Launched on November 28th 2017, CryptoKitties is one of the world’s first « blockchain games ».
Developed by the studio AxiomZen, CryptoKitties is built on the Ethereum blockchain and five smart contracts. A few days after its launch, it became the most popular application on the network.

 

« CryptoKitties is a game centered around breedable, collectible, and oh-so-adorable creatures » 

Digital scarcity
The aim of the game is to collect virtual cats.
Users must add Ether to their digital wallet MetaMask. Then, they can breed, buy and sell CryptoKitties on the MarketPlace.
Each CryptoKitty has a unique DNA and its own attributes, which define its appearence (expression, eye color, fur type…). Its value depends on the scarcity of those « cattributes ».
The number of 1st generation CryptoKitties is predefined (a new « gen 0 » kitty is released every 15 minutes until November 2018), but players can breed two cats to create a third. Those kitten of 2nd generation have a distinct genome and rarest cattributes. They are limited to 4 Billion.
Blockchain technology
The value of your CryptoKitty is secured on the Ethereum blockchain :
• it cannot be replicated, taken away or destroyed
• it will keep existing, even if the game disappears
• it is one-of-a-kind and 100% owned by you
That’s why AxiomZen describes CryptoKitties as « cryptocollectibles » and not as cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ether. Users can « buy, sell or trade their CryptoKitty as if it was a traditional collectible » (artwork) and thus build a CryptoKitties-portfolio.
The world’s most successful blockchain game
According to KittySales, players have spent over 17 Million USD on digital cats and Kitty #18 has sold for a record 258 ETH (110,707 USD – time of sale). One week after its launch, CryptoKitties accounted for 15% of the Ethereum network traffic and has slow down transactions with massive delays.
 
This viral phenomenon is indicative of the potential of gaming on blockchains and shows once more the incredible popularity of cats on the Internet !
 

A propos de Manon FORNY