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Is it possible to get gamers to embrace NFTs?

NFTs are a hot topic. They are being adopted by the art, fashion and food industries. Hollywood, professional sports leagues, and celebrities have also embraced them. Gamers are the only group not interested.

Some game developers are keen to implement NFTs and many others are disgusted by what they perceive as a greed-motivated cash grab, EA and Ubisoft, well-known brands, received a lot of backlash from gamers (including employees). Critics claimed that NFTs would be introduced to gameplay via play-to-earn gaming, making it a highly-consumerist environment gamers desire to escape.


Gamers are skeptical

To be accepted by the wider gaming community, blockchain games must take a different approach. Instead of presenting NFTs or other digital assets only as a speculative income opportunity, developers of blockchain games should address the problems that their technology solves.


Gaming community is familiar with the concept of digital goods. In 2006, Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion introduced in-game horse armor for $2.50. This was the beginning of the cash grab. Microtransactions in PC gaming were worth $23B by 2021. Gamer demand for digital assets isn't shrinking. Activision, the publisher of Call of Duty, earned $1.2B in Q3 2021 solely from in-game sales.


Scams and other predatory tactics are a common problem in the gaming industry due to its appetite for digital assets. Unknowingly, fraudsters are able to lure players into falling for scams by offering them free skins. This is a frequent occurrence on Steam. Gamers, especially those under 18, are more likely to fall for the lure of a friend offering a skin for free or a quick way up the ranks (such as Fortnight V-bucks).


Scammers aren’t the only ones who want to make money from gamers. Game developers, especially those making free games, also need to be able generate income. These games earn money by selling in-game items such as loot boxes or skins. Many gamers are children and a growing number are asking for more regulation. A UK parliamentary committee suggested recently that loot boxes should be banned from children's homes.


This context is why it is not surprising that the gaming community is wary about blockchain games. These platforms promise to pay you after your purchases in-game. We should expect the gaming community not to question NFTs and assets that look like loot boxes, as jaded gamers resist.


What can the Blockchain offer gamers (besides another way to spend money)?

P2E games, a rapidly-growing cryptocurrency opportunity, would seem to be of interest to the average gamer today. Simply put, P2E games allow gamers to earn cryptocurrency. P2E games are often very difficult to enter because you need to purchase NFTs (often hundreds of dollars) in order to get started.


In-Game Value

NFTs have been able to penetrate traditional games, which is a sign that the idea goes beyond making money and the world P2E. These digital assets can be tokenized and their in-game value is extended beyond the platform or game they were made for.


Gamers are skeptical about NFTs and other digital assets being used as speculative earnings opportunities. Blockchain game developers should highlight the benefits of blockchain technology and NFTs to solve existing problems, rather than focusing on their potential money-making potential.


Microtransactions are a way for gamers to spend $100 on a single game each year. Since the value of purchased items depends on the developer, they become worthless once the new game is released. NFTs are a way to solve this problem. They extend the asset's life span and allow for more uses. NFTs are a simple way to verify ownership and experience.


Like Xbox's Achievement List or PlayStation's Trophies, NFTs can be used to represent a specific moment or rank within the community. You can also improve your gameplay experience.


Like NFTs give holders access to exclusive venues or events in real life, NFTs can also be used to keep high-skilled players on their "locked" servers. Being able to instantly own an outdated or old skin can be a way to show your skill and could even lead you to bragging rights.


Another problem gamers often face is the difficulty of vetting other players in order to form guilds or teams. Can gamers use the blockchain to keep their gaming records? Gamers who want to convert their gaming accounts to NFTs can do so by creating a transparent record of ownership on blockchain. This is a way to encourage the recruitment into high-performing gaming guilds.


Let Gamers Lead

Blockchain game developers who can demonstrate their utility to gamers can earn their trust. P2E will eventually seem less like a money-grab than the opportunity that many gamers dream of since their first adventures in Roblox, Super Mario or League of Legends.


While exciting conversations about the future of the metaverse are becoming more mainstream, gaming enthusiasts have already tried the technology and live the lifestyle for many years. Gamers are the ones who understand the future internet. They push the boundaries of digital possibilities to have fun.


Blockchain game developers need to be aware of the warnings from the gaming community about NFTs. Competitive gamers seek gold so you can be sure you're on your side when they accept blockchain technology into the world.

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