Illuvium – A New Level of Blockchain Gaming

In this article, we provide insights into Illuvium and the ways it’s changing how the world views gaming. Most specifically, blockchain gaming. From what the project is to its governance structure and economic lifecycle, readers receive a thorough explanation of what makes Illuvium a crypto gaming group to look out for and why it has recently amassed a total amount staked of $1.8 billion.

The Global Gaming Market

In 2020, the global gaming market was valued at USD $174 billion. Blockchain gaming is capable of transforming this industry, but how so? Blockchain gaming introduces a gaming structure known as play to earn (P2E). P2E games enable users to transfer in-game items, tokenize, trade and convert them to assets with tangible value. In-game currencies are cryptocurrencies and can thereby be exchanged for other cryptos or fiat such as USD. Likewise, other in-game items, such as characters and inventory, are also tradeable in the form of NFTs. 

Decentraland and Axie Infinity are currently the largest blockchain games, with market capitalizations of $7B and $6.9B respectively. The metaverse is continually developing. Moreover, when users are able to carry tangible assets created in a game into other digital experiences, a new economy that can be monetized in the real world is created. Grayscale predicts the metaverse to be worth around $1 trillion.

What is Illuvium?

Illuvium is an open-world, role playing game (RPG). Unlike many other blockchain games (including Axie and Decentraland), Illuvium intends to become the first AAA, high-definition and high-quality game in the space. The game is built on the Immutable X Network – a layer-2 blockchain running on the Ethereum network – touted to have zero gas fees and instantaneous transactions.

Players can explore a vast world, collect and battle creatures known as Illuvials. Illuvials are presented as NFTs possessing different traits, abilities and classes. They can be upgraded and enhanced to generate further in-game utility and out-of-game, real-life value. 

Illuvium is set for a full release sometime in 2022. Nonetheless, Illuvium’s anticipated ability to revolutionize gaming is reflected in its staked digital assets from its individual investors, now sitting at around $1.8 billion worth of ILV.

What is Staking and How is it Related to Illuvium?

Staking cryptocurrency is the process of buying, holding and committing your cryptocurrency to support a blockchain network’s security and operations. Individuals who commit cryptocurrency via this mechanism gain return on the amount committed.

Illuvium’s staking product distributes game revenues back to those who stake. This return is in the form of $ILV. $ILV is an ERC-20 token, meaning it is based on the Ethereum network. Over a three-year period, a total of 3 million $ILV tokens will be distributed. $ILV’s staking rewards are subject to a 12-month lockup period. However, sILV rewards, Illuvium’s in-game currency, can be claimed and used immediately once the game launches. 

A Move Towards Real Value

In most games today, in-game items cannot be exchanged for real-world value. Mostly, users pay large sums of fiat currency to obtain in-game items that only possess in-game value and cannot be exchanged to other platforms or currencies. An example of this is Fifa’s Player Packs in-game feature. Players can pay fiat currency for Fifa Packs and hope to obtain players with significant value within the game. Players’ in-game statistics are related to their real-world performance. Moreover, better players are worth more “in-game” due to their superior statistics and are much less likely to be packed compared to players with worse statistics. 

Unlike Illuvium and other cryptocurrency games, Fifa’s in-game features aren’t tied to tangible assets and cannot be exchanged for such. Illuvium’s play-to-earn structure is transforming how gamers view and approach gaming. Tangible economic incentives tied to gaming structures, like Illuvium’s, are paving the way for a new type of gaming experience focused on user models towards financial opportunities. 

A Decentralised Governance Structure – True User Preference

Meeting demand with new and innovative ideas is difficult when creators are not fully aware of what their participants desire. Accompanied with the goal of maximizing sales and profit, such challenges can often diverge games away from consumer preference. Illuvium promotes a decentralised governance structure and self-regulating community that is intended to remove this preference mismatch.

Those who stake and receive regular distributions and those who hold $ILV will be able to vote on everything game-related, from the tokenomics of Illuvium to in-game features. Therefore, as Illuvium grows, the prospects of the decentralised governance protocol also grow. This system supports the long-term sustainability of the Illuvium game, allowing Illuvium’s structure to be determined by those who use the protocol. 

Economic Opportunity

Not only is Illuvium and other crypto games reshaping how gaming approaches user preferences, they are also providing economic opportunity for a multitude of gaming enthusiasts – especially for individuals in countries with low-income levels. In Axie Infinity, another crypto game, players can make up to $1200 USD each month – an impressive figure considering that the annual average per capita income worldwide is $10,298 USD. 

