New updates are being added at the bottom of this history……
Original story (published on October 16, 2021), follows:
This year there has been a “boom” in the segment of the so-called crypto-games (NTF games), which have finally attracted the mass public. One of the most popular titles out there is Axie Infinity with its token SLP.
One of the reasons for this explosion in NFT games is that they basically allow players to earn crypto-tokens, which can be exchanged for real money. This has increased its popularity mainly in developing countries.
The NFT games “boom” in 2021
Through games like Axie Infinity, players can gain more than the average salary of their territory. In the particular case of this game, the crypto-token to be won is called SLP (Smooth love potion).
Now, it seems that things will get a bit complicated to get the token. The game developers have modified the conditions under which SLP can be obtained. Basically, those players whose MMR is below 800, will not receive SLP.
What is MMR in Axie Infinity and how does it affect the players?
In summary, Axie Infinity is a game with a gameplay similar to that of others such as Pokemon. This means that we need to form teams of small creatures to face off against the teams of other players in arena.
“MMR” (Match Making Rating) is a game indicator that represents our current level of wins. For every win, MMR increases, and for every loss, it decreases.
In arena, you are playing against other players in the Axie Infinity ecosystem. You will be matched with players of the same skill level through your (MMR).The system will match us against players with similar MMR level to ours.
MMR also affects the amount of SLP that we can get. The higher the MMR, the more SLP we will get when winning a battle. Something to note is that if we lose the battle, we will not win SLP, and we will lose MMR.
If you have less than 800 MMR, you won’t receive SLP in Axie Infinity
And this is where the current problem arises. The Axie Infinity development team has decided that users below 800 MMR will not get SLP. Unsurprisingly, this has brought a negative reaction from many players.
Among the posts we can read that there are many players stuck in MMR levels between 600-800, due to the difficulty of maintaining those figures. Apparently only players with expensive monsters can maintain that level consistently.
Axies floor after this
Players have expressed concern about this decision. Not only related to not being able to generate SLP having less than 800 MMR, but also with respect to how it will affect the value of the token.
Currently, the value of SLPs has fallen by more than 6%. This is something that affects both the players (whose SLPs are now worth less money) and the game itself since it has less economic liquidity.
There are players who see this as a good move. By lowering the price of the Axies, more players would be encouraged to create an account. Meanwhile, the requirement to maintain 800 MMR would maintain bots away.
On the other hand, these types of decisions are not something new in NFT games. Constantly, its developers introduce changes to make the game sustainable in the long term, and not deplete its liquidity.
What do you think about these changes? Do you consider them necessary and fair? Or are they unfair to the players? Will it cause the departure of many players? Share your opinion with us.
— PiunikaWeb (@PiunikaWeb) October 16, 2021#Poll alert!
What do you think about Axie Infinity's no SLP for those below 800MMR move and lower floor axies after the latest update?
Vote below and read our coverage here: https://t.co/FocfS0g9uv#AxieInfinity #Slp #MMR #AXIE
Update 1 (October 20)
12:42 pm (IST): Axie Infinity developers released an official statement. They indicate that they have received all the feedback from the community. Although the change continues, they want to shed more light on the reasons behind it.
They want there to be a better balance between the skill of the player and the financial benefit they get. They do not want players to profit easily without skill, as this affects the economy of the game.
Related to the above, they say that not earning SLP with an MMR below 800 will keep bots out of Axie Infinity. They point out that they found bots encrypted to play without any physical player present.
Basically, to take care of the sustainability of the game and its economy, players who want economic benefits should strive for it.
Update 2 (October 23)
06:10 pm (IST): The results are out and nearly 50% of you think that it’s a bad change, while around 20% want this decision to be reverted.
Moreover, nearly 17% believe that SLP should be provided at below 800 MMR. Whereas, for the rest, it doesn’t matter.
Update 3 (October 29)
12:20 pm (IST): Axie Infinity devs have stood their ground and claim that the MMR change will remain in place to avoid players from gaining financial benefit without building any skill.
But like before, many people in the community are still against the decision. An individual has created a thread on Reddit explaining why the decision will backfire. You can read the complete thread here.
Article by Jean Leon
PiunikaWeb started as purely an investigative tech journalism website with main focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories got picked up by the likes of Forbes, Foxnews, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, Macrumors, and many others. Want to know more about us? Head here.
I'm an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of blockchain gaming, NFTs, and the burgeoning world of crypto-games. Having closely followed the developments in this space, I can confidently provide insights into the Axie Infinity ecosystem and the recent changes surrounding the SLP (Smooth Love Potion) token.
The surge in popularity of NFT games in 2021, notably exemplified by Axie Infinity, has been remarkable. Players, particularly in developing countries, are drawn to the prospect of earning crypto-tokens that can be converted into real money. Axie Infinity stands out as a leading title, with its SLP token being a sought-after digital asset.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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NFT Games (Crypto-Games): These are games that leverage non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on blockchain technology, providing players with true ownership of in-game assets. Axie Infinity is a prime example of a crypto-game.
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Axie Infinity and SLP: Axie Infinity is a game with a gameplay structure resembling Pokemon, where players form teams of creatures to battle against each other in an arena. The game rewards players with SLP for winning battles, and SLP can be exchanged for real money.
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MMR (Match Making Rating): MMR is a critical game indicator in Axie Infinity, representing a player's current level of wins. It influences matchmaking, ensuring that players are pitted against others with a similar skill level. The more wins a player achieves, the higher their MMR, leading to increased rewards in terms of SLP.
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Impact of MMR on SLP: The article explains that the amount of SLP a player can earn is directly affected by their MMR. Higher MMR results in more SLP when winning a battle, but losing a battle results in a loss of MMR and no SLP reward.
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Changes in SLP Distribution: The recent modification by Axie Infinity's development team involves withholding SLP from players with an MMR below 800. This decision has sparked controversy among players, especially those between 600-800 MMR, leading to concerns about the token's value and economic liquidity.
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Developer Decisions in NFT Games: The article highlights that decisions like these are not uncommon in NFT games. Developers often introduce changes to sustain the game's long-term viability and prevent liquidity issues.
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Community Response: The community has expressed various opinions on the changes, with some players seeing it as a positive move to encourage more account creation and others concerned about the impact on the token's value.
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Official Statement from Axie Infinity: The update mentions an official statement from Axie Infinity developers, emphasizing the need for a balance between player skill and financial benefits. The decision aims to deter easy profits without skill, thereby maintaining the game's economy.
In summary, the evolving dynamics in Axie Infinity, including changes in SLP distribution based on MMR, reflect the complex interplay between game mechanics, player engagement, and economic considerations in the realm of blockchain gaming.