The Crypto Gaming Race: Casual Games vs. eSports

Over the last year, more and more crypto analysts have started to focus on the gaming industry. As crypto becomes more established and secure, there's a growing sentiment that gamers might be the first to truly harness the power of decentralized finance. Already, dozens of video games include in-game markets that could be seamlessly transitioned onto the blockchain—at least, in theory.

Other crypto analysts are eyeing real-money games instead. Unlike large-scale video games with in-game markets, from Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to EVE Online, real-money games are a bit more straightforward. That's because they tend to involve more direct mechanics and immediate goals—unlike an RPG or a MOBA game. The shorter and sweeter the title, the easier it is to adapt it for blockchain, (once again—in theory).

Let's cover one success story: NFT collectibles. These types of NFTs build on the highly popular and highly lucrative world of collectibles, from fine art to Magic: The Gathering decks. They also provide a seamless introduction into the world of crypto gaming—whether in the context of in-game assets or as part of the game itself, like with Crypto Kitties.

Beyond the realm of collectibles, which games will make the transition toward crypto first? While there are already dozens of projects from crypto-ready developers, we're keeping our focus on casual games and eSports. Let's dive in and explore, starting with casual titles.

The Case for Casual Titles: A Simple Setup

Casual titles are now the world's most popular genre in gaming, which makes them a great starting point for developers working on the blockchain. Using only a smartphone, first-time gamers can dip a toe into the waters with a casual puzzle, match-three game, or even slots. But what makes these types of games particularly geared toward moving onto the blockchain? 

Let's start with an example of the latter. Slot games run on a very simple setup: players simply spin the wheel, wait to see which combinations hit, and then adjust their bets for the next round. Though they started out as physical machines, slots now use random number generators to ensure randomized outcomes—something a blockchain ledger could easily facilitate. 

The same is true for match-three games. Just like slots, they're easy to get the hang of and are designed for casual play. Not only does their popularity make them a solid choice for investors looking to launch the next big game on the blockchain, but, once again, that simple setup can't get much easier to work with for developers. However, there are certainly obstacles when it comes to launching the blockchain for mobile. This could create a few roadblocks in the coming years.

The Case for eSports: Structural Shift vs. Developer Shift

Clearly, casual games could shift on a large scale toward crypto first. However, analysts who feel that the gaming industry will adopt crypto are hedging their bets on the world of eSports. Globally, eSports tournaments are garnering huge attention—and some are shining a light on Web3 games, fan tokens, and NFTs. 

Already, teams like Team Vitality have launched their own crypto fan tokens, increasing their fan reach and boosting engagement. Competitive gamers are already well-acquainted with the concept of NFTs and digital assets, along with their fans. However, most forays into crypto from major eSports brands revolve around NFT ownership, trading, and team participation. 

In other words, there hasn't yet been a push in terms of adapting the world's top eSports games (from League of Legends to Call of Duty) to run on the blockchain. Instead, the focus is on decentralizing eSports to look out for stakeholders, gamers, and considerations like media rights and fan engagement. This is particularly relevant considering the global reach of eSports—working on non-centralized platforms is highly secure and preferable for global brands.

Still, these early forms of decentralized infrastructure don't cover the games themselves. In other words, League of Legends and Call of Duty aren't prepared to run on the blockchain, and developers haven't shown interest in undertaking this kind of massive pivot. Not yet, at least.