How to Start Playing NFT Card Games

Written by Sankrit K

Reviewed by Brady Werkheiser

Published on March 29, 20235 min read

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NFT card games are web3 games that use cards as NFTs to track ownership and provide a provable scarcity of cards. The NFTs can also be traded, exchanged, and sold as digital cards on the open market.

In this article, we will explore four things you should consider before you start playing NFT card games, and four steps you should take to get started!

4 Things to Know Before Playing NFT Card Games

Before playing any NFT card games, it is important for players to take note of a number of scams such as rug pulls, wash trading, and phishing.

1. Rug Pulls

A rug pull is a scam where a web3 game developer creates hype for a project to attract players and their money, and then disappears without providing the promised value, and taking player's investments with them.

This fraudulent activity has become more prevalent as the value of cryptocurrencies has increased.

According to a report by Solidus Labs, 200,000 out of 1.8 million tokens deployed in 12 chains from September to December 2022 were rug pull scams.

To protect from rug pulls, players must do their own research on the team behind the game and make sure it is reputable.

It is important to look at its partnerships, investors, funding rounds, and community engagement to measure the authenticity of a project.

2. Wash Trading

Wash trading is a phenomenon when a player (or a group of players) buys and sells their own assets to inflate the market price artificially. This artificial inflation in price can make it difficult for new players to know if there is real activity in a game, and if the asset's value is real.

Research from Dune shows that about 45% of NFT trading volume on Ethereum is wash trading.

To prevent themselves from being a victim to wash trading, players should look at the history of trades and find out if there are any patterns in the data.

If players notice a pattern in the wallet addresses that are buying and selling the NFT trading card, then it is likely an orchestrated effort by a single person or group.

If this is the case, it's best to stay away from that particular card or game.

3. Phishing

Phishing is a type of scam that involves a malicious actor creating a website or social media account that looks like a legitimate game and attempts to steal players’ credentials and their digital assets.

In NFT scams, phishing attackers imitate legitimate websites to get players to connect their wallets and authorize deceitful transactions. When players connect their wallets, their digital assets often get stolen without their notice.

Scammers can also use social engineering to get players to click on links or attachments that steal a player’s personal information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers.

To prevent themselves from becoming a victim of phishing, players should always double-check the URL of websites they visit and be careful when clicking on random links. Players should also use wallets that use Transaction Simulation tools or Chrome Extensions like Fire to preview what transactions will do before signing them.

Additionally, if players receive a message from someone claiming to be from the game development team, they need to independently verify the person's identity before giving out any sensitive information.

4. Illegitimate Games

Illegitimate games are games that do not have a real team behind them or projects that were created with the sole purpose of making money for the creators. They tend to make a lot of claims and promises without delivering value on their plans.

To identify these games, look out for any red flags, such as the team not being transparent about their plans, having an unrealistic roadmap, and too-good-to-be-true promises.

Always research to see if the team is legitimate or not. If they have a credible track record, then they are more trustworthy. However, if a player is still doubtful of its credibility, then it is better to avoid investing in the project.

How to Start Playing NFT Card Games

To start playing NFT games, there are a number of steps that players need to follow. Here are some guiding steps to get started:

1. Research NFT Card Games

The first step is for players to do their own research and find web3 games are worth playing.

Ensure the game has a reputable team behind it and a good track record in the NFT space.

It is also important to check if it is an active game with regular updates, events, and tournaments.

While the most traditional way to research NFT card games is to visit websites and forums, there are a few more out-of-the-box methods to could consider.

1. Attend Blockchain Conferences and Events

Many of these events feature demos and showcases of the latest blockchain games, including NFT card games. This is a great way for players to get a first-hand look at the games and talk to developers and players in person.

For example, the GDC, the Game Developer Conference, usually has good participation from web3 game designers.

2. Follow NFT Card Game Developers and Players on Social Media

Twitter, Discord, and Reddit are all great places to find people passionate about NFT card games.

Players can follow them to keep up with the latest news, updates, and trends in the industry.

3. Play Other Digital Card Games

While not specifically NFT card games, players can play other digital card games to get a good sense of the strategy and gameplay mechanics that are common in NFT card games. This can help players better understand the genre as a whole.

2. Research the NFT Card Game Community

A legitimate and active community is an excellent sign for players. The community of an NFT Card Game can play a significant role in the success of the game, and it can also impact the overall experience as a player.

Look for active communities on social media platforms such as Twitter and Discord, and check to see if the game has an official subreddit.

Check if the NFT card game in question has a tournament and meetup event held by the game's developers or players. Such physical meetups are good evidence to get a sense of how committed the community is to the game.

3. Learn the NFT Card Game Economics  

Economics is the backbone of the NFT card game, and it is crucial to understand how the game works to determine what type of ROI is possible for players.

Since NFT card games are based on blockchain technology, they often have unique economic models that are different from traditional games.

For example, some games use a system of "mining" or "farming" to earn new cards or tokens, while others use a marketplace where players can buy and sell cards directly.

The best place to start this is by reading the whitepaper of the game and viewing its terms of service. These documents will provide a detailed overview of the game's economics, as well as any special rules and regulations that govern the game.

4. Understand the NFT Card Gameplay

Players need to then learn about the mechanics, cards, and strategies that will be used in the game.

Start by reading beginner guides or tutorials on the official website or forums. Players should also try to watch videos of people playing so they can get a better understanding of how it all works.

Finally, try to play a few practice games against the computer or other players to get a better feel for the game.

If players want to start playing without spending any of their cryptocurrency, they can begin with games that offer a free-to-play version.

Start Playing NFT Card Games

Researching NFT card games can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

By researching each game's community, economics, and gameplay mechanics, players can identify the best NFT card games for themselves.

Regardless of whichever NFT card game players choose, patience and practice are essential ingredients for success in the game.