EtherCraft is a decentralized RPG available in the Ethereum as well as Kovan network. It is definitely a unique game in the blockchain realm. A player can choose to play from both the main net and Kovan Testnet. Developers have planned to introduce dungeon runs. The maps for dungeon runs are released for illustrative purposes. Items purchased from shop, players or auctions will be used in dungeon runs where players can win more valuable items. Players can hit the treasure chest, which will be worth a lot more than staked items. In addition, there are utility items to explore, such as armor, which can be equipped on the avatar. Since every item is priced in Ethereum or kETH, you stand a chance to make money.
What this game is all about?
There are three major aspects of the game. Firstly, you can buy, sell and trade items among players. Secondly, you can do some crafting with the acquired items. Thirdly, you can do the dungeon runs to win big. For starters, you can buy some items absolutely free of cost. Visit Ethercraft.io to enter the enchanted shop, which features a list of items. Use control and +/- to zoom in/out. Using mouse wheel or arrow keys, you can scroll through the list.
Getting a ‘free’ Item
To capture a free item, you must pay a tiny transaction fee. The fee costs just about a few cents, which goes towards processing the transaction. You can claim only one item per transaction. Such a rule ensures one does not attempt to bulk purchase free items. The idea is to give a value to every item in the game. In effect, every ‘free’ item has the value that equals transaction fee of the corresponding transaction. You cannot purchase any of the items with fiat money. For a valid transaction and purchase, you either need Ether (ETH), Kovan Eth (kETH) and Metamask.
Metamask
As we all know Ether is the operating currency in the Ethereum Platform. Similarly, Metamask is the free browser extension that powers you to submit transactions via Ethereum. You can purchase Ether or Ethereum through Coinbase or any alternative cryptocurrency exchange in your region. While for kEth you can claim some from free faucets that will be provided below. Once you have some Eth or kETH, install the Metamask browser extension from Metamask.io. With few more steps, you can get the Ethereum or kETH transferred safely to your account. For playing with kETH make sure you are accessing your metamask from kovan network and not from ethereum main network.
Game on
With the available Ether or kETH, you can start claiming free items from EtherCraft.io. To be more precise, you can shop from ethercraft.io/#/shop/free. Click on the selected item and hit Claim. It will automatically prompt the Metamask transaction dialog. Check with the ethgasstation.info for recommended gas prices to use in the transaction. Once processed, the item will appear in your inventory. Check the store constantly for updates in available free items. The dungeon component will take a little more time in the development phase. Once it is on, you are in for some real fun. For a complete guide about EtherCraft, refer to the community-maintained wiki page. You can connect with other players from the lobby from the Discord chat featured in EtherCraft homepage.
Steps to Access and Play the game on Kovan network
First of all you need to access your eth wallet using metamask from within your web browser then you need some Kovan Eth (kETH) which you can easily get by entering your Eth address in the kETH faucets to claim free kETH everyday, here are the links to free kETH faucets you can use; https://kovan.faucet.enjin.io/ (0.1 kETH/day), https://faucet.kovan.network/ (1 kETH/day. Requires GitHub), https://gitter.im/kovan-testnet/faucet (3 kETH/request).
After you have received the kETH in your wallet you should change your wallet access from the main ethereum network to Kovan network which you can easily find at the top of the wallet. The kovan testnet is now open and you can access it the game here; https://ethercraft.io/kovan_v40.
You can also use the main domain of the game while staying in the same browser that has metamask and kovan network activated; http://ethercraft.io/
When you access the game you can either select default character or design your own random one, the game, its design and the layout are good. Once you finalize a character click on the portal to confirm, you can move around, go up and down and eat, after your first dungeon run is complete you will get a bonus and you can use a magic chest inside your player house. The game is still under development, features like location map, crafting panel, gym/track are under development and more features will come in future updates but it is a complete package where you can play and enjoy for hours in a decentralized environment you can buy, sell, eat, run, create or develop things inside the play area and while doing so you can spend kETH and also make kETH, the game will be competitive to the current market leaders in this category as soon as the development is complete.
