While cryptocurrency is focused primarily on decentralizing finance, there are plenty of entertainment-based offshoots cropping up that focus instead on leisure. For example, when CryptoKitties launched in 2017, blockchain developers at Dapper Labs were looking to build a recreational platform. CryptoKitties, based on raising and trading virtual cats, marked the start of NFT and blockchain-based gaming.
The idea has since proved incredibly popular. While NFTs have streamlined virtual collections, from the NBA’s Top Shot Marketplace to indie art projects, there’s a growing emphasis on NFT-based games. Some, like Silks Horseracing (covered below), combine elements of betting with collectorship. Others, like online slots that focus on crypto, are more casual and designed for finance-first gamers.
If you’re looking for a game that will touch on your interest in crypto, keep reading for five suggestions available in 2022.
Online Slots (Browser or Mobile)
As one of the most popular genres in casino gaming, top platforms offer slots online for players of all stripes. Along with multiple ways to win, players are on the lookout for themes and characters that interest them. Fantasy, sci-fi, action-adventure, and mythology are a few of the top choices.
However, crypto and finance buffs can also find titles that touch on their interests. Empire Reels, for example, covers NYC themes that include the Wall Street boom from the 1920s. Meanwhile, Sweep the Nation takes players back to the era of the founding fathers—Alexander Hamilton included.
Silks Horseracing (Mobile)
Hosted on Ethereum’s blockchain on OpenSea, Silks Horseracing is quickly becoming one of the hottest games in the crypto world. The game is simple: combine the excitement and intrigue of horseracing with NFT trading. Gamers breed and train crypto-horses, similar to the early days of CryptoKitties.
However, from there, they can earn crypto rewards with Silks’ in-game currency, $STT. In other words, if their virtual horse wins races, gamers actually earn $STT. Additionally, developers partnered with Kentucky’s Circle 8 Ranch, a thoroughbred horse training facility. Down to the DNA of in-game thoroughbreds, Silks Horseracing offers a truly unique and realistic horserace betting and trading game.
Financial Football (Browser or Mobile)
Back in 2018, the NFL developed its Financial Football game on the Unreal Engine. Though it doesn’t run on the blockchain or help players earn real crypto, it’s a fantastic crossover between sports simulation and financial management—one that crypto users would love to see adapted for blockchain.
Similar to Football Manager, Financial Football helps young adults learn the basics of financial planning—all through the framework of managing NFL teams and players. While the game focuses on education, it doesn’t feel shoe-horned or pedantic. So far, most blockchain games have focused on in-game tokens and collectorship, but a sports-management crossover could soon be in the works from Hive or Solana.
Axie Infinity (Mobile)
From a business and finance perspective, Axie Infinity wouldn’t be considered a success. The game runs on AXS, which has tanked since the company boomed last November. Meanwhile, publications like Bloomberg have also taken a hard stance against Axie Infinity’s model. However, there’s one thing all crypto gaming fans should know: it’s still popular for players.
The game lets users collect, mint, and battle little creatures that are modeled off the axolotl. It lets players earn AXS as they tend to their axies, which has kept many gamers coming back even after the crash of AXS. The Ethereum-based strategy game still has around 500,000 active monthly users, according to ActivePlayer.
Light Nite X (Mobile)
Inspired by hit video games like Fortnite, this game closely mimics the multiplayer battle royales popular in eSports. However, Lite Nite X takes this in a totally new direction. For each kill a player logs, they earn a Bitcoin reward—but each time they’re killed, they lose those same rewards. So, the better the player, the more they earn.
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