Many people have thought that when NFTs and games come together, it will create an unbeatably strong area of blockchain interoperability. Yet, even though many different Web3 gaming projects have had varying degrees of success, it seems that none of them has yet risen high enough to reach the ultimate goal of NFT stewards: widespread adoption. But should the blockchain gaming industry really try to get everyone to use it? Taking NFTs from the “niche” market to the “mainstream” market is a good goal that most Web3 people seem to agree with. But who are the real winners of this success? Aren’t games made so that people can have fun and be entertained? Let’s talk about the new uproar of Tokenzied NFT minigames.

Some people seem to think so, as the recent rise in NFT minigames shows. Minigames are the simpler brother or sister of traditional games. They are made to be short and fun through their simplicity. Even though Dookey Dash by Yuga Labs is one of the most popular games in this growing market, it is not the only one trying to make minigames stick.

What’s a minigame?

Whether you play games for fun or are a true RPG fan, you’ve probably played a few minigames. Minigames have short play times and simple controls. They are often part of a larger video game or can be played on their own, like the old game cabinets you might have seen in an arcade.

It’s important to remember that NFT minigames, which are also sometimes called arcade games, don’t always follow strict rules. Minigames have been a part of larger games in the past, like the puzzles you have to solve in Final Fantasy. NFT minigames, on the other hand, are standalone games that are either hosted on the blockchain or powered by NFTs.

Who makes the NFT minigames?

Aside from Dookey Dash, which is an endless runner-style game that came out in mid-January and quickly became the Bored Ape Yacht Club’s new hot item, there are a few other notable NFT minigames that have gotten a lot of attention. Levels.art is one such project.

Levels.art

Levels.art is a new project from Jordan Lyall’s Web3 innovation studio Venture Punk and cyberh49, the founder of Animetas. It is an interactive platform for on-chain art where top artists drop exclusive collections of playable NFTs. For the first release of the platform on February 16, Levels and well-known Web3 creator Bryan Brinkman made a minigame called Cloud Poppers. It was made in Brinkman’s brightly coloured, cloud-themed style.

The art-focused pixel-art game Cloud Poppers comes in 100 different editions. It was released through a Dutch auction. Even though the Brinkman minigame collection is a great example of on-chain innovation, it is much more in line with the idea that entertainment is the most important thing than with the idea that NFT tourists should become purists. Lyall says that Levels is really all about having fun.

“I always try to do things that are fun for me. “Like, if it isn’t fun, why do it at all?” nft now talked to Lyall about what he had to say. Lyall was an experienced builder in the DeFi space, but when NFTs started to take off, he changed directions. He found that memes and creativity were a great way to create new ideas and fun.

We’re live! Minting 100 editions of @bryanbrinkman‘s Cloud Poppers.https://t.co/w0U6nShiA3

— LEVELS.𝘢𝘳𝘵 (@levelsdotart) February 16, 2023

He says that with Venture Punk, he wants to try new things with his projects. Levels is one of the first things to come out of the studio. “The idea is to have an arcade that isn’t in one place. He said, “I don’t want to use this example because I don’t want to sound like I’m trying to be better than you, but [Levels] is supposed to be like if Art Blocks and Chuck E. Cheese had a baby.”

Levels is a big deal for fans of fine artists like Brinkman and people who are interested in the slow rise of minigames in the NFT space. It also fills a niche that similar projects have created over the past few years. Before there were Levels, ArcadeNFT and Pl4y.art were the only places where you could play simple NFT games.

ArcadeNFT

When it came out on August 13, 2021, ArcadeNFT combined the fun of old arcade games with the ability to trade NFT. ArcadeNFT is a collection of interactive NFTs that focus on user experience and new ways to use tokens. Each of the project’s playable arcade games looks and feels like a classic game cabinet, but it is actually code on the Ethereum blockchain. The project began with a single release of a simple, playable pinball NFT. Since then, it has grown into a bigger collection of more than 12,000 NFTs and seven different games.

