Transform your concept into a legendary NFT game with Invatechs’ expertise.
How did the world of gaming and finance collide? It’s thanks to the unprecedented rise of the NFT marketplace and Game-Fi. We can track the first NFT back to around 2012. This was initially known as a ‘colored coin’. Years later, rare memes helped catalyse NFTs‘ mass appeal further. Over eight years later, NFTs continue to grow in popularity, scope and potential.
With Play-2-Earn mechanics, NFTs are now incorporated and leveraged into mobile and web gaming. The mobile game industry is already a multi-billion dollar industry. So, for anyone looking to harness crypto and gaming’s potential, building an NFT game is the perfect project.
Join us in this article, and we’ll help transform your concept into a legendary NFT game with Invatechs’ expertise. If you’re a crypto start-up, enthusiast or want to discover what NFT gaming is all about, you’ve come to the right page.
In this guide for building an NFT game, we’ll cover what you need to know about NFT gaming. We’ll go over the key steps for creating an original NFT game. Then, we’ll wrap up with how Invatechs’ own blockchain expertise could propel your game to the status of Axie Infinity and its contemporaries.
What Is NFT Gaming & How Does it Work?
An NFT stands for Non-Fungible Token. This is a unique, one-of-a-kind cryptographic asset. NFTs vary. They could be an album, a piece of crypto art or even an original tweet. Since it’s non-fungible, it cannot be replicated. Each NFT’s metadata will be different.
Our blog on the NFT marketplace is a great starting place to learn all about NFTs.
In NFT gaming, these NFTs are built into and utilised throughout the player’s experience. So NFTs could be represented as players’ avatars, collectible characters, accessories and much. Gamers could then trade, own or swap these digital items.
GameFi refers to the ecosystem that combines DeFi (decentralized finance) and NFTs. For users to play an NFT game, they’ll need a pre-funded cryptocurrency wallet (like MetaMask), they can use to purchase their first asset. A character or in-game property, for example. NFT games operate on a decentralized financial network.
If you’re new to DeFi, check out our latest blog which covers the crucial information you need to know before you play or build a game.
Play-2-Earn gives players the opportunity to generate an income through playing. The tokens they collect in-game operate in the same way as non-fungible tokens; unique and one of a kind. These tokens are pegged to the in-game currency. All of its activities (like trading or selling) is then stored on the currency’s respective blockchain.
To set the rules for in-game trading, developers build and deploy smart contracts. Smart contracts are automated programs that execute trades and exchanges. The contracts are written in a way so that the trade will happen under conditions set by the developer/trader. When the trade is executed, its information will be recorded on the blockchain.
Okay - that’s how NFTs and gaming go together. What types of games are there? How have they become so successful?
Popular NFT Games
Candy Crush came to the app store in April 2012; nearly ten years ago. In 2021, it grossed $1.19 billion. Just imagine where your NFT game could be in ten years’ time. If you want to be the next Candy Crush of the crypto world, you need to understand the market and how you can best utilise NFTs.
Make a start by looking at some of the most popular NFT gaming titles.
Cryptoblades:
Cryptoblades is a click-based RPG game similar to the popular Elderscrolls franchise. Players battle, create weapons and level up their characters. The in-game token and native currency is called SKILL. For users to play, they’ll need Binance (BNB) tokens, a BNB account and a MetaMask wallet.
Upland:
Upland is an NFT metaverse powered by the EOS blockchain. Its in-game coin is called UPX.
In the game, you can buy, sell and trade virtual properties mapped on to real world addresses. Players can earn returns and collect fees from visitors coming to their properties. Players can also build neighbourhoods together. Essentially, imagine a world-wide virtual monopoly you can earn an income from!
Axie Infinity:
In Axie Infinity, players breed, trade and look after digital monsters called Axies. Players invest their time into breeding, caring for and trading rare and unique Axies with high earning potential. Imagine the popular Pokemon franchise with a cryptocurrency attached to the most sought-after cards.
