On Friday, Chinese search giant Baidu announced that it is launching a local blockchain game.
Just a few days before this revelation, it also announced a proprietary platform called super chain. Last month, the search giant also started storing the revision histories of entries on Baidu Baike – its Wikipedia-like encyclopedia service – on a blockchain. In April, Baidu had also released a blockchain-based image rights platform that prevents infringement of copyrighted images.
In spirit, the purpose of the game is to let users experience features that could come to pass from cryptocurrency-like assets, said an official from Baidu.
The game is titled Du Yuzhou – which means “The Universe” in literal translation. The game portrays a blockchain-powered space journey where users, by taking part in the blockchain, would obtain “elements” to construct their own planet.
The elements – much like token rewards generated by a blockchain – will at first be accessible through airdrops, according to the game’s official website. As users gather more elements, they will be able to develop their own planet. As the planet grows, it will increase its gravity to soak up yet more elements leading to the unlocking of additional features.
Baidu’s blockchain game will train users in blockchain functions while operating as a game that unlocks features step by step.
“Du Yuzhou is not to launch another cryptocurrency, but a digital society experiment,” the company said. However, the company refused to share more details about the game, such as which blockchain it uses. They did reveal that the app is expected to go live next week.
Blockchain-based games are not new to the crypto space. Ethereum’s CryptoKitties, a digital kitten collectibles game, made more than $12 mln in sales last December.