Our GAM3 Awards, a key event in the web3 gaming landscape, is set to make a return in 2023. The event's jury lineup, a blend of familiar faces from 2022 and new representatives from various sectors of web3 gaming, has been unveiled. Notable additions include figures from web3 gaming venture capital firms, blockchain and ecosystem experts, infrastructure partners, and content creators, alongside established gaming leaders and tech giants like Amazon and Google.

We are proud to introduce one of our jury members Carson Taylor, Head of Product Strategy - Gaming, Entertainment, Mobile Apps - for Samsung Electronics America. Carson is also a venture investor with 8+ years of leading software, product, and strategy teams. He believes in building companies and products that empower, entertain, and engage all kinds of people. Carson has designed and shipped new features for massive entertainment products, launched new social apps and payment portals from 0 to 1, and also built products for developers and internal stakeholders. 

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

"I get to think really critically about the future of the entire gaming landscape, and help chart a course through that space for one of the world’s biggest and most innovative companies."

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

"While it’s been challenging for many studios and startups, the last year has seen a very welcome refocusing on the pure fun of gaming over financialization and speculation, while still retaining the unique benefits web3 offers."

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

"It’s hard to believe sometimes but the current state of mainstream gaming, where users make purchases but can’t resell or trade the assets they buy, has only been the norm for the last few years. I think web3 promises to bring back the ownership and control users once had in their physical games, and finally bring that into the Internet age."

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

"There are many technologies that have clear benefits to gamers, but have barriers to massive adoption that mean it will take years to become mainstream. Like VR or cloud gaming, web3 has momentum and high potential, but we shouldn’t expect rapid adoption in a short period of time."

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 Carson Taylor on the jury, the event is set to recognize excellence in the ever-evolving world of web3 gaming.