Best Web3 Game Genres

TL;DR: Web3 is revolutionizing collectible card games (CCGs) and strategy RPGs by introducing NFT ownership, play-to-earn (P2E) mechanics, and decentralized economies. Players can now own, trade, and monetize their in-game assets, bringing real-world value to virtual experiences.

Web3 Collectible Card Games (CCGs)

Traditional collectible card games (CCGs) like Magic: The Gathering or Hearthstone involve building decks and battling other players, but the cards are controlled by the game developer and cannot be freely traded or sold outside the game. In Web3 CCGs, blockchain technology enables players to truly own their cards as NFTs, meaning they can be bought, sold, or traded in open marketplaces.

Key Features of Web3 CCGs

• NFT Cards: Each card is an NFT, giving players real ownership. Cards can be bought, sold, or traded on decentralized marketplaces.
• Play-to-Earn: Players can earn cryptocurrency or additional NFT cards by winning matches, completing quests, or participating in tournaments.
• Interoperability: Some Web3 CCGs allow players to use their cards across different games, creating more utility for the NFTs they own. Interoperability is currently in early stages of development.

Example: Gods Unchained

Gods Unchained is a popular Web3 CCG that allows players to own their cards as NFTs. Players earn GODS tokens by participating in matches, which can be traded or used to purchase new cards. The game operates on Ethereum, offering a decentralized marketplace for card trading. However, while the game is "on Ethereum," it specifically uses Immutable X for most transactions to avoid Ethereum's high gas fees and slower processing times.

Web3 Strategy Games (RPGs)

Strategy RPGs typically involve long-term planning, tactical combat, and resource management. Traditionally, players invest countless hours into developing characters, armies, or kingdoms but don’t own the items or progress they’ve built. In Web3, strategy RPGs allow players to own in-game assets like characters, weapons, and even land as NFTs, which they can possibly trade or monetize.

Key Features of Web3 Strategy RPGs

• NFT Ownership: Characters, weapons, and other in-game assets are represented as NFTs, giving players full ownership and the ability to trade or sell them.
• Play-to-Earn Mechanics: Players can earn tokens or valuable NFTs through missions, battles, or crafting, which can be sold on secondary markets.
• Decentralized Economies: Many Web3 RPGs feature decentralized, player-driven economies where in-game assets have real-world value.

Example: Axie Infinity

In Axie Infinity, players collect and battle creatures called Axies, each of which is an NFT. Players earn SLP tokens through battles, which can be traded or used to breed new Axies. The decentralized marketplace allows players to buy and sell Axies for cryptocurrency, creating a thriving player-driven economy.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Filipinos turned to Axie Infinity as an alternative source of income. Some sources suggested the game had around 2.7 to 3 million daily active users at its height and that around 40% of these player were from the Philippines.

How Web3 is Changing CCGs and RPGs

Web3 technology is fundamentally transforming how CCGs and strategy RPGs operate by introducing decentralized systems that give players control over their in-game assets. Players no longer rely on game developers to manage or store their items; instead, all assets are stored on the blockchain as NFTs. This shift enables new economic opportunities, as players can trade, sell, and profit from their gameplay, turning their investments of time and skill into real-world value. It should be noted that there is no guarantee of liquidity to sell items into if the game loses popularity.

Conclusion

Web3 is redefining the landscape of collectible card games and strategy RPGs by integrating NFTs, decentralized economies, and play-to-earn mechanics. Players now have true ownership of their in-game assets and can generate real-world value from their gameplay.

Whether it’s trading powerful cards or earning rewards for tactical victories, Web3 gaming offers more control and financial opportunities than traditional models. As the technology matures, CCGs and RPGs in Web3 will continue to empower players and expand the boundaries of gaming.

TL;DR: Metaverse games merge social interaction, gaming, and decentralized economies in immersive virtual worlds where players can own, trade, and monetize digital assets like land and avatars through blockchain and NFTs.

What Are Virtual Worlds and Metaverse Games

Virtual worlds are expansive, immersive digital spaces where users interact in real-time through customizable avatars. These worlds often include social features, gaming elements, and various activities like events or commerce. In metaverse games, this concept expands to include decentralized economies, where users can own, create, and trade assets such as virtual land, buildings, characters, or in-game items using blockchain technology and NFTs.

The defining aspect of metaverse games is their decentralized nature. Players have true ownership of digital assets through non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and can engage in play-to-earn (P2E) mechanics or create content that can potentially be monetized.

Key Features of Virtual Worlds and Metaverse Games

NFT Ownership

In metaverse games, assets like land, avatars, and items are represented as NFTs, giving players real ownership. This means that users can buy, sell, trade, or even rent their digital assets, just as they would with physical property, subject, of course, to demand.

Decentralized Economies

Unlike traditional gaming, where in-game items are controlled by the developers, metaverse games operate with decentralized economies. Players use cryptocurrency or game-specific tokens to buy and sell items in the game, and these tokens often hold real-world value.

Interoperability

Metaverse games strive for interoperability, allowing players to transfer assets, like avatars or NFTs, across different virtual worlds or platforms. Once fully developed this feature will create a connected digital ecosystem, where items have utility beyond a single game.

