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The Balthazar Game Score is based on a 1-10 scoring system, where 1 is the lowest score and 10 is the highest. There are 7 categories of critique, each earning an individual score. The scores from each category are then averaged to combine an overall score.
The objective for the Balthazar Game Score is to provide a measurement of value for each game that can be compared to other games and also for games to be improved. We have set out transparent criteria for each category, which include the qualifications of each scoring level, as well as qualitative analysis.
About pre-release editorial reports
Our editorial research reports are separated into two categories; pre-release reports and released reports. The following research report is a pre-release report.
The pre-release editorial research reports aim to provide a thorough and holistic overview of a project in its pre-release stage. Therefore, alongside the report are our thoughts, opinions, and, if applicable, scoring of the said project from a pre-released point of view.
Our core mission is to increase the overall credibility, validity, and transparency in the GameFi space. Our reports should make it easier for both gamers and investors to find thoroughly researched information regarding the project in question.
The research reports only include publicly available information. This is a crucial aspect of the research reports as it helps further our core mission while holding the projects accountable for the information they publish publicly.
Please note that the given score in this article does not represent the quality of the game itself but rather an overall indication of the quality of the project in its entirety. A score more reflective of the game’s quality will be available in a potential future released report.
Balthazar’s editorial research reports are never sponsored, paid for, or affected in any way by the game under review. Our opinions and scoring are unbiased and compiled from our entire research team. Our research reports are not investment advice or recommendations.
No, Seriously, 5 is Average!
The average score for the Balthazar Game Score is 5. It is the base level we use to determine a satisfactory result. This means that a score above 5 is above average.
This also means that most games will average a score between 3-7 and that everything outside these scores will be the exception.
The Methodology
How do we achieve a fair and reliable score? At least four people from the Balthazar Alpha Team conduct research reports on the games before analyzing and scoring each game, and the results are combined as an average score.
The research reports and game scores are unpaid, to remove bias and maintain objectivity.
Explaining the Scores
The Balthazar Game Score covers 7 categories to provide a holistic overview of each project, using publicly available data including whitepapers, social media and communities on different platforms, and other sources. The 7 categories are:
- Background
- NFT game assets
- Website
- Artwork
- Team
- Roadmap
- Whitepaper
- Socialnomics
The scores for pre-released games are designed to give a clear indicator of the overall quality of the materials the games have released so far, taking into account their teams’ experience, social engagement and our general expectations for the games.
Our goal is to offer an honest and critical review of each game and to help you decide whether this game is worth your time and attention.
Please note that the scores are based on available data at the time of analysis and does not include new information or changes to the games following the publication of the report.
| Score (★) | Description | Note |
| 1 | Awful | This project shows in more than a few ways that the creators aren’t serious and the project seems to be a waste of time and close to what we would consider a scam. |
| 2 | Very bad | Impressively bad, extremely low effort across the board. This is not worth your time. |
| 3 | Bad | This project has not managed to impress us. A lot of work needs to be done for us to understand the whole view of the project. We cannot in good conscience recommend this project. |
| 4 | Below average | There is an indication of a decent project here, but there are some clear visible drawbacks. |
| 5 | Average | An actual average score. Not bad, but not good either. |
| 6 | Above average | A good project, which seemingly has a good structure and a clear aim. Several good parts but missing the holistic quality necessary for a higher rating. |
| 7 | Good | This is a very promising project that we are very much looking forward to. |
| 8 | Great | A great project with touches of brilliance. |
| 9 | Impressive | This project has managed to impress us. We have a high vote of confidence in this project and we’re certain this project can deliver. |
| 10 | Exceptional | This is a near-impossible score and if achieved means you’ve seriously impressed our entire team through everything that you’ve released. Earning an Exceptional label from Balthazar is the strongest vote of confidence we could give and you’re setting a precedent for the entire space for what quality means. |
The 7 Categories
Background
- Gameplay
- What does or will the gameplay look like?
