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Fortnite developer Epic Games expects to add a flurry of crypto-powered games to its marketplace by next year.
Epic Games executive Steve Allison recently told Axios the brand currently has five crypto games in its marketplace and there are plans for nearly 20 more, although none will be developed or published by Epic itself.
The first was Blankos Block Party, launched by Web3 gaming studio Mythical Games. It’s a free-to-play multiplayer party game where players can find a wide selection of player-created maps and other creative game modes while collecting and personalizing their own digital collective vinyl toys “Blankos.”
Epic Games didn’t return a request for comment by press time. Allison, head of the Epic Games Store, reportedly highlighted that Blankos Block Party and Core, a metaverse platform, have proven “pretty well-played.”
Epic will learn more about the potential of the crypto gaming industry only once more games are launched on Epic, he told Axios.
Last year was a challenging one for the blockchain gaming industry. Once-hot games Axie Infinity and Crypto Blades saw floor prices for their NFTs plunge, while the former’s native token remains 95% below highs recorded in Nov. 2021, about eight months before a monumental cyberattack.
Last January, gaming giant Ubisoft said its attempt to engage with the NFT space failed because “gamers don’t get it.”
But according to DappRadar, investments in blockchain games and metaverse projects have had a solid start in 2023.
Epic is still being careful in terms of keeping a distance financially from the crypto games that operate in its marketplace. Publishers are responsible for aspects such as transactions, customer service and refunds, although Epic does keep a close eye on safety, according to Allison.
Epic is aware of the reputational weakness that some crypto ventures carry, and so will be intolerant of any “bad behavior” from gaming projects.