Web3 game development is revolutionizing how we interact with games, making a solid impression on the expansive gaming industry. Blockchain-based game development platforms, such as Unity and Unreal Engine, are paving the way for developers to create engaging games that seamlessly interact with public blockchains.
Read on as we look at the best game development engines with the potential to introduce Web3 gaming to the world.
Web3 and Game Engines
A game engine is more than just a toolkit; it’s a creative space where developers can breathe life into their games. The innovation potential is vast, from integrating stunning visuals and realistic physics to including advanced scripting, AI behaviours and collision detection.
Web3 gaming has its own set of distinctive features to consider. Among these, NFTs stand out, making it vital for developers to understand NFT metadata. You might even think about crafting an NFT marketplace, a platform for players to trade in-game items.
In the realm of Web3 gaming, cryptocurrencies and NFTs are indispensable elements. 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.
Unreal Engine
Known for their significant contributions to Web2 game development, Unreal Engine are now stepping up to cater to the evolving Web3 gaming environment.
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.
Unity
Since its inception in 2005, Unity has equipped developers with robust game development tools. Over the years, Unity has continually evolved, staying in step with the latest industry trends and technologies.
Unity’s forte lies in its versatility and simplicity, making it a go-to choice for developers of all skill levels. 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. The asset marketplace is a digital hub where developers can now purchase Web3 assets and various other resources for their projects.
They have consistently held a prominent position in the gaming industry, and its recent advancements demonstrate a sustained commitment to innovation and growth. 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.
As part of Unity’s expansion into the decentralized technology domain, the marketplace now includes 13 Verified Solutions. Among these are established names in the blockchain and Web3 spaces like MetaMask, Algorand, Flow, Immutable, Infura, Nefta, Ore ID, Quartes, Solana, and Tezos.
CryEngine
CryEngine is a testament to Crytek‘s expertise and innovation in the gaming industry. It’s an advanced game engine, or sandbox tool, capable of rendering some of the most lifelike digital imagery seen in video games to date. Some memorable games created with CryEngine include “Far Cry” and “Ryse: Son Of Rome.”
CryEngine provides a comprehensive sandbox editor that supports development for all major platforms, including Xbox, PS4, Windows PC, and Oculus. Not only is CryEngine considered one of the best free, open-source game engines on the market, but it also offers free licenses and flexibility for developers.
To assist beginners and seasoned developers alike, CryEngine provides abundant free educational resources like tutorials, forums, and comprehensive documentation.
Open 3D Engine
Open 3D Engine (O3DE) has positioned itself as 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.
One of the most enticing features of O3DE is the ability to add new editing tools, features, and development workflows to projects. This is facilitated by a range of community-maintained Gems, which developers can use to extend and enhance the engine’s capabilities.
Final Reflections
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. Blockchain technology, coupled with powerful game engines like Unity, Unreal Engine, CryEngine, and Open 3D Engine, is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in game creation.
Game developers should stay informed and adaptable in the face of these evolving trends. Whether it’s mastering the ins and outs of NFTs, understanding the dynamics of in-game economies, or exploring the offerings of the latest game engines, there’s a world of opportunity waiting to be discovered in Web3 gaming. The future of gaming is here, and it’s time we embrace it.
Unity and Unreal Engine, traditionally known for their contributions to Web2 game development, have now branched out to support the development of Web3 games. Unity recently introduced a decentralization category to its Unity Asset Store, enabling developers to purchase Web3 assets and resources. 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.
Some notable Web3 games developed using Unity include The Sandbox, Decentraland, and Dogamí. These games demonstrate Unity’s robust game development tools and its adaptability to the evolving demands of Web3 gaming.
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 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 the use of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and cryptocurrencies in gaming, leading to secure, decentralized, and interactive gaming experiences.
