The short answer
A blockchain game records some items or currency on a public blockchain as tokens or NFTs that players hold in a wallet and can trade, while most gameplay runs off-chain like any other game. Store rules differ sharply: Steam does not allow games that issue or allow exchange of crypto or NFTs, Apple allows NFT sales through in-app purchase but NFT ownership may not unlock features, and Google Play allows tokenized assets with disclosure and strict limits. It makes sense when real ownership and trading are the core value, not as an add-on to monetisation.
How blockchain games work
| Concept | What it means in a game |
|---|---|
| Token (fungible) | An interchangeable currency, like gold coins, recorded on-chain |
| NFT (non-fungible token) | A unique item, such as a specific character or land plot, with a recorded owner |
| Smart contract | Code on the blockchain that creates, transfers and governs tokens |
| Wallet | Where players hold tokens; can be a browser extension, an app, or embedded in the game |
| Chain | The blockchain used; choice affects fees, speed and which wallets players already have |
In well-designed games, only ownership and trading touch the blockchain. Movement, combat and everything that needs to be fast stays on normal servers. Putting too much on-chain makes the game slow and expensive to play.
What the major stores allow
| Store | Rule (check current terms) |
|---|---|
| Steam | Valve's onboarding rules list applications built on blockchain technology that issue or allow exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs among content that cannot be published |
| Apple App Store | Guideline 3.1.1 allows apps to sell NFT-related services through in-app purchase and to let users view NFTs they own, but NFT ownership may not unlock features or functionality in the app |
| Google Play | Apps must declare tokenized digital assets, may not promote potential earnings from playing or trading, and may not sell randomised NFT items such as loot boxes unless they meet real-money gambling requirements |
| Web and other stores | Browser games and some PC stores allow blockchain games, subject to their own terms and local law |
These rules shape design. A mobile game that wants to sell items as NFTs must route sales through the store and cannot use NFTs to unlock gameplay on iOS. Many teams therefore build the trading layer on the web and keep the store app conventional.
Risks to plan for
- Legal: depending on design and country, tokens can raise securities, gambling, consumer protection and tax questions. Get legal advice before launch.
- Security: bugs in smart contracts can be exploited and are hard to fix once deployed; independent audits are standard.
- Player friction: wallets, fees and seed phrases put off mainstream players; embedded wallets reduce this.
- Volatility: item and token prices can swing, which affects player trust and the game economy.
- Reputation: many players are sceptical of NFT games; clear communication about what blockchain adds is essential.
When blockchain makes sense
- Trading and ownership are the core fun, for example collectible card or creature games with real secondary markets.
- Items need to move between games or platforms from different companies.
- The audience already uses wallets and wants on-chain ownership.
It rarely makes sense as a way to add revenue to a game that would work just as well without it. A useful test: describe the game to a player who has never heard of blockchain. If the description still sounds fun without the words "token", "NFT" or "earn", the core is sound and blockchain is a feature. If it does not, the project is a financial product with a game attached, which carries very different risks.
How a project is structured
- Design the game so it is fun without any blockchain feature.
- Decide which items or currencies go on-chain and why.
- Choose a chain based on fees, speed, wallet support and audience.
- Write and independently audit smart contracts.
- Build the game client and servers as normal, with on-chain actions only where needed.
- Plan store compliance per platform, and legal review per market.
Choosing a chain
| Factor | What to check |
|---|---|
| Fees | Cost per transaction for players and for minting |
| Speed | How long trades take to confirm |
| Wallet support | Which wallets your audience already uses |
| Tooling | SDKs for Unity or web, marketplaces, indexers |
| Track record | Uptime, security history and ecosystem size |
Alternatives to NFTs
If the goal is giving players a sense of ownership, collection and trading, conventional systems often achieve it with less risk: account-bound collections, in-game marketplaces where trades stay inside the game, and cross-progression between platforms. These work on every store, need no wallet and avoid most of the legal questions. Many studios start this way and add on-chain features only if their players ask for them.
Our approach
We build blockchain features where they serve the game and advise honestly when they do not. See blockchain game development, or read about conventional mobile monetisation for comparison.
Sources: Steamworks: onboarding and content rules · Apple: App Store Review Guidelines (3.1.1, 3.1.5) · Google Play: blockchain-based content · 9to5Google: Google Play blockchain policy (2023) · ethereum.org: smart contracts. Checked October 20, 2026.
Related: Blockchain game development · Mobile game development · Get a quote
Originally published on A Plus Games Studio, a game, AR and VR development studio in Sacramento, CA.
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