- Game mechanics
- Earnings (play-to-earn or play-and-earn, etc.)
- Lore
- Engaging
- Coherent
- Novel
NFT Game Assets
- How do they play into the game?
- Performance of NFT sale
- Utility
Website
- UI/UX
- Informative
- Desktop and mobile view
- Visually pleasing (subjective)
Artwork
- Quality
- Design elements
- Style and theme
Team
- Are they doxxed (do we know who they are)?
- Do they have relevant experience in gaming, development, blockchain, or finance?
- Have they had previously successful projects in GameFi?
Whitepaper
- Is the whitepaper fleshed out (does it have substantial information)?
- Neat and organized
- Overview/Introduction
- Game concept (goes into detail about everything related to gameplay and game mechanics)
- Details about the NFTs
- Tokenomics (how are the tokens distributed, what is the vesting schedule)
- Burn, earn, and staking mechanics
- Token utility
- DAO and community strategy?
- Team (should have information on the team, and easy access to further information and merits of team members)
- Advisors and investors (who are they and what are they providing regarding their affiliation to the project?)
- Tech stack (which technical solutions are used for this project (game engine, etc.)?
- Blockchain (which blockchain are they leveraging for tokens and NFTs etc)
- Smart Contracts audited?
- Market segment (where do they fit in the grand scheme of things?)
- Info regarding the project progression ahead / roadmap
Socialnomics
- Quality of the community
- Community activity
- Followers on social media
- Measure community activity by participation in Twitter posts in relation to followers. > 1% is good.
*Disclaimer: Sub-bullets are some of the points we look at within their respective categories, however, they are not necessarily limited to these.
FAQ & Disclaimers (Pre-Released page)
Balthazar’s Research Reports are never sponsored or paid in any way. The projects we cover in reports are chosen by Balthazar, regardless of our relationship to the project. If Balthazar has a partnership agreement or relationship with the project that has a research report conducted, this will be disclosed at the start of the report, but will never affect the results. Each member of Balthazar’s Alpha Team scores each section of the report anonymously, to remove influence. Here are some frequently asked questions about the research reports and Balthazar Game Score:
Does Balthazar ever change a score for a project after releasing a research report on it?
Only in the case of an updated report or a brand new report on the project in question. This will often be the case for projects which we score in the pre-release stage and then also when the project is released.
What is the score based on?
A detailed breakdown is given here.
If a project gets a good score does that mean I should invest in it?
Our reports and the scores are not financial advice. The scores are simply a metric to benchmark the against themselves and other games based on a set of criteria to give a holistic view of the project. The scores can be indicators of how well we find the project, however, any investment decisions should not be based on the reports themselves, nor their scores.
Does the Alpha Team score unreleased projects?
Yes we do, as soon as the project has all the necessary sections for us to give a score.
What makes your team qualified for rating projects?
Our Alpha Team is led by Nicholas “NicoThePico” Korsgård who was a professional Esports Head Coach in League of Legends for European teams such as Fnatic, Ninjas in Pyjamas, Origen and others. He also led PostFinance Helix which was a one-year esports pro-team by the third-largest bank in Switzerland. Nicholas has also professionally competed in several other titles such as PUBG, Starcraft 2, and Guild Wars.
All members of the Alpha Team are lifelong gamers who in recent years also have sprouted a heavy interest in Blockchain technology.
Together we hold two bachelor’s in Economy and Leadership with profiling on entrepreneurship and small business management, and a master’s degree in Informatics with a specialization in distributed systems and artificial intelligence.
Does a score of 10 mean that the project will be a guaranteed hit for the market?
No. Our reports and scores are solely based on the Alpha Teams analysis of the information available about each project and we cannot make any guarantees of its later success.
Is there any case where a project is not rated?
Yes, if a project has one or more categories missing, such as a whitepaper, website, or team, we will not score the game.