What’s the best kind of blockchain game? The answer is obviously subjective, as it depends on your taste. Do you prefer testing your skill on runner-style games, or would you rather explore a virtual open world? It can be hard to decide which is truly best. That said, one game format has stood out as perhaps the most compelling case for blockchain integration: Card games. Even opponents of NFT games — including journalists who have published massive features attempting to disparage the Web3 gaming industry as a whole — have been forced to admit that NFT card games have real utility.

Need proof? One of the first-ever blockchain games released at scale was Spells of Genesis, a card game that owes much of its mechanics and art style to the ever-enduring Magic: The Gathering (MTG). Other early players in NFT card games include Gods Unchained and Axie Infinity. Over the years, these titles have been quite successful and acquired dedicated followings. But they’re far from the only high-profile card games to hit the market. There’s Sorare, Splinterlands, and Metropolis Origins — to name a few.

But what exactly makes the card game format so perfect for blockchain integration? We spoke to card game experts on the Gods Unchained team to find out.

Can’t collect ’em all

Over the years, the rush of collecting new and rare items has proven to be one of the most reliable ways for game developers to encourage player retention and…