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Leading blockchain platform Stratis commissioned a historic piece of research on just under 200 video game developers in the UK and US, carried out by award-winning insight agency Opinium. Results showed 58% were beginning to use blockchain tech, Invezz learned from a press release. Just under half are incorporating Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) in their games.
More than half to use blockchain tech in the next year
Almost three-fourths of respondents would consider using these technologies for new games. 56% are planning to do so in the next year. Just under two-thirds were of the opinion that blockchain technology would become prevalent in video gaming within the next two years. By then, NFTs will also be more common according to 53%.
More innovative and interesting gameplay
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According to 61% of respondents, blockchain technology in video games enables more novel and interesting gameplay. 55% believe it keeps money in the game, securing value for players. 54% find it rewards players with real-world value.
Interest in DeFi is highest
Developers express the highest interest in GameFi, a combination of DeFi and NFTs that offers players a financial incentive to keep playing the game. Play-to-earn economic models and NFTs that offered ownership of in-game items were slightly less popular.
Chris Trew, CEO of Stratis, explained the justification for the research:
We commissioned this research to solidify what we already assumed — that blockchain and NFTs are the future of video games. From our own experience supporting AA game developers, we know first-hand how these technologies are already beginning to improve the player experience by rewarding players with the ability to earn real-world value. Stratis offers an SDK to the Unity gaming engine, with plans to add Unreal soon. We’re betting big on blockchain gaming and we want to be the infrastructure layer.
Jean-Philippe Vergne, Associate Professor at UCL School of Management and current blockchain researcher said:
Blockchain is rapidly becoming a core building block for online games. What blockchain enables is incredibly compelling — players can now earn cryptocurrency while playing and trade digital goods both within and across games. The rise of esports in the past decade has already indicated that there were many players out there who were willing to quit their day job and make gaming their primary income source. Blockchain is riding on this wave and making the opportunity available to all in a more transparent fashion.