# Research # 1 : Blockchain Gaming Retakes Center Stage with Metaverse and Play-to-Earn Fields When the earliest version of a blockchain-based play-to-earn game [launched in 2017](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cryptokitties-the-worlds-first-ethereum-game-launches-today-660494083.html), little was known about what the future would hold in this segment of the crypto economy. Fast forward five years later and the world is catching on to blockchain's potential to change the dynamics of online gaming and bring immense value to both gamers and developers worldwide. The advancement and proliferation of **augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR)** environments has brought forth the next generation of gaming applications which can offer a highly immersive gameplay environment. Metaverse economies have the potential to deliver even more immersive experiences for gamers and have seen increased adoption in recent years. This inaugural release of **UpOnly | Research** reviews how play-to-earn and Metaverse gaming applications are finally taking off. The industry currently boasts millions of users, raising high hopes for what the next decade will bring. Continue reading : [https://uponlyofficial.substack.com/p/blockchain-gaming-retakes-center](https://uponlyofficial.substack.com/p/blockchain-gaming-retakes-center?s=r) --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.uponly.com/uponly-research/research-1-blockchain-gaming-retakes-center-stage-with-metaverse-and-play-to-earn-fields.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.