Blockchain Game Development: How to Build a Web3 Game

Players invest significant time and resources into developing characters, acquiring in-game assets, and achieving milestones in traditional games. Yet these efforts often remain locked within a single game, offering no real-world ownership or transferability. Players don’t truly own their digital assets, and their value is limited to the game developer’s ecosystem. If a game shuts down or changes its rules, players can lose everything they’ve earned.

Blockchain technology presents a solution. By enabling decentralized game environments, blockchain gives players genuine control over their assets and introduces new models for earning and exchanging value. This article explores the process of blockchain game development—from understanding the Web3 ecosystem to designing engaging gameplay, establishing in-game economies, and scaling decentralized gaming experiences.

What are blockchain games?

Blockchain games are games that use blockchain technology to manage in-game assets, currencies, and player data. Unlike traditional games, these assets exist on-chain, giving players true ownership and the ability to trade or transfer items outside of the game environment. Blockchain technology can also enable decentralized economies, introducing models like play-to-earn models, and increasing ecosystem transparency.

Most blockchain games in the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) ecosystem are built using smart contracts. These contracts handle core functions like asset creation, ownership verification, and transaction processing.

Why build a blockchain game?

The Web3 gaming ecosystem introduces a shift from centralized control to decentralized ownership and interoperability. It empowers players and changes how games are developed and experienced.

No centralized control

Decentralization removes the need for a central authority, instead, the players can govern the future of the game. While not all models use this approach, it can be great for preventing single entities from dictating rules or controlling in-game economies. Most often, these types of mechanisms are controlled by DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations) through which players participate in voting via tokens. This creates a transparent and trustless environment where players can participate in governance and have a stake in the game’s future.

Learn more about DAOs →

True Ownership of in-game currencies & assets

Using blockchain tokens, players gain true ownership of in-game assets and currencies. NFTs represent items such as weapons, skins, and land so they are no longer confined to a single game. Players can sell, trade, or transfer these NFTs in and out of the game ecosystem, preserving their value beyond the lifespan of any single title. Not only that, but in-game currencies can also operate as decentralized tokens. This lets users swap the token for ETH or stablecoins if they want to stop playing, or simply cash out some of their assets.

Since players own these assets independently of the game, even if a game shuts down, the assets remain in the player’s wallet and can be sold, traded, or used elsewhere.

Learn more about creating in-game currencies →

Learn more about creating in-game items →

Interoperability

Blockchain protocols support interoperability, allowing assets to be used across different games and platforms. This creates a connected network of games where players can bring their NFTs and tokens from one experience to another, expanding the potential of digital assets and gameplay. Since web3 wallets offer a decentralized identity, users can also use a single profile to login to multiple games, improving the user experience cross-platform.

Learn how to create cross-chain games →

Play-to-Earn Models

Play-to-earn (P2E) models reward players with tokens or NFTs for their time and participation. Instead of playing purely for entertainment, players can earn real value through gameplay. These systems create new economic opportunities for players worldwide.

See the ultimate developer’s guide to play-to-earn games →

Player-Controlled Economies

Web3 enables player-driven economies. Items and currencies have real-world value and can be exchanged on decentralized marketplaces. This opens up the possibilities of monetizing user generated content, such as skins, in-game items and more. Some games also give players governance rights, allowing them to influence economic decisions and game development.

Learn more about building player-driven economies via UGC →

Types of Blockchain Games You Can Build (with Examples)

Blockchain technology enables a wide range of game types, each offering unique mechanics and opportunities for decentralization and player ownership. Below are five popular categories, along with examples and typical tech stacks.

Play-to-Earn (P2E) Games

P2E games reward players with in-game currencies or NFTs for completing tasks, battling, or contributing to the ecosystem. A good example of a play-to-earn game is Axie Infinity, where users can earn SLP, an in-game currency.

Metaverse and Virtual World Games

Decentralized metaverses let players create, buy, and sell virtual land, assets, and experiences. Examples like the sandbox and decentraland have entire in-game economies led by the players, since they can sell UGC at will.

Racing and Simulation Games

Racing and simulation games integrate NFT assets like vehicles and car parts, offering play-to-earn incentives and competitive gameplay. A good example of this is Torque Drift 2 by Animoca brands, which tokenized its cars using blockchain tech.

Telegram Mini App Games

Telegram Mini App games are lightweight, blockchain-powered games integrated directly into the Telegram messenger. These games leverage Telegram’s user base for easy onboarding and seamless social interaction, often incorporating play-to-earn mechanics and NFT assets.

These games allow players to earn tokens, trade assets, or participate in mini-games without leaving the chat interface. They are often hyper-casual games that focus on engagement, social competition, and fast-paced gameplay. Good examples include Hamster Kombat and Yesports Telegram Games.

Case Studies of Successful Blockchain Games

Examining successful blockchain games highlights best practices and key lessons, so let’s dive into some of the most interesting blockchain games so far and how they are leveraging this tech.

