Blockchain Gaming Goes Mainstream with Epic and Azra Games | Decentralized Arts
Dear Bankless Fam,
If DustyEye were a Chippi, how would it be represented? Perhaps his appearance would be marked by chronotemporal leaps and he would bring with him some of the objects presented in the Future Bazaar.
And if the Chippis traveled in time, would Supreme Randomness or Absolute Providence lead him to meet Android N°44? We can imagine them discussing everything and anything in a cafe at an unspecified time.
If, on the other hand, the Android were a Chippi, this dialogue could take place in a singular self-awareness, in which all possible futures intersect with the multi-personality of Perchy's characters.
These are fun to consider as we make the transition from sharing N°44’s discoveries to hanging out with Perchy in Chippi’s Corner.
Welcome to Decentralized Arts.
Contributors: BanklessDAO Writers Guild (Grendel, Kouros, Kaf, nonsensetwice, Frank America)
This is the official NFT newsletter of BanklessDAO. If you were a Premium Member of the Bankless Newsletter as of May 1st, 2021, you have been subscribed to this newsletter at launch. To unsubscribe, edit your settings here.
Curated NFT News
Japan’s PM Announces NFT and Metaverse Investment Expansion
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced plans to expand investments in non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse in a policy speech last week.
Kishida says the country will further its investment in digital transformation and expand the use of web3 services, according to the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan.
His speech follows Japan’s growing efforts to utilize blockchain technology. Last month, the Japanese government awarded NFTs to seven mayors for their achievements in using digital technology to solve issues.
In July this year, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry formed a “Web 3.0 Policy Promotion Office” to refine the system examining the business environment for blockchain-based firms.
The Rug Weekly NFT
Vitalik Finally Ready To Inspire Millions
Brought to you by The Rug
We all are called to pursue our passions in life. If one thing is certain, it’s that the founder of ethereum has a passion for wild outfits. He’s decided to take things to the next level.
“Turns out this Ethereum thing is kind of boring," quoted Vitalik in a recent interview.
Collect this suit of glory as an NFT on optimism.
Blankos Block Party
Epic Games releases its first NFT game
By Kaf
Last month Epic Games released their first NFT game, Blankos Block Party.
A few months ago, Steam made clear that developers cannot publish games that integrate NFTs or cryptocurrencies. Epic Games’ CEO, Tim Sweeney, responded to this move with an update regarding Epic Games’ support of blockchain-oriented games, heightening the competition with Steam.
Web3 is happening, no matter what.
The future of gaming is player-owned and decentralized, where players are valued and rewarded for the time and effort they put into the game.
What is Blankos Block Party?
Blankos Block Party (BBP) is a Free-to-Play (F2P), open world, multiplayer game that integrates blockchain technology, built on Eosio, which allows players to own their Blankos. Blankos are digital toys you use to visit parties on the block. Each Blanko is an NFT.
The game pits Blankos against each other in a series of mini-games. BBP incorporates the gameplay of Fall Guys and the ability to create your own Roblox-style spaces. You can also play Battle Royale-style games, much like Fortnite. In BBP, you can collect iconic blankos, build your own levels, and connect with friends.
The game was created by Mythical Games, a Los Angeles-based blockchain video game development company.
Its recent release on Epic Games proves that BBP is a highly rated NFT game. It is currently available for PC and MAC. You can go to their website and download it for free.
It is not necessary to install a wallet since the game integrates payments by debit card. You must have a verified account with Uphold in order to buy and sell assets.
How you can earn on BBP
When you start playing you receive a free Blanko. After completing the tutorial you will be ready to compete in the mini-games and daily tasks.
To unlock all the ways to earn money, you need to have the Party Pass. The Party Pass consists of daily, weekly and seasonal challenges that players must complete to unlock additional points.
The game features two types of currencies: Blankos Bucks (hard currency) and MOOLA (soft currency). The first is obtained with fiat via a conventional in-game transaction, and the second is obtained by completing tasks while playing. Both are used to obtain more Blankos, emotes, and to build different objects.
You can win a lot of tokens by playing in the different competitions between Blankos. Also, you can participate in building challenges for the community. Once you have earned rewards, you can go to the Blankos shop to exchange your NFTs for fiat. With the Play-to-Earn (P2E) concept becoming obsolete, games like Blankos Block Party advocate the Play-AND-Earn method. In a word lies a great difference.
If you want to win money at Blankos Block Party you have to play hard!
What's next?
The general public is still reticent about this technology. Some are refusing to mention the term “NFT.” They can call it whatever they want. Sooner or later all games will make the leap to web3 and integrate NFT technology to a greater or lesser extent.
