CryptoKitties and the New Ludic Economy

How Blockchain Introduces Value, Ownership, and Scarcity in Digital Gaming

Bibliographic Data

ID18980452
AuthorsAlesja Serada (0000-0001-6559-7686, University of Vaasa), Tanja Sihvonen (0000-0003-3220-2814, University of Vaasa, corresponding author), J Tuomas Harviainen (0000-0002-6085-5663, Tampere University)
Year2021
Volume16
Issue4
Pages457-480
Publication date2021-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGames and Culture (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1555-4120 • E-ISSN: 1555-4139
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1555412019898305
OpenAlexW3006805282
LanguageEN
Citations received21
References cited15

This article analyzes specific characteristics of value created through digital scarcity and blockchain-proven ownership in cryptogames. Our object of study is CryptoKitties, the first instance of a blockchain-based game that has garnered media recognition and financial interest. The objective of this article is to demonstrate the limits of scarcity in value construction for owners of CryptoKitties tokens, manifested as breedable virtual cats. Our work extends the trends set out by earlier cryptocurrency studies from the perspective of cultural studies. For the purpose of this article, we rely on open blockchain analytics such as DappRadar and Etherscan, as well as player-created analytics, backed by a one-year-long participant observation period in the said game for research material. Combining theoretical cryptocurrency and Bitcoin studies, open data analysis, and virtual ethnography enables a grounded discussion on blockchain-based game design and play

Analytics · Blockchain · Computer security · Cryptocurrency · Data science · Economics · Microeconomics · Scarcity · World Wide Web · Cinema and Media Studies · Computer Science · Digital Games and Media · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology · Artificial Intelligence