This is the most Internet sentence you could imagine:
I breed Crypto Cats on the Internet using Blockchain technology for a living!
Let's be clear, I don't do this (yet), but in the last two days have learned quite a bit about Cryptokitties from some serious and quite frankly hilarious reading.
Time to dig into the Cryptokittie World
Screenshot taken 5.12.17
What is CryptoKitties?
It is a game (warning it is addictive) where you can buy, breed, sell or even pimp out digital, collectable cats.
Sounds ridiculous, but I think the creators are on to something. People have sold their gaming accounts and trading resources from games already. People have also been hooked on seemingly pointless toys such as Tamagotchis. This combines these two worlds with the added security and benefits of the blockchain. Thus the benefits of tracked ownership aim to protect collectors and sellers (breeders?).
Better still with the breeding element in the game, you can breed you own kitties. Mixing and matching unique characterises (Genome types) to try and create a unique and valuable Kittie. There is a slight lottery element to this part of the game making it more engaging.
How can I buy a Cryptokittie?
Using Internet money of course! Okay, seriously with Ethereum. Simply install the Metamask extension to your Chrome browser and send some ETH to the wallet. From there you can log into CryptoKitties and buy your first Kittie!
Screenshot taken 5/12/17
Should I buy a Cryptokittie?
Why not. But don't go rushing out to throw all your hard earned money into it. If you do however want to be part of the first blockchain game and want to have a bit of fun, chucking $50 or so into it will be worth it. Of course, don't put in more than you can afford to lose.
How to breed Cryptokitties Successfully
Look at the Kittie Catteristics (yes, it means characteristics) to find rarer catteristics to breed with. The rarer these are the more value your Kittie will have. It is also worth noting that you should breed with a Generation that is lower or the same as you kittie as the new generation will be the oldest + 1 of the two kitties breeding. A lower generation means faster breeding times.
However, older generations may have more interesting and unique catteristics.
Screenshot taken 5.12.17
Useful Tips
Don't get ripped off. Find unique cats. Check out www.cryptokittiedex.com for information on catteristics and which ones are rare.