Pl4y.art

Pl4y.art came out on April 17, 2021, on the NFT marketplace Hic et Nunc, which is no longer in business. The series is made up of dozens of NFTs that are somewhere between interactive art and minigames. They were made by a mysterious artist and developer who goes by the name play.

unknown.exehttps://t.co/JKEF8inAlE pic.twitter.com/DdkN82FCZA

— play (@playnft) September 2, 2021

Even though play themself might want to call their releases interactive NFTs (like TheDudes), it makes sense to call many of their Pl4y projects minigames since their full-fledged interactive NFT game is unknown. Exe is more than just ArcadeNFT and Levels. Pl4y seems to be the most unique and well-made NFT minigame so far. It is on the Tezos blockchain, along with a number of influential generative pieces made by an anonymous creator.

Also, read – Top Five Features In NFT Games After Crash Of The Market

The Future of NFT Minigames and Where They Are Heading

NFT minigames are simplified, casual games that integrate blockchain technology and NFTs to enhance the gaming experience. Unlike large-scale, complex blockchain games like Axie Infinity or Decentraland, minigames are typically designed to be easily accessible, with short play sessions and relatively simple mechanics. Their core appeal lies in the ability to earn or use NFTs, which may include digital collectibles, avatars, skins, weapons, or even land, and these items are stored on the blockchain, allowing for true ownership, transferability, and potential monetary value.

Some of the defining characteristics of current NFT minigames include:

Simplicity in Gameplay:

NFT minigames are often built around intuitive, easy-to-understand mechanics. They don’t require long learning curves or significant time investment, making them ideal for casual players. Examples include card-based games, puzzle games, or basic platformers, where users can quickly start playing and earning rewards.

Play-to-Earn (P2E) Model:

Most NFT minigames integrate the Play-to-Earn (P2E) model, allowing players to earn NFTs or cryptocurrency for completing tasks, winning battles, or achieving milestones in the game. This has proven to be a huge draw, especially in emerging economies, where users can earn meaningful income through participation in these games.

Interoperability of Assets:

A hallmark of NFT-based games is the interoperability of assets. NFTs earned or bought in one game can potentially be used in other games or virtual worlds. This creates a metaverse-like ecosystem where in-game assets hold value beyond the confines of a single game, which adds layers of utility and investment potential.

In-Game Marketplaces:

Many NFT minigames come with built-in marketplaces where players can buy, sell, or trade their NFTs. This allows players to monetize their gameplay and fosters a secondary market for rare or valuable items, enabling participants to turn their time spent gaming into real-world financial gain.

Tokenization and Governance:

Some NFT minigames incorporate tokens that players can earn, which give them voting power over certain aspects of the game’s development or future content. This decentralized governance model allows players to have a say in how the game evolves, creating a more engaged and invested community.

The Future of NFT Minigames: Trends and Predictions

As NFT minigames continue to grow in popularity, several key trends are emerging that are likely to shape the future of the space. These trends are driven by advancements in technology, changes in player expectations, and the expanding role of decentralized finance (DeFi) in gaming ecosystems.

a. Increased Integration with the Metaverse

The term “metaverse” refers to interconnected virtual worlds where people can interact, socialize, work, and play. NFT minigames are poised to play a significant role in the development of the metaverse, as they provide both entertainment and economic functionality. In the future, players may seamlessly transition between various minigames within a larger metaverse environment, using the same NFT assets across multiple virtual worlds.

Imagine a scenario where an NFT character used in a racing minigame could also participate in a fantasy RPG or attend a virtual concert, all within the same metaverse. This interoperability will enhance the appeal of NFTs and create a more immersive and interconnected gaming ecosystem.

b. Evolution of Tokenomics and Economic Models

The Play-to-Earn model has already proven successful, but the future of NFT minigames will likely see more sophisticated economic systems. Developers will implement dual-token systems, where one token is used for in-game rewards and another for governance or special access. This would prevent hyperinflation of in-game currencies, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Moreover, the concept of Play-and-Earn is emerging, where earning money isn’t the sole focus, but an additional incentive. Players will engage in minigames for fun and entertainment, and the reward system will serve as a secondary benefit. This shift could attract a wider audience, including those who enjoy traditional gaming without the expectation of financial returns.

c. Enhanced NFT Utility and Customization

In the future, NFTs within minigames will go beyond static assets like collectible cards or simple avatars. Expect more dynamic and customizable NFTs that can evolve based on player actions or achievements. For example, an NFT weapon in a fantasy game might gain new abilities, or an NFT avatar might change in appearance as it levels up.