Axie Infinity

Axie Infinity is a pioneer in the play-to-earn model. Players collect and battle Axies, earning SLP tokens that can be traded or cashed out. The game’s tokenomics and NFT-based asset system demonstrate the potential of blockchain in creating new revenue streams for players.

The Sandbox

The Sandbox allows players to create, own, and monetize virtual experiences. With its NFT-based land ownership and creator tools, The Sandbox supports a vibrant economy and empowers user-generated content within a decentralized metaverse.

Zeeverse on Treasure

Zeeverse is a turn-based monster-tamer MMORPG built on the Treasure ecosystem. Players explore a mystical world, collecting and training ZEE creatures. By leveraging Treasure’s interoperable platform, Zeeverse integrates seamlessly with other games, expanding asset utility and player opportunities across a shared ecosystem.

Torque Drift 2 by Animoca Brands

Torque Drift 2 brings blockchain technology to competitive motorsport racing. Players own cars, parts, and other NFTs, which they can trade and upgrade. The game integrates a play-to-earn system and offers real-world rewards, showcasing how blockchain can enhance traditional gaming genres.

A blockchain game development toolkit: all of the tech a developer needs to build web3 games

Smart Contract Development Tools

To build in-game currencies, items, marketplaces and more, you’ll need to write and deploy smart contracts.

To write your own smart contract, check out the thirdweb Solidity SDK. If you’d prefer to use a pre-built and pre-audited smart contract, check out Explore to see if there’s a smart contract template that fits your game.

Whichever option you go for, you can deploy any contract directly through the thirdweb dashboard using the CLI. More information on how to do that in our technical docs here →

RPC Services

RPC (Remote Procedure Call) services are essential for Web3 games, enabling communication between the game client and blockchain networks. RPC endpoints allow games to query blockchain data, send transactions, and interact with smart contracts without the need to run a full node. Reliable RPC services ensure low-latency, scalable, and secure connections—critical for delivering seamless gameplay experiences.

Examples of RPC services include Alchemy and Infura, but the easiest and quickest option is to use RPC Edge, a performant RPC service offered by thirdweb.

Wallet infrastructure

Your game may need a completely unique wallet setup. In web3 games, you have the choice to implement web3 wallet connection, to simply access the existing web3 ecosystem, or go a step further and implement in-app or smart wallets: using in-app wallets, you can create branded experiences for your game, and with smart wallets, you can unlock truly seamless experiences and eliminate annoying interruptions to gameplay.

With thirdweb, the choice is yours: our web3 gaming infrastructure lets you implement the wallet or wallet connector that fits your game.

Web3 Compatible Game Engines

Of course, to build a web3 game, you often need a game engine compatible with the blockchain. There are two main options, and choosing between them depends largely on what kind of game you’re building:

Unity

Unity is highly adaptable, with extensive Web3 SDK support for NFTs, wallets, and blockchain integration. Since it’s so often used in 2D and 3D games, you’ll find plenty of compatible Web3 SDKs. If you want to get started with Unity, check out the thirdweb Unity SDK.

Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine is less common but growing in Web3 adoption, typically used in high-fidelity games with cutting-edge graphics and complex environments. If you want to build a web3 game with Unreal Engine, get started with thirdweb’s Unreal Engine SDK.

Web3 Gaming APIs

Web3 gaming APIs simplify the integration of blockchain features—such as NFT management, wallet authentication, and token economies—into games. These APIs handle complex blockchain interactions behind the scenes, allowing developers to focus on gameplay, user experience, and design rather than writing low-level smart contract code or managing infrastructure.

thirdweb provides a comprehensive set of APIs and SDKs for deploying and managing smart contracts, NFTs, in-game currencies, and marketplaces. Supports Unity, JavaScript, and Unreal Engine. Compatible with Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, and more.

How to build a blockchain game

If you want to build a blockchain game, there are a few steps you need to take before you even think about development.

Choose the Best Blockchain for Your Web3 Game

The choice of blockchain infrastructure directly impacts a game’s scalability, user experience, and security.

Scalability

Scalability determines how well a blockchain network can handle a growing number of users and transactions. A highly scalable platform ensures smooth gameplay with minimal delays, even as player activity increases. Networks like Polygon and Immutable X focus on high throughput and lower latency, ideal for games requiring frequent interactions.

Transaction Fees

Transaction fees, or gas fees, can discourage players from engaging in blockchain interactions if they are too high. Affordable and predictable fees are essential for creating an accessible game economy. Blockchains like Treasure and Polygon offer low-cost transactions, making them appealing for blockchain game development.

Developer Community

A strong developer community provides essential resources, tools, and support. Active communities foster knowledge-sharing and offer valuable feedback, accelerating development and troubleshooting. Ethereum and Polygon both benefit from large, engaged developer ecosystems.

Design an Engaging Gameplay & User Experience

A successful blockchain game offers an engaging experience that appeals to both crypto enthusiasts and traditional gamers.

Create an onboarding flow built for your users

Lowering barriers to entry broadens a game’s audience. Think about the authentication process your users might expect. Web3 natives will likely require a simple web3 wallet connector, so they can log in to their existing wallet via a Connect Wallet Button.

