Blockchain Games - flawed?

[Starlost]

I have not played any blockchain games, I just read some things about them. So can someone please clarify for me...

Don't blockchain games still use centralized servers to run the actual game code itself?

So, just like with DLC where they can void the content you purchased, can they not also alter the game code on the "Block Chain" games to reject, nullify, or alter the actual effect of your NFT in game?

For example, can't they alter the game code in Decentraland to say "if property token says 'WhiteHouse' then refer to a dog house on 3rd Street in the game display" ?

If this is the case then the game would actually still be a centralized game and the NFTs would easily be no more valuable than toilet paper if the game servers shut down one day.

For a game to truly be a blockchain game and decentralized then the game source code itself (not just the game data) would have to be stored on the blockchain, open source, and unalterable so that such centralized actions cannot occur and anyone can host it.

So is it already decentralized servers?

Or is just the NFT game data decentralized with centralized game servers that can, on a whim, block NFTs from being used just like DLC content?

[mu_enrico]

There are "real" on-chain games where the code is in the smart contracts. You can play by interacting directly with the smart contracts.
IIRC EOSBet is one example.

Unfortunately, I don't know much about decentraland. But if the game is complicated (unlike dice), the chance is it's only partially on-chain. Furthermore, if it's on Ethereum, no way the fees and speed will be adequate for on-chain games.

[hugeblack]

AFAIK, All games are centralized games, and the blockchain is used as a gateway to make payments, as are the central platforms that conduct trading operations and when withdrawals are made for cryptocurrencies.
A lot of people do not care about how the game works as much as they can withdrawals their coins.

NFT game data are ETH tokens and with the current fees it is hard to make it Decentralized smart contracts

[tyKiwanuka]

But if the game is complicated (unlike dice), the chance is it's only partially on-chain.

This game is running completely serverless and decentralized on the blockchain and it's quite complicated With a customized blockchain made for gaming like Xaya has, this is doable and was already proven back in 2014 with Huntercoin by the same guys.

Don't blockchain games still use centralized servers to run the actual game code itself?

They do, yes. Thats why technically they are no blockchain games, but just games with blockchain elements implemented and using buzz words. The devs are still able to do all sorts of shady stuff and dilute your assets.

For a game to truly be a blockchain game and decentralized then the game source code itself (not just the game data) would have to be stored on the blockchain, open source, and unalterable so that such centralized actions cannot occur and anyone can host it.

So is it already decentralized servers?

Xaya is exactly doing this and they are the only ones afaik. They have one game in beta now (Taurion is between alpha and beta rn) and everyone is free to check it out and play: https://soccermanagerelite.com/. Like all games they build, SME is trustless, permissionless, censorship resistant, transparent, provably fair, autonomous, unstoppable etc. And play-to-earn of course

[Starlost]

Thanks, guys.
Seeing that they are still working on decentralized game hosting ads more promise to the potential.