Gaming & Metaverse Alpha: 14 Tokens to Watch this Alt Season

The blockchain gaming and metaverse sector is on fire, combining entertainment with financial opportunity in ways we’ve never seen before. 

However, the sector’s long-term success hinges on one critical factor: fun. 

Players must be drawn to games for their enjoyment and depth first, with financial rewards acting as an enhancement. 

Simultaneously, the concept of cross-game transferable assets is poised to redefine digital ownership, offering players unprecedented control and flexibility.

In this article, we’ll examine the sector’s infrastructure, the pressing need for “badass” games, and the transformative potential of interoperable assets.

Building the Rails: Infrastructure That Powers Blockchain Gaming and the Metaverse

The backbone of this sector lies in its infrastructure—platforms that make blockchain integration seamless, scalable, and secure.

1. Immutable X
   
   • A Layer 2 solution purpose-built for NFTs, Immutable X powers games like Gods Unchained and Guild of Guardians, offering zero-gas-fee transactions and scalability.
2. Enjin
   
   • A pioneer in blockchain gaming, Enjin provides tools for creating and integrating NFTs into games. Developers can tokenize in-game assets, allowing players to trade items across platforms.
3. The Sandbox
   
   • A decentralized metaverse where users can create, own, and monetize virtual worlds. Its token, SAND, powers transactions, including land purchases, staking, and NFT trading.
4. Gala Games
   
   • A gaming ecosystem focused on player ownership. Its native token, GALA, underpins the economy, rewarding players in a variety of P2E games.
5. Decentraland
   
   • A digital world where users buy, sell, and develop virtual land using MANA. Decentraland’s metaverse includes events, education hubs, and commerce-driven spaces.
6. Mythical Games
   
   • Known for Blankos Block Party, Mythical Games prioritizes interoperable ecosystems, encouraging cross-platform asset integration.
7. Ready Player Me
   
   • Offers customizable avatars usable across metaverse platforms, bridging virtual identities for interoperability.

The Need for Truly Engaging Gameplay

The financial mechanics of blockchain gaming are enticing, but they often overshadow the core gaming experience. For mass adoption, blockchain games need to focus on fun, depth, and replayability.

Projects making gameplay the priority:

1. Illuvium
   
   • Dubbed the first “AAA game of blockchain,” Illuvium combines high-quality graphics and compelling gameplay with a rich NFT-based ecosystem. Players capture and battle Illuvials in an open-world adventure.
2. Star Atlas
   
   • A space exploration game with cinematic-quality graphics and deep strategy. Star Atlas focuses on creating a rich narrative and immersive experience, with blockchain seamlessly integrated.
3. Big Time
   
   • A multiplayer action-RPG built by developers from titles like World of Warcraft. Its core focus is on delivering epic battles and engaging gameplay, with blockchain elements complementing the experience.

Riding the Rails: Transformative Use Cases in Blockchain Gaming

1. Play-to-Earn (P2E) Gaming
   
   • Games like Axie Infinity reward players with tokens for their time and skill. Axie’s AXS and SLP tokens have allowed players in developing countries to earn sustainable income.
2. In-Game NFT Economies
   
   • Games such as Gods Unchained and Illuvium use NFTs to represent characters, weapons, and other assets. These NFTs can be traded on secondary markets, creating real-world value.
3. Virtual Land Ownership
   
   • Platforms like The Sandbox and Decentraland allow users to purchase and monetize virtual real estate. From hosting events to leasing space, the possibilities are vast.
4. Social and Business Applications
   
   • Beyond gaming, metaverses are becoming hubs for virtual commerce, live events, and community engagement, with brands like Gucci and Adidas already onboard.

The Future of Cross-Game Transferable Assets

Imagine earning a rare sword in one game and using it in another. Cross-game interoperability represents a groundbreaking shift in gaming, enabling players to truly own assets that transcend individual titles.

Pioneering projects:

1. Enjin
   
   • Enjin’s multiverse concept allows NFTs to function across multiple games, breaking down the barriers of traditional gaming silos.
2. Loot (for Adventurers)
   
   • A platform for user-generated games, where NFTs serve as universal adventurer gear that can be used across multiple worlds.
3. Ready Player Me
   
   • Customizable avatars designed for use across metaverse platforms, maintaining a unified virtual identity.
4. Mythical Games
   
   • Focuses on creating ecosystems where items from one game can seamlessly integrate into others, driving a collaborative developer network.

Why Gameplay and Ownership Matter

• Retention: Games must captivate players with engaging experiences to ensure long-term success.
• Mainstream Adoption: The average gamer won’t adopt blockchain gaming for earnings alone—they need games they genuinely enjoy.
• Economic Empowerment: Interoperable assets empower players, allowing them to monetize their time and creativity across platforms.

Challenges and Opportunities

While exciting, blockchain gaming faces challenges such as scalability, user acquisition, and interoperability. However, solutions are emerging, and the sector’s ability to merge fun with financial incentives creates a compelling value proposition.

What’s Next in This Series?

As gaming and metaverse projects evolve, their focus on gameplay and interoperability will redefine the sector. 

Next up in our series: AI and Blockchain Synergy, where we’ll explore how artificial intelligence is enhancing blockchain applications, from predictive analytics to decentralized marketplaces.

Stay tuned—because the future of gaming, profit, and ownership is being built right now.