NFT game development – everything you need to know before launching your own project

Maciej Zieliński

14 Dec 2021
NFT game development – everything you need to know before launching your own project

NFT games might be the hottest trend in the whole gaming industry right now. If you consider joining it, read our guide, where we summarized their creation step by step. Check out experts’ insight on NFT game development.

Table of contents:

  • What are NFTs?
  • NFT and Gamming Assets
  • Advantages of NFT that the gaming industry may use 
  • NFT game development step by step
  • Hiring an NFT game development company

NFT games - why does it make sense?

What sounded unbelievable just a few years ago, is slowly becoming a mainstream reality today. Blockchain games have gained significant popularity. They revolutionize popular gaming genres by redefining the way we think about gaming assets and in-game purchases.

But besides hype, what exactly does make NFT a good choice for the gaming business?

NFT - what are they?

NFT stands for Non Fungible Tokens. But what does it mean? Among various blockchain token types, we differentiate between fungible and non-fungible tokens. (You can read here more about token types

Examples of the first kind are Bitcoin or Ether. Fungible means that a single token is indistinguishable from others in the same ecosystem. Just like in regular currency. Thus, they can be used for payment transactions.

NFT’s non-fungibility means that every token in the system is unique. NFTs don’t have a common value and often do not allow for an equal exchange (NFT for NFT). Each token represents unique information of ownership or identity.  

In the blockchain world, NFTs are digital assets that represent a unique digital or real item. How can we use them in the game ecosystem?

NFT and game assets
NFT and game assets

NFT and game assets

The gaming industry is a powerful branch fueled by its consumers’ passion. When gamers launch their favorite title, they immerse themselves in a new, alternative world. A quick look at the most popular games of the last decade, like League of Legends, Fortnite, or Counter-Strike, should be enough to see how modern gamers care about their characters, skins, and other in-game items. They treat them as an extension of their creative self. And what’s important, they can pay a lot for it.

The will to build a collection of unique items is nothing new. The games have shown us how far beyond the real world this phenomenon could extend. But do the purchased gaming collectibles become their property? Do these items differ somehow from the ones possessed by others? What is the true asset value? Often the answer is not so simple. During the last few months, NFTs showed us that they might change that. 

Everywhere where users collect and trade virtual gaming assets, NFTs can highly improve their gaming experience. Essentially, they assure players about the authenticity and scarcity of gaming assets and allow them to keep full ownership of the purchased assets. 

Collectible games seem to be a perfect environment for NFTs. That’s why we have seen a rapid growth of projects of such type during the last year. Yet, the potential of NFT gaming solutions goes far beyond them. Just think about online board games or PVP battle games. 

As an example, let’s take multiplayer games like the aforementioned LOL or Fortnite. Possessed skins and champions are of great importance to the players. Saving such virtual assets as NFTs would bring tremendous new possibilities. What if the players had complete control over the ownership rights to their game assets?

NFT game development - advantages
NFT game development - advantages

NFTs’ most important characteristics for gaming platform

  • Scarcity 
  • Verifiability 
  • Transparency 
  • Immutability 

Advantages of NFT gaming platform

  • Launching an NFT game can offer significant revenue-generating opportunities.
  • Demand for in-game assets increases its native token value.
  • Players can sell their virtual assets on a free market.
  • Players are assured about the scarcity of their virtual assets.
  • Thanks to NFT, implementing a play-to-earn model is possible.
  • Earning possibilities attract many players to NFT game platforms.
  • The current hype around NFT may be used as a driving force for your marketing campaigns. 

NFT gaming platform development step by step

NFT games design
NFT games design

Design

Define your idea 

What type of game do you want to build? Will it be a card game or maybe an RPG? Besides the genre, you have to decide its topic. Those will be the first steps of your own NFT gaming platform development.

When you determine these factors, try to find similar non-blockchain games. They will be a great starting point. Examine what worked in their cases and use them as an inspiration. 

In which games NFTs may be useful? 

You would be surprised how varied NFT games can be. Below, in brief, we summarized games’ genres where NFT usage would make sense:

  • Action Games
  • Adventure Games 
  • PvP Battle Games
  • Arcade Games
  • Online Board Games
  • Casino Games
  • Card Games
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Racing Games
  • Sports Games
  • Simulations Games

Bring creatives to your team 

It sounds a bit obvious, but in the NFT industry design seems to be everything. The same goes for the NFT gaming platform. Without interesting graphics, your game probably won’t attract many players. 

Do you think that creating appealing pixel art shouldn’t be difficult? You couldn’t be more wrong. Even a simple design requires skills and experience, without which your project will be simply dull and unsightly. Hence, don’t forget about artists that will bring your game to a new level. 

NFT game development
NFT game development

Development

Decide between a mobile app and a web app

This is one of the first questions you will have to answer approaching NFT gaming platform development. Both options have several pros and cons. 