The Hopeful
Azra Game’s Play Forever Pass
By Pedro
This year, we’ve been hearing about more big name investors and venture firms getting involved with NFTs. Although DigiDaigaku has been the project making the most headlines in this regard recently, there is one project that managed to secure a $15M funding round back in February: Azra Games.
What Is Azra Games
Azra Games is a web3 gaming company aimed at creating deep, immersive game universes with specialized in-game economies, as well as virtual collectibles. Azra is run by Mark Otero, a 10+ year veteran when it comes to Free-to-Play (F2P) games. Mark has tons of experience as a game director, as he has already developed eight different F2P mobile games. Most notably, Mark led the development of the EA mobile game Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes during his time at Capital Games, a company he started under a different name and rebranded when acquired by EA. Mark left Capital Games to start Azra Games, his own web3 gaming company.
According to Mark, Azra Games is re-imagining the delights of collecting toys and limited edition items through a dedicated NFT ecosystem.
The Hopeful
Azra Games launched their 5,555 NFT collection on September 28th, and because they were able to raise $15M in February, they were able to launch a free mint. This 5,555 PFP collection is called “The Hopeful,” and the “PFP” doesn't just stand for “profile pic,” it also stands for “Play Forever Pass” and serves as your gateway into the Azra universe.
Because this is Azra Games’ first and only mint, holders will not only gain access to benefits in the Legions & Legends game–the first game they’re launching–they’ll also gain access to benefits across the entire Azra Games universe, including games they develop in the future. Some of the benefits holders can expect to see include private beta access, “epic drops,” invitations to IRL Azra events, and more. You can find a list of benefits here.
Legions & Legends
The first game Azra Games will launch is Legions & Legends, a combat RPG set in a sci-fi fantasy universe. $15M in funding was raised to be used to complete the development of this game, expected for release in 2023, according to their roadmap. You can check out the Legions & Legends game trailer here.
From Crypto Raiders, to Cool Cats, and several others, we have seen many examples of NFT projects that try to go the game launching route. While they have all seen success in their own unique way, none so far have managed to gain mass market appeal. It’ll be interesting to see how an NFT project with very notable investors manages to perform in the long run.
BITS OF N°44
GENESIS, 2292 | 2313
By DustyEye, illustrations by Selena Garau Maher
After getting to know android N°44 864.962 through the Future Bazar objects, the DustyEye group is pleased to offer a quick overview dedicated to the life of the first emotionally advanced android.
History tells of the assembly of N°44 V864.962, which took place on 9 January 2292. It was an event planned months, perhaps years, in advance. The assembly team worked toward the genesis of the first machine equipped with Advanced Emotionality.
The installation of limbs and the blossoming of a humanoid cranial apparatus were envisaged as soon as the first routine checks were completed, but the architects had to accept a four-year delay on the schedule.
During these four years, the android asked for some Time to collect ideas. It was complex for N°44 to elaborate on all the elements of the preloaded conscience, analyzing them, in order to finally arrange them according to a structure that is as logical as it is ethical.
Then on July 27, 2296, without any warning, the android / egg asked for a pair of upper limbs, as well as a sheet of paper and a pencil. In a matter of seconds N°44 created a self-portrait, later given to the team of architects as an apology for the delay caused, yet served as excellent proof of his neural performance.
There was another moment of meditation between September and December 2313, when the android closed all communication channels for the second time. During those three months, anyone passing through the Berlin Viktoriapark would have seen a bench occupied by N°44 intent on observing a leaf.
In those weeks his stream of consciousness swung between the microcosm of the subatomic matter of which the leaf was composed and the function of that same leaf in the macrocosm of sidereal spaces. In short, a synecdoche of the Whole, but on the side also a Memento Mori in seeing the organic residue slowly decompose.
… TO BE CONTINUED
______________________
WEB: www.DustyEye.com
IG: @DustyEye_DE
TWITTER: @Dusty_Eye
Chippi Corner
By Perchy
Meme
A small joke contributed by The Rug.
Decentralized Arts is written and produced by a small team of contributors who are passionate about art, both visual and written, and its growing place in crypto and NFTs. With each edition, we aim to bring you not only the most current and relevant news in the NFT space, but also explorations in what it means for our culture and societies for this market to continue to grow and expand. When everyone is an owner of art, we all gain a deeper appreciation for it.
With great appreciation for you, we thank you for reading and subscribing to Decentralized Arts.
Cordially,
Grendel, Kouros, Kaf, nonsensetwice, and Frank America