If you know anything about blockchain and crypto, then chances are good that you've heard of CryptoKitties. But now, SteemIt has announced Steem Monsters. What are these digital creatures and what does it mean for card games and collectibles in the blockchain space?
Well, funny you should ask….
CryptoKitties is basically an online game that allows the player to collect and breed some pretty cute cats. Each cat is completely unique, and because CryptoKitties uses the Ethereum blockchain, can never be replicated or destroyed. CryptoKitties are not a cryptocurrency, but can only be bought and sold using cryptocurrency.
Still confused?
Think of CryptoKitties as an updated, blockchain-based Neopets. You remember Neopets? That adorable online game that caused us to tie up the phone lines for hours in the late 90's. Yeah, well, imagine that but with ETH transactions and without all the 10 year olds.
Players use ETH to buy Kitties and breed them, figuring out the of the workings of "cattributes" and Kitty genes, creating new Kitties, and selling them for (hopefully more) ETH. The highest selling cat garnered over $100,000!
But maybe you want more interaction with other players. Maybe instead of just breeding in your digital game, you want to be able to FIGHT.
Enter Steem Monsters!
Steem Monsters are similar to Kitties, but with a few major differences. The monsters are an online card game (think PokéMon cards but digital) that allows player to battle other users with the hope of winning prizes that can be used on the SteemIt platform. Blockchain technology allows the ownership of each card to be checked and verified against the ledger, so you'll never have to worry about your older brother stealing your cards again.
Again, players have to buy their first cards, the starter pack, using cryptocurrency. But instead of being based on the Ethereum blockchain and using Ether like CryptoKitties, Steem Monsters runs on the Steem blockchain. (Basically, in December of last year, CryptoKitties clogged the blockchain with its numerous and frequent transactions.)
The Steem blockchain doesn't have this scaling issue. If CryptoKitties wants to be sure they don't cause congestion again, they should consider using a sidechain and plasma system, but that's a whole other story…) Now that the EOS blockchain is actually a thing, there is talk of Steem merging onto it. It's still hype at this point, but watch this space.
Collectibles and card games are nothing new but CryptoKitties and Steem Monsters are two examples of how they're evolving as technologies change. I'm sure all of use have had a weird collection or two and a binder of collectible cards (I know my brother still has Magic: The Gathering cards somewhere…) but do you remember how upset you would get when you found a smashed snowglobe, torn stamp, or lost your special edition, holographic, super Legendary card?
Let the memory of that fully sink in.
Blockchain is now offering a way to get around that heartache. It creates a decentralized space for users to buy, sell, and play any time of the night or day. These transactions are stored on the blockchain so there aren't any disputes.
And proof-of-stake? Well, let's just say it's not just for tokens!
As blockchain grows so do its possibilities--possibilities for growth in essential industries. But also, possibilities for FUN! And digital collectible and card games are nothing if not fun. :)
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