Our GAM3 Awards, a significant occasion within the web3 gaming ecosystem, is poised for a grand comeback this December 2023. The event's panel of judges combines well-known personalities from 2022 with fresh representatives spanning diverse sectors of web3 gaming. Exciting new additions feature experts from web3 gaming venture capital firms, blockchain specialists, ecosystem collaborators, and content creators, alongside seasoned gaming luminaries and tech giants such as Amazon and Google.

We are proud to introduce one of our jury members Kate Irwin, Lead Gaming Reporter and Producer at Decrypt. Kate is a journalist leading Decrypt's video games coverage. Previously, she's written for Inverse (formerly Input), Dot Esports, and Game Rant. She has a BA from UC Berkeley and an MFA from Columbia University.

1. What is the most enjoyable part of your role?

“My favorite part about my current role at Decrypt is being able to playtest new amazing games and speak with developers directly. It's so fun to be able to pull back the curtain on game development and share it with our readers at GG”

2. How do you see the progress made in web3 gaming since last year?

“Many mediocre to bad Web3 games have been released in the past year and have little to no concurrent players. But compared to a year ago, there are so many more AAA-level Web3 games in development right now. Good games are finally coming...but it's going to take another 1-5 years to really see those releases. There's also huge interest in blockchain gaming in Asia on the mobile development side. Most gamers in the US still don't care about and don't like NFTs, though, so that will continue to be the US market's biggest hurdle. Some games are actually pausing or stopping development due to the ongoing bear market, so it's looking like only the most well-funded and talented game devs will succeed.”

3. What is the most valuable addition web3 brings into gaming, from your perspective, if any?

“I hope that Web3 gaming inspires a broader ethos shift for the gaming industry to give gamers more control, ownership, and tradability of their in-game assets. Games don't need crypto or blockchain, but gamers could greatly benefit from having more tradability of individual assets in their game accounts. Blockchain is just one way to do that.”

4. What is your outlook on 2024 and beyond for web3 gaming?

“I think blockchain games will pop in Asia and many will do modestly to extremely well. In the West, only the most well-funded blockchain games will succeed and have a substantial playerbase for six months plus after release. Some blockchain-optional games will do well and make tons of money, but I predict that most players of those titles won't opt-in to the crypto elements and will effectively play them as Web2 games.”

The return of our GAM3 Awards in 2023 promises to be a celebration of the web3 gaming industry's growth and innovation. With industry figures like Kate Irwin on the jury, the event is set to recognize excellence in the ever-evolving world of web3 gaming.