Play-to-Earn Mechanics

Many metaverse games incorporate play-to-earn models, where users can earn cryptocurrency by participating in activities such as building, trading, or completing quests. This gives players financial rewards for their time spent in the game.

Social and Community Focus

Metaverse games are not just about gaming; they are social platforms where users can interact with others, attend virtual events, or collaborate on building digital environments. These games often feature decentralized governance systems, where players can vote on changes to the game world.

Popular Virtual Worlds and Metaverse Games

Decentraland

Decentraland is a blockchain-powered virtual world where players can buy, develop, and trade virtual land using the MANA cryptocurrency. In Decentraland, players own plots of land represented as NFTs, which they can use to build structures, host events, or even open virtual businesses.Key Features:

• Virtual Real Estate: Players buy and sell virtual land as NFTs, developing and monetizing their properties.
• Custom Experiences: Users create their own environments, whether it’s games, galleries, or social spaces.
• Decentralized Governance: MANA holders vote on changes to the Decentraland ecosystem through a DAO.

In late October 2024, Decentraland announced that their v2.0(beta) was live. This moves the game from a browser based experience to a desktop app, aiming at increased frame rates and reduced load times etc.

The Sandbox

The Sandbox is a user-driven virtual world where players can create, own, and monetize their gaming experiences. Using SAND tokens, players buy virtual land, create voxel-based assets, and design games or interactive experiences that other users can explore.

Key Features:

• Voxel-Based Building: Players use the VoxEdit tool to create 3D assets, which can be sold or used in-game.
• Virtual Land Ownership: Players own plots of land as NFTs and can monetize them by hosting experiences or renting them out.
• Play-to-Earn: Users earn SAND tokens by participating in activities, selling assets, or completing quests.

Voxels (previously known as Cryptovoxels)

Voxels is a virtual world running on the Polygon blockchain, where users can buy and develop virtual land, build structures, and showcase digital art. It focuses on creativity and community engagement, making it popular with artists and creators.Key Features:

• Land as NFTs: Virtual land is bought and sold as NFTs, which players can develop and customize.
• Art Galleries: Voxels is a hub for digital artists, who create virtual galleries to showcase and sell their work.
• Social Interaction: The platform is designed for social events and gatherings, such as virtual meetups and exhibitions.

It should be noted that whilst Web2 games usually do not allow trading of in game assets on the open market, there are a couple of exceptions, such as Steam Marketplace or World of Warcraft's auction house.

Conclusion

Virtual worlds and metaverse games are changing the way players engage with digital spaces by offering true ownership of assets, play-to-earn opportunities, and the ability to create and monetize experiences. Games like Decentraland, The Sandbox, and Voxels showcase the potential of decentralized economies, where players are empowered to build, trade, and control their virtual environments.

As the metaverse expands, the line between gaming and real-world economic activity will continue to blur, making virtual worlds a key part of the future of entertainment and commerce.

TL;DR: Web3 gaming is transforming First-Person Shooters (FPS), racing games, and other genres by introducing NFT ownership, play-to-earn (P2E) mechanics, and decentralized economies. Players can now own, trade, and earn from in-game assets across multiple games and platforms.

FPS Games in Web3

First-Person Shooters (FPS) are one of the most popular gaming genres, known for fast-paced action and competitive gameplay. Web3 FPS games add new dimensions to the genre by giving players the ability to own and trade in-game assets as NFTs and earn cryptocurrency for their performance.

Key Features of Web3 FPS Games:

• NFT Weapons and Skins: Players can often own their in-game items (weapons, skins, and gear) as NFTs, allowing them to trade or sell these assets on decentralized marketplaces.
• Play-to-Earn (P2E): Players can sometimes earn cryptocurrency for winning matches, completing challenges, or progressing through the game.
• Interoperability: Whilsts in early stages of development, some games allow NFT items to be used across different FPS games or platforms, enhancing their utility.
• Decentralized Tournaments: Players can participate in decentralized tournaments where they compete for crypto or NFT prizes.

Example: The Forge Arena

In The Forge Arena, players own weapons and skins as NFTs, which can be traded or sold. The game features a play-to-earn model where skilled players can earn rewards by competing in tournaments.

Racing Games in Web3

Racing games have long been a favorite genre for competitive players. In Web3, racing games can give players full ownership of their NFT cars, allowing for customization, trading, and monetization. Players can sometimes earn cryptocurrency by participating in races, selling cars, or upgrading parts.

Key Features of Web3 Racing Games:

• NFT Cars and Parts: Players own their cars and custom parts as NFTs, allowing them to trade or sell these assets.
• Play-to-Earn Racing: Players earn rewards in the form of cryptocurrency by participating in races or completing specific challenges.
• Customization and Upgrades: NFT cars can be customized with unique parts and skins, increasing their value and performance.
• Virtual Racing Leagues: Decentralized leagues allow players to compete for crypto rewards, with player-driven economies setting the tone for competition.

