Ever heard of the FIRST blockchain game? Dive into Spells of Genesis! Learn how it blended NFTs & mobile gaming. A GameFi history lesson!#SpellsOfGenesis #GameFi #BlockchainGaming
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Basic Info
John: Hey Lila, let’s kick off this blog post by diving into the basics of Spells of Genesis. As a veteran in the GameFi space, I’ve seen projects come and go, and this one has a unique place in history. Spells of Genesis, often abbreviated as SoG, is a pioneering blockchain game that blends trading card game elements with arcade-style shooting mechanics. It’s essentially a mobile-based puzzle shooting game where players collect and battle with digital cards that are actual blockchain assets. Launched back in 2015, it claims to be the first mobile game to integrate blockchain technology, allowing players to truly own their in-game items as NFTs (non-fungible tokens, which are unique digital collectibles on the blockchain).
Lila: Wow, John, that sounds fascinating! As someone new to this, can you explain what makes it a ‘puzzle shooting game’? And why is the blockchain part such a big deal for beginners like me?
John: Absolutely, Lila. In Spells of Genesis, the gameplay involves aiming and shooting orbs at enemies in a puzzle-like setup, where strategy comes from combining cards with special abilities. It’s like mixing the card-collecting fun of games such as Hearthstone with the action of old-school arcade shooters. The blockchain aspect is huge because it means your cards aren’t just pixels in a game—they’re NFTs on the Bitcoin blockchain via the Counterparty protocol. This gives players real ownership, so you can trade or sell them outside the game. In the past, this was revolutionary for GameFi (a blend of gaming and decentralized finance), as it introduced play-to-earn elements early on.
Lila: Got it! So, it’s not just playing for fun but also potentially building value. Is the game still active today? I’ve heard some older projects fade away.
John: Based on real-time posts and verified news, it seems that Spells of Genesis is no longer active. No updates have been made recently, and community activity has dropped significantly. From what I’ve gathered from posts on X and trusted sources like DappRadar, the last major mentions were around 2023, with partnerships and gameplay highlights, but nothing substantial in 2024 or 2025. The official website, last updated around 2020, describes it as a free-to-play game with options to buy or ‘blockchainize’ cards, but current checks show minimal engagement. It’s a classic example of an early innovator that paved the way but hasn’t kept up with newer trends.
Lila: That’s a bit sad, but interesting as a history lesson. What was the project’s goal initially?
John: The goal was to create a fun, accessible game that introduced blockchain to mainstream gamers. Developed by EverdreamSoft, a Swiss company, it aimed to merge entertainment with Web3 (the decentralized web) principles. Players could start for free, level up cards, and even turn them into NFTs. In the past, it had over 700 levels and PvP modes, making it engaging. Currently, though, with no recent updates, it’s more of an archival piece in GameFi history.
Lila: Archival piece—cool term! So, for beginners, this means we can learn from it without expecting to jump in right now?
John: Exactly. Looking ahead, projects like this remind us how GameFi evolves, but always check for activity before diving in.
Tokenomics / Supply model
Lila: Okay, moving on to tokenomics—that’s the economics of the project’s tokens, right? John, can you break down how Spells of Genesis handled its tokens and supply?
John: Spot on, Lila. Tokenomics refers to how a project’s cryptocurrency or tokens are designed, including supply, distribution, and utility. Spells of Genesis didn’t have its own native token like many modern GameFi projects; instead, it relied on blockchain cards as NFTs on the Bitcoin network. These cards were minted in limited supplies, with some being rare editions from early 2015. The supply model was scarcity-driven—cards could be fused and leveled up, then ‘blockchainized’ into NFTs, creating a finite ecosystem. There was no endless minting; it was about collecting and trading existing assets.
Lila: No native token? That’s different from games I’ve heard about with their own coins. How did players earn or spend in the game?
