As Decentraland prepares for its Game Expo, we sit down with Bay Backner, the Head Producer, to dive into the event's vision and the evolving landscape of web3 gaming. In this follow-up interview, Bay shares more insights on the unique opportunities presented by blockchain integration, the influence of decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and the broader implications of the Expo on the web3 gaming industry.

Decentraland Game Expo

Summary of Event

Spanning four days, the Decentraland Game Expo will feature daily live web3 discussions with industry leaders, streamed both within Decentraland and on social media platforms including Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Leading up to the Decentraland Game Expo, creators will vie for a $17,000 prize pool in a Game Jam, tasked with developing captivating games aligned with a central theme in just one month. 

The top four winning games will be prominently showcased at DCLGX, highlighting Decentraland's SDK 7 and its growing creator community. As the countdown to the event begins, stay tuned for more updates and exciting surprises in the weeks ahead.

Decentraland Gameplay Graphic

Registration Instructions

Register now at the official DCLGX Game Jam page at itch.io  When you submit your GitHub repository at itch.io, you will also be asked to enter additional information such as your email, GitHub profile, and wallet address. 

Key Dates:

• April 24th: Registration opens
• May 1st: Theme & Guidelines released, Game Jam begins
• May 31st: Submission deadline, Game Jam closes
• June 5th: Winners Announced
• June 26th-29th: Winners showcased at the Decentraland Game Expo

Decentraland Land and Art Graaphics

The Prizes:

• 1st Place: 20,000 $MANA + Game Exhibited at DCLGX
• 2nd Place: 10,000 $MANA + Game Exhibited at DCLGX
• 3rd & 4th Place: 5,000 $MANA + Game Exhibited @ DCLGX
• Top 25 Entries: 100 $MANA for a Decentraland NAME

Notes: At the time of publication 20,000 $MANA is equivalent to over $8,000 USD. The total prize pool is equivalent to over $17,000 USD. The winning amounts will be paid in $MANA at the close of DCLGX and rates may vary. Current $MANA rates can be found on their website.

The Challenge

Create a new Decentraland game that can be installed and enjoyed on a 4x4 parcel at the Decentraland Game Expo. To be considered for a chance to win, your entry should be inspired by the theme “NEON FAIRGROUND”. Create a new twist on classic funfair or carnival games like Ring Toss, Whack-a-Mole or, Shooting Gallery. Find all the challenge details and judging criteria on the Game Jam registration page. 

Decentraland Game Jam Details

Participation

This game jam is a great opportunity to create your first Decentraland game or build a prototype for your next Decentraland hit. What can you do in four weeks of development time? You can use the #dclgx hashtag on Twitter to share your progress and to see what others are building. Join the special #game-expo channel on Decentraland Discord to ask questions or connect with other teams.

Booths for Web3 Games

Games by leading web3 names will also be exhibited at DCLGX by the Decentraland Foundation. Exhibiting games will be selected to highlight the breadth of innovation across the web3 gaming industry. Each will receive their own virtual booth at the Decentraland Game Expo, which can be customized with their brand, graphics, and models.

Decentraland Game Expo Dates

Interview with Bay Backner

Bay Backner, a notable female figure in web3 and virtual experiences, has made significant contributions to the gaming industry. Currently overseeing the Decentraland Game Expo, Bay is helping showcase the potential of blockchain integration, decentralized finance (DeFi), and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in gaming.  We had the pleasure of sitting down for a follow-up exclusive interview with Bay, to discuss the event's vision and implications for the future of the gaming industry.

Bay Backner Head of Decentraland Game Expo

Helping Games Cut Through “Content & Noise"

Question: Can you discuss the significance of showcasing the winning games from the Game Jam at DCLGX and how this exposure benefits both developers and the broader gaming community?

There is a lot of content and noise in web3 gaming - we can help winning games and their developers cut through this by offering promotions from a recognized brand like Decentraland. 

Uniquely, as Decentraland is an open virtual world, DCLGX visitors can walk between the winning games and the expo booths, just like in a real-life event. It means that we can show the winning games alongside some of the leading titles in web3.

Essentially, Decentraland Game Expo acts as one, explorable curated experience about the best in web3 gaming. It’s an opportunity for the broader gaming community to discover the studios and developers at the forefront of our industry.   

Decentraland Game Expo Snapshot

Question: How do you see Decentraland’s Game Expo influencing the broader gaming industry, particularly in terms of adoption of blockchain technology and the transition to web3 gaming experiences?

I see two major influences.

First, by showcasing what’s possible. We’re still finding that even seasoned gamers are surprised by what studios are already doing with web3. Innovation goes far beyond play-to-earn to encompass social, player-centric experiences built on foundations of true ownership and interoperability.

Second, in fostering community by bringing leading studios, developers, and gamers together. The Expo’s live talks and panel sessions will share knowledge on key topics like web3 engagement, game mechanics, and future trends, while in-world meetups and quests build connections on the ground.

The transition to web3 gaming is built on community and connection - Decentraland Game Expo is about supporting that as much as we can.     

Decentraland Logo

Final Thoughts

Decentraland's Game Expo will help play a role in the developing landscape of web3 gaming. By offering a platform to showcase innovative developments and top talent, the Expo effectively addresses the challenge of cutting through the content and noise in the web3 space.

It provides valuable exposure for developers and places them alongside industry leaders, enhancing their visibility. Additionally, the Expo fosters community and dialogue, which are important for the adoption and growth of blockchain technology in gaming.

As the event approaches, it is set to contribute to the advancement of immersive, interconnected, and player-centric gaming experiences, marking a significant step forward for web3 gaming.