Developing Blockchain Game IOS: Difficulties and Solutions

Developing a blockchain game for iOS presents challenges such as stringent App Store guidelines and limited support for certain blockchain technologies.

Developing Blockchain Game IOS: Difficulties and Solutions
Do not index
Do not index
content plan
keyword
keyword list
topic search volume
The rise of blockchain technology has revolutionized the gaming industry, providing game developers with the tools they need to create games that offer players a new level of ownership and control over their in-game assets. With the growth of the blockchain industry, we are seeing more and more blockchain games being developed for iOS, with a variety of genres and gameplay mechanics.
Developing blockchain iOS games presents several challenges that game developers need to overcome. Here are some of the difficulties associated with developing blockchain iOS games:

Dissiemination and limited user base

One of the main issues that game developers face is Apple's 30% tax on all transactions made through its App Store. This tax applies not only to purchases made by players but also to in-game purchases and transactions involving digital assets on blockchain games. For game developers, this means that a significant portion of their revenue is lost to Apple, which can make it difficult to sustain their games over time.
To circumvent this tax, some developers have attempted to use alternative payment systems or offer in-app purchases outside of the App Store. However, this can lead to the removal of their games from the App Store, significantly impacting their reach and visibility among iOS users.
In-app purchases account for majority of revenue in the past 5 years
In-app purchases account for majority of revenue in the past 5 years
Another issue related to the dissemination of blockchain games on iOS is the limited number of users who are familiar with blockchain technology and are willing to participate in blockchain games. While blockchain games offer a new level of engagement and ownership, they can also be complex and require a certain level of technical expertise to fully participate in.
To address these dissemination issues, game developers can explore several strategies. One option is to focus on building a strong community of players who are passionate about blockchain technology and willing to spread the word about the game to their networks. Social media platforms like Twitter, Discord, and Reddit can be valuable tools for building and engaging with a community of players.
Another option is to explore alternative app stores or even build marketplace of your own that offer lower transaction fees or alternative payment systems. While this can be a risky strategy, it can also provide game developers with more flexibility in terms of monetization and revenue streams.

User experience

User Experience: Another challenge of developing blockchain iOS games is creating a user experience that is both intuitive and engaging. Blockchain technology is not widely understood by the general public, so game developers must find ways to make their game accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical expertise.
Fragmented User Experience with no crypto wallet integration
Fragmented User Experience with no crypto wallet integration

Complexity and Cost

Blockchain technology is complex, and developing games that use it requires specialized skills and knowledge. The complexity of blockchain technology means that developers may need to invest more time and resources in developing blockchain iOS games than traditional iOS games.
Developing blockchain iOS games can be also be expensive, especially if developers need to hire specialized blockchain developers. We have a detail breakdown of web3 game development cost in another blog article. This cost may be prohibitive for some developers, limiting the number of blockchain iOS games available on the market.

An all-in-one solution

The growth of blockchain games for iOS has also led to the development of the blockchain iOS SDKs, which provides game developers with a set of tools and libraries to build blockchain games on iOS devices.
One of the most popular blockchain game development platforms for iOS is the Mirror World Smart Platform. The Mirror World Smart Platform is an EVM-compatible toolsets that provides APIs and SDKs for game developers to build their own blockchain games for iOS. It offers several features that enable game developers to create and manage digital assets, enable secure transactions, and integrate blockchain technology into gameplay mechanics. The Mirror World Smart Platform is easy to integrate into an project, as detailed in the integration guide available on the Mirror World website.
IOS Integration guide
IOS Integration guide
The first step add Mirror World SDK dependency though CocoaPods. Then, you will need to configure the SDK by setting up a new blockchain network and creating a new smart contract. Once the SDK is set up, you can start creating your own digital assets, such as characters or items, and integrate them into your game using the provided APIs.
The Mirror World Smart Platform also provides several other features that can enhance your game, including the ability to enable secure player-to-player transactions, enable in-game purchases using cryptocurrency via self-built marketplace, and integrate blockchain analytics to track player behavior and engagement.
Overall, developing blockchain iOS games presents several challenges that developers need to overcome. However, despite these challenges, blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize the gaming industry, providing players with new experiences and new ways to engage with each other.
 

notion image

Build your application with Mirror World Smart Platform

 
Read our full deck here. Mirror World Smart Platform now supports EVM-compatible chains!!!
Website | Docs | Github | Youtube | Blog | Twitter | Telegram
 
Isabella Song

Written by

Isabella Song

Data Whisperer, Explorer & Architect of Insights