The Future of Web3 Games: The Application Value of Blockchain in Gaming

Blockchain technology has brought new possibilities to the gaming industry, but it also faces many challenges. This article will explore the application prospects of blockchain in games, as well as some controversies and issues that currently exist.

Blockchain Brings Opportunities to Players

1. Asset Ownership

Blockchain technology allows players to truly own in-game items and freely trade, resell, or even use them in different games. This ownership can enhance player engagement and motivation. For example:

• In digital card games, players can collect and trade digital cards just like collecting physical cards.
• In large multiplayer online games, players can accumulate their own in-game wealth through strategic gameplay.
• In role-playing games, players' emotional attachment to customized characters may be deeper.
• Game achievements and records can become permanent collectibles.

2. Decentralization promotes content creation

Decentralization allows creators and players to build new content on the game without the fear of being shut down. This reduces the risk of innovation and encourages more people to participate in ecosystem development. For example:

• Third-party developers can build trading markets to provide players with a better experience.
• User-generated content based games can provide more rewards for creators.
• Developers can contribute new gameplay to autonomous game worlds.

Blockchain brings opportunities for developers

1. New Business Model

Blockchain allows game developers to explore new funding and monetization models, such as:

• Raise funds for game development through presale NFTs
• Use tokens to incentivize rapid user acquisition
• Issue game tokens as a marketing budget
• Build decentralized guilds and other businesses around games

2. Composability and Open Source

The open-source nature of Blockchain encourages a participatory culture, allowing third-party developers to build businesses around games. For example:

• Provide game data analysis services
• Build a metadata website and profit from it
• Earn income through on-chain referral mechanisms

3. Community Building

Web3 projects usually start building communities early and develop together with them. NFT holders often have a strong sense of belonging to the project and are willing to actively promote and support it.

Challenges Faced by Players

1. Actual demand is in doubt

There is a viewpoint that blockchain has not solved the actual problems of players. Most players do not care about the ownership of digital assets and trust developers to manage the game economy.

2. Money can ruin the gaming experience.

Linking in-game items to real-world value may bring unnecessary pressure to an activity originally meant for relaxation. Allowing players to purchase any items may also ruin the joy of exploration and growth in the game.

3. High entry threshold

Blockchain operations are relatively complex, which may discourage many players. In addition, the potential for real monetary rewards may attract bots and scammers, affecting the gaming experience.

Challenges Faced by Developers

1. Development costs increase

Integrating blockchain into games requires additional costs, which may make the development costs of Web3 games higher than traditional games.

2. Negative Views

Some players hold a negative attitude towards NFTs and cryptocurrencies, believing that they are scams or harmful to the environment.

3. Secondary Market Competition

In Web3 games, asset trading between players may compete with developers' revenue. It is currently unclear which revenue model is best suited for Web3 games.

Conclusion

Blockchain technology shows great potential in the gaming industry, but it still faces many challenges. To realize its value, thoughtful innovation and unique game experience design are needed, rather than simply replicating existing game models. Only in this way can Web3 games bring real value to all participants.