These are games on blockchain, which can also be called decentralized. It means all the information about rules, game code, and other data are located on multiple connected devices. These devices are called nodes. They help create a gaming process fair for everyone since there are no possibilities to change rules or cheat without the approval of each device on the blockchain.
Such applications usually use NFT assets. These are non-fungible tokens that players own. People should use those depending on the game genre and task. Sometimes these NFTs are prompt, assets, and characters.. Note that not every NFT allows you to play. It depends on the creator's decision.
To access such games, you need to own a crypto wallet. If you want to play such games, the wallet should relate to a blockchain that offers such applications. One of the most popular blockchains are:
Solana. It is suitable and easily supports decentralized applications.
Ethereum. Popular blockchain in gaming.
Polygon (which is a slightly faster option), etc.
Why Do Blockchain Based Games Are the Future of Online Games?
Lately, you might have noticed that the amount of news featuring cryptocurrency, NFT, blockchains, and other related technologies is more common. Games on the blockchain are not an exception. Main reasons why such applications can replace the long-established familiar online games:
People who play such games own in-game assets. Such people have a confirmed ownership of characters and items, meaning they may sell such assets to other people outside the application.
Fair play for everyone. As we mentioned, such online activities are held by multiple nodes who control the in-game rules, code, and other significant information. Without the access and approval of these nodes, other players will not be able to cheat or change regulations according to their will. Such features can easily attract more people who want to compete against each other with their skills only.
Advanced cross-platform play. If multiple online applications run via the identical blockchain, developers or owners are able to allow players to use their NFTs and other assets in various games. It diversifies the gameplay and allows players to try diverse genres with the same characters and objects. People can interact with each other in different ways, play shooters, drive cars and race, solve puzzles, etc. A multiverse before our eyes.
Collaboration between players. Since they own a particular asset, people can develop the game together. Now, a discussion about future levels, genres, and other gameplay features is possible for the best experience.
Decentralized Gaming VS Centralized Gaming. What Are the Differences?
The main difference between these two terms is how everything is structured. Centralized systems have all the information stored under one authority. That one device can change game rules, make unfair play tactics, and do actions that affect the whole system. Such incidents occur when malware software and viruses sneak into the system. As a result, players can cheat and change rules according to their desire.
As for any game on blockchain, a decentralized system simply will not tolerate any rule changes or code breaks without permission from each device and party connected to the system. The reason is that no device has control or ownership over the decentralized structure. Nodes work together as a team and coordinate their actions. Since game code, rules, objects, and animations are stored on multiple nodes, the chances of manipulation are low.
Pros and Cons of Blockchain Video Games and Centralized Ones
The main advantages of decentralized games are:
Fairness in gameplay. Playing such applications, you should not worry about cheaters or other unfair people.
Ownership. Using new technologies, you become an owner of a particular character or item. Later you may sell those and buy new ones from other owners.
Cross-platform play. The same characters and assets we use in multiple other genres and storylines. It helps to diversify the gameplay and create an exciting process.
Cons:
The difficulty of creation. Such applications require you to understand the technology, which may negatively affect some people who wish to play such projects.
As for the advantages of centralized apps, there are a few of them too:
Easy to use and develop. Unlike web3, you double-tap the icon and start playing after the download.
The transaction speed is fast. The information is sent faster, which leads to quick response.
Cons:
Easier to cheat. Since the info is on one device, it is easy to break the code and change rules or gameplay.
Players are not owners of their assets. People cannot sell them outside the game or trade them for other characters or items.
How Decentralized Games Affect Art and Design Usage
A few key differences occurred with the development of web3 gaming. The most common ones related to art are:
Focus on in-game assets. There should be more characters, objects, and interior furniture since all these items are tradable. Such innovation affects the game economy. Artists should pay more attention to designs and be creative because objects have value.
Earlier, we mentioned cross-platform usage, talking about various genres and locations. Players decide what gameplay will look like and discuss objects, characters, and items to implement. It makes such applications more community-driven.
The number of in-game assets increases. All of these items are unique. Thus, the levels of competitiveness will rise alongside the number of avatars, props, and other assets. In addition to this, all the game creating aspects related to environment, plot, and gameplay remain the same.
This is not the easiest task to combine all these nuances and create high-quality results. However, our AAA Game Art Studio has experts in all the game genres. We create such art, including for AAA games for many years.
Predictions Toward Outsource Game Art Usage in Blockchain Game Dev
There are many positive reasons for outsourcing game art development.
Artists gain more opportunities. Thanks to the community-driven creation process, artists can collaborate with others and design specific objects that will suit the atmosphere.
Web3 allows you to be an owner of a character or item. Outsourcing game art studios and illustrators can negotiate for royalties. A certain percentage from trades or sales can increase the workability of a studio and encourage them to create high-quality projects.
Creativity and style development. Since there are multiple possible genres with the same characters, studios can complement the previous works or change the projects of others. Such experimentation leads to diversified styles, which draws attention and makes the gaming experience more engaging.
Positive Aspects and Risks of Outsourcing Game Art in Web3
The general picture of web3 gaming in outsourcing game art looks positive. Some pros increase the workability of studios and improve the quality of projects. However, there are disadvantages.
Positive affection on outsourcing art:
Developers can easily find a large variety of artists, studios, and designers with different skills and styles knowledge.
Outsourcing game art in a decentralized system costs less than ordering services from individual artists. In addition, outsourcing game art studios have professional teams that deliver high-quality results in a short time. Thanks to high-end devices, the render completion takes less time.
Knowledge. Outsourcing game art studios provide developers with experts who know nuances related to blockchain, NFT creation, etc.
Risks of Outsourcing Game Art in Web3:
It might be challenging for studios to create art due to communication problems. Developers rely on studio ratings without knowing what kind of product they receive.
Contract discussion. Art, characters, and objects have value in decentralized systems. It is necessary to create an agreement about royalties and ownership. After the creation, artists or studios might want to be owners of the art. In other cases, developers want to be owners. To avoid misunderstanding, people should sign up for a contact that answers all the questions.
Technical Requirements for Web3 Gaming
Technical requirements depend on a blockchain and gameplay. However, there are common indicators that artists should stick to while creating art for blockchain games. The most common one is the compatibility of assets and the game. Decentralized games use Ethereum, Solana, or another blockchain. Artists should create characters and objects using the appropriate file format and know nuances for blockchain optimization. Besides optimizing, you require an understanding of what NFT is and how it works.
Ways of communication are vital. Especially when studios and artists want to collaborate with each other. It is necessary to find a messenger to avoid misunderstandings. Do not forget about payment methods since decentralized systems often use cryptocurrencies as a payment.
Summary
Blockchain gaming became more popular because there are more artists, developers, and interest in the crypto sphere. All in all, decentralized systems bring positive changes to the gaming community. The only disadvantage is the complexity of new people without any knowledge. On the other hand, web3 brings opportunities for outsourcing art studios. It allows one to become an owner of assets and opens up a space for creativity.