How Illuvium Gaming Guilds are Endorsing Economic and Educational Access

Mass adoption of crypto games is significant for the development of its decentralised structure, sustainability and tokenomics. However, the rising prices of crypto assets have been an entry barrier for a lot of gamers interested in joining the crypto gaming ecosystem. In most play to earn games, players require starting equipment to play the game which translates to having the required capital to purchase such gaming items to start playing.

Play to earn gaming guilds, such as Polemos who recently raised $2 million via a strategic funding round for Illuvium, are aware of these expense related challenges and are assisting demographics in need of financial support. For example, Polemos looks to assist players in developing nations, educating and lending players the initial resources required to start. 

A Proposed Lifecycle for Illuvium

Stage 1 

• Illuvium launches. The initial player base is formed. The value of the in-game assets is relatively low. The initial demand for in-game tokens and NFTs by early adopters directly increases the demand of ILV. 

Stage 2

• The newly formed player base competes for resources, valued items and NFTs. This increases the demand for ILV and the value of in-game tokens. The novelty of Illuvium advances its standing and word spreads.

Stage 3

• A developed player base and established guilds are forming. The tokenomics and governance structure of Illuvium is flowing and decentralised. Play to earn players are maximising income and in-game asset prices are peaking. Entry to market is costly.

Stage 4

• Commercial players begin to liquidate assets to realise the return on their initial investment. Supply of resources, tokens and high valued NFTs begins to increase. In-game asset prices begin their descent and ILV price decreases. 

Stage 5

• Entry to market is relatively less costly allowing new players to enter the market. Value of in-game assets re-stabilize. Skill based gamers and casual gamers now have opportunities to attain improved items via the purchase of previously expensive NFTs. A new player base is formed. The cycle repeats.

Wrap Up 

Illuvium, as well as other crypto games, are introducing mechanisms that are transforming the way we think and approach gaming. Historically, gaming has been viewed as a hobby. Financial incentives were associated with a small proportion of gamers. Now, gaming is directly associated with real value creating the basis for a new workforce. Decentralised structures remove preference mismatch and they give users the power to make changes to the experience. Illuvium and other crypto games that financially incentivise users are creating economic opportunity, ensuring user preference and revolutionizing the industry. 

It is important to consider that monetized gaming tokens are in the early stages of their lifecycle and like any new and innovative idea, risks exist. Illuvium possesses community backing, strong leadership and offers something unique. However, these products still face exposure to forces they can’t control. Macro headwinds, inflationary concerns and the uncertainties associated with early stage projects present risk despite how disruptive the technology may be.

FAQs

What is Illuvium, and How is It Transforming the Blockchain Gaming Industry?

Illuvium is an open-world role-playing game (RPG) built on the Immutable X Network, a layer-2 blockchain running on the Ethereum network. Unlike many other blockchain games, Illuvium aims to become the first AAA, high-definition game in the space. Players can explore, collect, and battle creatures known as Illuvials, which are presented as NFTs. Illuvium’s play-to-earn structure, decentralized governance, and economic opportunities are transforming the gaming industry.

How Does the Play-to-Earn (P2E) Model in Blockchain Gaming Create Real Value?

The P2E model in blockchain gaming enables users to transfer, tokenize, trade, and convert in-game items to assets with tangible value. In-game currencies are cryptocurrencies that can be exchanged for other cryptos or fiat. Characters and inventory can be traded as NFTs. This model creates a new economy that can be monetized in the real world, transforming the way gamers approach gaming and providing financial opportunities.

What Makes Illuvium’s Staking Product Unique, and How Does It Distribute Game Revenues?

Illuvium’s staking product distributes game revenues back to those who stake in the form of $ILV, an ERC-20 token based on the Ethereum network. Over three years, 3 million $ILV tokens will be distributed, with staking rewards subject to a 12-month lockup period. Illuvium’s in-game currency, sILV, can be claimed and used immediately once the game launches. This staking mechanism reflects Illuvium’s anticipated ability to revolutionize gaming.

How Are Illuvium Gaming Guilds Endorsing Economic and Educational Access?

Illuvium gaming guilds, such as Polemos, are assisting players in need of financial support to join the crypto gaming ecosystem. They provide education and lend initial resources required to start playing. This approach helps overcome the entry barriers related to the rising prices of crypto assets and ensures mass adoption of crypto games, especially in developing nations.

What Are the Proposed Stages of Illuvium’s Lifecycle, and How Do They Reflect the Game’s Evolution?

Illuvium’s proposed lifecycle consists of five stages: launch with low in-game asset value, competition for resources increasing demand for ILV, development of player base and guilds, commercial players liquidating assets, and entry to market becoming less costly with asset value stabilization. This cycle reflects the transformation of gaming, the creation of real value, and the potential for a new workforce in the gaming industry.

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