Nikolas Sargeant
Our Earth is facing significant challenges, and PlanetIX is a Web3 game that aims to address these issues. The trailer suggests that players have the opportunity to govern and revive a lifeless planet, specifically Earth.
Nibiru Software, the developers of PlanetIX, claim that it is the largest blockchain game in the world. They aim to create a less risky game, acknowledging the dangers of playing with real money. Additionally, they state that PlanetIX can have a positive impact on our planet. To achieve this, the game operates on the Polygon Network, which utilizes the Ethereum blockchain.
What’s The PlanetIX Backstory?
PlanetIX was inhabited by a civilization that caused its own downfall through an environmental disaster. As Agents of Change, your task is to revive PlanetIX by claiming land, expanding Territories, cleaning up plots of land, and engaging in governance.
PlanetIX is divided into 1.6 billion hexagonal "land parcels" called PIX. These PIX are categorized by rarity, with Legendary PIX being the most valuable. Outlier PIX, found in the desert, is the least valuable. Connecting PIX creates Territories, which increase their value in the form of the game's token, IXT. Essentially, it is a Web3 version of the game Sid Meier's Civilization.
In the game's whitepaper, it is revealed that PlanetIX is about AOC deliberately destroying Earth in 2089 and escaping in a fleet of ships. After 450 years of drifting through space, the ship's AI, known as AME or Altered Mind Emotion, rediscovers the real Earth. It then erases everyone's memories to prevent them from realizing they are cleaning up their destruction.
Gameplay
PlanetIX gameplay is considered rather boring. There is no actual gameplay involved. This similarity can also be seen in the land-based Web3 game Alien Worlds. Perhaps games based on entire planets have a common curse? The game primarily focuses on purchasing, upgrading, combining, joining clubs (or governments), and trading NFTs, with the hope of making profits.
In the game, you can only acquire land NFTs by purchasing PIX parcels and hoping for a "Landmark NFT." The game's goal is to collect as much PIX as possible, which can become expensive as you have to spend money and rely on luck. The devs claim the game is free, but you need to invest a substantial amount of money to have a chance to play. However, there are numerous glitches present.
In-game corporations are specialty stores that offer various goods and services. One of the interesting corporations is called "Lucky Cat", which guarantees their services will make you happy.
PlanetIX Goes Beyond Being Just A Game
PlanetIX is a Web3 game that aims to improve Earth. The COO of Nibiru Software, Felix Bengtsson, explains the game mechanics. 20% of funds raised through PIX parcel sales are invested in companies working to improve the planet.
Felix talks about investments in green tech and clean energy. He mentions that the money from these investments is used to improve the game for users. He also says that some of the money will be used to reduce risks in crypto. But he doesn't provide details, so we have to trust him. The term "funds" refers to profit in this context. Although the game is decentralized, it was still developed by a for-profit company. This is completely acceptable.
Conclusion
The graphics and trailers in PlanetIX are impressive, and the developers aim to create a game about saving the planet. However, the game is not enjoyable to play. It caters more to fans of stock market trading with appealing visuals. It can be considered a great game in that sense. However, the concept of a game implies the ability to win, which is not the case here. Instead, players primarily spend, upgrade, trade, sell, and gamble.
PlanetIX is described as a strategy game. Felix, the COO, compared it to Monopoly because your strategy is based on luck when buying PIX parcels. It would have been more enjoyable if there were fun activities to do in the game.
