Solana blockchain has often been touted as one of the main Ethereum challengers when it comes to DApp development. This ecosystem has grown to host over 350 DApps and currently enjoys a total value locked (TVL) of $7.5 billion, according to DeFi Llama metrics. Well, it is not surprising that Solana has grown significantly, given the platform’s transaction throughput which is about 65,000 transactions per second (tps).
Furthermore, Solana’s Proof-of-Stake (Pos) consensus makes it a more scalable smart contract platform compared to Ethereum. With DeFi and NFTs gaining traction, this Layer-1 blockchain has become a favourite for developers looking to build in the Web 3.0 economy. Most notably, Solana is attracting NFT and metaverse projects whose model is dependent on the play-to-earn (p2e) mechanics.
Given Solana’s footprint in NFT games, analysts expect that this blockchain will be among the leading decentralized gaming networks in 2022. So, what are some of the Solana-built games that will likely balloon in 2022? The next section of this article features four popular NFT-driven games that have been making headlines within the Solana community.
1. Battle Drones
Founded in July 2021, Battle Drones is a Solana-based NFT game designed to introduce a more immersive p2e experience. The game is powered by a native governance token $BATTLE and leverages the Proof of Attendance Protocols (POAP). Unlike most p2e games where the primary goal is to collect digital collectibles, this game features a Drone combat arena. Currently, users can engage in a Player versus Environment (PvE) onslaught mode.
Battle Drones’ p2e model rewards players as they progress, enabling them to unlock hidden in-game tools that can enhance their performance in the Drone dome. Notably, these in-game items can be swapped within the Battle Drones marketplace to realize an external value in the form of other crypto assets or fiat. While the game is still in its early stages, it will soon transition to a Player versus Player (PvP) mode, competing with the likes of Fortnite and Call of Duty.
2. Eizper Chain
Eizper Chain is another Solana game that is gaining mainstream attention from investors and the community. This action role-playing game (ARPG) combines play-to-earn and free-to-play gaming mechanics, bringing a wholesome experience to gamers on the platform. Notably, Eizper Chain features three gaming modes which include adventure, player vs player (PvP) and the guild mode.
In the adventure mode, players get to meet non-playable characters (NPCs) that have indistinguishable personalities to help navigate life within the Eizper gaming ecosystem. Meanwhile, the PvP mode features a combative arena ‘Warrior’s Den in Windenfel’ where players can battle against each other or challenge the monsters trying to inhabit Eizper Chain. Lastly, the guild mode allows players to form alliances and battle against other guilds.
Eizper Chain recently completed a $2 million seed round that attracted prominent crypto VCs, including Alameda Research, Crypto.com Capital, Huobi Ventures, Nyan Heroes and PetRock Capital, amongst others.
3. Star Atlas
As the name suggests, Star Atlas is an NFT game whose fundamentals are based on the space theme. This game combines Solana’s capabilities and Unreal Engine graphics, allowing players to engage in a space-themed strategy game. NFT gamers on Star Atlas can purchase or create personalized cities and regions in ‘space’. Given this value proposition, it is not surprising that NFT and metaverse die-hards on Solana are hyping the game.
In addition to the gaming mode, Star Atlas features a leaderboard where participants can keep track of the best performing players. Prospects looking to play this game can acquire a space city, region or battleships in decentralized marketplaces such as Rarity. It is also noteworthy that strategy is a fundamental part of the Star Atlas game, given that users have to stick with their initial journey mode selection.
4. Aurory
Aurory is a Solana-built role-playing game (RPG) that relies on the p2e model to incentivize players. This particular gaming ecosystem allows players to collect Aurory pets and supernatural creatures as they travel across various areas and biomes (Antik and Cryptos). To realize value, players on Aurory can trade their in-game items for other digital collectibles or crypto assets.
As for the p2e mechanics, Aurory rewards its players with a native governance token ‘AURY’. Players can earn this token by engaging in the game’s PvE and PvP modes. Furthermore, the platform features a staking program hence allowing token holders to earn a passive income from their ecosystem rewards. It is also worth noting that Aurory’s NFT sale was one of the most awaited Solana NFT sales.
Final Thoughts
The blockchain gaming ecosystem is gradually challenging the long-standing dominance of games hosted on centralized servers. While it is still a small percentage compared to the larger traditional gaming market, recent NFT trends are showing that the future of gaming will likely be decentralized. Solana has positioned itself as one of the most potential gaming ecosystems to handle mainstream adoption. Should there be a paradigm shift, this smart contract Layer-1 blockchain will likely take home the lion’s share in the decentralized gaming market.
