Network
Launch Date
Consensus
Note
Sepolia
Oct 2021
PoW
Like-for-like representation of Ethereum
Görli
Jan 2019
PoA
Proof-of-Authority
Kiln
Mar 2022
PoS
Post-Merge (for ETH2), shadow fork of the mainnet
Kintsugi
Dec 2021
PoS
DEPRECATED, use Kiln; post-Merge (for ETH2)
Ropsten
Nov 2016
PoW
DEPRECATED, use Sepolia; the Merge to happen on Jun 8, 2022
Rinkeby
Apr 2017
PoA
DEPRECATED, use Görli and Görli Faucet
Kovan
Mar 2017
PoA
DEPRECATED, use Sepolia or Görli
List of active and deprecated Ethereum testnets, including Kintsugi.
Features
Optimistic rollup 
ZK-rollup 
Proof
Uses fraud proofs to prove transaction validity. 
Uses validity (zero-knowledge) proofs to prove transaction validity. 
Capital efficiency
Requires waiting through a 1-week delay (dispute period) before withdrawing funds. 
Users can withdraw funds immediately because validity proofs provide incontrovertible evidence of the authenticity of off-chain transactions. 
Data compression
Publishes full transaction data as calldata to Ethereum Mainnet, which increases rollup costs. 
Doesn't need to publish transaction data on Ethereum because ZK-SNARKs and ZK-STARKs already guarantee the accuracy of the rollup state. 
EVM compatibility
Uses a simulation of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), which allows it to run arbitrary logic and support smart contracts. 
Doesn't widely support EVM computation, although a few EVM-compatible ZK-rollups have appeared. 
Rollup costs
Reduces costs since it publishes minimal data on Ethereum and doesn't have to post proofs for transactions, except in special circumstances. 
Faces higher overhead from costs involved in generating and verifying proofs for every transaction block. ZK proofs require specialized, expensive hardware to create and have high on-chain verification costs. 
Trust assumptions
Doesn't require a trusted setup. 
Requires a trusted setup to work. 
Liveness requirements
Verifiers are needed to keep tabs on the actual rollup state and the one referenced in the state root to detect fraud. 
Users don't need someone to watch the L2 chain to detect fraud. 
Security properties 
Relies on cryptoeconomic incentives to assure users of rollup security. 
Relies on cryptographic guarantees for security. 
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--create-dirs
Web3 Gaming
CHOOSING NFT GAMES

How to Choose an NFT Game

Learn the Different Types of NFT Games and What You Should Consider Before Choosing an NFT Game to Play
Last Updated:
March 29, 2023
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents

{{building-alchemy-ad}}

With the rising popularity of the NFT gaming niche, gamers from all around the world are becoming interested in the benefits of NFT gaming compared to traditional, web2 games, and what games they should play.

This article will outline the four main types of NFT games (collectible games, Play-2-Earn (P2E) games, virtual world games, and fantasy sports games), and highlight four factors to consider before choosing an NFT game to play.

What are the different types of NFT games?

The four main types of NFT games are collectible games, Play-to-Earn games, virtual worlds, and fantasy sports. Choosing the right game for you will depend on your playing style, the types of traditional games you are familiar playing, and more factors we'll cover in the final section.

1. Collectible NFT Games

Collectible NFT games involve collecting and trading digital assets, such as digital trading cards or virtual pets. Players can buy, sell, and trade these assets on various NFT marketplaces. An example of a popular collectible NFT game is CryptoKitties where users collect and breed cats.

Some factors that impact the value of collectible NFTs are scarcity (i.e. the total number of NFTs available), rarity (i.e. the attributes of the NFT), and demand (i.e. how many people are interested in owning an NFT from the collection in question).

2. Play-to-Earn (P2E) NFT Games

P2E NFT games enable players to earn in-game currency as they advance in the game or complete certain tasks. A play-to-earn NFT game may include several different NFTs, such as avatars, weapons, armor, etc. Two examples of P2E NFT games include Axie Infinity and The Sandbox

3. Virtual World NFT Games 

These games involve building and exploring virtual worlds where players can own virtual lands and avatars in such games. Players in virtual world NFT games can also create their own NFTs and monetize their gaming experience.

Two examples of virtual world NFT games include Decentraland and Somnium Space.

4. Fantasy Sports NFT Games

Fantasy Sports NFT games allow players to create and manage their fantasy sports teams using NFTs and also collecting sports-related NFTs. Web3 fantasy sports are lately gaining a lot of popularity for their 100% transparency and fair gameplay. Sorare is a well-known fantasy sports game.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing an NFT Game to Play

Since NFT gaming is new compared to traditional games, there are risks that should be understood before choosing an NFT game including: the NFT gaming economics, gameplay, security, and trustworthiness of the game development team.