Other popular NFT games include The Sandbox 3D, Splinterlands and Gods Unchained.
How Big is the Potential for P2E Gaming?
If you type “how big is the nft gaming market” into Google search, you’ll see some pretty big numbers. As we stated earlier, clearly the NFT market has huge potential for the future. People want one-of-a-kind and unique items. The NFT market is similar to the world of art trading, except everyone has a stake in it and can create their own NFT.
Then, let’s take a look at mobile and console gaming. The highest earning mobile games including Candy Crush, Pokemon Go and Honor Of Kings have grossed billions of dollars. In 2020, Animal Crossing: New Horizons sold 7 million copies across Europe. In August 2021, Axie Infinity recorded $1.1 billion USD in sales.
As a result of the spread of Covid-19 in 2020, the gaming industry was worth more than the movie and sports industry combined in North America. It’s clear to see just how lucrative and exciting the gaming industry is. More than that, the NFT gaming industry is just at the beginning of its lifespan. We can see from popular mobile games, Animal Crossing and Axie Infinity how popular collectible and trading games are.
NFT gaming could be a way to introduce an entire new generation to crypto, whilst crypto enthusiasts find new ways to invest in the gaming market.
The potential for P2E gaming is unlimited. The time is now to launch your NFT game. There’s no time to waste! So next up, Invatechs is going to take you through the key steps for creating your own NFT game. We’ll then wrap up with how our blockchain expertise could get your NFT game to a legendary blue chip status.
Invatechs’ Guide for Building an NFT Game
Step 1 – Design & Business Analysis:
First of all, you need a product. Before you decide what type of game you’re going to design, it’s pivotal you conduct market research and competitor analysis. Explore which games are doing well. Start off with the list we provided above, for example.
You could create a sports game, puzzle, roleplay or strategy game. Whatever you decide, remember, at the core you need digital items that people will be desperate to get hold of. This is where your creativity can come in. Perhaps you have a designer or concept art for a unique, exciting set of collectible characters. Take the time to research with interviews, workshops, and customer personas.
Creativity has to meet with business in this phase. That’s why you’ll want knowledgeable game enthusiasts, designers and crypto experts on your team. This is another important step to consider: who is on your team? Blockchain expertise and post-launch maintenance is crucial for your game’s success. This is something you’ll need to consider in the early stages.
First of all, you need a product. Before you decide what type of game you’re going to design, it’s pivotal you conduct market research and competitor analysis. Explore which games are doing well. Start off with the list we provided above, for example.
You could create a sports game, puzzle, roleplay or strategy game. Whatever you decide, remember, at the core you need digital items that people will be desperate to get hold of. This is where your creativity can come in. Perhaps you have a designer or concept art for a unique, exciting set of collectible characters. Take the time to research with interviews, workshops, and customer personas.
Creativity has to meet with business in this phase. That’s why you’ll want knowledgeable game enthusiasts, designers and crypto experts on your team. This is another important step to consider: who is on your team? Blockchain expertise and post-launch maintenance is crucial for your game’s success. This is something you’ll need to consider in the early stages.
With Invatechs, we partner with clients from the beginning of their project. We create data and results driven products with our blockchain and DeFi expertise. After the project is completed, we provide maintenance that ensures the product is optimal and scalable.
Step 2 – Architecture, UX & Development:
To start with, are you building a WebApp or Mobile App? This is crucial for defining the game’s UX. You might have also seen something called dApps during your crypto research. These are simply applications built on blockchain technologies.
Web apps are accessible from any browser. That means you’re reaching a wider audience. However, mobile apps provide far better functionality and speed. This might be necessary for the type of game you’re building.
Then, you’ll need to consider if you want to develop for iOS, Android or with a Progressive Web App (PWA). This is where prior market research will come in handy, again. What devices are gamers using? Above all, you need to know about the functionality and demands of your game. Of course, you’ll also want to consider what can fit in your budget. It’s a difficult balance, but one you need to get right.
