As the gaming world evolves, professional players in popular titles like DOTA 2 and Rocket League are embracing the potential of Web3 gaming, opening doors to innovative opportunities and enhanced experiences for players and developers alike. Recently, Erik Engel, also known as “Tofu,” a prominent DOTA 2 player for Gaimin Gladiators and Max Ng, also known as “Maxeew,” a professional Rocket League player shared their excitement about the integration of blockchain technology in games.
Winning over $400,000 in major DOTA 2 tournaments, Tofu emphasized the refreshing aspect of companies exploring more than just games. He believes that blockchain gaming holds promise in making the gaming experience even more rewarding.
The idea of blockchain gaming is still a new and expanding topic for most of us, and it’s something I want to explore more in the future. If it’ll improve gaming and make it even more rewarding, then that’s definitely something to look out for in times ahead
Erik Engel.
Maxeew also praised the idea of games being developed differently, especially when it comes to rewarding players for their time and investment. Though he has yet to personally try blockchain-based games, Maxeew expressed interest in exploring them once the competitive gaming season winds down.
The idea behind adding new technology and features is something that pretty much any game can benefit from, especially when it is something that can reward the users’ time and expenditure on the game itself
Max Ng.
These sentiments from top eSports players signal a growing acceptance of Web3 gaming in the competitive gaming scene. It highlights the potential that blockchain technology holds in empowering traditional gaming ecosystems, offering features that genuinely benefit players and revolutionizing the gaming experience.
The co-founder of Gaimin Gladiators, Joseph Turner, believes that the initial reluctance of major publishers, like Valve Corporation, to embrace Web3 gaming will change with time. While Valve removed blockchain-based games from Steam in 2021, Turner sees the tide turning as more companies dive into Web3. He encourages blockchain projects to engage directly with the competitive gaming industry, fostering new opportunities for players and developers.
Walter Lee, the GameFi leader at BNB Chain, emphasized that Web3 gaming’s potential is vast, ranging from tokenizing in-game assets to creating on-chain verifiable random number generation mechanisms. Lee sees a future where Web3 gaming will become the new norm and provide exciting opportunities for professional gamers to build their brands and revenue streams outside the traditional eSports ecosystem.
Earlier this month, Ubisoft and SEGA, two gaming giants, announced their investments in Web3 gaming, further cementing the rise of blockchain technology in eSports. Ubisoft’s upcoming title, “Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles,” promises to integrate Web3 economics, allowing players to own and exchange in-game assets. SEGA, in partnership with Double Jump Tokyo, plans to bring its hit Web2 game, “Sangokushi Taisen,” to the Web3 realm through the Oasys blockchain, expanding the possibilities of blockchain gaming.
In a separate survey conducted by Coda Labs, it was found that three out of four game developers anticipate working on Web3 game projects in the future. The majority of developers see Web3 gaming as an avenue to change the game business, impacting user enrollment and retention positively. With increased funding, new revenue sources, and improved player retention, developers are increasingly exploring the creation of Web3 games.
Furthermore, the survey revealed that over 50% of respondents believe that Web3 will completely transform the gaming industry. In particular, 40% of the participants felt that integrating Web3 would lead to an increase in the number of new users, while 36% believed that it would significantly improve user retention in games.
Sekip Can Gökalp, the CEO and founder of Coda Labs, provided insight into the survey’s findings, emphasizing the tangible benefits of Web3 games for developers. He noted that increased funding and new revenue streams were clear advantages, encouraging developers to delve into the world of Web3 gaming.
Blockchain technology continues to penetrate the gaming industry, players and developers can expect a future of exciting opportunities, innovative gameplay mechanics, and a stronger bond between the gaming community and Web3 ecosystems. With the momentum gained from the survey’s positive responses, Web3 gaming is undoubtedly set to revolutionize the gaming landscape and create a more vibrant and sustainable future for eSports.