The National Football League (NFL) and NFL Players Association have teamed up with gaming technology studio Mythical Games to launch a groundbreaking NFL-themed mobile game called "NFL Rivals." Available on the App Store and Google Play stores, the game introduces innovative uses of blockchain technology in mobile gaming.

In "NFL Rivals," players can take on the role of a general manager and control their own football team, while also playing as their favorite NFL players in arcade-style gameplay. What sets the game apart is its integration of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the blockchain, allowing users to buy, collect, and trade digital items that unlock access to special events and in-game rewards.

According to Ed Kiang, VP of video gaming at the NFL, "Collaborating with Mythical Games and the NFLPA to produce an innovative gaming experience such as NFL Rivals is a testament to the NFL's success in the world of Web3 gaming."

To coincide with the NFL draft, the game features draft-themed in-game events and player packs that transform into drafted players in the game. The aim is to target casual fans with a simple and interactive experience, as stated by Mythical Games CEO John Linden, who said, "What we're trying to get to is a bigger audience."

Interestingly, the game does not explicitly advertise the use of NFTs or the blockchain, as Linden believes that the focus should be on providing great functionality to consumers. However, the utilization of blockchain technology enables capabilities that would not be feasible with traditional game technology.

Mythical Games has transitioned its Mythical Chain from Ethereum to a parachain on the Polkadot ecosystem to enable Web3 capabilities and enhance scalability. Over the past 30 days, the Mythical Chain has recorded about 3.2 million on-chain gaming transactions, showcasing the potential for massive scale and audiences.

Björn Wagner, CEO of Parity Technologies, a leading contributor to the Polkadot network, noted that the structure of Polkadot's parachains provides more flexibility, control over gas fees, and faster transaction times, which are crucial for gaming. He added, "We are going to see that changing quite drastically—how much you hear about Polkadot, specifically with those projects powered by Polkadot that are more consumer-facing projects."

The launch of "NFL Rivals" marks a significant milestone in the use of blockchain technology in the gaming industry, showcasing the potential for NFTs and blockchain-based games to revolutionize the way mobile games are developed, played, and monetized. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the integration of blockchain technology is likely to pave the way for new and innovative gaming experiences in the future.