Video games for blockchain
CryptantCrab brings the age of crypto gaming to the masses, writes Izwan Ismail
IN the ever-evolving age of immersive digital games, disruptive technologies and next-gen innovations, one thing never changes — the never-ending effort to gamify experiences. That is what iCandy Interactive is planning to do with its newest crypto-based Web game.
Called CryptantCrab, it twists the concept of raising pets with new user capabilities. In this case, it is all about nurturing crabs on the Ethereum blockchain.
CryptantCrab, the first of many cryptogames in iCandy’s development pipeline, is a direct spin-off of the award-winning mobile-based Crab War.
Unlike the original, which is a mobile game that Appxplore developed, CryptantCrab focuses on the more unique aspects of rearing virtual crabs.
Akin to the traditional hobby of raising Betta Fish, these digital crustaceans will sport special markings and distinctive parts that are exclusively theirs.
Even the fighting element, a close tie-in with the Betta Fish hobby, will be incorporated into this crypto game.
WHAT IS A BLOCKCHAIN-BASED GAME?
According to Desmond Lee, COO, iCandy Interactive/CEO Appxplore (iCandy), while blockchain use outside of crypto-currency is not unheard of, its use in video games is fairly recent.
“The innovation, on its own, acts as a digital ledger that is secured via cryptographic hash and it can be used to various degrees in other industries,” he says.
For video games, it introduces the concept of decentralisation where users will become true owners of the digital assets they invested in.
Benefits in using blockchain includes having true ownership of the game assets, specifically those that gamers have invested in.
That means, in theory, this concept will not allow anyone to tamper with the data. It’s very much like physical ownership but done in digital form.
“The idea is still very new and, right now, is mostly focused on collectibles. There are some ventures that mix in game mechanics but nothing as comprehensive. This includes simple collectibles that involve digital cats and trading cards,” says Lee.
For iCandy Interactive, the focus is very much on virtual crabs — CryptantCrabs to be exact.
With this new game, iCandy Interactive wants to turn the blockchain game concept on its head.
“We aim to do so by infusing more fun yet immersive elements like PVP battling, mutation, and working out how element affinity works,” says Lee.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
By placing game assets like characters or equipment such as virtual crabs in CryptantCrab, gamers don’t t just become owners. They are able to improve these assets as they see fit.
“That means, whatever investment they put into the game, be it improving the character’s stats or buying better equipment, it will be stored in their registered accounts,” says Lee.
As the game assets are tied to the crypto-wallet, gamers can introduce some level of personalisation. For CryptantCrab, obtaining a crab or mutating the parts still has some element of chance in place.
When hatching a new virtual crab, everything about it from its core element to the part class and type, will be randomised.
Mutating the parts will alter the look and battle prowess, giving these CryptantCrabs some form of growth. It’s always good to mutate and fight as these will also improve the market sale value of these crabs.
“As the Pre-Sale event is now open, anyone who joins the game will be able to hatch their own digital crustacean. At launch, sometime in end fourth quarter of 2018, players can mutate their CryptantCrabs until it achieves the right balance of looks and fighting ability. The Crab Shop and Auction House will open their doors at this time,” says Lee.
Battling will come online in first quarter of next year.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BLOCKCHAIN GAMES AND NORMAL GAMES?
The difference between blockchain games and normal video games lies in the literal application of this evolving platform innovation.
“Where games on PC, console, and mobile rely on servers that game publishers/developers manage, those on the blockchain have some level of decentralisation. That is how the crypto-wallet comes into play as it can store the game assets in the form of blockchain tokens.
The ERC 271 token type on the Ethereum blockchain is, right now, the most popular choice,” says Lee.
WHO CAN PLAY THIS GAME?
Lee says anyone can play so long as they have a crypto-wallet and can readily get Ethereum to buy new CryptantCrabs and Cryptant.
He adds that blockchain games are popping up fast, thanks to what CryptoKitties managed to achieve.
“Earlier this year, one player on the digital cat collectible game had successfully sold off a CryptoKitty for a cool 600 ETH (estimated equivalent of US$170,000 (RM707,625)),” says Lee.
The recent efforts of Baidu and XiaoMi, which see them working on their own blockchain-based digital pet collectible, sums up this surging interest.
“Right now, blockchain games have not hit critical mass yet. Even so, it’s already prevalent in markets that have a keen understanding of blockchain and are actively using the platform,” says Lee.
FUTURE OF BLOCKCHAIN-BASED GAMES
The concept of decentralisation for apps will become a critical consideration in the video games industry.
“As blockchain technology introduces new data protection, user engagement, and process improvements to video games, there will be changes coming online. This includes how the payment, gameplay experience, and information management will be implemented,” says Lee.
MOVING FORWARD
The official launch for CryptantCrab will be sometime in the fourth quarter of this year and will introduce mutations and two aspects for the game: The Crab Shop and Auction House. Both deal with the trading of crabs.
“Where the Crab Shop deals directly with new purchases of crabs, the Auction House is where gamers can buy and sell the crabs they own. All these aspects, of course, will be tracked on the blockchain too,” explains Lee.
Within the first quarter of next year, the fighting feature of CryptantCrab will come online.
“For iCandy Interactive, these are the immediate plans moving forward. As one of the few with in-depth experience in video game development and wide understanding of blockchain use, there is the possibility of iCandy Interactive delving into funding support and publishing of other developers who want to move into the blockchain games space,” says Lee.
“This is something we are already discussing with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation. More details on this collaboration will be revealed during Level Up KL 2018, which is ongoing now,” he concludes.