Educational, NFT-based crypto trading game Banksters has celebrated the upcoming launch of its Mainnet with a new airdrop that rewards the most active and top-performing players.
In the first contest of its kind, Banksters pitted its users against each other to compete for one of 1,000 exclusive NFTs awarded based on their activity level throughout the duration of the contest. The event ran from April 3 to April 17 and ended with the 1,000 highest-rated Banksters players receiving an air-dropped NFT showcasing different traits and rarity levels. The NFTs were valued at a combined amount of 100,000 USDT. ‘
The campaign is designed to promote the launch of Banksters Mainnet, which went live alongside a number of new features in the game, which is designed to educate crypto enthusiasts on the intricacies of token trading.
Gamified learning to trade
Banksters is the brainchild of an innovative developer startup called Lava Games, and can be thought of as a gamified simulation of the crypto markets. Within the game, users are tasked with buying and selling various real-world cryptocurrencies in an attempt to make a profit. Along the way, it informs players about popular trading strategies and how to read the different ‘signals’ that can help inform profitable trades. By gaming the trading experience in this way, Banksters players can gain the skills needed to trade profitably in the real crypto market.
The gameplay is based on the real crypto market, with all asset prices reflecting their movements in the real world. Each player acts using an NFT character, which has its own unique skills and attributes. The idea is that players can use their abilities to take advantage of real crypto market conditions. By playing the game, users can learn how to best respond to market volatility, improve their financial literacy and, hopefully, become smarter and more profitable traders. There are incentives too, as players can trade face-to-face with other human players and win crypto rewards if they can ‘outdo’ their opponents, a concept Banksters call ‘trade-to-win’.
The game developers believe that blockchain-based games should invest more in educating their users in crypto, not only about trading digital assets, but also related issues such as how blockchains work, how to set up and use a wallet , NFTs and scrolls can be created. , and much more.
Banksters CEO and CMO Alexandru Carbunariu said there was a big strategic element to the competition, requiring players not only to be extremely active, but also to trade successfully during that period. He said players had a better chance of winning by actively participating in investment runs, leveling avatars, using the Banksters Academy for NFT coins and staying involved in the community.
“Banksters is more than a game; it is an educational journey into the world of cryptocurrency,” said Carbunariu. “The airdrop competition, together with the Minting Scroll on Magic Eden, offers unique opportunities for players to gain new skills and power up their characters.”
Mainnet launch and stable version release
The conclusion of the competition coincided with the launch of Bankster’s Mainnet, as the game is built on its own blockchain. With the debut of its Mainnet, Banksters introduced a host of new features, including the ability to purchase unique NFT avatars that allow players to personalize their gaming identity, and a new internal wallet system to make managing in-game assets easier.
Banksters is also introducing non-custodial wallet connectivity, allowing users to connect third-party wallets such as MetaMask and TrustWallet to the platform to increase asset security. Meanwhile, players can now finally take their BARS tokens out of the game to trade on real exchanges or send them to other individuals. The platform is also expanding its NFT minting tool, where players can now purchase “minting scrolls” and create their own playable Bankster characters.
Elsewhere, there’s a new referral program designed to encourage existing users to expand the game’s player base, and a streamlined onboarding experience based on a more immersive, story-like narrative that explains the meaning of various aspects of the game.
Finally, the Mainnet launch coincides with the first “stable release” of Banksters, marking the start of what is promised to be a “comprehensive game redesign.” In future updates, Banksters aims to improve the game’s visuals and transform the overall gaming experience to make it more competitive, educational and fun.
“These updates represent a significant step forward in combining cutting-edge technology with immersive gameplay, providing our community with a truly enriched gaming experience,” said Carbunariu.
Minting Scroll NFTs
Players who missed out on winning one of the 1,000 exclusive airdropped NFTs will instead get the chance to get their hands on one of the 2,000 Minting Scrolls NFTs, which are now available for purchase via the Magic Eden NFT marketplace, giving players extra given opportunities to enhance their skills and the experience of their bankers.
Lava Games said the new NFTs (both air-dropped and instantly purchased) will be acquired for a period of 60 days after the launch of the stable release.
