Hironobu Ueno’s double jump.tokyo may have begun as a startup in the blockchain space, but they are now leading the front in developing blockchain gaming. Their flagship game, MyCryptoHeroes, had success as the number-one blockchain game in the world. As such, others within the blockchain and gaming industries look towards Ueno and his company to see what is next for the technology.
MyCryptoHeroes was double jump.tokyo’s first big success: a blockchain MMORPG that has topped the charts of Ethereum-based blockchain games since its introduction in late 2018. Playing as various historically-inspired heroes, players can go on quests to find rare items and battle against other players to earn experience and rewards.
The appeal of blockchain games
For users, the value of blockchain gaming comes in the form of in-game items and rewards that double as NFTs. The value of an in-game currency in traditional video games is well-known; in fact, it’s estimated that as much as $60.4 billion is spent annually on in-game currency in the United States. It only makes sense that the gaming community would be one of the most eager to embrace blockchain and NFT technology.
In these blockchain games, players can trade their in-game items with one another for cryptocurrency, creating a market that can help make the user experience more fun for all involved. Like items that you would pay traditional currency for in standard console and PC games, these are elements of customization that allow the player to personalize their experience.
Additionally, many blockchain-based games have adopted a play-to-earn model. As expected, the rarest items are the hardest to find and earn, making them some of the most valuable in the game. For those hardcore gamers who can dedicate hours to perfecting their play, finding these valuable items and trading them with other players can allow them to earn a decent amount of money.
These blockchain video games are the first step in the more widespread adoption of cryptocurrency and NFTs. Cryptocurrency has experienced tremendous growth in the past few years, but it is still met with a great deal of hesitance from the general public. Features such as integration into video games will make this technology more palatable and approachable for the general populace.
How NFT games are making blockchain more palatable for the masses
For those who aren’t as open to accepting blockchain gaming right off the bat, these games are playable without linking a cryptocurrency wallet. This will give players a taste of the experience — albeit without the trading capabilities. However, once players get this first introduction into the world of the game, they will undoubtedly want to participate in the blockchain-enabled features, making this the perfect stepping stone for them to enter and embrace the world of blockchain.
Something that is aiding the growth of the blockchain gaming industry is partnerships with leaders in video gaming, such as Square Enix, Bandai Namco, and Sega. Working with these popular game companies allows double jump.tokyo to bring the world of cryptocurrency and NFTs to a much wider audience. Some gamers who would not have been interested in participating in the NFT market may be drawn into the fold thanks to the participation and collaboration of these major, recognizable, and long-established names in the industry.
The growth in blockchain gaming has caused a significant increase in the amount of cryptocurrency-based transactions. This can be seen as far back as when one of the first blockchain-based games — CryptoKitties — launched, causing a spike so large in Ethereum transactions that the entire network crashed. The demand is there, but it’s now up to game and blockchain developers to capitalize on this demand.
After MyCryptoHeroes game was released, the team at double jump.tokyo developed Brave Frontier Heroes and My Crypto Saga to expand their blockchain gaming system to other genres and types of games. As this technology continues to develop, gamers can expect more and more games to be released that integrate NFTs into their gameplay.
Those looking to see the next innovation in gaming technology should look towards blockchain gaming. Although we may be a long way away from mainstream games integrating blockchain technology into their operations, the broader adoption of these blockchain-specific games is a step in that direction. It’s an experience that capitalizes on an already-existing demand in the gaming world and combines it with the unique offerings of blockchain tech. The result is something unlike anything else that gamers have played.
