The gaming industry has witnessed a significant rise in in-game purchases, with players spending large sums of money on virtual items. However, a recent study conducted by OnePoll.com on behalf of Unstoppable Games reveals a disheartening truth – gamers are set to spend a staggering $6,425.13 on virtual items over their adult lifetime without receiving any physical counterparts. This revelation has left gamers feeling cheated and dissatisfied.
The survey, which involved 2,000 gamers, found that the average gamer spends $8.74 per month, amounting to $104.90 per year, on a total of three purchases. The most commonly purchased items include character skins, weapons, and extra lives. These statistics have left gamers feeling angry and foolish, as they believe that if they are paying for virtual items, they should be able to treat them as they wish, just like physical items in traditional games.
The importance of preserving our gaming collections cannot be overstated. It is heartening to see the resurgence of interest in Pokémon, with some families passing down physical cards that were played with 27 years ago. However, today’s games are primarily played digitally, and it is essential to find suitable ways to retain the collections we build.
Unstoppable Games is set to release its own game, Influence, on June 27. Blockchain gaming offers a potential solution to the problems faced by gamers. While previous attempts to incorporate blockchain technology into games have failed due to data limitations, the situation is changing rapidly. With networks increasing the bandwidth of blockchains, they are becoming a viable option for both mainstream finance and entertainment.
The survey also highlighted gamers’ frustration with the inability to resell or gift the items they purchase in a game. A staggering 51% of respondents expressed this frustration, while 35% felt that the money spent on virtual items was wasted. This is where blockchain technology comes into play, as it offers interoperability, allowing blockchain assets to be accessible across multiple games or used to create new ones. While it is still early days for interoperability, successful implementations can already be seen in games like Axie Infinity and Realms.
The survey data further revealed that 65% of respondents would support the ability to gift or resell in-game purchases at a later date. This feature is already a core aspect of blockchain games, but there is a need to educate gamers about its existence and encourage them to try out these games.
Surprisingly, the majority of gamers (84%) have never heard of or tried a blockchain game. If a gaming company were to shut down, 63% of respondents believe that refunds should be offered for past purchases, and 34% even suggest introducing a vote system. These features are already integral to blockchain games, raising the question of why more people are not exploring this option.
Early blockchain games have often been disappointing, failing to provide a fun experience and featuring outdated graphics. However, the landscape is rapidly evolving, with blockchain games catching up to their traditional counterparts. With advancements in blockchain capacity and a willingness to listen to player feedback, blockchain games are poised to give traditional gaming a run for its money.
Eli Ben-Sasson, CEO and co-founder of StarkWare, a former academic with a background in theoretical computer science and cryptography, believes that blockchain games are now on par with their Web2 peers. His research has focused on cryptographic and zero-knowledge proofs, which are integral to blockchain scaling protocols. He has witnessed the evolution of blockchain games and their potential to revolutionize the gaming industry.
In conclusion, the study’s findings highlight the need for change in the gaming industry. Gamers deserve to have ownership and control over their virtual purchases. Blockchain technology offers a promising solution, enabling interoperability and empowering gamers to resell or gift their virtual assets. It is time for gamers to explore the world of blockchain games and embrace the possibilities they offer.