Our InvaBlog on native vs progressive web apps goes into much more detail with lots of advice. We’d recommend you check it out to get a fuller picture before you proceed with building.
When you have decided on the type of app, consider your TechStack. If you don’t know where to start, GitHub have a wide range of software and templates. When creating your game, you need to consider how the front-end, back-end, hosting and smart contracts are all connected.
For the Frontend, you could write using JavaScript or TypeScript. For the frameworks, React, Vue and Angular are popular choices. You’ll also need to utilise a developer like Corda or Hyperledger Fabric to connect to the Ethereum blockchain.
Step 3 – Wallets & Smart Contracts:
Nothing in crypto is complete without a wallet. However, only certain wallets will hold NFTs which you’ll need for your game. The most popular and safe wallet to go with is Metamask. This wallet will connect you to the largest potential NFT gaming audience. Apart from Metamask, popular wallets include Enjin, Math Wallet and Trust Wallet.
We’re sure you already know by now, but smart contracts are essential. These define the rules and functionalities of the game’s NFT activities. The security and quality of your app depends on them. The most popular, widely used language we’d recommend for writing them is Solidity.
How do the frontend and backend work? So, the smart contract requests the NFT’s URL. The URL frontend will do an axios request and will retrieve the NFT’s metadata stored in the backend. For the backend, we’d recommend another popular language like node.js.
Step 4 – Quality Assurance Testing:
Here’s a checklist for testing your game:
Start by testing the app on your own computer and run the network locally. Create a Ganache mainnet fork. This will give you a lite version of the Ethereum network detached from the mainnet.
An Ethereum testnet like Ropsten and Kovan.
Verify your source code with a third-party like Etherscan or Etherchain.
Step 5 – Launch & Post-Maintenance:
Your app is designed, tested and ready for the market. Congratulations! Now the hard work really begins. Crypto is always changing and evolving. As we know, it’s a volatile currency with new technologies and competing markets. Whilst you’re juggling managing a successful crypto project, you need to remember your product is a piece of entertainment. It needs to hook your audience and keep them coming back.
This is why NFT games are such a big project. You need to combine DeFi and blockchain expertise with app management and a commercially viable game. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry. With Invatechs’ app development and blockchain expertise, we can get your project from initial concept to launch. Post launch, we’re able to keep your game running with our maintenance services.
FAQs
How much NFT activity is gaming activity? According to DappRadar, in the third quarter of 2021, almost half of the industry’s activity was connected to gaming.
What is the metaverse? The metaverse is an immersive online realm where people can meet, trade, work and play. It’s becoming increasingly popular for NFT gaming; like in Upland, for example.
What other emerging and popular blockchains are there apart from Ethereum? Binance, Polkadot and Elrond are amongst popular alternative blockchains. You can find a fuller list and some more helpful information on nonfungibleownership’s website.
What NFT games should I keep an eye out for? We’d recommend checking out Sipher, Star Atlas and Illuvium.
In Conclusion – What Will It Take to Conquer NFT Gaming?
In this article, we’ve covered what you need to know about NFT gaming and how you can get started building your own. Clearly, the market is huge and ripe with potential. NFT gaming has only just began. Launching your own NFT game could be an exciting, creative and unique crypto project.
Still, we understand that navigating the world of crypto can be challenging. For you app to be successful, it requires more than a great concept. You need in-depth blockchain and DeFi knowledge. You need a team behind you that can implement your game and ensure it has responsive maintenance.
If you’re looking for a partner in your next step, don’t hesitate to contact Invatechs. We’ve created a range of blockchain projects for our clients. These have included a cryptocurrency saving app and an Ethereum-Based ICO. Our expertise extends beyond crypto too. We’ve created e-commerce platform, satellite tracking app and a tax payment gateway.
With our expansive Fintech capabilities, we can translate your concept into a data and results driven product. So, what’s your NFT game concept? Will you trade cute collectibles or build the next iconic gaming multiverse? Contact Invatechs today, and we’ll help you build the next NFT gaming craze.