My most anticipated blockchain games of 2022

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I’m going to write a list of the biggest hyped blockchain games of 2022 later this week, but let’s start the year with something a bit more personal — 10 of 2022’s blockchain games that I’m most interested in playing (listed alphabetically).

1. Big Time (Big Time Studios)

I didn’t enjoy the process of Big Time’s first NFT drop but if the price trajectory of its Space tokens is anything to go by — up an average of 301% since 21 Dec — there’s plenty of pent-up demand.

Combined with the teams’ blockchain and traditional game development chops, I think that will make Big Time’s progress something that will attract sector-wide significance during 2022.

Personally, I’m still not 100% sure I understand how the game elements will work but I’m looking forward to learning more and playing the early access version as it become available.

2. Bored Ape Yacht Club game (Animoca Brands)

I have no idea how Animoca Brands is going to create a game that reflects the loose but fiercely-held aspirational flexing of the BAYC community.

It could all end in tears, but the process will be fascinating to watch.

3. Champions Ascension (Jam City)

From the details so far announced, I don’t think Jam City’s first blockchain game is going to be super innovative, but I am looking forward to see how Champions Ascension reflects the thinking of the first major traditional gaming company to release a player-owned game on an open blockchain.

To-date, its community building activity appears to be gaining steam, and the first drop of NFTs (the 10,000-strong Genesis season) is scheduled for January.

4. Influence

Like TCG games, there are too many space-based blockchain games in development. It’s not a mass market genre, nor one I’m very interested in, However having spoken to the Influence team a couple of time — including on a podcast — I’m happy to make an exception in this case.

Probably it’s because I like their Ethereum-focus.

5. MetalCore (Studio 369)

Thanks to its experience as an Unreal Engine studio focused on multiplayer, US dev Studio 369’s announcement of open world mecha NFT game MetalCore generated plenty of headlines in November.

There’s not been much detail since but this is one I’ll certainly be keeping my eye on during 2022 as more news arrives.

6. Mini Royale: Nations (Faraway)

The game — a browser-based shooter — is already live and you can use your Solana NFTs as in-game avatars. But there’s plenty more to come from Faraway’s Mini Royale, with play-to-earn mechanics due to drop in Q1 2022.

I also hope there will be more maps and in-game items because I’m tired of getting sniped. Smoke and frag grenades please!

7. Planet Mojo (Mystic Moose)

Caveated by the fact I’m an advisor, I’m really interested to see what Mystic Moose does with its auto chess game Planet Mojo.

To me, auto chess appears to be a genre that never grew beyond being an interesting niche. The ability to own your own items could be that breakout feature.

8. Phantom Galaxies (Blowfish Games)

Another NFT-based NFT shooter, Animoca-owned Blowfish’s Phantom Galaxies brings a very Gundam-style aesthetic to its open world space shooter.

The first NFTs will drop in Q1 with early access planned for Q3.

9. The Crypt (Playmint)

Another project I’m advising, The Crypt will be a series of dungeon-based games experiences, initially using Loot NFTs but over time creating its own ecosystem.

The first chapter is due to go live in January.

10. Undra (Studio Decent)

I think developers spend much too much time generating game lore that is more likely to alienate not attract players, but Studio Decent’s backstory-heavy Undra feels like the real thing.

The Undraverse is an interactive story (sorta ARG-lite) that sets the scene of the mysterious underground world of Undra, including the surprisingly fascinating VGN podcast Pebble Hour (good advice - “Splinterstone - don’t pick it up!”).

The first wave of NFTs are now live for trading on OpenSea.