As the web3 gaming world anticipates Decentraland's inaugural Game Expo, the spotlight shines on the intersection of blockchain technology, decentralized finance (DeFi), and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in shaping the future of gaming.

Bay Backner, the Head Producer of the Expo, sat down with us in an exclusive interview to share insights into the event's vision and the significance of blockchain on the evolving landscape in the gaming industry.

Decentraland Gameplay

Exclusive Details of Event

Set to take place from June 26th to 29th, the Decentraland Game Expo aims to provide a glimpse into the cutting-edge innovations driving web3 gaming forward. With one of Decentraland's primary plazas transformed into a bustling arcade, attendees can expect an immersive experience showcasing the latest developments in the field.

Spanning four days, the Expo will feature live web3 discussions with industry leaders, streamed across multiple platforms including Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. In addition to these discussions, creators have been challenged to participate in a Game Jam, competing for a substantial $17,000 prize pool by developing games aligned with a central theme within a month.

Decentraland's Game Expo Dates

The top four winning games from the Game Jam will be showcased at DCLGX, highlighting the creative talent within Decentraland's creator community. As excitement builds leading up to the event, attendees can anticipate more updates and surprises in the weeks ahead.

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

Future of Gaming: Interview with Bay Backner

Bay Backner, a notable 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.

Create

True Ownership

"The integration of blockchain technology into virtual worlds opens up a myriad of opportunities for developers and gamers," explains Backner. "It elevates traditional 3D environments into truly immersive virtual worlds by offering features like persistent identities, interoperable assets, and genuine player ownership."

Decentraland stands as a notable addition to this movement, leveraging blockchain to create authentic virtual experiences. Through the Game Expo, Decentraland aims to showcase innovations from its vibrant developer community while fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among forward-thinking studios.

Backner added "As Improbable’s Herman Narula likes to say - 'a virtual world differs from a game in a few ways, key among them is that a virtual world is a consequential place' - without blockchain, developers simply cannot offer the immutable consequences needed for this leap. They can’t provide the essentials like persistent identities across games; interoperable, tradable assets; true player ownership; tokenized economies with real-world impact; or resilient community-led governance". 

Experience 

The Impact of DeFi and NFTs

With the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), Decentraland is poised to enhance the evolution of traditional gaming ecosystems. "In Decentraland, all assets are user-owned and interoperable as NFTs," Backner highlights. "This not only empowers gamers within our ecosystem but also lays the groundwork for true personalization and ownership across the entire gaming industry."

Moreover, Decentraland's approach to NFTs enables seamless integration with other virtual worlds, allowing gamers to maintain their identity and assets regardless of the platform they choose to engage with. This trend towards genuine ownership is reshaping the gaming landscape, setting a precedent for the industry as a whole.

Influence

Within the Decentraland ecosystem, all assets are already user-owned and interoperable as NFTs. Backner adds, "I own my Wearables, Emotes, and MANA and can use them in any Decentraland game, scene, or Decentraland World (new user-owned environments outside the 90k LAND parcels of Decentraland itself). I can buy, sell, or transfer them on NFT marketplaces."

Bay followed up stating, "However, what’s equally important for web3 is how these assets can be used in other ecosystems. For example, your Decentraland avatar wearing your NFT Wearables can be exported as a VRM for use in other virtual worlds, a first step to interoperability. It means that gamers can keep their identity, wherever they choose to play. These trends of true personalization and ownership will shape the future of the whole gaming industry, not just specific ecosystems."     

Decentraland's Worlds

Final Thoughts

The insights shared by Bay Backner and the initiatives undertaken by Decentraland underscore a notable moment in gaming history. As the industry continues to evolve, embracing blockchain technology, decentralized finance, and non-fungible tokens, it becomes evident that the future of gaming is one defined by true personalization and ownership. 

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.