Data reveals that more than 30% of blockchain games have been deserted.
Over 400 out of the 1,300 blockchain games that have been announced since 2021 are now discontinued or abandoned, according to data compiled by BlockchainGamer.biz. This accounts for over 30% of the total blockchain-based games in circulation. As of January, the media outlet’s list includes 911 blockchain-based games, with 334 actively live and 577 in various stages of development.
The primary reasons for the cancellation of these games were funding challenges and evolving market conditions. However, most of the discontinued projects were smaller initiatives led by inexperienced and under-capitalized teams. Interestingly, many developers chose to cease operations without making any formal announcements.
When looking at the 162 games discontinued in the latter half of 2023, approximately 17% belonged to the multichain category. Single-chain games also experienced significant discontinuation rates. Binance’s BNB Chain was the most common network where developers abandoned their gaming projects, accounting for 11%, followed by Polygon at 10%. Ethereum, Sui, and Solana each had a 6% discontinuation rate.
One notable game that moved away from blockchain integration was “Goals,” a video game that reportedly raised millions of dollars in funding between 2022 and 2023. Despite its financial backing, Goals decided to change its development trajectory and abandon blockchain integration.
In conclusion, the blockchain gaming industry has seen a significant number of games being discontinued or abandoned due to funding challenges and evolving market conditions. Smaller initiatives led by inexperienced teams have been particularly affected. Additionally, various blockchain networks, such as BNB Chain and Polygon, have witnessed a high rate of developers abandoning their gaming projects.