Firstly, web apps are highly available and more accessible for a broader audience. On the other hand, mobile apps offer more features and are usually faster than web apps. Yet, the process of their creation is more time-consuming. 

If you decide on a mobile app, you will have to choose between native and non-native apps. While the first type is designed for a specific operating system, the second works on all of them. But at the same time, it doesn’t have access to functionalities, such as camera access or notifications.

Choose your game environment

To which blockchain will you connect your NFT game? While most of the NFT games use Ethereum Blockchain, there are alternatives worth considering. Check, for example, Solana Blockchain, which offers promising possibilities for NFT development. 

Also, even within just Ethereum, you have numerous different Layer 2 solutions that may increase the speed and accessibility of your NFT game. One that is definitely worth considering in the case of NFT games is Immutable X, designed specifically to support projects of this type.  

Frontend 

Most NFT games have their frontend done in Javascript or Typescript. As for the framework, the choice is between React and Vue. The majority of game developers use the first one. Angular is also an option, yet for most projects, it’s simply too heavy considering their needs. 

Connection with wallets 

Your NFT game should be connected with at least one of the available crypto wallets to allow players to safely store their NFTs. Most projects during NFT game development choose MetaMask

MetaMask offers certain advantages: it’s non-custodial and can store NFTs. Therefore it's extremely popular among NFT holders.

Backend 

For NFT game development Node.js is one of the most popular options as a backend language of NFT gaming platform solutions. 

Testing 

Rinkeby or Ropsten Testnet are reasonable options for testing NFT games. Yet, they’re definitely not the only ones. 

Launching and distribution 

After testing your app on a testnet you will want to deploy it to the main Blockchain network (mainnet). Don’t rush here, as there are several threats that may disturb this process. Give yourself time to properly test everything before. Here you can find a useful guide for the Ethereum network. 

But the success of your NFT game requires far more than just completing NFT game development. You mustn’t forget about a strong marketing strategy. Consider starting users’ engagement before you will eventually launch your game. Think about creating content, discord channels, Reddit groups. In the end community, you build may turn out to be extremely useful for further development. 

NFT game development company - Nextrope

Above we briefly summarize tools and programming languages that can be used during NFT gaming platform development. Yet, every project is unique and has its own requirement. Therefore, your development team should be able to adjust to those needs, as well as be prepared to overcome unpredicted obstacles that may emerge.

Furthermore, if you consider launching your own NFT game, you should be aware that its success requires skills and knowledge regarding both the technical and business sides of the Blockchain industry. That’s why many projects decide to hire an external blockchain company as a technological partner.

At Nextrope, we can call ourselves pioneers of Blockchain technology in CEE. We conducted one of the first tokenization in the world and since that we keep up to date with the industry. NFT games aren’t an exception. 

Do you want to know how Nextrope’s team can boost your NFT game on a new level? Feel free to contact our specialists who will gladly answer all your questions.

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Nextrope on Economic Forum 2024: Insights from the Event

Kajetan Olas

14 Sep 2024
Nextrope on Economic Forum 2024: Insights from the Event

The 33rd Economic Forum 2024, held in Karpacz, Poland, gathered leaders from across the globe to discuss the pressing economic and technological challenges. This year, the forum had a special focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI and Cybersecurity, bringing together leading experts and policymakers.

Nextrope was proud to participate in the Forum where we showcased our expertise and networked with leading minds in the AI and blockchain fields.

Economic Forum 2024: A Hub for Innovation and Collaboration

The Economic Forum in Karpacz is an annual event often referred to as the "Polish Davos," attracting over 6,000 participants, including heads of state, business leaders, academics, and experts. This year’s edition was held from September 3rd to 5th, 2024.

Key Highlights of the AI Forum and Cybersecurity Forum

The AI Forum and the VI Cybersecurity Forum were integral parts of the event, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Affairs and leading Polish universities, including:

  • Cracow University of Technology
  • University of Warsaw
  • Wrocław University of Technology
  • AGH University of Science and Technology
  • Poznań University of Technology

Objectives of the AI Forum

  • Promoting Education and Innovation: The forum aimed to foster education and spread knowledge about AI and solutions to enhance digital transformation in Poland and CEE..
  • Strengthening Digital Administration: The event supported the Ministry of Digital Affairs' mission to build and strengthen the digital administration of the Polish State, encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue on decentralized architecture.
  • High-Level Meetings: The forum featured closed meetings of digital ministers from across Europe, including a confirmed appearance by Volker Wissing, the German Minister for Digital Affairs.

Nextrope's Active Participation in the AI Forum

Nextrope's presence at the AI Forum was marked by our active engagement in various activities in the Cracow University of Technology and University of Warsaw zone. One of the discussion panels we enjoyed the most was "AI in education - threats and opportunities".

