Web3 game development is revolutionizing the gaming industry by creating games that seamlessly interact with public blockchains. Blockchain-based game development platforms, such as Unity and Unreal Engine, are paving the way for developers to create engaging games with innovative features such as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and cryptocurrencies. In this article, we will explore the best game engines for Web3 gaming.
The Best Game Engines for Web3 Gaming
Unreal Engine and Unity are well-known for their contributions to Web2 game development and have now extended their offerings to support Web3 game development. Unity’s asset marketplace offers a digital hub for developers to purchase Web3 assets and resources, and Unreal Engine provides capabilities that allow creators to render intricate details and leverage blockchain technology to create unique gaming experiences.
CryEngine, developed by Crytek, is known for rendering lifelike digital imagery in video games. It offers a comprehensive sandbox editor that supports development across all major platforms. Open 3D Engine (O3DE) is recognized for its flexible and customizable tool for 3D development. Its modular architecture enables developers to adopt individual components, or Gems, that provide specific functionality needed for various applications.
Unity and Unreal Engine are the leading game development engines in the Web3 gaming sphere. Other significant platforms include CryEngine and Open 3D Engine. These engines provide the tools necessary for developers to create immersive and innovative games for the evolving Web3 environment.
Web3 Gaming Features
Web3 gaming has its own set of distinctive features to consider, including NFTs and cryptocurrencies. NFTs are vital for developers to understand, and they should consider crafting an NFT marketplace, a platform for players to trade in-game items. Players can earn cryptocurrencies by engaging in tournaments or fulfilling tasks within the game. These tokens bolster the game’s economy and enable purchasing in-game assets.
With their earnings, players can buy NFTs and other digital items – from virtual land and potions to swords and shields – that enhance their gaming experience. Moreover, the blockchain permanently records the ownership of these digital assets, making them transparent and secure.
Web3 Games Developed Using Unity
Unity has equipped developers with robust game development tools since its inception in 2005. The engine has expanded its reach into multiple industries, boasting a substantial focus on real-time 3D development. Many independent developers and successful Web3 games like The Sandbox, Decentraland, and Dogamí have chosen Unity for their game development needs.
Unity recently introduced a new decentralization category to its Unity Asset Store, providing developers with a digital hub to purchase Web3 assets and various other resources for their projects. According to Unity’s 2022 report, informed by data collected from 230,000 Unity developers, the number of new creators increased by 31%. Furthermore, there was a staggering 93% increase in the number of games created on Unity’s platform in 2022 compared to the previous year.
Web3 Games Developed Using Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine is renowned in the gaming industry, making its mark on numerous 3D games. The engine’s prowess is now stretching to encompass Web3 game development, allowing creators to render intricate geometric details via Nanite, a virtualized micro polygon geometry system, and Virtual Shadow Maps.
Titles like Illuvium, an upcoming blockchain-based, open-world RPG, and Shrapnel are perfect examples of how Unreal Engine is utilized in Web3 game development. These games leverage the engine’s extensive capabilities and the added benefits of blockchain technology to create unique gaming experiences that redefine players’ interaction, ownership, and involvement. The set of The Mandalorian even employed Unreal’s technology to create the illusion of shooting on location across various settings.
CryEngine and Open 3D Engine
CryEngine is an advanced game engine capable of rendering some of the most lifelike digital imagery seen in video games to date. It provides a comprehensive sandbox editor that supports development for all major platforms. CryEngine is not only considered one of the best free, open-source game engines on the market, but it also offers free licenses and flexibility for developers.
Open 3D Engine (O3DE) is a flexible and customizable tool for 3D development. Its modular architecture allows developers to adopt individual components, known as Gems, providing specific functionality needed for various applications. The engine’s most enticing feature is the ability to add new editing tools, features, and development workflows to projects, facilitated by a range of community-maintained Gems that developers can use to extend and enhance the engine’s capabilities.
Web3 game development is a transformative approach to creating games that seamlessly interact with public blockchains. The incorporation of blockchain technology provides unique features such as NFTs and cryptocurrencies in gaming, leading to secure, decentralized, and interactive gaming experiences. As we delve deeper into the future of gaming, it’s clear that Web3 game development is not just a fleeting trend but a transformative movement poised to redefine the gaming landscape. Game developers should stay informed and adaptable in the face of these evolving trends. The future of gaming is here, and it’s time we embrace it.