Company
Date Published
Author
Chainlink
Word count
1828
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

The gaming industry has evolved significantly from its early days of arcade machines to the current exploration of blockchain technology, which introduces new possibilities for game monetization and design. Blockchain games, still in their infancy, offer a technological infrastructure that empowers players through on-chain governance, enhances engagement via digital asset ownership, and preserves value by connecting to broader digital economies, primarily through non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Historically, game monetization has transformed from the coin-operated model of arcade games, to the console era's one-time purchase, and the rise of subscription and microtransaction models in online gaming. Blockchain games challenge traditional monetization models by reducing market frictions and shifting control over in-game assets from developers to players, paving the way for NFT-based monetization through perpetual royalties. This model allows developers to earn revenue each time an NFT is transacted, aligning player and developer incentives and enabling new forms of player empowerment and intellectual property expansion. As blockchain gaming continues to evolve, innovative monetization strategies and game designs are expected to emerge, leveraging the unique advantages of this technology.