Portal introduces ‘PortalPay’ interoperability for the blockchain game

Portal, an integrated blockchain gaming platform, has introduced the PortalPay service. The service aims to lower barriers to entry for blockchain gaming by providing users with a practical solution to pay and withdraw funds for in-game assets using the 5,000 supported digital assets.

To access the onchain features of a blockchain game, users typically need to connect to a MetaMask wallet or service that allows them to interact with other decentralized applications and purchase assets or non-perishable tokens (NFTs) needed to play that game. Many game tokens are also blockchain-based and have not yet been migrated to other chains.

In an interview with Cointelegraph, Ezra Strauss, head of collaboration at the portal, highlighted the issue of ecosystem fragmentation in the blockchain gaming sector.

“I think the biggest problem we've seen is that there are all these different chains, different wallets and different ecosystems that have been created. Users, tokens and assets are stuck in all these different pockets of the Web3 ecosystem. It makes new user adoption very difficult.

Currently, Web3 players can solve these issues by linking or converting digital assets to the required currency to play a game. But the network costs of connecting and switching can be prohibitive.

Related: Web3 gaming is a ‘rocket ship' set for extinction, say industry experts

Benefits for users and developers

In addition to increasing user adoption, PortalPay takes the burden of providing onchain solutions, allowing developers to focus on creating blockchain games, emphasizing gameplay rather than onchain business.

Moreover, the portal seeks to strengthen user retention by removing the technical aspects of Web3 onboarding and providing a streamlined user interface. “The level of value that we create is things that you don't have to think about at the level of infrastructure,” Strauss told Cointelegraph.

The state of the blockchain game

Although the sector is growing, blockchain gaming is still far from mainstream adoption. A recent study by OnePoll found that 52% of the 2,000 adults surveyed were completely unaware of the web3 gaming sector. A further 32% indicated that they know what blockchain games are but have never played one.

Regulatory challenges are also an issue as the financial aspect of gaming tokens comes under the control of financial regulators. In September 2023, Shrapnel's developers announced that players in the United States would no longer be able to withdraw money from the game for fear of regulatory retaliation from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Officials in Uzbekistan have taken a similar stance on the popular Hamster Kombat game on the Open Network. The country said it would not ban the game, but warned users against trading in-game currency.

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