How can you optimize games for blockchain-based platforms?

Three aspects can be considered Balance On-Chain and Off-Chain Elements: It is important to note that not everything needs to be on the blockchain considering the transactions speed and cost. So in designing a game there should be a a balance of the use of on-chain elements like ownership records with off-chain elements like game logic and graphics to optimize performance and cost. The other aspect is the option to utilize Layer 2 Solutions or sidechains to offload transactions from the main blockchain, reducing congestion and fees. This is particularly important for high-traffic games. Thirdly, using Account Abstraction and Session keys which can help improve the UX experience and offer frictionless experience for players.

The idea of actual ownership is the one that I'm most excited to see evolving here with blockchain/broader Web3 gaming conversations. Games are arguably the first place that one could secure an NFT; you grind through obstacles (mining), gain access to scarce resources (proof of work), and ultimately have unique versions of something that's yours and only yours (tokenization/marketplace). I see games/platforms like Decentraland as being the 10th wave evolution of Second Life/etc, and a key part of the world increasingly understanding blockchain tech as an everyday tech. Off-chain elements seem like the natural next big step, though the security issues therein are huge and may endanger user trust as thousands of hours are on the line.

I believe that this is where web3/blockchain games are evolving the most rapidly. The inspiring wave of new tech that leverages underutilized processor/GPU capacity to reduce network stress and the need for massive rounds of GPU purchases (if you tried to buy a graphics card in the past 3 years you know this pain) is changing things in the background at light speed. Like nearly every other part of life, AI will be the catalyst here; when we're able to write, test, and deploy complex code at 10x speed we can find performance bottlenecks even more rapidly. Add this to blockchain providing enhanced security with minimized processor load and that's industry-evolving power we're working with.

La monetización basada en web3 debe entenderse como una herramienta más para la obtención de ingresos en cualquier juego, cuyo denominador diferencial sería la participación de los usuarios en la obtención de los mencionados ingresos. Pero esto en base a la existencia de un videojuego, no de un proyecto de especulación financiera que busca la autofinanciación de una supuesta empresa que nada asegura su viabilidad económica. En este sentido recomiendo conocer proyectos de éxito como Outer Ring (MMORPG); Illuvium (que recientemente entró como juego de la Epic Store); incluso si se tiene interés en juegos en web3 de primera generación, Axie Infinity. Todos ellos aportan una visión única del ecosistema de los videojuegos en blockchain.

One thing I found is that decentralized finance (DeFi) movement provides blockchain-based financial systems that are transparent, open, and permission-less. DeFi can be combined with blockchain games to give users new opportunities to acquire, lend, stake, and exchange cryptocurrency assets. Innovative gaming models like yield farming, liquidity mining, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) can also be made possible via DeFi. Also play-to-earn mechanisms, which let users contribute to the game’s development or finish in-game tasks to earn incentives and cryptocurrency are useful. This gives players even more motivation to put time and effort into the game.

In the blockchain gaming space, balancing value creation with monetization is crucial. Tokenization can add tangible worth to in-game assets, incentivizing player engagement. By integrating smart monetization strategies, such as unique digital collectibles or in-game currencies, you not only capture value but also open up new revenue streams. Simultaneously, foster a community-based ecosystem where value is shared, encouraging collaboration and continuous innovation. Finally, and most importantly IMHO (but more difficult to obtain), the possibility for token-holding players to exchange/transfer/sell their in-game tokens cross-chain, cross-platform and cross-game would extend the game lifespan and provide incredible utility and value