Our Key Activities

Networking with Leading AI and Cryptography Researchers.

Nextrope presented its contributions in the field of behavioral profilling in DeFi and established relationships with Cryptography Researchers from Cracow University of Technology and the brightest minds on Polish AI scene, coming from institutions such as Wroclaw University of Technology, but also from startups.

Panel Discussions and Workshops

Our team participated in several panel discussions, covering a variety of topics. Here are some of them

  • Polish Startup Scene.
  • State in the Blockchain Network
  • Artificial Intelligence - Threat or Opportunity for Healthcare?
  • Silicon Valley in Poland – Is it Possible?
  • Quantum Computing - How Is It Changing Our Lives?

Broadening Horizons

Besides tuning in to topics that strictly overlap with our professional expertise we decided to broaden our horizons and participated in panels about national security and cross-border cooperation.

Meeting with clients:

We had a pleasure to deepen relationships with our institutional clients and discuss plans for the future.

Networking with Experts in AI and Blockchain

A major highlight of the Economic Forum in Karpacz was the opportunity to network with experts from academia, industry, and government.

Collaborations with Academia:

We engaged with scholars from leading universities such as the Cracow University of Technology and the University of Warsaw. These interactions laid the groundwork for potential research collaborations and joint projects.

Building Strategic Partnerships:

Our team connected with industry leaders, exploring opportunities for partnerships in regard to building the future of education. We met many extremely smart, yet humble people interested in joining advisory board of one of our projects - HackZ.

Exchanging Knowledge with VCs and Policymakers:

We had fruitful discussions with policymakers and very knowledgable representatives of Venture Capital. The discussions revolved around blockchain and AI regulation, futuristic education methods and dillemas regarding digital transformation in companies. These exchanges provided us with very interesting insights as well as new friendships.

Looking Ahead: Nextrope's Future in AI and Blockchain

Nextrope's participation in the Economic Forum Karpacz 2024 has solidified our position as one of the leading, deep-tech software houses in CEE. By fostering connections with academia, industry experts, and policymakers, we are well-positioned to consult our clients on trends and regulatory needs as well as implementing cutting edge DeFi software.

What's Next for Nextrope?

Continuing Innovation:

We remain committed to developing cutting-edge software solutions and designing token economies that leverage the power of incentives and advanced cryptography.

Deepening Academic Collaborations:

The partnerships formed at the forum will help us stay at the forefront of technological advancements, particularly in AI and blockchain.

Expanding Our Global Reach:

The international connections made at the forum enable us to expand our influence both in CEE and outside of Europe. This reinforces Nextrope's status as a global leader in technology innovation.

If you're looking to create a robust blockchain system and go through institutional-grade testing please reach out to contact@nextrope.com. Our team is ready to help you with the token engineering process and ensure your project’s resilience in the long term.

Monte Carlo Simulations in Tokenomics

Kajetan Olas

01 May 2024
Monte Carlo Simulations in Tokenomics

As the web3 field grows in complexity, traditional analytical tools often fall short in capturing the dynamics of digital markets. This is where Monte Carlo simulations come into play, offering a mathematical technique to model systems fraught with uncertainty.

Monte Carlo simulations employ random sampling to understand probable outcomes in processes that are too complex for straightforward analytic solutions. By simulating thousands, or even millions, of scenarios, Monte Carlo methods can provide insights into the likelihood of different outcomes, helping stakeholders make informed decisions under conditions of uncertainty.

In this article, we will explore the role of Monte Carlo simulations within the context of tokenomics.  illustrating how they are employed to forecast market dynamics, assess risk, and optimize strategies in the volatile realm of cryptocurrencies. By integrating this powerful tool, businesses and investors can enhance their analytical capabilities, paving the way for more resilient and adaptable economic models in the digital age.

Understanding Monte Carlo Simulations

The Monte Carlo method is an approach to solving problems that involve random sampling to understand probable outcomes. This technique was first developed in the 1940s by scientists working on the atomic bomb during the Manhattan Project. The method was designed to simplify the complex simulations of neutron diffusion, but it has since evolved to address a broad spectrum of problems across various fields including finance, engineering, and research.

Random Sampling and Statistical Experimentation

At the heart of Monte Carlo simulations is the concept of random sampling from a probability distribution to compute results. This method does not seek a singular precise answer but rather a probability distribution of possible outcomes. By performing a large number of trials with random variables, these simulations mimic the real-life fluctuations and uncertainties inherent in complex systems.

Role of Randomness and Probability Distributions in Simulations

Monte Carlo simulations leverage the power of probability distributions to model potential scenarios in processes where exact outcomes cannot be determined due to uncertainty. Each simulation iteration uses randomly generated values that follow a specific statistical distribution to model different outcomes. This method allows analysts to quantify and visualize the probability of different scenarios occurring.