Further, the ability to combine NFTs could become a popular feature. Players may merge two or more NFTs to create a rarer or more powerful item. This would create new layers of strategy and engagement, as players look to optimize their assets.

d. Cross-Game NFTs and Broader Ecosystem Integration

One of the most exciting aspects of NFTs is their ability to function across multiple games. In the future, we will likely see a more robust ecosystem where NFT assets can be used in a variety of minigames. This interoperability will create a “multiverse” of sorts, where players can bring their favorite NFTs into different worlds, whether they’re playing a racing game, a puzzle, or a multiplayer shooter.

In this ecosystem, cross-game collaborations between developers could lead to special events, tournaments, or limited-edition NFTs that work in multiple games. For example, an NFT sword earned in a medieval-themed minigame could become a rare and valuable item in a futuristic space shooter.

e. Increased Focus on Social and Competitive Gaming

NFT minigames are already seeing significant growth in competitive gaming, but the future will likely see a more deliberate focus on social interaction and esports. Multiplayer features, team-based games, and tournaments are expected to become more prevalent, adding layers of social interaction to the gaming experience.

As more players join the space, esports events centered around NFT minigames will likely gain popularity. These events could offer NFT rewards or tokens for participants, creating an entirely new revenue stream for both players and spectators.

Streaming platforms and social media will also play a role in amplifying the social element of NFT minigames. Just as traditional esports athletes and content creators can monetize their skills through platforms like Twitch or YouTube, NFT minigame players may find opportunities to earn through streaming their gameplay or sharing their NFT achievements with their audiences.

 

Where Will NFT Minigames Go from Here?

The NFT minigame space is still in its infancy, but the potential for growth is staggering. As blockchain technology evolves and becomes more scalable, we can expect several exciting developments in the future of NFT minigames:

a. Mass Adoption and Accessibility

One of the key challenges facing NFT minigames today is the technical barrier to entry. Blockchain games often require users to set up wallets, buy cryptocurrency, and manage gas fees, which can be daunting for those unfamiliar with the technology. As blockchain infrastructure improves and user interfaces become more intuitive, we can expect greater mass adoption.

Future NFT minigames will likely feature easier onboarding processes, allowing players to create wallets within the game or integrate with existing platforms like social media for a more seamless experience. Partnerships with established gaming platforms could also play a crucial role in bringing NFT minigames to mainstream audiences.

b. Transition to Layer 2 Solutions and Scalable Blockchains

One of the significant hurdles for NFT minigames is the scalability of blockchain networks. As more players enter the ecosystem, the cost of transactions (gas fees) and network congestion can become significant issues. To solve this, many NFT minigames will move to Layer 2 solutions (e.g., Polygon or Arbitrum) or other scalable blockchains that offer faster transactions and lower fees.

By addressing these scalability issues, NFT minigames will be able to support larger player bases and more complex in-game economies, creating a more enjoyable experience for players.

c. Integration of AI and Machine Learning

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies will add new layers of complexity and engagement to NFT minigames. AI can be used to create dynamic environments, adaptive opponents, and personalized game experiences tailored to individual players.

Additionally, machine learning algorithms could help optimize the in-game economy, ensuring that rewards, NFTs, and tokens are distributed fairly and in a way that maintains long-term sustainability for the game.

d. Institutional and Brand Involvement

As NFT minigames become more popular, we can expect brands and institutions to take notice. Companies from the entertainment, fashion, and sports industries are likely to invest in partnerships with NFT minigame developers, creating branded assets or special in-game events. This will drive greater visibility and attract a broader audience to the space.

Furthermore, institutional investors may start to see NFT minigames as a viable investment vehicle. By creating games with robust token economies and long-term value, developers can attract venture capital or partner with gaming companies that have significant resources and expertise.

 

Conclusion

The future of NFT minigames is bright and full of opportunities for both players and developers. As blockchain technology becomes more scalable and accessible, NFT minigames will likely see mass adoption, integrating seamlessly into the broader gaming ecosystem and the metaverse. With enhanced tokenomics, dynamic NFTs, cross-game interoperability, and the rise of social and competitive gaming, the possibilities for innovation are limitless.

For new players, developers, and investors, now is an opportune time to explore the space, as the future of NFT minigames promises to redefine the gaming industry and open up new avenues for entertainment, economic participation, and digital ownership.