

The most popular Metaverse games

Decentraland is by far the most well-known game in the sector. It was created in 2020 and requires players to use MANA to purchase land, equipment, personas, and any other kind of asset that allows them to engage with this virtual environment. Decentraland also offers gamers the opportunity to earn income from selling assets or hosting events. 

Axie Infinity is another popular game, as it resembles Pokemon quite much because it allows players to collect, raise, and trade digital creatures called Axies. Every Axie has over 500 interchangeable features, so the players can upgrade them according to their preferences in terms of qualities and talents. 

The Sandbox is a blockchain-based game with a user-generated infrastructure that allows participants to personalize their identities and design in-game items. The players can make money from selling their assets on marketplaces as non-fungible tokens. NFTs are unique digital assets that provide users with ownership of a digital item and widely used in the Metaverse to monetize games. 

Last words

As the Metaverse continues to grow, with popular games like Decentraland, Axie Infinity, and The Sandbox leading the way, it’s clear that this digital frontier holds immense potential. Predictions of the Metaverse market reaching $710.21 billion by 2027 highlight its transformative impact. For gamers, developers, and investors alike, the Metaverse isn’t just the future of gaming—it’s a thriving ecosystem that is reshaping the boundaries of entertainment, creativity, and commerce.