Decentraland is one of the biggest NFT games out there, with thousands of daily active users on the platform. The game is a vast world of its own and provides plenty of opportunities to earn for players. However, if you live under a rock and still haven’t heard of Decentraland, we got you covered!
In this article, we’ll be going over the basic mechanics of Decentraland, and how a beginner can approach the game!
What is Decentraland?
Coming into existence in February 2020, Decentraland is a decentralized virtual reality world that allows you to buy, sell and build digitized real estate, artwork, and NFTs. Decentraland gives players full authority to own the 3D in-game land. The game uses MANA and LAND tokens as its primary form of currency. These tokens can also be earned by playing a variety of different games and by burning MANA tokens.
Decentraland is a decentralized virtual platform based on the Ethereum blockchain. Users can create, consume, and monetize content on this platform. The two types of tokens are MANA and LAND. MANA tokens are built with Ethereum’s ERC-20 token and are fungible tokens. These are the game’s native tokens and can be bought on Decentraland’s marketplace.
On the other hand, LAND tokens are non-fungible and are built on Ethereum’s ERC-721 standard. Each LAND token represents a piece of virtual land. If you own a LAND token, you are basically an owner of a plot of land in the game.
A standout feature about Decentraland is its ability to counter inflation in a very unique way. MANA tokens are burned with each LAND token created, which keeps the in-game economy steady. MANA tokens can also be traded easily on crypto exchanges like Binance. However, this is not the case for LAND tokens.
Suppose you are a beginner and looking to get into Decentraland. In that case, these are some critical steps you should follow to guarantee a smooth experience.
How to Start Playing Decentraland?
Decentraland is a web-based game which basically means that all you need to do to get started is visit the game’s website on your browser. Here, you will be given two options: to sign in as a guest or to log in with your crypto wallet. Keep in mind that some features might be unavailable if you do decide to sign in as a guest. Currently, the game is only available on MAC and Windows, with mobile devices not supported.
Game Mechanics and Gameplay
Decentraland resembles games like Second Life and Habbo, being a life simulator. As you enter Decentraland, you will be spawned in the Genesis Plaza. Here, you may see a list of Decentraland’s upcoming events, games, and hotspots.
The game has easy controls, making it easier for both gamers and non-gamers to start playing. You can also toggle between first-person and third-person camera angles with just a button click. Visual guidance is also provided to players, indicating which keys to press for each action.
As far as gameplay is concerned, Decentraland also offers players a Free-to-Play experience. However, as you progress into the game, you may be required to purchase MANA. This can be used for game entries, events, and other features. MANA allows users to buy NFTs, pieces of land, gamble, and play games that require currency.
Decentraland is unique among other metaverses as it is not controlled by a centralized body. Instead, it is controlled by users who own MANA and LAND using Decentraland DAO. In simple words, it means that players have total control over all the game areas.
Tips to Get Started
As you register, you are given the option to create your Avatar, also called Decentraland Avatars. These avatars are the main selling point of the game. After completing your Avatar, you can then take part in free games, interact with other users, and are also allowed to take part in the economy by using MANA. You are dropped in the Genesis Plaza along with other players when you have completed your Avatar creation. Here you will find a small tutorial box that would give you a good idea of how to get rolling as you get used to playing. Later if you get a good grasp of the controls, you can close this box.
As you explore the plaza, you will observe pillars. Here each pillar offers a different activity. You can either choose from these pillars, or you can decide to go into the giant hole in the ground, which leads you to other adventures. Also, to save you the hassle of walking if you’re feeling lazy, you can press M, and a map will pop up. You can instantly choose the location you wish to travel to and teleport there. An important thing to keep in mind is that Decentraland isn’t like your ordinary open-world game. You won’t be able to fight other players here; instead, it’s merely a pixelated version of our planet.
Earning an Income
There are multiple ways to start earning by playing Decentraland. For example, the most common way to earn is by purchasing real estate. As LAND is limited, many believe its value will increase over time. As you acquire LAND, you will now be able to host applications like gaming and gambling, among other things. You can then charge players an entry fee for these applications. You can also choose to rent or sell LAND to players who would want to build on it.
Playing casino games and gambling is another way to earn money. There are many other play-to-earn mini-games inside of Decentraland that you can explore. Decentral Games is also a great place to go if you want to make good money. You can even get a hosting job and get a decent monthly salary.
Decentraland Marketplace is another platform used by players to earn. Here you can buy, sell or trade LAND, unique names, wearables, and Estate parcels. Here you can find all the LAND parcels and Estates listed for sale. You can then find the one that you like and can either purchase it right away, or you can place a bid. The basic rules of buying low and selling high apply here if you want to make a profit.
Final Words
As the world continues to develop, it is more likely that we will observe an increase in digital interactions. As an open-world virtual game, Decentraland gives players complete control over all aspects of the game, allowing metaverses to become more than just a way to escape reality. Giving users a path to earn as they play, they also experience a realistic feel while playing. With just a few more tweaks, Decentraland can establish itself as one of the best open-world games!
