Is There Actually a Game That Requires Blockchain?

In a recent exploration, a reporter sought to determine whether any game fundamentally requires blockchain technology beyond simple features like coins, NFTs, and play-to-earn mechanics. Starting with popular examples such as Axie Infinity, Gods Unchained, and The Sandbox, it became apparent that the blockchain elements could be replaced with traditional databases without compromising the core gameplay.

For instance, Axie Infinity, which involves collecting, battling, breeding, owning, transferring, and trading Axies, could theoretically function with a standard database. The ownership model would differ, but the gameplay mechanics would remain intact. Similarly, Gods Unchained, a trading card game, allows players to play without linking a crypto wallet, indicating that blockchain ownership of cards is not essential to the game's functionality.

The Sandbox, which emphasizes ownership, scarcity, transferability, and creator monetization through blockchain, also revealed that these features could be achieved in a non-blockchain environment. The platform could manage virtual plots and experiences through a centralized database, with the operator acting as the authority over the data.

Even considering the concept of Play-to-Earn, it became clear that blockchain is not the sole mechanism for rewarding players. A centralized system could manage rewards and balances in a database, and the value of the rewards could still be exchanged or paid out according to the operator's rules.

The reporter concluded that the real question to consider is not whether a game can exist without blockchain technology but how significantly blockchain changes the game's dynamics. This includes factors like who controls the data, the ability to transfer or rewrite history, the existence of the operator, and the potential for developers to build upon the data. Thus, the reporter proposes a new question: "Blockchain Preferred?" and plans to investigate further.