Gamers with some technical know-how will be able to add their own content to the blockchain RPG Nine Chronicles. South Korean game studio Planetarium builds this blockchain-powered game on its own Libplanet blockchain. This network is integrated into Unity. In addition it’s completely open source, empowering the community to add their own content to the game. Nine Chronicles should launch before the end of this year.

From the start, we were committed to creating great game that’s also a true development platform rather than a license to tweak. Nine Chronicles opens its entire mechanism to developers. It’s a real playground for modders. Kijun Seo, CEO of Planetarium (press release September 19th 2019)

Nine Chronicles is a decentralized fantasy game. It’s not an open-world game. Instead players go through levels one by one, and it plays as a side scrolling action role playing game. Each of the nine worlds consist out of multiple levels and each world has a boss character as well. Players can craft and trade custom items to create a stronger character. The developers will also incorporate PVP battles by the end of this year.

The developers at Planetarium promote the game as a ‘fully decentralized RPG powered by the players’. According to them gamers can play, mine resources (and therefore make money), trade (and make money) and govern the game world together. As a result gamers will have some form of political power in game world.

Blockchain games becoming more sophisticated

For the past few years blockchain games have been limited in their gameplay features. However, there’s a shift noticeable. Blockchain game developers are becoming better at combining gameplay mechanics and game design with blockchain fundamentals. Besides, the blockchain has become a lot more sophisticated. Developers now have access to multiple solutions, ranging from Ethereum and Tron to the newly announced Flow blockchain.

The level of sophistication on the technical aspects of blockchain technology, has also resulted in interest from the traditional games industry. Rotterdam-based Codeglue works on an online PVP wizard game called Spellbenders. At the same time B-Side Games is bringing its blockchain RPG Chainmonsters to Steam. It’s not without reason that Square Enix and especially Ubisoft have been active investigating the possibilities of blockchain technology.

Also published on Medium.