The web3 gaming space is evolving fast, but not without growing pains. According to a recent report by Wolves DAO Author Artemis, beneath the promises of digital ownership and player-driven economies, the industry faces an identity crisis. Communities built around blockchain games are struggling to decide what they truly are: groups of gamers looking for fun, or investors seeking returns.
When Playing Turns Into Speculating
Inside most web3 gaming communities, conversations often split along a clear line. Some players discuss gameplay mechanics, balance updates, or strategy tips. Others focus entirely on token prices, NFT floor values, and staking rewards. This constant divide has created two distinct cultures living under the same roof - one defined by passion for play, the other by pursuit of profit.
This tension affects how games are built. Many web3 titles are designed around token systems and reward structures that feel more like financial tools than game mechanics. The result is an ecosystem where entertainment and speculation blur together. When players begin to care more about yield than gameplay, the experience risks losing its creative core.
Web3 Gaming’s Identity Crisis
The Pressure of the Token Economy
Developers in the web3 space face a challenge that traditional studios rarely encounter: their success is often measured not by how engaging their games are, but by how well their tokens perform on the market. Corey Wright’s Honeyland project is a clear example of this. Despite launching a working game with an active player base and consistent updates, Wright still faced skepticism when the token’s value dipped.
In web3 gaming, market charts often overshadow player satisfaction. Even when teams deliver strong gameplay and consistent communication, a declining token price can instantly erode trust. This constant financial scrutiny creates what many builders call the “token trap” - a scenario where creative priorities are overshadowed by market pressure.
Web3 Gaming’s Identity Crisis
The Role of Influencers in Web3 Gaming
Influencers play a major role in how web3 games gain visibility. Personalities like Crypto Gorilla have become key figures in helping projects reach audiences, serving as both educators and gatekeepers. Unlike traditional gaming, where streamers amplify already established titles, web3 projects often depend on influencer approval to gain traction.
While this model helps drive early awareness, it also reinforces a marketing culture focused on hype and investment potential. When influencer endorsement becomes a requirement for a game’s success, projects risk prioritizing short-term exposure over long-term quality.
Culture Clash: Gamers, Degens, and the Meaning of “Value”
Traditional gamers and web3 players often have very different motivations. Gamers look for immersive worlds, challenge, and community. Their sense of achievement comes from skill and exploration. Degens, on the other hand, approach games as financial ecosystems - an opportunity to earn through strategy, trading, or speculation.
This cultural clash plays out in every web3 game’s community. Gamers question why tokenomics often take precedence over gameplay, while degens criticize projects that fail to deliver sustainable returns. The two perspectives rarely align, leaving developers in the middle trying to satisfy both.
Web3 Gaming’s Identity Crisis
The “Diamond Hands” Mentality
A common trait across many web3 communities is the “diamond hands” mindset - holding assets regardless of market conditions. In traditional gaming, players value participation and achievement. In web3, holding becomes a status symbol.
While this can create strong community loyalty, it also feeds a passive culture where players are celebrated more for what they don’t do (selling) than for what they contribute in-game. It highlights the shift from games being about participation to being about possession.
Finding the Balance Between Play and Profit
The future of web3 gaming depends on whether the industry can reconcile these conflicting identities. For the space to grow, games need to stand on their own as enjoyable experiences, not just as investment opportunities. Developers will need to build ecosystems where financial incentives enhance rather than replace gameplay.
If the balance between entertainment and economy is found, web3 could create a new form of interactive experience - one that merges creativity, ownership, and value in a sustainable way. But until that happens, the industry risks staying in a perpetual beta phase, where games function more as experiments in economics than as lasting entertainment.
Source: Wolves DAO Author Artemis
he games mentioned in the article:
- Elden Ring
- World of Warcraft (WoW)
- Valorant
- MoonFrost
- Honeyland
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is web3 gaming? web3 gaming integrates blockchain technology into games, allowing players to own in-game assets such as tokens or NFTs that can be traded or sold outside the game environment.
Why do people say web3 gaming has an identity crisis? The crisis stems from the divide between players who see these games as entertainment and those who treat them as financial platforms. This split affects how communities form and how developers design their games.
Are web3 games just about making money? Not always. Some projects focus on gameplay and storytelling, but many early web3 titles have prioritized tokenomics and earning potential, which can overshadow creative design.
How do influencers impact web3 gaming? Influencers often serve as key promoters, helping new projects gain visibility. However, this influence can sometimes lead to hype-driven markets where success depends more on exposure than on quality.
What can developers do to improve web3 gaming? Developers can focus on designing games that are enjoyable without relying heavily on token rewards. Building sustainable in-game economies and fostering player-driven engagement can help bridge the gap between gamers and investors.
