Merging the virtual and real world is a development that is becoming common in the gaming ecosystem. Most of these new games involve the integration of game visuals and audio content with a player’s environment in real time. This phenomenon is described as Augmented Reality (AR). Real-life ParticipationWorking with the GPS application of the mobile devices, game players are made to complete tasks and quests around their immediate physical environment. These kinds of games have a way of acquiring several associated benefits to participants depending on the game’s primary dynamics. Exploring one’s immediate environment is what a lot of people hardly engage in. To do so based on the motivation of some form of rewards or challenge makes it an interesting and in most cases captivating system of exploration. Being a new kind of technology and still in its innovative stages, AR is finding a lot of different implementation in the gaming industry that mirrors real life processes. Some are set in the ancient existence of several ages ago, while others are set in the present day living or projection of future existence. Beyond the timeline, these setups are also organised to represent specific industries, ranging from politics, to commerce, real estate, culture, e.t.c. AR and Blockchain ImplementationA typical example of AR implementation is the Mossland Reality Reflection which is a location-based Augmented Reality (AR) mobile game that is based on real estate. In Mossland, users identify real properties in the world and add them to the game world. This gives other users the ability to buy and sell real-world properties in the Mossland virtual world. The game utilizes a blockchain-based cryptocurrency to facilitate trades, sales and purchases by users of in-game properties, emulating the real-world property market in the game and giving players a new way to interact with each other. Temple Treasure Hunt is another example where Indian mythological characters come up as treasure guardians in a game that uses real map of a location. This geolocational game centres around mystery lovers who play roles of either treasure protectors or treasure hunters. Various AR games abound in today’s gaming ecosystem, but the fascinating element is how blockchain implementation is enabling the transfer of real value across the gaming ecosystem. In one of the examples mentioned above, mimicking the real-life real estate marketplace involves actual trading and other commercial exercises. Being connected across a global network automatically requires a reliable platform where transactions can be secure and transparent. Value Extraction in GamingBlockchain in the gaming world enhances the value of tokenization as it offers the flexibility that is needed to connect people across different countries and cultures. Blockchain tokens (for example, Moss coin in the case of Mossland) serves as the universal unit of value transfer which influences the liquidity that is necessary in the gaming marketplace. Be it for purposes of auction or reward, the underlying tokens remain the connecting units that enable the fulfillment of gaming contracts. In order to extract real value from any gaming marketplace, blockchain will always play an important role. These tokens are cryptocurrencies that can be exchanged for other cryptocurrencies or fiat in order to derive usable value. Apparently, Blockchain and AR are practically causing a total revolution in the way gaming is interpreted. Unlike in the past when gaming was mostly about fun and recreation, several tangible benefits are currently being attached to the experience nowadays. Beyond the social values of connecting individuals from different parts of the globe, Blockchain and AR are taking gaming to another level. Education, exploration, research and commercial benefits are just a few of the values that are currently being extracted from within the ecosystem. Featured image from Shutterstock