Cryptocurrency is making an impact on many areas of modern life, and this includes gaming. In fact, gaming has been one of the key driving forces when it comes to accepting crypto as a mainstream currency. In 2017, the world’s largest gaming marketplace, Steam, announced that it would be allowing people to pay using Bitcoin, and while it has since backtracked on this, there are ways around it, so people can still use cryptocurrencies to buy new games.
There are many ways to use cryptocurrencies in gaming, from buying games to in-game transactions, and even modern additions such as a crypto casino, which allows people to play their favourite slot and card games.
A shared audience
One of the reasons why crypto has had such a big influence in the modern gaming world is that there is a lot of crossover in the two industries. A lot of gamers tend to be people who are younger and more tech-savvy, and this means that they are also the sort of people who are switched on to the changes in the crypto industry and the many exciting new currencies (and their numerous benefits).
This is also proved by the fact that many of the same people embrace all areas of blockchain in their daily lives, from investing through to buying cool NFTs for the movie and gaming industries.
Blockchain uses such as NFTs may also add some awesome exclusivity to games, such as particular items with a limited supply. If there are only 50 of an item available in the entire game, the blockchain can ensure that they are totally unique. This may even be a way for gaming companies to make more money.
There are even games with internal trading systems that use crypto. This means there are ways that the internal currency in the game can be linked to your actual finances. All of this crossover between gaming and cryptocurrencies means the two are pretty much a match made in heaven, and they will continue to drive each other forward.
Buying games with cryptocurrencies
While there was a brief period where people were able to buy games with cryptocurrency on Steam, this would quickly change, with Steam blaming the volatility in the prices for removing it as a way to pay. However, this does not mean that you can’t buy games with crypto.
Some gaming developers and sites allow you to pay directly with cryptocurrencies, but even if they don’t, there are workaround methods.
Pretty much all of the big gaming platforms offer gift cards, and most of these gift cards are available from somewhere that allows you to pay using Bitcoin.
So, all you need to do is:
- Find a retailer that sells Steam/Xbox/PlayStation gift cards, and that also accepts cryptocurrencies.
- Buy a gift card with your desired amount loaded on it, using Bitcoin or other crypto (the conversion will be made at checkout).
- Redeem your gift card at your favourite gaming site.
A lot of people like this method due to the fact that it prevents them from being traceable, and there is no need to have a bank account linked to the gaming platform. Whether you want to buy the new Uncharted game or just make sure you have some money for micro-transactions for other games, the process is quick and easy.
Casino gaming and crypto
One area where we have seen huge growth is in the addition of crypto to casino games. Certain casinos are specialists in this particular area.
There are hundreds of big iGaming and casino developers out there and a number of their games can easily be converted so that the casino company can allow their players to gamble using crypto.
It makes sense for casino brands to offer as much choice to their customers as they can, and this is definitely the case with some of the top crypto casino brands, which have a way for people to gamble using their preferred currencies, helping them to remain anonymous and make some speedy transactions.
While the choices a year or two ago were a little limited, this is no longer the case, as crypto casinos continue to add more slot games and table games.
Summary
Crypto has had a big influence on many parts of modern life. Though the very first cryptocurrencies can be traced to around 2009, the technology is still pretty new. As the world becomes more used to Bitcoin and other crypto options, expect gaming to continue to embrace these changes.
