Blockchain-based video game projects are making it easier for users to play without getting bogged down by crypto-related elements. "Shrapnel," an anticipated game, has implemented an integration allowing players to buy SHRAP, the game's utility token, using a credit or debit card through Halliday's onramp, removing a major web3 point of friction. This integration could spur more activity for the game, built using Avalanche blockchain, as players use SHRAP tokens to buy in-game assets.
Blockchain-Enabled Game Shrapnel Simplifies Crypto Access for Users
In a significant move to broaden the appeal of blockchain-based gaming, the eagerly anticipated title Shrapnel has introduced a seamless integration that allows players to purchase its in-game utility token, SHRAP, using traditional credit or debit cards.
Prior to this integration, players were required to acquire SHRAP through cryptocurrency exchanges, creating a barrier to entry for many interested individuals. However, the partnership with Halliday's onramp solution now enables players to swiftly convert fiat currency into SHRAP through payment gateways such as Moonpay or Stripe.
"Halliday removes a major web3 point of friction, allowing players to use their credit card like any other free-to-play game," stated Mark Long, CEO of Shrapnel.
The gaming industry has been recognized as a potential catalyst for the mainstream adoption of blockchain technology and digital asset trading. However, to date, no crypto-enabled video game has gained widespread mainstream success, often due to the complexities surrounding cryptocurrency access and the limitations of closed ecosystems imposed by platforms like Roblox and Fortnite.
By simplifying the acquisition process for SHRAP tokens, Shrapnel aims to increase engagement within its game, which is built on the Avalanche Layer 1 blockchain. Players utilize SHRAP to purchase in-game assets and facilitate transactions.
Data from Messari indicates that Shrapnel's impact is already being felt. "Daily average transactions [on Avalanche] continued trending higher in Q1, finishing up 43% quarter on quarter," the report revealed. "Part of this increase was attributable to a strong quarter from Shrapnel, a first-person shooter game with a subnet for in-game transactions."
In February, an early-access version of Shrapnel became available through the Epic Games Store, further expanding its reach. As the game continues to develop and refine its gameplay mechanics, the integration of user-friendly crypto access could prove instrumental in attracting a broader audience and challenging the established norms of the gaming industry.