Example: Revv Racing

In Revv Racing, players own NFT cars that can be raced, traded, or upgraded. The game uses play-to-earn mechanics where players can earn REVV tokens by winning races or participating in special events.

Other Genres in Web3

Web3 is not limited to FPS and racing games. Other genres like sports games, fighting games, and battle royale games are also adopting blockchain technology, offering new ways for players to earn and own digital assets.

Key Features Across Other Genres:

• Sports Games: Players can own teams, gear, or stadiums as NFTs and compete in decentralized leagues for cryptocurrency rewards.
• Fighting Games: Characters and special abilities are represented as NFTs, allowing players to trade and upgrade their fighters.
• Battle Royale Games: In this genre, players can own weapons, skins, and characters as NFTs, while earning cryptocurrency for winning matches.

Example: Zed Run

Zed Run is a blockchain-based horse racing game where players own NFT racehorses. Each horse has unique traits, and players can earn cryptocurrency by breeding, racing, and trading their horses. This game combines elements of racing, strategy, and P2E mechanics, making it a standout in the Web3 ecosystem.

Conclusion

Web3 is transforming FPS, racing games, and many other genres by introducing decentralized economies, NFT-based ownership, and play-to-earn models. Players can now own and trade their in-game assets while earning cryptocurrency, turning traditional gaming experiences into real-world financial opportunities. As these genres evolve in Web3, the focus will shift from mere entertainment to an ecosystem where players control their digital assets and can profit from their skills and investments.

TL;DR: Web3 games like Axie Infinity, Pixels, and Off The Grid are pioneering decentralized gaming with NFT ownership, play-to-earn mechanics, and player-driven economies. These games give players real-world financial rewards and ownership of in-game assets, creating new ways to engage with virtual worlds.

Axie Infinity

Axie Infinity has been of the most successful Web3 games, combining elements of collectible card games and strategy RPGs. Players collect, breed, and battle creatures called Axies, which are represented as NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. The game’s play-to-earn (P2E) model allows players to earn cryptocurrency while playing, making it a revolutionary game in the blockchain space.

Key Features:

• Play-to-Earn: Players earn Smooth Love Potion (SLP) tokens by battling their Axies or completing daily tasks. These tokens can be traded or sold for real-world value.
• NFT Ownership: Each Axie is an NFT, giving players true ownership over their creatures. Axies can be bred to create new ones, which can also be sold or traded in the marketplace.
• Dual-token Economy: SLP is used for breeding Axies, while AXS is a governance token that gives players a say in the game’s development.

Axie Infinity became a financial lifeline for many players, particularly during the COVID pandemic in regions where P2E models offered a way to earn significant income. It created a thriving in-game economy, with Axies and SLP tokens trading on both in-game and external markets.

Pixels

Pixels is a Web3 farming and metaverse game that merges elements of agriculture and virtual worlds with blockchain technology. In Pixels, players manage farms, grow crops, raise livestock, and craft goods, all while earning in-game currency through their activities. The game uses NFTs to represent in-game assets such as land, crops, and tools, offering players ownership and the ability to monetize their assets.

Key Features:

• NFT Land Ownership: Players can own plots of virtual land as NFTs, where they can cultivate crops, raise animals, and build structures.
• Play-to-Earn: Players earn PIXEL tokens by harvesting crops, completing farming tasks, and selling their goods in the marketplace.
• Social Metaverse: Pixels offers a vibrant social environment where players can collaborate, trade, and compete in farming challenges with other players across the world.

Pixels emphasizes sustainability and encourages players to create efficient and productive farms. It integrates real-world economics with in-game activities, giving players the opportunity to trade goods, land, and resources in an open market.

Off The Grid

Off The Grid is a third-person shooter (TPS) Web3 game set in a dystopian cyberpunk world where players participate in dynamic, story-driven battles and missions. The game blends competitive multiplayer and narrative elements, offering players a rich and immersive gaming experience. Built on blockchain, Off The Grid gives players ownership of in-game weapons, armor, and avatars through NFTs, which can be traded or sold on decentralized marketplaces.

Key Features:

• NFT Weapons and Gear: Players can own their gear and weapons as NFTs, allowing them to trade or sell these assets outside of the game.
• Play-to-Earn: Players earn cryptocurrency by completing missions, winning battles, or participating in large-scale events, with rewards tied to in-game performance.
• Dynamic Storyline: The game features a constantly evolving storyline where players’ decisions and battle outcomes influence the game’s future direction.

Off The Grid emphasizes a player-driven economy, where the rarity and value of items fluctuate based on demand and gameplay. With its cyberpunk setting and NFT-based economy, the game brings innovation to the third-person shooter genre in the Web3 space.

Conclusion

Web3 games like Axie Infinity, Pixels, and Off The Grid are showcasing the power of decentralized gaming by offering players true ownership of in-game assets, the ability to earn cryptocurrency, and active participation in game economies. These case studies highlight the potential for Web3 gaming to redefine the relationship between players and developers, empowering users to profit from their time and skill in virtual worlds.

As Web3 continues to grow, these games will set the foundation for more innovative and player-driven gaming experiences.