Polkadot has set its stall out for gaming since day one, recognizing both the appeal of this web3 sector and its ability to showcase the versatility of the Substrate chain’s underlying tech. Thanks to its parachain architecture, Polkadot enables developers to create immersive games that blend seamless gameplay with onchain mechanics, from NFT-driven economies to community-driven lore.
With the recent JAM upgrade having made Polkadot more scalable and interoperable than ever, its case as a suitable layer on which to deploy web3 games has been strengthened. But make no mistake, Polkadot has been gaming-friendly from the outset, as the following five examples show. They’ve blazed a trail for others to follow; all that’s changed is now it’s easier than ever for aspiring web3 games developers to follow in their wake.
NFL Rivals
Mythical Games is the standard-bearer for Polkadot games and NFL Rivals is its game. Not its only game by any means, but the one for which it – and by extension Polkadot – is famous. Six million downloads, a huge tranche of whom had never done web3 in their lives prior to picking up NFL Rivals, Mythical’s most famous title remains the standard by which IP is judged within web3 gaming. It’s also the standard by which web3 sports games are judged.
Sure, it helps that Mythical was able to get permission from the NFL to use its precious IP – something the league had only previously granted to EA Sports. Even without the rights to use the NFL’s star footballers, each of whom can be traded in the built-in marketplace, NFL Rivals would have been a banger. But it wouldn’t have achieved the crossover success that it’s realized, luring in NFL fans in their droves, without the NFL’s say-so. Mythical has more where that came from – not least in the form of soccer successor FIFA Rivals – but NFL Rivals remains its and Polkadot’s biggest game to date.
Evrloot
Evrloot is a free-to-play RPG built on Polkadot’s Moonbeam parachain that immerses players in a medieval fantasy world. Every achievement, skill, and item is stored as an NFT, creating onchain “save states” that players truly own and can trade. Designed for web3 beginners, Evrloot eliminates barriers like wallet setup or gas fees, making it easy for newcomers to dive in while still offering enough depth to sate seasoned RPG fans.
While there’s a lotta web3 RPGs out there, Evrloot is a very good example of the genre. It seamlessly combines classic RPG mechanics with the benefits blockchain brings to the table, like the ability to own and freely trade native assets. The free-to-play formula makes Evrloot easy to pick up, while the game’s strategic gameplay and lore-driven quests keep players hooked. While there are bigger and more complex web3 games out there, Evrloot is proof that simple can be satisfying. When the difficulty curve is pitched just right, it’s possible to create a game that appeals to players of all ability levels. Evrloot has adroitly done that.
PolkaCity
PolkaCity is a 3D metaverse and virtual economy game that feels like a blockchain-powered GTA with a dash of DeFi just to mix things up. Players can own and trade NFT assets like cars, hotels, and gas stations, generating passive income through PolkaCity’s native $POLC token. One of the earliest games to launch on Polkadot, PolkaCity combines immersive world-building with the sort of financial incentives with which web3 is synonymous.
While a game called PolkaCity was never gonna migrate chains, the fact that it’s been built on Polkadot has ensured fast transactions and low fees from the get-go, supporting a vibrant virtual economy. And those onchain components have gotten even smoother now that JAM is in place, kickstarting the Polkadot 2.0 era. From Lamborghinis to real estate, every asset in PolkaCity is an NFT tradable on marketplaces like OpenSea. The game’s blend of social interaction and DeFi mechanics make it a good primer on what Polkadot gaming has to offer.
Exiled Racers
Exiled Racers is an adrenaline-pumping game that roars to life on Polkadot’s Moonbeam parachain, where it combines high-speed gameplay with NFT-based prediction mechanics. Players collect NFT racers, customize their stats, and compete in races or bet on outcomes, creating a pleasing blend of skill and strategy. Its lively community and easy onboarding make Exiled Racers easy to pick up with no prior web3 knowledge required.
One of the cool things about Exiled Racers is that its developer team is constantly working to enhance the core game and to add extension packs. The latest build, Ghost Riders, enables players to go head-to-head as they bid to climb the leaderboard and win weekly prizes. With thousands of races being completed per league, Exiled Racers is a Polkadot favorite that’s seeing serious action.
Age of Chronos
Age of Chronos is a narrative-driven RPG on Polkadot that uses modular NFTs for dynamic storytelling and player customization. Set in a rich fantasy universe, it lets players craft their adventures through choices that shape their character’s journey, with every decision tied to ownable NFT assets. Polkadot’s infrastructure ensures fast, low-cost transactions, keeping the web3 components working faithfully without overshadowing core gameplay.
The term “modular” is often used without context in web3, so let’s apply some to explain how it works with Age of Chronos. The game’s modular NFT system allows players to evolve their assets, from weapons to story elements, creating a deeply personalized experience. Developed by SFY Labs, Age of Chronos is a cult game with real sticking power. What its community lacks in size, they more than make up for in passion.
From web3 games played by millions, in the form of Mythical’s NFL Rivals, to those played by the thousands, web3 gaming is very much alive and kicking on Polkadot. While metrics such as Monthly Active Users matter, what’s more important at this stage in web3 gaming’s lifespan is showcasing the depth and breadth of player experiences that can be conjured when web3 technology is underpinning it all. The best is yet to come, both for web3 gaming and for Polkadot, but the current crop of native titles are still more than capable of entertaining for hours on end.
