The YGG Web3 Games Summit (W3GS) wrapped up with a bang at the end of last year, leaving gamers and industry enthusiasts buzzing with excitement. The summit, hosted by Yield Guild Games (YGG), showcased a week filled with game demos, epic announcements, high-stakes tournaments, and an innovative Game Jam. As the Philippines took center stage, YGG Co-Founder Gabby Dizon shared his insights on the five major themes that will define the world of web3 gaming in 2024 and beyond.

Theme #1: The Future of Gaming Is Now

Gabby emphasized that the future of gaming is no longer a distant concept but a present reality. In just three years, the landscape has evolved from a scarcity of web3 games to over 40 playable titles exhibited at W3GS in 2023. Notable games like Ragnarok Landverse, Mighty Action Heroes, and Axie Infinity: Origins are leading the charge, adopting a free-to-play model with blockchain elements, making them more accessible to a wider audience.

"We all want web3 games to be fun, accessible to normal web2 gamers, and when they get deeper, that’s when we introduce the web3 elements," Gabby commented.

Theme #2: Guilds 2.0

Web3 gaming guilds have undergone a significant transformation, offering more personalized experiences for members. YGG's specialized guilds like Sando Metaverse and The Guildhouse showcase the diversity within the ecosystem. Guilds are evolving to establish unique identities, as seen with partnerships like Rome and Wardens, each focusing on specific genres and gaming communities.

“What is a guild but a collection of players who are doing something together? I don’t think that concept will ever really leave. People want to get together and play games. I think guilds will be here to stay,” Gabby affirmed.

Theme #3: Web3 Quests as User Acquisition

Gabby highlighted the shift in user acquisition strategies, with web3 quests becoming the cornerstone. Questing offers mainstream web2 players an opportunity to seamlessly discover web3 games while building their on-chain reputation. This bottom-of-the-funnel approach focuses on targeted audiences and verifiable on-chain achievements, providing a more meaningful and engaged player base.

We recently announced the launch of a game-changing feature on our platform, GAM3 Quests. This revolutionary addition has transformed the web3 gaming landscape by reimagining the traditional ways of challenges, giveaways, and rewards that are commonplace across social platforms. GAM3 Quests were designed with a mission to drive true web3 gaming enthusiasts to a variety of game titles. Since its launch it has cultivated direct connections between in-game challenges and platform rewards, bridging the gap that often exists in the gaming sphere. Leveraging integrated APIs, our GAM3 Quests have rewarded thousands of gamers for participating in and successfully completing challenges.

“Quests are now the bedrock of user acquisition for web3,” Gabby emphasized.

Theme #4: Esports and Content Creators in Web3

Web3 esports is steering away from traditional models, focusing on community alignment and early community ownership. Gabby stressed the importance of grassroots, community-based tournaments, and support for smaller content creators to foster sustainable growth. Esports media house MetaSports, backed by the guild and game infrastructure BlockchainSpace, serves as a prime example as they collaborate with both established and rising content creators, including yellowpanther and Kookoo, as well as with brands, communities and DAOs like the esports-focused Paladins DAO. These collaborations foster a competitive but welcoming community aimed at any gamer willing to participate in the next wave of gaming.

“Let’s see if players really like the game. Let’s see if the game is viable for esports. Then, in the long term, let’s have a program where the game is partnered with different organizations to grow the sport. I think we’re starting to see the beginnings of that, and we’re hoping to participate and also stage a lot of these tournaments in the near future,” Gabby remarked.

Theme #5: AI NFTs and ERC-6551

Gabby pointed to technical standards like ERC-6551, also known as Token Bound Accounts, as a game-changer in web3 game development. This standard allows NFTs to own other NFTs, leading to new gaming experiences. Games like Spacebar and Parallel Colony are leveraging ERC-6551 and AI to introduce unique elements, such as AI characters with their own NFT wallets.

“There’s also different ways that we are looking to take advantage of Token Bound Accounts,” said Gabby.

Final Thoughts:

The revelations from the YGG Web3 Games Summit 2023 shed light on the dynamic evolution of web3 gaming. The identified themes, ranging from the immediate impact of current games to the transformative potential of AI NFTs and ERC-6551 standards, underscore the unique and revolutionary nature of web3 gaming. 

As the industry matures, web3 gaming emerges not just as a technological advancement but as a community-driven, inclusive ecosystem. The traditional gaming industry's proactive approach in fostering guilds, prioritizing user acquisition through quests, and redefining esports and content creation aligns with the ethos of web3, emphasizing decentralization, transparency, and user ownership. 

These findings signify that the future of gaming isn't just about advanced technologies but a paradigm shift in how we perceive, engage, and contribute to the gaming universe as a whole. With Asia, specifically the Philippines, at the forefront, the web3 gaming revolution is underway, promising an immersive and participatory experience for gamers around the globe.