1. NFT Game Economics

Game economics refers to the economic principles and mechanisms undergirding the creation and management of NFTs within the game. Studying the economics within a game is critical as it provides crucial insights into the distribution, supply, value, and overall dynamics of how NFTs are used in the game.

Such insights aid in making informed decisions in determining the overall health and sustainability of the game. Game economics also helps to make educated guesses about the game’s earning potential. Lastly, it helps players get more insights about the community of the game and identify potential risks and pitfalls.

2. NFT Gameplay

Understanding how NFTs are integrated into a game, how they function, and how they impact the gaming experience is important before picking an NFT game. An important feature of popular NFT games is whether the game is fun and engaging. Players need to first determine if the gameplay is fun.

3. NFT Gaming Security

NFT in-game items are owned by players, and therefore they have the responsibility to take the right measures to secure them. As phishing attacks happen relatively frequently in the web3 space, players need to be on the lookout for potential scams.

Furthermore, game design may also have compromises in security. For example, during the 2022 Axie Infinity NFT game hack, a hacker had used their private security keys to compromise the network nodes that did the transfer validations within the Ronin blockchain.

Players are responsible to take into account these compromises in security native to their NFT game of choice, and understand the mechanics behind it before playing.

4. Track Record of the NFT Gaming Developers

It is wise for players to choose a game based on the reputation of the developers behind it. Experienced developers with a strong background are more likely to create a successful NFT game with fair gameplay and well-designed tokenomics.

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Web3 Gaming
CHOOSING NFT GAMES

How to Choose an NFT Game to Play

Learn the Different Types of NFT Games and What You Should Consider Before Choosing an NFT Game to Play
Last Updated:
March 29, 2023
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents

{{building-alchemy-ad}}

With the rising popularity of the NFT gaming niche, gamers from all around the world are becoming interested in the benefits of NFT gaming compared to traditional, web2 games, and what games they should play.

This article will outline the four main types of NFT games (collectible games, Play-2-Earn (P2E) games, virtual world games, and fantasy sports games), and highlight four factors to consider before choosing an NFT game to play.

What are the different types of NFT games?

The four main types of NFT games are collectible games, Play-to-Earn games, virtual worlds, and fantasy sports. Choosing the right game for you will depend on your playing style, the types of traditional games you are familiar playing, and more factors we'll cover in the final section.

1. Collectible NFT Games

Collectible NFT games involve collecting and trading digital assets, such as digital trading cards or virtual pets. Players can buy, sell, and trade these assets on various NFT marketplaces. An example of a popular collectible NFT game is CryptoKitties where users collect and breed cats.

Some factors that impact the value of collectible NFTs are scarcity (i.e. the total number of NFTs available), rarity (i.e. the attributes of the NFT), and demand (i.e. how many people are interested in owning an NFT from the collection in question).

2. Play-to-Earn (P2E) NFT Games

P2E NFT games enable players to earn in-game currency as they advance in the game or complete certain tasks. A play-to-earn NFT game may include several different NFTs, such as avatars, weapons, armor, etc. Two examples of P2E NFT games include Axie Infinity and The Sandbox

3. Virtual World NFT Games 

These games involve building and exploring virtual worlds where players can own virtual lands and avatars in such games. Players in virtual world NFT games can also create their own NFTs and monetize their gaming experience.

Two examples of virtual world NFT games include Decentraland and Somnium Space.

4. Fantasy Sports NFT Games

Fantasy Sports NFT games allow players to create and manage their fantasy sports teams using NFTs and also collecting sports-related NFTs. Web3 fantasy sports are lately gaining a lot of popularity for their 100% transparency and fair gameplay. Sorare is a well-known fantasy sports game.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing an NFT Game to Play

Since NFT gaming is new compared to traditional games, there are risks that should be understood before choosing an NFT game including: the NFT gaming economics, gameplay, security, and trustworthiness of the game development team.

1. NFT Game Economics

Game economics refers to the economic principles and mechanisms undergirding the creation and management of NFTs within the game. Studying the economics within a game is critical as it provides crucial insights into the distribution, supply, value, and overall dynamics of how NFTs are used in the game.

Such insights aid in making informed decisions in determining the overall health and sustainability of the game. Game economics also helps to make educated guesses about the game’s earning potential. Lastly, it helps players get more insights about the community of the game and identify potential risks and pitfalls.

