First came TradFi, then came DeFi, then game GameFi. The world of gaming is on the verge of an explosion in wealth if they embrace the GameFi market. Those familiar with the GameFi space have taken advantage of some of the unique ways Web3 games incentivize players and create new revenue streams using in-game assets.
The play to earn phenomenon has captured the attention and imagination of gambling communities around the world in 2021. A new business model had arrived and there was no boss to tell you what to do. You simply logged into your favorite game, committed some time and were rewarded with tokens.
To appreciate the extrinsic value offered by GameFi, let’s look at the numbers. According to DappRadar, the decentralized app tracking platform, there were $2.3 billion investments in Blockchain gaming in 2023. In November, Blockchain Gaming crossed a milestone reaching more than 1 million daily unique active wallets.
As blockchain games begin to cement their relationships with the players, the tokens used within the games become more valuable. Players choose to insert them, trade them, build with them, and use them to make decisions about future gameplay.
There are so many great games to try out and many new games coming out every day, it will be difficult for gamers to decide where to spend most of their time, so we have a list of easy games set up that gives you a real feel for the GameFi space.
Here are some of the most interesting GameFi tokens to look out for in 2024:
Alien Worlds ($TRILLIIUM)
Consistently ranked in the top 3 blockchain games for the past five years, Alien Worlds has already established itself as one of the most loved games in the GameFi space. It is also connected to the WAX blockchain which is consistently the best blockchain for game development. With over 133,000 daily active players, it leads in terms of volume and has captured the imagination of its player base.
The Sandbox Game ($SAND)
The Sandbox is a virtual world where players can build, own and monetize their gaming experiences and assets in an enormous virtual world. The Sandbox offers a suite of tools tailored to empower players to come together and create compelling experiences across the metaverse. It’s on a mission to put creator first in 2024. It’s built a reputation for bringing in big names and brands to play with a pixelated version of their fame. Most recently the announcement of the Big poppa collection with famous rapper Notorious BIG
Illuvium ($ILV)
Illuvium combines fantasy combat and DeFi. It is one of the most followed immersive blockchain games with a focus on decentralized governance to be admired. In the adventure world, players encounter Illuvial creatures that can be nurtured and deployed to fight other players. The ILV token is central to the ecosystem and enables management of the DAO.
Gala ($GALA)
Gala Games boasts a diverse portfolio of play-to-earn games, including Champions Arena and Internal Paradox. They also have numerous games in development and are often positioned as leaders in the GameFi business model. Gala operates on the Ethereum blockchain and has expanded its network through partnerships with Polygon AND BNB Chain.
Gods Unchained ($GODS)
Simple trading cards meet crypto strategy in Gods Unchained. With over $34 million worth of NFTs traded, this game has amassed a legion of 450,000 players and that’s quite a lot. It’s a free-to-play decentralized game built on Ethereum and Immutable X. Instead of just collecting cards, you collect tokens, which gives you a new level of ownership. Players can trade, sell, and battle their way to glory with decks you carefully craft. Gods Unchained introduces its own native token, aptly named GODS, which adds a divine touch to in-game transactions.
Chile ($CHZ)
Chiliz brings the world of sports to GameFi by creating immersive experiences for sports fans and setting the stage for the future of fandom. They remain focused on the passion of fans and the excitement that teams can bring when they partner with the right technology provider.
Nakamoto Games ($NAKA)
Nakamoto Games is a gaming ecosystem that covers numerous blockchain games. They focused on fun, social games with multiple ways for players to earn rewards. Candi Shop, Naka Runner and Bubble Shooter are easy to play but also quite addictive games to get players in the zone. It has slowly and steadily climbed the ranks among Web3 players and it will be interesting to see how it expands adoption in the new year.
Sweat ($SWEAT)
Just this week, SWEAT announced that they have reached over 150M registered users for their app. Walk to earn became a phenomenon on its own when the Sweat economy brought the full fitbit business model to crypto. If you’ve been using a fitbit to track your 10,000 steps a day when you might be using the Sweat app, you’ve probably missed out on some interesting rewards. Now, instead of just tracking your steps, you can earn tokens as you walk. The mobile app is easy to use, easy to navigate and easy to try out as a newcomer to the world of move to earn.
TWO GAMEFI TOKENS COMING IN 2024
Highland ($SPARK)
With over 3 million registered accounts and 30k daily active users from over 50 countries, Upland is one to watch for the new year. There is great anticipation about Upland’s in-game token which will be launched any day now. For Upland fans, the utility token will be hosted on the Ethereum blockchain and offer a chance for players to earn true ownership. Spark can be fueled during construction and expanded to community-led projects, NFT mining and 3D asset creation.
Portal Games ($PORTAL)
After releasing their white paper just this month, Portal is quickly positioning itself as a go-to platform for gamers, game studios, and creative types who also love tokens. Added Jamie King, Rockstar Games co-founder joined as an advisor “I have unwavering confidence in the core team behind Portal. Working with them as an advisor, I have seen first hand their technology, product development and distribution expertise. I am honored to be a part of their journey.”
Although Web3 gaming communities realize the potential of the GameFi world, many projects are still waiting for the online players to understand that their in-game assets can have real world value. Selling, stabbing, trading, bartering and renting are now commonplace in blockchain gaming circles. It’s the biggest rabbit hole I’ve ever jumped down and fascinating how game mechanics can be built around new game economies that scale.
The owners of those assets also don’t stop thinking about their future utility, so if you’re a game developer, you immediately have a base of co-creators and storytellers to reimagine the possibilities of the game.
If you’re exploring GameFi, you can also check out this list through CryptoPresale.
Disclaimer for Uncirculars, with a Touch of Personality:
While we love diving into the exciting world of crypto here at Uncirculars, remember that this post, and all our content, is purely for your information and exploration. Think of it as your crypto compass, pointing you in the right direction to do your own research and make informed decisions.
No legal, tax, investment, or financial advice should be inferred from these pixels. We’re not fortune tellers or stockbrokers, just passionate crypto enthusiasts sharing our knowledge.
And just like that rollercoaster ride in your favorite DeFi protocol, past performance isn’t a guarantee of future thrills. The value of crypto assets can be as unpredictable as a moon landing, so buckle up and do your due diligence before taking the plunge.
Ultimately, any crypto adventure you embark on is yours alone. We’re just happy to be your crypto companion, cheering you on from the sidelines (and maybe sharing some snacks along the way). So research, explore, and remember, with a little knowledge and a lot of curiosity, you can navigate the crypto cosmos like a pro!
UnCirculars – Cutting through the noise, delivering unbiased crypto news