Minecraft is a game that has stood the test of time. With its constant updates and an active community, the game has remained relevant and popular since its inception. One of the reasons for its longevity is the vast array of community-built content available to players. From custom mods that allow players to relive the industrial revolution to competitions where players can compete against hundreds of others, Minecraft offers endless possibilities.
But now, Minecraft is getting the Bitcoin treatment. Thanks to a partnership between Zebedee and Satlantis, players can now earn Bitcoin while playing the game. Satlantis, a community-operated Minecraft server, has integrated Zebedee’s gaming tech to allow players to earn Bitcoin by completing in-game quests inspired by real-life BTC mining. Players can join in-game mining pools, collect specialized hardware called ASICs, and increase their hash rate to win block rewards.
This unique integration serves as an educational tool, introducing traditional gamers to the basics of Bitcoin. Players can withdraw their earnings to Zebedee’s app and use them to purchase other games or move them to exchanges that support Bitcoin’s Lightning Network. However, it’s important to note that the server will only give out a total of 1 million satoshis per week, which is around $300 divided among numerous players. While it may not be a significant amount, it could be the start of a new trend in gaming.
It’s worth mentioning that this Bitcoin-friendly integration is unofficial, and neither Satlantis nor Zebedee is affiliated with Minecraft’s developer, Mojang Studios. In fact, Mojang Studios has previously banned Minecraft NFT integrations and is generally not supportive of Web3 technologies. Only time will tell how this integration will fare against any potential bans or restrictions.
In other news, the Blockchain Game Alliance (BGA) is ramping up its diversity efforts. The BGA, a key organization promoting Web3 and blockchain gaming, has recently elected a gender-balanced board. The newly elected board consists of three men and three women, including industry professionals from consulting firms, gaming companies, and marketing and partnerships roles. This commitment to diversity is a positive step forward for the industry and may lead to progress and innovation across the Web3 gaming space.
On the topic of blockchain gaming, Sega seems to have a complicated relationship with the technology. Last year, Sega announced plans for NFTs as play-to-earn rewards but faced backlash from fans who saw it as a money grab. This year, Sega is partnering with Line Next to bring its classic games to a Web3-friendly blockchain gaming platform called GAME DOSI. However, Sega’s co-chief operating officer has expressed skepticism towards blockchain games, calling them “boring.” Despite this skepticism, Sega recognizes the potential of Web3 gaming and is taking a measured approach by testing the waters with its smaller IPs.
In the world of Web3 gaming startups, Binance Labs has invested $15 million in Xterio, a free-to-play-and-own game developer and publisher. Xterio has experienced industry veterans on its founding executive team and offers a range of games, including a massively multiplayer online strategy game featuring dinosaurs and a sandbox RPG with anime-inspired graphics. Xterio is also actively using AI in its games, including an AI toolkit for developers and a digital companion game called AIpal.
Finally, a new game called Oath of Peak is capitalizing on the success of Chinese MMORPGs in the Western market. The game features cute graphics and familiar mechanics, allowing players to choose from different character classes and embark on quests in an epic world. While the game incorporates Web3 elements, such as NFT monsters and a utility token, these features don’t become prominent until players are invested in the game. Oath of Peak offers a refreshing approach to Web3 gaming and is worth checking out for players looking for a new gaming experience.
Overall, the world of Web3 gaming is evolving rapidly, with new partnerships, integrations, and startups entering the scene. While there may be skepticism and challenges along the way, it’s clear that blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize the gaming industry. As more players and companies embrace Web3 gaming, we can expect even more exciting developments in the future.