Less crypto-native users might prefer social logins via Google or Steam. In that case, you can spin up in-app wallets with custom auth, so the user doesn't need to grapple with seed phrases.

Then to make things even more seamless for those not familiar with web3, you could implement account abstraction to unlock gasless onboarding and remove the friction of signing transactions.

Impress players with an intuitive interface

A user-friendly interface helps new players onboard quickly. Simplified wallet integration, clear instructions, and minimal technical friction make blockchain features accessible without overwhelming users.

With thirdweb, you can easily access Unity and Unreal Engine SDKs to make building intuitive game interfaces with web3 compatibility is easy. Not only that, but the connect feature includes countless pre-built UI components so integrating payment mechanisms is simple, aesthetically pleasing, and on-brand.

Introduce balanced blockchain game Mechanics

Blockchain elements should enhance the game rather than dominate it. Well-balanced mechanics ensure fairness, maintain competitive play, and prevent pay-to-win scenarios that alienate players.

Consider player Retention Tactics

Developers can offer free-to-play options, minimize transaction costs, and provide simple tutorials to welcome new players into the ecosystem.

Establish a Sustainable In-Game Economy

An in-game economy must be designed for longevity and player engagement.

Design Solid Tokenomics

Tokenomics includes the design and distribution of game tokens. Developers must balance supply and demand to avoid inflation and ensure token utility. Clear incentives motivate players to participate and invest in the game economy.

Integrate web3 payment solutions

An integrated marketplace facilitates player-to-player transactions of NFTs and other in-game assets. Transparent pricing and secure transactions foster trust and encourage economic activity within the game.

Introduce Reward Structures & staking mechanisms

Effective reward structures keep players engaged and invested. Developers can offer rewards for completing quests, participating in governance, or contributing to the community. These systems encourage continued participation and reinforce loyalty.

Develop performant smart contracts for web3 games

Smart contracts are the foundation of blockchain games, automating interactions and ensuring trustless execution. As such, it’s important to assess if your contract is performant using these considerations:

1. Security: Smart contracts must be secure to prevent vulnerabilities and exploits. Developers should follow best practices, including code reviews and third-party audits, to safeguard player assets and game logic.

2. Efficiency: Optimizing smart contracts reduces gas fees and transaction times. Efficient code ensures smooth gameplay and lowers the barrier to entry for players.

3. Upgradability: As games evolve, smart contracts may require updates. Developers can design upgradable contracts using proxy patterns or modular approaches, allowing for improvements without disrupting the game experience.

If you’re just getting started, consider using thirdweb’s web3 gaming infrastructure to guarantee you have a secure, reliable and performant web3 game.

Get started with thirdweb’s web3 game development tools →

Implement Security Measures

Security builds trust and protects both players and the game’s economy.

Regular Audits

Conducting regular smart contract audits is essential to identify and fix vulnerabilities. Third-party auditors provide independent verification, enhancing security and credibility.

Data Encryption

Encrypting sensitive data—such as user identities and transaction details—safeguards player information from unauthorized access and breaches.

Fraud Prevention

Developers should implement fraud detection tools to prevent cheating and exploits. Transparent rules and fair enforcement maintain the integrity of the game environment.

After you build a web3 game: What’s Next?

You’re not done once your project has launched. Community engagement drives player retention and game success, so here are some top tips for web3 game developers:

• Keep the community informed to build trust: Release regular updates, clear roadmaps, and responsiveness to feedback ensure players feel heard and valued.

• Reward community contributions to encourage deeper engagement. Players who promote the game, provide feedback, or create content can receive exclusive NFTs or governance tokens.

• Be present on socials to foster community building. Real-time engagement through AMAs, polls, and events creates stronger connections between developers and players.

Future Trends in Blockchain Gaming

The blockchain gaming industry continues to evolve, offering new opportunities and innovations. For example, in 2025, the biggest innovations lie at the intersection between blockchain and AI. Using AI-driven NPCs, blockchain games are improving player immersion, creating more dynamic storytelling and unlocking new mechanisms surrounding UGC and player-driven economies.

Blockchain Game Development, a dev's final thoughts:

Blockchain game development presents an exciting opportunity to reshape the gaming industry by giving players true ownership of in-game assets, creating decentralized economies, and enabling new play-to-earn models. Whether you’re building a competitive strategy game, a virtual world, or a casual Telegram mini-app, Web3 technology offers tools to enhance player engagement and create lasting value.

With the right infrastructure, you can focus on building immersive experiences while leaving blockchain integrations and smart contract management to trusted solutions.

thirdweb’s Gaming Infrastructure simplifies the development process with pre-built smart contracts, seamless wallet integration, NFT management, and cross-chain support—all optimized for Unity and Unreal Engine. Whether you're an indie developer or scaling a large game project, Thirdweb provides everything you need to launch and grow your Web3 game.

Get started with thirdweb’s Gaming SDK today and bring your blockchain game to life.