In a recent Blockchain Gaming World podcast episode, Jon Jordan dived into the strategic vision of Goat Gaming with Simon Davis, CEO of Mighty Bear Games. The discussion centered on Goat Gaming's innovative approach to blockchain gaming, particularly its focus on Telegram as a key platform.

Davis also shared insights into how Goat Gaming plans to leverage Telegram’s extensive user base to introduce a range of mini-games. In this article, we summarize key points from their conversation. We will also expore whether Telegram could be the "Trojan Horse" for web3 gaming. 

Is Telegram the Trojan Horse for Web3 Gaming?

What Is GOAT Gaming?

GOAT Gaming is an advanced platform that serves as a rebranded and expanded version of what was previously known as the MightyNet. Designed to appeal to web3 gamers, the platform's infrastructure supports a variety of games and utilizes AI for the rapid deployment of engaging content. Users can enjoy mobile games, browser-based titles, experiences on Fortnite, and play-to-earn games on Telegram.

The Road To $GOAT Campaign

The Road to $GOAT is GOAT Gaming's inaugural event, where participants can earn GOAT Points by completing various quests. These points determine leaderboard rankings, with top players receiving a portion of the $GOAT token supply. Early supporters and dedicated players of Mighty Action Heroes have already received GOAT Points for holding game NFTs and engaging in activities like Season Pass progress and 1v1 Showdowns.

Currently, the only available blockchain game on the platform is Mighty Action Heroes, accessible on both browsers and mobile devices. Existing MightyNet accounts have been seamlessly migrated to GOAT Gaming, allowing users to sign in using their previous login methods.

GOAT Gaming

The Concept Behind GOAT Gaming

GOAT Gaming is centered on offering a variety of mini-games within a blockchain framework. According to Simon Davis, the initial spark for GOAT Gaming came from the success of the 1 versus 1 Showdown mode in Mighty Action Heroes. In this mode, players pay a small entry fee in hard currency, with potential rewards ranging from 1.3x to 10x of the initial amount. This feature revealed a strong demand for prize-driven mini-games in the web3 space.

The vision for GOAT Gaming is to create a platform akin to Miniclip but for web3, featuring hundreds of micro-experiences. These games will be built using WebGL and HTML5 and integrated into Telegram, which is currently a major platform for crypto gaming.

1v1 Showdown

Telegram's Role in Crypto Gaming

Telegram is seen as a significant platform for crypto gaming, reminiscent of Facebook gaming in 2008. With nearly a billion users, Telegram provides a large potential audience for engaging and simple games. Davis likens the current state of Telegram to an early version of Facebook gaming, with hopes that it will evolve without facing the same pitfalls.

While Telegram's gaming environment presents an expansive opportunity, Davis is cautious about the accuracy of audience metrics on the platform. Despite this, the ability to stream games directly into Telegram and other messaging platforms like iMessage or WeChat offers a broad range of possibilities.

Telegram vs WeChat

Addressing Bots and Game Retention

A concern in Telegram gaming is the presence of bots, which could inflate user numbers and potentially devalue tokens. Davis acknowledges this issue but notes that even if a significant portion of users are bots, there remains a substantial number of genuine players. The real challenge is ensuring long-term player retention once financial incentives are removed.

Game Development and Future Plans

GOAT Gaming aims to include a diverse range of gameplay types and themes. Davis highlights upcoming games such as Waifu Clash and various runners, reflecting the platform's intention to cater to different player preferences. Additionally, the Southeast Asian location of the studio allows for the creation of localized content.

The platform is currently open to external developers, though it remains hands-on. Davis estimates that it will take about a year before GOAT Gaming can fully support self-serve development.

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The Challenge of Attracting Sustainable Players

Davis discusses the broader challenge of maintaining a player base in blockchain gaming. Unlike traditional web2 games where developers focus solely on player engagement, web3 introduces speculators into the mix. Balancing a compelling gaming experience with the interests of speculators remains a complex issue that has yet to be fully addressed.

Is Telegram the Trojan Horse for Web3 Gaming?

Telegram certainly seems to offer a significant opportunity for blockchain gaming. The platform's vast user base and the ability to integrate games directly through WebGL and HTML5 make it a compelling venue for web3 games, especially casual mini-games that offer rewards and competitive experiences.

The Telegram-based crypto game Hamster Kombat has seen a significant rise in popularity, now boasting over 300 million players. This figure marks a 50% increase from just a couple of weeks ago, illustrating the game's quick ascent within the Telegram community.

As Simon notes, Telegram's gaming scene mirrors Facebook gaming around 2008, presenting a large audience with an appetite for socially engaging games. This comparison suggests that Telegram could serve as an entry point for mass adoption, similar to how early social networks facilitated broader gaming adoption. The platform's infrastructure also allows for easy development and distribution.

Telegram App on iPhone

However, challenges such as bot activity and the accuracy of audience metrics could impact the effectiveness of Telegram as a launchpad for web3 gaming. While the platform provides substantial opportunities, these issues must be managed to ensure sustainable growth and player engagement.

In summary, Telegram could indeed function as a "Trojan Horse" for web3 gaming by leveraging its large user base and flexible platform for game integration. Yet, the full realization of this potential will depend on addressing existing challenges and continuing to refine the approach to engaging users in a meaningful way.

Source: blockchaingamer.biz