Unquestionably, excellent things take time, and Web3 games have been no different. Web3 games entail the decentralization of the gaming universe as we know it. Through Web3 gaming (commonly referred to as GameFi), gamers may earn through cryptocurrencies and NFTs while they play. The blockchain gaming industry has witnessed several successful initiatives, such as Axie Infinity and CryptoKitties, but a playable AAA game has yet to be released.
Several initiatives have already taken the necessary steps to make this a reality, but despite the considerable buzz around them, there has been no formal public release. In this article, we will be discussing the top 3 play-to-earn AAA games releasing in 2022.
1. Illuvium
Illuvium was founded in September 2020 and touted itself as an “open-world adventure, NFT monster collector, and auto-battle” game built on the Ethereum network. The game is scheduled for release in 2022, while no specific date has been revealed. The global team comprises slightly over forty engineers, including Kieran and Aaron Warwick, co-founders.
The physics, aesthetics, and gameplay that the Illuvium team has promised are, without a doubt, extraterrestrial. In under six months, Illuvium has amassed more than 100,000 Discord users, illustrating their superior marketing approach and devoted fan base.
Illuvium promises to be an intriguing project that can combine a well-designed NFT and RPG game. The game’s intelligent gameplay, incentives, and cutting-edge visuals might propel it to the forefront of its industry.
Another strength is the game’s scalability system, which purportedly allows it to host hundreds of thousands of players worldwide. Participants play on separate servers in a “typical” role-playing game to minimize congestion and resulting slowness. Developers of Illuvium employ a scaling methodology that incorporates cloud storage resources, which they claim will connect the world of the game.
However, several have voiced worries about the Illivium team, pointing out that they have no track record of producing previous gaming projects, much less AAA titles. The team has also said that initially, just 100 Illuvials (the native animals of the realm of Illuvium) will be released, limiting players’ opportunities to get them.
2. Star Atlas
Star Atlas is another playable AAA blockchain project that promises to deliver an unconventional space-themed experience when it launches in 2022. Star Atlas is based on the Solana blockchain, enabling cheaper transaction fees than other blockchains like Ethereum, which is a notable advantage. The promised visuals are on a “cinematic” level, and consumers cannot wait to see them.
Modern blockchain, real-time visuals, multiplayer video games, and decentralized financial technologies converge to form Star Atlas. A safe and serverless gaming environment is created using blockchain technology and the Solana protocol. NFTs gained and sold in Star Atlas generate an economy that simulates the physicality and ownership of real-world goods.
Star Atlas is both a game and a public service, making it such an intriguing undertaking. It’s not simply a AAA MMO, although that’s amazing in and of itself. The developers intend to construct an environment where players may do anything they choose and profit from it. That is a genuine metaverse. Star Atlas can only be played with NFTs, driving a rift between traditional game lovers and crypto/NFT enthusiasts.
3. Delysium
Delysium, one of the most recent AAA blockchain gaming companies to join GameFi, has had a remarkable start to its adventure. Within a few short months, the number of Delysium Discord users hit 50,000, and on April 30, 2022, Delysium started its Pre-Alpha Test. The development period alone demonstrates that not all blockchain-based game businesses face difficulties launching. The initial reaction to the short production period may have been that the aesthetics or quality were sacrificed; however, this is not the case. The visuals of Delysium Battle Royale are identical to those of classic PC and console games.
Delysium was made feasible, allowing for the rapid and successful release of the Pre-Alpha Test, which will be enjoyed by over 5000 gamers, including a large number of Twitch streams. The Delysium initiative is available to all gamers and is free to play, a striking contrast to its competitors.
Even though Delysium is in its infancy, the rate of development is significantly ahead of the industry average. No AAA-quality game in the blockchain gaming business incorporates gamers in testing and experience throughout production. Even if the game is flawed and immature, the Pre-Alpha Test will send a favorable signal that Delysium is eager to establish the ecosystem with players to realize a true Web3 sprite – openness and co-creation.
“We feel that openness and co-creation are two of the defining characteristics of the Web3 philosophy. Because of this, we decided to provide Delysium directly to our users in its early stages, encouraging players to experience the fruits of our team’s work and contribute to the game’s development.
Chan, CEO of Delysium
Delysium gives the Web3 gaming business fresh hope. With the amazing development of the Delysium project, many are hopeful that this will be the first tangible step towards the future of AAA blockchain-based gaming.
Gaming on the blockchain is still in early phase
As a result of Web3, the gaming industry is on the verge of another huge leap, as play-to-earn gives way to play-and-earn. Gamers and early crypto users should anticipate excitement, especially as the world moves toward widespread adoption.
P&E is ultimately more difficult than merely becoming the next generation of video games. It mixes social connection, altruism, income-generation, mindfulness, and increasingly mobile applications, so it matters less if people have to grind, have better visuals, or earn money.
So, will AAA brands enter the P&E and NFT gaming industry, or will the two tracks continue to develop in parallel? Currently, both sides are vying for market share, with P&E learning from conventional gaming how to boost the fun quotient.
Also Read: 5 NFT based blockchain games that could become popular in 2022
