Play-to-earn blockchain games are one of the crucial Web3 pillars. Developers need access to the best infrastructure and tools to incorporate these mechanics into new and existing offerings. Cronos, through Cronos Play, wants to enhance the quality of P2E gaming for everyone.
Ongoing Play-to-Earn Gaming Growth
There has been tremendous growth across the blockchain gaming industry vertical in recent years. Popularized by projects like Axie Infinity, Splinterlands, and Upland, anyone with an internet connection can make money by playing video games. Although most projects require an upfront investment, there are other approaches to explore. Scholarships and NFT renting open up games to a much broader audience.
To date, the top blockchain games attract anywhere from 50,000 to nearly a million monthly active users. Those numbers may seem small, but that is somewhat normal. Blockchain gaming primarily occurs through a web browser or select mobile apps, creating some barriers to entry. Mobile applications are a big step forward, yet there is still much work to do. Attracting mainstream publishers to explore P2E mechanics is the next frontier.
Additionally, developers and builders have a steep learning curve in incorporating play-to-earn mechanics. It often requires extensive blockchain coding knowledge, including learning a new programming language. Such barriers to entry make this option less favorable to approach, although things have improved on this front, too. Various blockchain ecosystems have released Software Development Kits (SDKs) to bring the necessary tools to game developers.
Enter Cronos Play
The Cronos team develops one such SDK bringing play-to-earn mechanics to new and existing games. Through its Cronos Play developer tools, the team wants to ensure play-to-earn blockchain gaming continues to offer quality and entertainment to all parties. Additionally, it provides developers with the necessary tools to enhance the gameplay experience and unlock hyper-realistic graphics.
The Cronos Play SDK is a modular suite of developer tools and services. With these tools, builders can unlock GameFi applications on the Cronos blockchain. There is support for multiple popular gaming engines, including Unreal Engine 5 and Unity Engine. In theory, if the developers choose to explore these options, Cronos Play could bring play-to-earn mechanics to Fortnite, Pokemon Go, or Call of Duty: Mobile.
What is more appealing to developers is how Cronos Play is compatible with C++. Many current and future game builders rely on this programing language. Removing the need to learn a new language to incorporate play-to-earn mechanics is a big step in the right direction. Web3 gaming is for the people by the people and will need approaches like this one to achieve critical mass.
Furthermore, Cronos Play is integrating with the ChainSafe Gaming SDK web3.unity. The open-source SDK supports mobile, web, and desktop games built in Unity. Having access to Cronos Play’s tools and P2E mechanics makes it more straightforward for developers to experiment with blockchain technology. Incorporating crypto or NFTs is straightforward, empowering builders and players alike.