Video gaming has taken on a life of its own in recent years. At one point, sitting down with a joystick in hand used to be the perfect way to stay entertained after work or school, as well as providing a place for buddies to compete against each other. In 2024 however, that competitive spirit has been sent into another stratosphere.
Initially thanks to popular YouTubers such as KSI and his Sidemen posse, as well as the likes of PewDiePie and Mr Beast, watching other people play on platforms such as Twitch and YouTube became arguably as popular as playing a game one’s self. Then competitive gaming – or Esports – took over.
Esports’ Rapid Ascent
Just taking one look at the FIFA eWorld Cup shows just how far competitive gameplay has come in recent years. Back in 2004, Brazil’s Thiago Carrico de Azevedo picked up just $10,000 when he won the inaugural installment of the tournament in Zurich. Fast forward 19 years, and the prize pot was a whopping $300,000.
But it isn’t just the superstar gamers that look set to earn real-life prizes from the world of gaming. The regular players and spectators can also cash in at present. One way in which they can do that is via online Esports betting.
Online gaming has reached such monstrous levels of popularity that even the bookies want a piece of the pie, offering to bet on top events much like real-life sports such as the NFL or the Premier League. For example, the latest Esports betting odds at Bovada make OpTic Texas a +175 betting favorite to win the upcoming Call of Duty CDL tournament taking place in January. To explain those odds, should a punter place $100 on the aforementioned frontrunner, they would secure $175 In winnings on top of their initial stake.
It isn’t just a call of duty that one can bet on with Bovada though. They offer round-the-clock prices on Eeight-minute-minute battle matches, with games taking place 24/7. As well as that, they provide betting on games such as League of Legends, Valorant, and Dota 2.
But while betting remains a popular way for the average gamer to make money off their favorite titles, another method could be coming soon. In-game cryptocurrencies. Here are the three most likely games to implement their own cryptocurrencies in the not-so-distant future.
EA Sports FC
EA Sports was one of the very first places to discover just how much money could be made by offering in-game purchases of loot boxes. Their creation of the Ultimate Team mode back in 2009 changed video games forever, allowing gamers to buy “packs” with real money to create the best possible team in the game.
As time has progressed, much has changed. The Canadian game’s producers are no longer affiliated with FIFA – world football’s governing body – following an acrimonious split just over a year ago. Their video game is now called EA FC, and it remains as popular as ever. Now, we wouldn’t put it passed them to develop an in-game cryptocurrency that holds real-world value.
At present, gamers can buy points with real money and then spend those points on packs. They are also awarded coins for their achievements in the game, which aren’t available to buy and must be earned.
Imagine a future where EA FC integrates a cryptocurrency system. This would allow players to trade digital assets – which as the cards they play with in the game – securely and potentially even sell them for real-world money. Such a system could enhance the game’s marketplace by ensuring transactions are transparent and secure, diminishing the risk of fraud.
Additionally, cryptocurrency could enable cross-platform transactions, making it easier for players to manage their assets regardless of the gaming console or platform they use. But lest we forget, EA Sports is famously a company that loves milking their clientele for all they’re worth. This is why we have packs and points in the first place, and the producer could utter the question “What’s in it for us” before they even consider adopting such a modern mechanism.
GTA VI
Grand Theft Auto – or GTA to us and you – has long captivated players with its open-world gameplay and immersive storytelling. The fifth official installment to the franchise reached never-before-seen heights with its ground-breaking online mode, which allows thousands of gamers to all play in the same world at once, regardless if they are interacting with each other or not.
Within the game’s universe, in-game dollars serve as the primary currency. Players earn these dollars by completing missions and heists, which can then be used to purchase properties, vehicles, weapons, and more. The importance of managing and accumulating wealth is a central theme within the game, especially in the competitive online mode. As such then, the recently announced GTA VI will surely be a prime candidate for cryptocurrency integration.
Incorporating a cryptocurrency into GTA could revolutionize the in-game economy. Players could buy and sell items with real-world value, opening up new avenues for earning income through gameplay. This shift could make virtual purchases more meaningful and engaging, as players navigate a digital economy that mirrors real-world financial systems.