Atari, a renowned name in the arcade gaming industry, has modernized its iconic games, Asteroids and Breakout, by incorporating blockchain technology. This transformation introduces a contemporary flair to these classic titles, which are now hosted on Base, an efficient layer-2 network built on Ethereum by Coinbase. The revamped versions boast improved record-keeping and heightened player interaction features.
### Revitalizing Asteroids and Breakout
Originally launched in 1979, Asteroids challenges players to pilot a spaceship through a hazardous asteroid field while shooting obstacles to accumulate points. In this updated format, the game retains its fundamental mechanics but adds an exciting competitive element. Players can mint unique game tokens and compete for positions on the on-chain leaderboards for both Asteroids (currently available) and Breakout (set to launch soon).
Key innovations in the game include special modes like “Degen,” “Bitcoin,” and “Higher,” where players can target colored asteroids to double their points for short bursts, enhancing strategic gameplay. The blockchain edition of Asteroids tracks players’ scores and accomplishments through Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), which are available for purchase at 0.0015 ETH (approximately $5.25). Players can mint a maximum of 1,000 NFT access passes per wallet; however, owning multiple passes does not affect in-game scores. These NFTs play several roles: they allow access to the game, create a permanent record of player achievements on the Ethereum blockchain, and enable participation in global leaderboards.
The incorporation of web3 technology facilitates real-time leaderboard updates and offers a secure, transparent means of score recording. This advancement ensures that player achievements are permanently verifiable, a significant enhancement over traditional gaming systems. Additionally, the blockchain version of Asteroids features weekly competitions with rewards such as Atari merchandise, game codes, and gift cards, with total prizes reaching up to $1,000. This competitive framework aims to engage both loyal fans of the franchise and newcomers drawn by the potential rewards in the blockchain gaming landscape.
In a similar vein, Breakout has been reintroduced, featuring the same blockchain capabilities. This game tasks players with breaking a wall of bricks using a paddle to control a ball. The addition of Breakout broadens Atari’s blockchain-focused arcade offerings, providing greater variety for players.
### Atari’s Strategic Choice
Atari has chosen the Base network to support its blockchain-enabled games due to its scalability and reduced transaction fees in contrast to the primary Ethereum network. This decision is particularly advantageous for gaming applications, which require rapid and frequent interactions to maintain engagement.
### About Atari
Atari has been active in the cryptocurrency space for several years. In 2020, former CEO Frédéric Chesnais voiced a strong commitment to blockchain technology. The company’s endeavors in this realm include launching its own Atari token, creating blockchain-based video games, establishing a cryptocurrency casino, and introducing a VCS console that also serves as a blockchain transaction node.
Moreover, Atari has ventured into virtual fashion NFTs through a collaboration with the blockchain gaming platform Enjin, allowing developers to craft blockchain games under the Atari brand via licensing agreements. Plans are also underway to create an Atari-themed virtual world within The Sandbox, a gaming metaverse based on Ethereum.
