Revolutionizing Web3 Game
Blockchain games are revolutionary. With Axie Infinity's
play-to-earn (P2E) model, the gaming industry is on the verge of a revolution,
put into action by web3 technologies, particularly the blockchain.
Consequently, native tokens, like NFTs, offer to democratize in-game ownership. Experts and gamers are apprehensive since P2E is, by definition, prone to risk.
Web3 is the future of gaming, but we need the correct tool to
traverse it. We benchmarked 40+ current and forthcoming games to develop 5
criteria for evaluating web3 games' long-term viability.
Not Financial Advice.
P2E is the Default Blockchain Gaming Business Model and is Exciting for Players.
P2E rewards users with in-game assets for involvement and playtime. P2E games are virtual worlds fueled by tokens, thus "tokenomics." Each web3 game is a self-sustaining ecosystem with a decentralized economy where players earn value through fighting, building, trading, and farming.
In-game tokens and markets aren't new, but blockchain games are revolutionary because in-game assets (tokens, NFTs, etc.) may be sold on a decentralized crypto exchange.
Decentralized assets enabled by blockchain may be exchanged across virtual ecosystems, making them more integrated and united.
Web3 game development companies aim to disperse ownership among players, enabling them to
produce more economic value than from a web2 game – and maintain it when they
switch games. This promise will revolutionize the gaming business.
P2E Encompasses Several Revenue Streams.
P2E games generate money by selling tokens and digital assets and charging fees on in-game transactions. Here's a quick rundown.
Startup capital
Some web3 games charge to play. P2E games are often confused with F2P or free-to-play. Technically, all blockchain games are P2E. However, some need an initial investment (e.g., Splinterlands, Gods Unchained, Thetan Arena) (Axie Infinity, Alien Worlds, Sorare).
Tokens - Native tokens are used in most Web3 games.
In-game money is the most prevalent. There's typically a DAO/governance token. Some tokens may be used as collateral to earn interest in DeFi dapps or staked for prizes.
NFTs may be exchanged in-game and out. They're rare because they're not fungible, unlike 'money' tokens. Some games let players create NFTs.
In-game NFTs may assume endless shapes depending on the ecology.
Dogami, DNAxCAT, and Axie Infinity are game characters that may be bred, employed in combat, and ornamented with NFTs.
Cards have proliferated in fantasy football (Sorare) and competitive combat games (Splinterlands).
In games like The Sandbox and Decentraland, users may own, develop, and rent virtual land. Players may make passive revenue in Alien Worlds by letting others mine their land.
In Star Atlas, players create spacecraft and weaponry from harvested natural materials.
Harmonia Goya's Land NFTs include animals, plants, mounts,
apparel, and pens.
'Classic' income sources:
Partnerships might give new NFT skins for avatars, host virtual concerts, or enhance game infrastructure.
'Battle pass,' when a player earns reward levels, e.g., Blankos Block Party's Party Pass unlocks 'hype points' for accessories.
Billboards, kiosks, and art galleries in The Sandbox feature Admix-style advertising.
All of this sounds great. However, the P2E Model is volatile and best practices have yet to crystallize.
Axie Infinity was the top NFT game last year. It made news because gamers might become wealthy in weeks. Sky Mavis' game was so successful that scholars and guilds have developed to teach future players and loan them NFTs.
After months of growth, average daily profits plummeted below the Philippines' minimum wage, where most of its players are. Smooth Love Potions (SLP), its in-game currency, has witnessed tremendous fluctuations in the previous year and is plummeting now.
That doesn't imply Sky Mavis got it all wrong or that P2E is flawed by design, but it does illustrate the Model's (and the market's) existing flaws.
Volatility is clear. As players continue to spend and go into debt
to play, guilds operate a risky lending system. Taxation is another ambiguous
area where increased regulation might offer stability without jeopardizing
autonomy.
Here are 5 criteria for evaluating Web3 games' long-term viability.
1. Nature of the Gaming Universe
How expensive is gaming? Quality of graphics and animations, as well as the storyline's level of engagement
Would this game be amusing if no money was made? It must be enjoyable, whether it's gaming or a money-making strategy.
Can players co-create the ecosystem (UGC) by creating NFTs? A benefit for user retention.
The game's accessibility. Newcomers may learn web3 game mechanics
in many ways. DeFi Kingdoms uses gamification to explain crypto principles.
2. Business Models
Does F2P exist? Who wants this game? This affects the game's marketability.
Profits. Multi-revenue-stream game? More is better since it reduces model risk.
Tokens. Does the game feature smart, interoperable tokenomics? How has the token value changed? Are there collectible, useful NFTs, or are they jpg? Their usefulness? This will affect user retention and token value.
Partnerships. High-profile collaborations improve native coins' exposure and brand appeal.
Physical/digital merchandise. Does the studio work with great companies and designs on merchandise?
Advertising. Is it elegantly incorporated or likely to upset players?
Marketplace. Is there an in-game or outside-game marketplace?
Game mechanics retain digital assets' value. Who loses how much?
3. Team Quality
Is the team doxed? Cryptosecurity isn't always guaranteed.
Team size? The team's size should match its ambitions and plan (see #4).
Key members' backgrounds: Product development, gaming (especially from top-tier studios),
finance and crypto/tokenomics professionals, marketing, and community-building.
4. Financing and Roadmap
Total financing. Did they raise a lot of money/crypto to make their dream come true?
Investor quality. Do Sequoia, a16z, etc., support the project? Joe Schmoe, parent or angel investor?
Stability. Does the game have many income sources and little risk? Or has it no money or venture capital?
Goal-oriented plan. Is the roadmap imaginative and ambitious? Is their procedure detailed?
Update frequency. Does the project communicate frequently and
transparently?
5. Community factors
Social media participation. Are there active Telegram/Discord/Twitter communities? Occurrence? How's Town Hall attendance?
DAO. Is there a smart DAO? Does it enable roadmap progress? Or be
sluggish and distracted?
Conclusion
Web3 development company will provide a) an entertaining, high-quality gaming experience, b) strong economic structures that emphasize token appreciation, and c) a chance for players to define the platform.
Play-to-earn should become play-and-earn for web3 developers with mass-market ambitions.