John: Great question. In the past, players used in-game currency called Crystals for basic actions, but the real value came from NFTs. You could buy packs with fiat or crypto, and rare cards had a fixed supply, like limited-edition collectibles. This model encouraged trading on external marketplaces, integrating with Bitcoin’s ecosystem. Currently, since the project is inactive, there’s no ongoing token issuance or burns (reducing supply to increase value). It was more about asset ownership than a full DeFi (decentralized finance) setup.
Lila: So, it was ahead of its time without overcomplicating things. Did they have any mechanisms to control supply, like burning tokens?
John: Not in the traditional sense. Supply was controlled through the fusion mechanic—combining cards to create stronger ones, which effectively removed lower-tier cards from circulation. This created natural scarcity. Looking ahead, if the project were revived, they might add a native token, but based on verified info from sources like NFT Evening’s 2024 article, it stuck to NFT-focused economics.
Lila: That makes sense for beginners—focus on collecting rather than complex economics.
Gameplay mechanics and NFT integration
John: Let’s talk gameplay, Lila. Spells of Genesis is a mobile game where you shoot orbs in a puzzle-shooting style to defeat enemies. You build a deck of cards, each with unique abilities like fire attacks or shields, and strategize in levels or against other players.
Lila: Sounds like a mix of Candy Crush and card battles! How do NFTs fit into this?
John: Precisely. NFTs are the cards themselves—historical ones, as they were among the first game NFTs in 2015. You could play free with basic cards, but owning NFT versions meant you controlled them on the blockchain, tradable via platforms like OpenSea or Counterparty. The integration allowed ‘blockchainizing’ fused cards, turning in-game progress into real assets.
Lila: Cool! So, puzzle shooting means solving patterns while battling?
John: Yes, it’s point-and-shoot with puzzle elements, like aligning shots for combos. In the past, it had asynchronous PvP (player vs. player, where you don’t play live but set up defenses). NFT integration meant true ownership, a big draw for Web3 gamers.
Lila: And now, with it inactive, can people still access these NFTs?
John: Currently, yes, on secondary markets, but the game itself isn’t updated. It’s a reminder of how NFTs outlive games.
Developer team & community engagement
Lila: Who built this, John? And how did they engage with the community?
John: The team was EverdreamSoft, founded by Shaban Shaame. They were pioneers in blockchain gaming. In the past, they engaged via social media, events, and partnerships, like with Decubate in 2023 as seen in posts on X.
Lila: What kind of engagement?
John: Community tournaments, card releases, and feedback sessions. Currently, engagement is low, with no recent activity.
Lila: Bummer, but they set the stage!
Rewards system & user incentives
John: Rewards came from winning battles and leveling cards, which could be sold as NFTs. Incentives included free play with optional purchases.
Lila: Like play-to-earn?
John: Early form, yes. No staking, but trading was key.
Competitor comparison
Lila: How does it stack up against others?
John: Compared to Axie Infinity, it was simpler, NFT-focused without breeding. Vs. Gods Unchained, similar cards but mobile puzzle twist. It was innovative but lacked ongoing updates unlike current hits.
Lila: So, it influenced them?
John: Definitely.
Risk factors and challenges
John: Risks include inactivity—assets might lose value. Challenges: Early tech limitations, competition from newer games.
Lila: And blockchain volatility?
John: Yes, plus regulatory issues.
Industry expert insights
Lila: What do experts say?
John: From Cointelegraph, it’s hailed as a pioneer. Experts note its role in NFT gaming history.
X community buzz & roadmap updates
John: Posts on X from 2023 highlight it as the first blockchain game, but buzz has faded. No 2025 roadmap—seems discontinued.
Lila: Any revival hints?
John: None from recent checks.
FAQ
John: Common questions: Is it free? Yes. Still playable? Likely not actively.
Lila: How to get started?
John: Check old app stores, but verify.
Related links
Final Reflections
John: Reviewing Spells of Genesis from gameplay to token design and community feedback gave me a clear view of how GameFi projects can evolve—or vanish. It’s a real-world lesson in Web3.
Lila: Even if Spells of Genesis isn’t buzzing now, I learned so much about how Web3 economies are built. I feel more ready to explore other projects now!
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Please do your own research (DYOR) before making any financial decisions.