The strength of Monte Carlo simulations lies in the insight they offer into potential risks. They allow modelers to see into the probabilistic "what-if" scenarios that more closely mimic real-world conditions.

Monte Carlo Simulations in Tokenomics

Monte Carlo simulations are instrumental tool for token engineers. They're so useful due to their ability to model emergent behaviors. Here are some key areas where these simulations are applied:

Pricing and Valuation of Tokens

Determining the value of a new token can be challenging due to the volatile nature of cryptocurrency markets. Monte Carlo simulations help by modeling various market scenarios and price fluctuations over time, allowing analysts to estimate a token's potential future value under different conditions.

Assessing Market Dynamics and Investor Behavior

Cryptocurrency markets are influenced by a myriad of factors including regulatory changes, technological advancements, and shifts in investor sentiment. Monte Carlo methods allow researchers to simulate these variables in an integrated environment to see how they might impact token economics, from overall market cap fluctuations to liquidity concerns.

Assesing Possible Risks

By running a large number of simulations it’s possible to stress-test the project in multiple scenarios and identify emergent risks. This is perhaps the most important function of Monte Carlo Process, since these risks can’t be assessed any other way.

Source: How to use Monte Carlo simulation for reliability analysis?

Benefits of Using Monte Carlo Simulations

By generating a range of possible outcomes and their probabilities, Monte Carlo simulations help decision-makers in the cryptocurrency space anticipate potential futures and make informed strategic choices. This capability is invaluable for planning token launches, managing supply mechanisms, and designing marketing strategies to optimize market penetration.

Using Monte Carlo simulations, stakeholders in the tokenomics field can not only understand and mitigate risks but also explore the potential impact of different strategic decisions. This predictive power supports more robust economic models and can lead to more stable and successful token launches. 

Implementing Monte Carlo Simulations

Several tools and software packages can facilitate the implementation of Monte Carlo simulations in tokenomics. One of the most notable is cadCAD, a Python library that provides a flexible and powerful environment for simulating complex systems. 

Overview of cadCAD configuration Components

To better understand how Monte Carlo simulations work in practice, let’s take a look at the cadCAD code snippet:

sim_config = {

    'T': range(200),  # number of timesteps

    'N': 3,           # number of Monte Carlo runs

    'M': params       # model parameters

}

Explanation of Simulation Configuration Components

T: Number of Time Steps

  • Definition: The 'T' parameter in CadCAD configurations specifies the number of time steps the simulation should execute. Each time step represents one iteration of the model, during which the system is updated. That update is based on various rules defined by token engineers in other parts of the code. For example: we might assume that one iteration = one day, and define data-based functions that predict token demand on that day.

N: Number of Monte Carlo Runs

  • Definition: The 'N' parameter sets the number of Monte Carlo runs. Each run represents a complete execution of the simulation from start to finish, using potentially different random seeds for each run. This is essential for capturing variability and understanding the distribution of possible outcomes. For example, we can acknowledge that token’s price will be correlated with the broad cryptocurrency market, which acts somewhat unpredictably.

M: Model Parameters

  • Definition: The 'M' key contains the model parameters, which are variables that influence system's behavior but do not change dynamically with each time step. These parameters can be constants or distributions that are used within the policy and update functions to model the external and internal factors affecting the system.

Importance of These Components

Together, these components define the skeleton of your Monte Carlo simulation in CadCAD. The combination of multiple time steps and Monte Carlo runs allows for a comprehensive exploration of the stochastic nature of the modeled system. By varying the number of timesteps (T) and runs (N), you can adjust the depth and breadth of the exploration, respectively. The parameters (M) provide the necessary context and ensure that each simulation is realistic.

Messy graph representing Monte Carlo simulation, source: Bitcoin Monte Carlo Simulation

Conclusion

Monte Carlo simulations represent a powerful analytical tool in the arsenal of token engineers. By leveraging the principles of statistics, these simulations provide deep insights into the complex dynamics of token-based systems. This method allows for a nuanced understanding of potential future scenarios and helps with making informed decisions.

We encourage all stakeholders in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space to consider implementing Monte Carlo simulations. The insights gained from such analytical techniques can lead to more effective and resilient economic models, paving the way for the sustainable growth and success of digital currencies.

If you're looking to create a robust tokenomics model and go through institutional-grade testing please reach out to contact@nextrope.com. Our team is ready to help you with the token engineering process and ensure your project’s resilience in the long term.

FAQ

What is a Monte Carlo simulation in tokenomics context?

  • It's a mathematical method that uses random sampling to predict uncertain outcomes.

What are the benefits of using Monte Carlo simulations in tokenomics?

  • These simulations help foresee potential market scenarios, aiding in strategic planning and risk management for token launches.

Why are Monte Carlo simulations unique in cryptocurrency analysis?

  • They provide probabilistic outcomes rather than fixed predictions, effectively simulating real-world market variability and risk.