In previous parts of our year-end series on blockchain gaming, we discussed its different phases and stages. Starting from CryptoKitties’ groundbreaking and revolutionary launch, the second phase of Axie Infinity’s soaring popularity and exploding bubble, and eventually the last phase of the fix In our series, we also talked about the problems blockchain gaming faces with mass adoption, scaling, and the decline of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). In addition, our most recent news examined funding trends and gaming guilds. Today, we shall discuss the future of blockchain gaming. What is the future of blockchain gaming? What lies ahead in the Web 3.0 gaming space? What are the significant steps that the blockchain gaming industry needs to take to write the future better?
The future of Blockchain Gaming in 2024 and Beyond
If we look back at 2017 and now, blockchain gaming has made a great deal of progress. The process of evolution is well under way, and the industry is constantly learning and making progress. The industry has shown a lot of potential over the years, and it continues to do so despite the market's severe economic depression. Let’s take a look at the key areas where the industry needs to shift its focus for the sake of blockchain gaming's future.
User Oriented Infrastructure
Infrastructure needs work to get mass adoption going and get more and more gamers interested in blockchain games. It needs to make sure that the overall infrastructure remains solid and user-friendly. There is particularly one infrastructure element that is common among blockchain gamers: digital crypto wallets. Every gamer in the Web 3.0 gaming space almost always has a wallet, and it has become a basic requirement to play blockchain games. This area needs improvement. Take, for example, MetaMask, a popular first-choice wallet that has different issues.
First, MetaMask fails to cater to the issue of private keys. It poses a security risk, and the intricacies make it more complicated to handle. Second, there are issues with MetaMask’s mobile browser, and users find it difficult to operate it on mobiles. Third, to make it more straightforward, MetaMask is complicated and not user-friendly.
So, if we have issues with one of the most popular wallets in the blockchain gaming industry, then mass adoption is a long shot. However, there are other wallets that are making their way into the industry. Horizon’s Sequence is a non-custodial, multi-chain wallet that provides multi-key support. It also allows users to pay the gas fees with a token of their choice. The wallet is in beta with Skyweaver.
After getting $30 million, Stardust has been working on a core application, which shows another way to solve the problem. The application will allow users to integrate NFTs and blockchain into their games. The application is also compatible with Polygon, Immutable, and Solana.
Market Distribution is Key
When going mainstream and trying to get a lot of people to use blockchain games, it's important to think about how the market is split. Blockchain games are slowly making their way into mainstream distribution channels like Amazon Prime Gaming, Apple, and the Epic Games Store. Blankos Block Party is available on the Epic Games Store, where the audience is over 180 million. Moreover, Blankos Block Party is also available on Amazon Prime Gaming. Such placements will surely help blockchain gaming at large.
Apple has also opened doors for blockchain NFT games with new guidelines; however, there is no exemption from a 30% sale commission. Nonetheless, NFT games coming to a platform like Apple will surely help the Web 3.0 gaming space, especially on mobile. It will surely bring mass adoption to the niche with the passage of time.
Blockchain Gaming Attracting Talent
According to data from LinkedIn, there will be a clear migration of skilled workers to blockchain gaming studios in 2022. Almost all of the major developer studios have increased their workforce, with Sorare taking the lead with a growth of over 43%. The Sandbox also expanded by 33%, while Immutable is up by 35%. This is a positive long-term sign in terms of Web 3.0 gaming growth. In the future, we can expect well-designed, fun games with a sustainable economic model.
The evolution of the blockchain gaming model is in sight
The blockchain gaming model is also evolving, from play to earn to other models. The play to earn model with its get-rich-quick scheme was in full swing in 2021. Axie Infinity led from the front, but it imploded owing to an unstable model. Now, the industry's top developers understand the fundamental dynamics that make the fun factor critical to attracting new players. Moreover, lowering the entry barrier and making it free to own will get more gamers on board. Now, the model is evolving from "play-to-earn" to "play-and-earn," "play-and-own," and "free-to-own."
Finally, the regulation is also important given the number of scams, rug pulls, and behind-the-curtain financial irregularities.
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