Variety is the spice of life, and the Internet Computer is a true reflection of this. Many Dapps in different categories are already up and running, and the video game industry is not far behind. Developers are making it happen faster than it might seem.
Some initiatives promote video games, such as the DSCVR portal with its hackathon seasons. In addition, there are other apps related to video games, such as Portal, which allows live streaming of gaming (among others) on the IC. And of course, games from NFT projects such as ICPuzzle, but in this article, we will focus only on video games.
I will start this article with my favorite game: Pacman. By my choice, you've probably realized that I'm not 20 years old anymore, but I'm sure any Millennial or Gen Z has played more than one game!
1. RETRO GAMES
1.1. Pacman
Pacman needs no introduction. At least for old gamers like me. Developed in 1980, it was one of the most popular and influential early arcade games. The reasons for its appeal are simple: it is colorful, entertaining, and fun. But the real key to its popularity is that it was the first video game to feature a real character. The graphics are dated, but the fun is timeless.
You are invited to play a game. Left-click on the game and press N to start!
Keyboard controls: Arrow keys (movements), N (New Game)
1.2. Tetris
Tetris is a popular puzzle game created in 1984, embracing our universal desire to create order out of chaos.
Keyboard controls: Upwards Arrow (rotation), Leftwards, Rightwards and Downwards Arrows (movements), Space (drop).
1.3. Mareo
Mareo is a clone of the well-known Mario platform game created in 1981 by Nintendo. A plumber named Mario and his brother Luigi travel through the Mushroom Kingdom to save the princess from the evil Bowser.
Keyboard controls Arrow keys (movements), Space (jump).
1.4. Battle City
Battle City is the 1985 remake of Tank Battalion, another arcade classic from Namco. Both games are nearly alike, except that Battle City has drastically improved graphics and a few new features. Battle City was also one of the first games to support dual two-player gameplay.
Keyboard controls: Arrow keys (movements), Space (shot)
2. RACING GAMES
2.1. HexGL
HexGL is a futuristic, fast-paced racing game built by Bkcore using HTML5, Javascript, and WebGL.
Controls: configurable (keyboard, touch, or leap motion controller)
2.2. CubeRun
Your mission is not to hit the cubes and cover as much distance as possible by avoiding the obstacles with arrow keys. You get points according to the distance you cover. Avoid cubes while the spaceship you control gradually goes faster and faster.
Keyboard controls: Arrow keys (movements).
2.3. Space Shooter
Space Shooter is a spaceship simulator in which you must shoot the rocks in space to increase your score.
Controls: Mouse
2.4. Sportfi RUSH
Sportfi Rush is an arcade racing game on different tracks where you must reach the end before time runs out.
Keyboard controls: Arrow keys (movements).
3. STRATEGY GAMES
3.1. Rise of the Magni
Rise of the Magni (ROTM) is a strategy and tactical game where players take turns to deploy Magni to the battlefield for tactical battles. Gamers can acquire more Magni heroes through trading, fighting, and fusion, and each Magni is one NFT.
Controls: Mouse
3.2. Sportfi Rescue
Sportfi Rescue is a puzzle game in which you must remove the gates for the main character to reach the rewards. Put out the fire with water and don't burn yourself; otherwise, you will lose the game!
Controls: Mouse
3.3. Super ICP Party
Play with your friends online with this hilarious multiplayer game made with Unity. Beware of bombs!
Keyboard controls: i key (instructions). Before starting the game, press the i key to know which keys you will play with.
3.4. 2048
Game for math fans! 2048 is a single-player sliding tile puzzle video game whose objective is to slide numbered tiles on a grid to combine them to create a tile with the number 2048.
Keyboard controls: Arrow keys (movements).
3.5. Reversi
Although the game's name is Reversi, it is a version called Othello; a strategy board game played between 2 players. One player plays black and the other white. Each player gets 32 discs, and black always starts the game. The goal is to get the majority of color discs on the board at the end of the game.
3.6. Sudoku
This is an open-sourced repo for a classic Sudoku game deployed onto the Internet Computer via Fleek. The objective was to build a game using Motoko and to test out online game dynamics. You can choose the level of difficulty (easy, medium, and hard). Link to play.
Controls: Mouse
4. CARD & DICE GAMES
4.1. Texas Hold-em
Texas Hold-em is an online poker game hosted on the IC where you can play against random players. You can start using 1000 GFT (Game Farm Tokens) that you can mint upon logging in using your Internet Identity.
4.2. Saga Tarot
Saga Tarot has the goal of becoming like Hearthstone or MTG Arena. Currently, this game offers you a one-click tarot reading. You must be logged in with your Internet Identity. This game was one of the first NFT-style card collectibles, which provided early adopters with their own NFT deck of tarot cards. Link to play.
4.3. Cycles Bet
Cycles.bet allow you to bet cycles playing dices. This game is based on secure randomness on the Internet Computer, and you can play dice games without fear! Link to play.
There are two game modes:
- Odd or Even: bet on odd or even, play against other players.
- Under, Over or 7: bet on the sum, play against the house anytime!
5. MINI GAMES
5.1. T-Rex Runner
T-Rex Runner is a game where the player guides a pixelated Tyrannosaurus rex across a side-scrolling landscape, avoiding obstacles to achieve a higher score. Link to play.
Keyboard controls: Space (jump).
5.2. Motoko Runner
Similar to T-Rex Runner, the main character is the Motoko logo, not a dinosaur. Link to play.
Keyboard controls: Space (jump).
5.3. Fudbuster
Fudbuster is a platform game deployed on the IC using Fleek, where your character scores points by collecting "Gems." It's incredible how he jumps!
Keyboard controls: Arrow keys (movements), Space (jump).
5.4. Fly Aves
Fly Aves is an arcade-style game in which the player controls a bird, which moves persistently to the right. The player is tasked with navigating the bird through pairs of pipes with equally sized gaps placed at random heights.
Keyboard controls: Space (jump).
5.5. Welcome into the Metaverse
This game was created by Seb Thullien, a founder of Motoko School. The game starts off where the player is thrown into the game with little to no instructions. This forces the player to explore the IC metaverse populated by members of the IC community.
Keyboard controls: Arrow keys (movements) and Space.
5.6. Netwalk
Netwalk is an addictive puzzle game where you are a network administrator, and someone has scrambled your network. Your job is to rotate all the pieces so that every computer is connected to the server and there are no loose ends in your network. Link to play.
Controls: Mouse
5.7. Block, Paper, Scissors!
When we were bored in class, we all played rock, paper, scissors. Link to play.
5.8. Clandestine
Clandestine is a Decentralized Gaming Hub where you need to log with your Internet Identity. The following classic games are available: sneake and Tic-Tac-Toe. Link to play.
5.9. Coinflip
Pick your coin face, flip it and guess the coin toss. Link to play.
Conclusion
Considering the potential of the Internet Computer, the large number of videogames that have been integrated in a short period of time, and the initiatives to continue its development, we can predict that the Internet Computer will become a critical infrastructure for videogame developers.
In addition, we must also consider certain features that benefit the integration of video games on the Internet Computer, such as the anonymity ensured by the Internet Identity and the fact that we don’t have gas fees.
I want to note that I hope you enjoyed this article, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it in the comments.
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