Preserving Games on the Bitcoin Blockchain
Thanks to the Ordinals protocol, crypto users have stored over 50 million bits of media on the Bitcoin blockchain in the past year, including artwork, profile pictures, and even playable video games. This alternative to NFTs allows users to etch games and applications onto the chain, ensuring their preservation as long as the decentralized network exists. Some see this as a way to safeguard classic games in an era where digital games are becoming inaccessible. Whether you consider it a gimmick or a valuable tool, the fact remains that you can play old-school games on Bitcoin. While these web-based games are not officially authorized ports from the original developers, there are some impressive renditions available.
Super Nintendo
A recent project called Pizza Ninja has inscribed a customized Super Nintendo emulator onto Bitcoin. By purchasing Pizza Ninja assets on Ordinals, you can legally play public domain games or ones that you own through digital copies called ROMs using the emulator.
Pac-Man
One of the most notable fully self-contained games on Bitcoin is Pac-Man. This rendition offers an accurate recreation of the original arcade game along with Ms. Pac-Man and a Cookie-Man version inspired by Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster.
Tetris
You can now play Tetris on Bitcoin via an Ordinals inscription. Although it includes an odd new piece with six blocks and less-than-ideal mouse controls, it’s still free and running on Bitcoin.
“Doom”
While not a direct port of the original Doom game, there is a Doom-inspired clone available on Bitcoin. Although it may have been inscribed as an experiment rather than for preservation purposes, it demonstrates that Bitcoin can run Doom-like games.
Zork
The text-based adventure game Zork was one of the first games inscribed on Bitcoin. Despite its age, it is still playable and offers a unique retro experience running on Bitcoin.
Snake
Even earlier than Zork, a rendition of Snake, the classic mobile game, was inscribed on Bitcoin. While this version lacks challenge, it serves as an early Ordinals experiment that paves the way for future developments.
Hot Take: Bitcoin as a Gaming Platform
By allowing games to be stored and played on its blockchain, Bitcoin has opened up new possibilities for gaming preservation and accessibility. While some may view it as a gimmick, the ability to play classic games on Bitcoin offers a unique and nostalgic experience. As more games are inscribed and developers explore the potential of the blockchain, we may see a growing ecosystem of Bitcoin-based games in the future.
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