Nine Chronicles M is a P2E game worth trying.
Recently, I've been exploring various P2E (Play-to-Earn) games. Since the number of commercially available P2E games is limited, it's not overly time-consuming. Many of these games restrict access to a small pool of players, resulting in long wait times. There are several games that I have been unable to access for over a month. Some are merely free-to-play, allowing anyone to play but without the opportunity to earn rewards.
In my opinion, the fundamental criteria for P2E games should include:
- Accessibility for all players, with a majority receiving rewards.
- Rewards in the form of sellable tokens.
- Economic benefits from using the tokens.
+ Plus, the game should be enjoyable.
Expanding on these points, anyone should be able to play the game without needing NFTs or early access rights. Rewards, though potentially modest, should be attainable by many players. These rewards should be in the form of blockchain tokens with real value, allowing players to sell them as desired. The most challenging aspect is providing economic benefits through token use, like using tokens for in-game advertising.
A P2E game that effectively fulfills the third criterion is likely to see significant growth. My assessment of recent P2E games is based on these standards. Early games like Axie Infinity met the second criterion but required NFT ownership to play and offered limited token usage. The initial success, driven by breeding for profit, dwindled when this was no longer lucrative. Many recent games seem to be moving away from these criteria, with the third issue remaining unsolved. This leads to dropping coin values and the abandonment of either the first or second criteria. However, I recently found a game, Nine Chronicles, which meets the first and second criteria and deserves recommendation.
Nine Chronicles struggles with the third criterion, as its in-game token usage is confined to weapon upgrades without economic benefits. Consequently, the WNCG token has depreciated since its launch. Despite this, it has maintained its value reasonably well, and players can convert 20 NCG to 20 WNCG at any time.
Interestingly, Nine Chronicles integrates numerous elements with blockchain, seemingly more than some ghost blockchains. While I haven't verified everything, it appears that progress, leveling, and crafting times are blockchain-stored. However, this integration raises questions:
- Is storing every detail on the blockchain necessary?
- Does blockchain use inherently increase trust?
If we're substituting servers with blockchain, there should be clear benefits for players or game developers. While it's advantageous for tokens or characters, using blockchain for minor details seems to slow responsiveness. While all records are publicly accessible, this might not be beneficial for games where strategic data usage is crucial. For such games, an API could suffice. The key factor then becomes trust. Even as a crypto enthusiast, I don't necessarily feel blockchain more trustworthy than traditional systems. The method of generating randomness, even with oracles, doesn't significantly alter this perception.
Regardless, I've reached level 200 and will continue playing. I'm pleased that Nine Chronicles fulfills several of my P2E criteria. If I were to design a game, addressing the third criterion creatively would be my focus. I'll continue to play and review games from a blockchain perspective, hoping to find one that adequately tackles this key aspect.
Image source: Generated through OpenAI's DALL·E
