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Working in Web3, we hear a lot of animosity from traditional gaming fans toward Web3 and blockchain-powered games. Simply mentioning that a gaming studio is experimenting with it can cause social media feeds to become flooded with 140-character backlash.
Until today, most Web3 game studios lack actual gaming mechanics and, instead, still serve speculators riding the crypto price and tokenized market cap waves connected to the platforms. The key rule for adding value to gaming with digital assets: the base game needs to be a truly engaging, fun, and collaborative experience where people are included freely, challenged, and can create community.
With the exception of early indie open-source games, gaming has never been a “pure” experience free from economics. Let’s take World of Warcraft as an example. This IP was prolific in numerous psychological tactics to entice gamers to get hooked on playing their game. When the gamers wanted t quit they would attempt to sell their accounts for real currency. When the fruit of a gamer’s labor can be correlated to real currency, it adds an element to the gaming experience rather than detracting from it.
With the advent of Web3 and blockchain-powered games, traditional gamers see these as a get-rich-quick scheme predicated by crypto scammers, and as a new way for gaming companies to dress up microtransactions. There is a lot to be wary of, and much of this sentiment is justified. Summed up with a lot of misinformation, complex learning curves, poor-quality games, and others, we have a recipe for strong negative emotional reactions, yet the source of this angst is worth exploring more deeply.
As the space grapples with the technical friction issues that come with Web3 gaming, a hybrid approach appears to be a smart bet for the near future — a blend of traditional and blockchain-based gaming experiences that offers a smooth transition for both developers and gamers alike. Let’s call it “Web2.5” for the sake of understanding and let’s explore why this may be the best plan in the near term.
By going hybrid, games can continue to utilize distribution channels like Valve Corporation (Steam), iOS, and Android, despite the challenges blockchain gaming presents to their monetization monopolies. Selling a standalone client is difficult, and a standalone mobile app is virtually impossible. The market is ultra-competitive and user acquisition costs can go through the roof. However, developers can still adhere to strict platform requirements by creatively integrating Web3 elements without using terms like wallet or NFT.
Let’s be honest, there are 3.2 billion gamers worldwide (almost half of the Earth’s population), and the majority of them are not crypto-savvy. In regard to games, people like convenience and simplicity. Turn on your pc or console, insert the disk, or choose their game from a launcher, press start, and that’s it. Or even simpler, tap an app on your phone and start playing. DLCs and purchases are usually quite straightforward across these platforms, but without the benefits that blockchain tech offers.
If we want blockchain-powered games to thrive then a hybrid approach offers the perfect solution. Games cater to both Web2 and Web3 players, providing nearly identical experiences outside of trading and selling.
The market needs to develop games that deliver authentic experiences while offering compelling opportunities for gamers to earn digital assets (NFTs) that reinforce and enhance their gaming experience. NFTs are simply a tool for verifiable ownership, often fulfilling a primal need (and joy) for collecting and status.
As a result, gamers who initially resist the idea of digital assets (NFTs) can still enjoy the game, with the added bonus of an optional Web3 experience for those who want to explore further.
The endeavor to bridge Web2 and Web3 is entirely possible. Several smart and experienced developers have already embraced this hybrid approach, recognizing the benefits of easing into the market and acquiring users while integrating Web3 infrastructure for interested players.
By building games with the flexibility to adapt to a blockchain environment, developers can rapidly iterate, gather feedback, and make changes as needed.
As Web3 gaming slowly gains traction, developers who adopt a hybrid approach will be well-positioned for success. By offering a fully optional added experience for players and fostering a seamless transition, they can effectively bridge the gap between traditional and blockchain-based gaming experiences. As a result, this “Web2.5” hybrid gaming may just be the future of the gaming industry, providing the perfect balance for gamers and developers alike.
The next chapter of the industry is currently being written, and the possibilities for creative disruption and responsible value creation are limitless.
