What’s Interoperability?

interoperability - blockchain gaming non-fungible tokens NFT

Interoperability is key for the next generation of gaming. Interoperability refers to the ability of computer systems to exchange and use each others information. Gamers often talk about cross-platform gaming, which is a form of interoperability. In blockchain gaming we refer to the ability to use individual game assets in multiple games.

When we talk about blockchain games, their individual non-fungible tokens already provide a sense of interoperability. Players who acquire items in one game can sell them on a marketplace, and then buy new items for another game. It’s a very basic form of interoperability, but one concept that’s crucial for the blockchain market.

Interoperability can also be taken one step further. A token on the blockchain can do different things in different games. Players can for example use a virtual shirt in multiple games. Another example would be that one particular token is a sword in one game and a vehicle in the other. Digital ecosystems no longer restrict game assets, but allow them to move around different digital realms. The possibilities are endless.

Current developments and examples

Enjin has a strong focus on interoperability. Many tokenized assets on this platform provide benefits in multiple games. In addition Blockade Games has created an experiment called Metaboss. This is a team-based idle game that uses all kinds of non-fungible tokens.

The thing is, one token is not limited to be used in just one blockchain game. This technology of interoperability also brings new use-cases to the table. Companies could for example use this as a marketing tool. Gamers who already have tokens from game X could be eligible for some free items in the new game. It gives a developers a completely new way to market their products. Another example would be an NFT which gives the owner access to a special real-life event, while it’s also a cosmetic item for a virtual world like Cryptovoxels.

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Robert Hoogendoorn is a gamer and blockchain enthusiast. He got in touch with crypto in 2014, but the fire really lit in 2017. Professionally he's a content optimization expert and worked for press agencies and video production companies, always with a focus on the video games & tech industry. He's a content manager and creator at heart, started the Play to Earn Online Magazine in early 2020.