During game development, one question takes the forefront: why would someone play our game? Every game needs to give players an objective, an incentive to play, and progress through the available content.
These incentives can vary widely across genres and different types of games. Single-player story-driven games need an exceedingly catchy narrative to motivate the player, and battle royale games need to focus on creating addictive gameplay that leaves players wishing for more. In the Web3 scene, tokens have become the games' life force and motivation.
This article will discuss token utility in Web3 games, specifically in Gods Unchained. We will examine the roles tokens and in-game currencies fill, their economic function, and how they incentivize players and community-led events.
Tokens As an Incentive
Let’s start with a short refresher. What are tokens? Tokens are the method used in Web3 to transfer actual ownership to the users. Tokens are divided into 2 subcategories:
Fungible Tokens
These are the cryptocurrencies hosted on the blockchains. As every cryptocurrency has just one identifying code, they are considered fungible, aka replaceable by another identical token. Each blockchain has a main native cryptocurrency, like ETH for the Ethereum blockchain, and project-specific tokens, like $GODS in Gods Unchained.
But why not use ETH for the projects as well? There are several reasons for this, but the primary one is the in-game economy and balance. Issuers can control the initial supply and distribution rate with the creation of a separate token. Additionally, a separate currency should not suffer nearly as much from the fluctuations in Ethereum.
Non Fungible Tokens
Non Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are tokens issued with a unique identification code. No two NFTs can be the same, regardless of what they represent. In crypto gaming, some in-game items are transformed into NFTs. In Gods Unchained, cards of meteorite quality and above are all NFTs, free to be traded and sold by the owner.
The reason tokens became the main incentive to play Web3 games is that players are more interested in earning and using tokens within the game than they are in the actual gameplay experience. An in-game currency that has real-world value, can grant governance privileges, and can be used for in-game play, including for minting new NFTs through fusing. Most traditional games have some sort of economic system implemented in their games, but none offer the same possibilities as tokens.
In $GODS We Trust
$GODS is the native token in Gods Unchained, issued by Gods Unchained Corporation. With a fixed supply of 500,000,000 tokens, $GODS fuel the market and the economy and are necessary for some crucial game mechanics. The token is earned through “Daily Play and Earn,” a daily event where the first 10 ranked games combined with your starting rank and win rate net you fragments, which, after the event is concluded for the day, are converted to $GODS. The conversion rate from fragments to $GODS depends on the number of active participating players, rank, and the daily prize pool. A percentage of all actions completed by the players using $GODS refills the prize pool for the next day.Besides the “Daily Play and Earn,” players can also earn card packs by participating in the “Weekend Ranked event.” The event lasts from Friday to Monday, and at the end, participants are rewarded with card packs of varying quality. Players can trade the NFT cards.
Besides the “Daily Play and Earn,” players can also earn card packs by participating in the “Weekend Ranked event.” The event lasts from Friday to Monday, and at the end, participants are rewarded with card packs of varying quality. Players trading the NFT cards on the market can also net a decent amount of $GODS.
Stars And Flux
Besides $GODS, Gods Unchained has two more non-premium currencies. These cannot be traded and are earned by playing the game. While these currencies are not tokenized, they also play a necessary role in the game.
Stars
Stars can be used to buy the Welcome and Core pack from the Star Store. These packs do not contain NFT cards; however, they can be used in fusing to create some. Additionally, the star store offers limited offers for a selection of cards.
Flux
Flux is the second resource earned from the Ranked queue and is used for fusing. We will discuss fusing shortly.
Present Token Utility
$GODS are the driving force in Gods Unchained. Their utility in incentivizing the use of in-game mechanics is incomparable to anything in Web2. Currently, $GODS play a central role in the following:
The Forge
Fusing is the act of combining two or more identical cards into a single card of higher quality. The process takes Flux and $GODS to complete. The fusing can continue up to the Diamond quality, and the resulting cards can be traded on the market.
In-Game Marketplace
$GODS are the tradeable medium in Gods Unchained. Whether to create a powerful deck or complete a collection of rare cards, the token is the market's centerpiece.
Manual Staking
Manual staking is a concept completely unavailable in traditional games. Eligible players can stake their $GODS and be rewarded for participating in the ecosystem.
Star Store
While the Star Store doesn't use $GODS as the primary currency, the cards bought from the star store are commonly used in the Forge.
Daily Play And Earn
$GODS are also the incentive for competing in “Daily Play and Earn". Earning the token and using it to upgrade your deck is certainly the fastest way to rise up through the ranks. The core gameplay loop is tied closely to the utility of $GODS.
Potential Token Utility
The token utility does not end at fueling game mechanics and trade.
Governance staking
Governance staking is another new mechanic not possible, or at least never implemented, in Web2. After a certain amount of $GODS is acquired, the token holder gains votes concerning the game's ecosystem and is able to influence the community decisions, token allocation and supply, and submit proposals that can benefit the game. Player governance is a new and unexplored area, and its potential has yet to be explored.
Unknown Utility
Web3 technology is still in its nascency, with so many undiscovered possibilities. With time, as more talent, resources, and legislation comes into play, there will be other utilities we haven't currently thought of.
Community-Led Initiatives
Web3 projects are about the community. In web3 projects, the users aren't just players. Each contributes to the overall success and health of the market. Tokens have great utility at Gods Unchained when it comes to incentivizing community-driven initiatives like:
Community Events
Community events are a fun way to bring the players together. Through token rewards, seasonal events like Halloween and Christmas events are a way to rally around fun challenges creating a stronger communal bond.
Contribution Rewards
Tokens are an excellent motivation and reward for community contributions. Be that community posts, guides, or submitting feedback and more. We at Gods Unchained reward players for engaging and devoting time toward a healthier game state.
Referral Program
The Gods Unchained referral system of 1 million $GODS is designed to bring new and experienced players together. Through the system, players can earn bonuses after reaching a certain rank, promoting cooperation and providing a better experience for both sides.
Council of Mortals
A council comprised of the top players representing the community's interests, providing feedback for the developers, and acting as an intermediary between the players and the devs. The Council of Mortals main goal is to represent mortal interests along the journey of Gods Unchained’s growth.
Torchbearer Program
Yet another example of token utility for community-led initiatives. The torchbearer program is how the most artistic and creative mortals are challenged to pour their passion into their work and submit pieces of art and media.
Token prizes are an excellent drive to fuel community events. Giveaways, tournaments, and other contests that create hype and investment are rarely possible in Web2.
Tokens are the core of Web3, and everything revolves around it. And it is debatable whether the in-game currency should be the focus of the game and not the actual gameplay, but one thing is for certain: the utility of token economies is unprecedented. At Gods Unchained we're always evolving the utility of $GODS such that each ecosystem participant benefits!
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