The article, as reported by Ed Chang of Ava Labs, discusses the growing trend of web3 gaming, a fusion of traditional online gaming and blockchain technology. Explore the world of Web3 gaming with insights from industry experts. Discover challenges, opportunities, and the future of blockchain-infused gaming. While the concept is gaining traction, there are significant challenges to overcome in order to fully realize its potential.
Web3 Gaming Expansion: Web3 gaming is a rapidly expanding industry that combines online gaming with blockchain technology. Despite its potential, both game developers and players have yet to fully embrace this innovation.
Reputation and Trust: Gaming studios have been striving to improve their reputation, especially after the “play-to-earn” era. Gaining the trust of Web 2 gamers is crucial, as investors and businesses are keen on attracting the next generation of users to cryptocurrency and web3 technologies.
Challenges in “Play and Earn” Strategy: Ed Chang points out that integrating blockchain features into games can benefit all genres. However, there are debates in the industry about the balance between the “play” and “earn” components in web3 games. Striking the right balance is essential to create compelling games without compromising quality and enjoyment.
Metrics and Development: Chris Akhavan, the Chief Gaming Officer of Magic Eden, suggests that web3 gaming is still in its early stages. Developers are exploring metrics specific to web3 gaming, such as Wallet and Marketplace usage, in addition to traditional metrics like Installs and Daily Active Users.
Complex Game Development: Creating engaging web3 games can be a complex and time-consuming process, leading to a delay in their release. However, experts anticipate a shift away from the play-to-earn model as web3 ownership and alignment between players and developers increase.
Improving User Experience: The user experience (UX) remains a significant challenge in web3 gaming. Simplifying the process of creating wallets and linking them to gaming platforms is crucial for reducing friction and increasing user satisfaction, potentially leading to broader adoption.
Play-to-Earn Evolution: The “play-to-earn” approach, which gained prominence in the web3 gaming industry between 2021 and 2022, is undergoing a rebranding. Terms like ‘play to own,’ ‘play and earn,’ and ‘win to earn’ are now used to better describe the mechanics of these games and improve clarity and confidence in the industry.
Web3 Gaming Predictions: Asia, particularly South Korea and Japan, is expected to lead in the adoption of web3 gaming over the next five years. These regions with strong gaming cultures and growing interest in blockchain are likely to see the success of web3 gaming models before Western markets.
Infrastructure Improvement: The future of web3 gaming faces uncertainties due to various challenges and cryptocurrency volatility. Addressing issues with the user interface and striking a balance between enjoyment and profitability are essential. The industry is shifting towards making games that seamlessly incorporate blockchain technology without altering the core gaming experience.
Final Thoughts: The article concludes that all gaming genres, especially those with robust economies, can benefit from web3 ownership. Developers must focus on creating exciting experiences for players to stand out in the market. Overall, web3 gaming has a promising future if challenges related to design, user experience, and monetization can be effectively addressed. The industry is expected to grow and attract mainstream gamers as more web3 games are developed and released.