2. NFT Gameplay

Understanding how NFTs are integrated into a game, how they function, and how they impact the gaming experience is important before picking an NFT game. An important feature of popular NFT games is whether the game is fun and engaging. Players need to first determine if the gameplay is fun.

3. NFT Gaming Security

NFT in-game items are owned by players, and therefore they have the responsibility to take the right measures to secure them. As phishing attacks happen relatively frequently in the web3 space, players need to be on the lookout for potential scams.

Furthermore, game design may also have compromises in security. For example, during the 2022 Axie Infinity NFT game hack, a hacker had used their private security keys to compromise the network nodes that did the transfer validations within the Ronin blockchain.

Players are responsible to take into account these compromises in security native to their NFT game of choice, and understand the mechanics behind it before playing.

4. Track Record of the NFT Gaming Developers

It is wise for players to choose a game based on the reputation of the developers behind it. Experienced developers with a strong background are more likely to create a successful NFT game with fair gameplay and well-designed tokenomics.

With the rising popularity of the NFT gaming niche, gamers from all around the world are becoming interested in the benefits of NFT gaming compared to traditional, web2 games, and what games they should play.

This article will outline the four main types of NFT games (collectible games, Play-2-Earn (P2E) games, virtual world games, and fantasy sports games), and highlight four factors to consider before choosing an NFT game to play.

What are the different types of NFT games?

The four main types of NFT games are collectible games, Play-to-Earn games, virtual worlds, and fantasy sports. Choosing the right game for you will depend on your playing style, the types of traditional games you are familiar playing, and more factors we'll cover in the final section.

1. Collectible NFT Games

Collectible NFT games involve collecting and trading digital assets, such as digital trading cards or virtual pets. Players can buy, sell, and trade these assets on various NFT marketplaces. An example of a popular collectible NFT game is CryptoKitties where users collect and breed cats.

Some factors that impact the value of collectible NFTs are scarcity (i.e. the total number of NFTs available), rarity (i.e. the attributes of the NFT), and demand (i.e. how many people are interested in owning an NFT from the collection in question).

2. Play-to-Earn (P2E) NFT Games

P2E NFT games enable players to earn in-game currency as they advance in the game or complete certain tasks. A play-to-earn NFT game may include several different NFTs, such as avatars, weapons, armor, etc. Two examples of P2E NFT games include Axie Infinity and The Sandbox

3. Virtual World NFT Games 

These games involve building and exploring virtual worlds where players can own virtual lands and avatars in such games. Players in virtual world NFT games can also create their own NFTs and monetize their gaming experience.

Two examples of virtual world NFT games include Decentraland and Somnium Space.

4. Fantasy Sports NFT Games

Fantasy Sports NFT games allow players to create and manage their fantasy sports teams using NFTs and also collecting sports-related NFTs. Web3 fantasy sports are lately gaining a lot of popularity for their 100% transparency and fair gameplay. Sorare is a well-known fantasy sports game.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing an NFT Game to Play

Since NFT gaming is new compared to traditional games, there are risks that should be understood before choosing an NFT game including: the NFT gaming economics, gameplay, security, and trustworthiness of the game development team.

1. NFT Game Economics

Game economics refers to the economic principles and mechanisms undergirding the creation and management of NFTs within the game. Studying the economics within a game is critical as it provides crucial insights into the distribution, supply, value, and overall dynamics of how NFTs are used in the game.

Such insights aid in making informed decisions in determining the overall health and sustainability of the game. Game economics also helps to make educated guesses about the game’s earning potential. Lastly, it helps players get more insights about the community of the game and identify potential risks and pitfalls.

2. NFT Gameplay

Understanding how NFTs are integrated into a game, how they function, and how they impact the gaming experience is important before picking an NFT game. An important feature of popular NFT games is whether the game is fun and engaging. Players need to first determine if the gameplay is fun.

3. NFT Gaming Security

NFT in-game items are owned by players, and therefore they have the responsibility to take the right measures to secure them. As phishing attacks happen relatively frequently in the web3 space, players need to be on the lookout for potential scams.

Furthermore, game design may also have compromises in security. For example, during the 2022 Axie Infinity NFT game hack, a hacker had used their private security keys to compromise the network nodes that did the transfer validations within the Ronin blockchain.

Players are responsible to take into account these compromises in security native to their NFT game of choice, and understand the mechanics behind it before playing.

4. Track Record of the NFT Gaming Developers

It is wise for players to choose a game based on the reputation of the developers behind it. Experienced developers with a strong background are more likely to create a successful NFT game with fair gameplay and well-designed tokenomics.

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