The development of crypto gaming is evolving. Here are some Web3 games worth watching.
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The development of crypto gaming is evolving. Here are some Web3 games worth watching.
From "wealth" to "playability," Web3 gaming is undergoing a shift in focus.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsGames, as one of the primary forms of entertainment in the digital era, are generating immense economic value.
According to research by global consulting firm Bain, the gaming market is projected to grow by over 50% by 2025, surpassing $300 billion. As consumer demand for games continues to rise, so do players’ expectations for immersive experiences. The integration of blockchain technology into gaming has opened up new possibilities, offering players true ownership of in-game characters and assets, along with enhanced virtual experiences. An increasing number of games are now leveraging blockchain to deliver these benefits.
Riding the wave of the previous crypto bull market, the Web3 gaming sector initially surged with GameFi projects centered around the "play-to-earn" (P2E) model. Undeniably, this Play-to-Earn business model attracted a large number of crypto users in the short term. However, as the bull market红利 faded, the core issue became apparent: GameFi placed excessive emphasis on financial returns, failing to create gameplay that resonated emotionally with players. As the saying goes, when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. In 2022, the GameFi sector faced an unprecedented winter—its market capitalization shrank by 50% compared to 2021, and total funding dropped to $2 billion, a 58% year-on-year decline.
This year, according to DappRadar’s January blockchain market report, blockchain gaming has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments within the Web3 industry. Daily unique active wallets (dUAW) reached 839,436, accounting for nearly 3% more of the entire sector than last year. The Web3 gaming market is showing signs of recovery. Building on a macro analysis of Web3 game types and strategies, this article highlights notable Web3 gaming projects, aiming to uncover shifting paradigms in the development of crypto gaming.
Common Web3 Game Types and Strategies
The crypto gaming space has already given rise to numerous game projects, broadly categorized under the umbrella term GameFi. To better understand this landscape, we provide an overview of their game types and strategic models.
If classified by content, Web3 games can be divided into the following categories:
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Adventure Games: Players enter different metaverse zones, each presenting unique challenges during exploration. To progress to the next stage, players must defeat opponents or monsters, unlocking new levels or earning rewards such as NFTs through combat.
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Card Games: These require strategic planning to outwit opponents. Upon defeating rivals, players receive valuable cards they can exchange for crypto assets or sell on markets for profit.
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Real Estate Games: Popular within the Web3 gaming space, real estate games allow players to earn rewards by purchasing land and building infrastructure, or by leasing it to other players. Major brands such as PwC, JPMorgan Chase, and Miller Lite have used them to promote products and services.
By categorizing Web3 gaming projects, we see that their gameplay mechanics largely align with traditional game genres. In fact, the main distinction between current Web3 games and traditional ones lies not in gameplay but in underlying strategy. Currently, there are two dominant strategies in Web3 gaming:
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Play-to-Earn (P2E): Play-to-Earn allows players to earn rewards by completing tasks, battling other players, or leveling up. Unlike traditional pay-to-play models, P2E enables players to withdraw in-game assets and trade them on exchanges or NFT marketplaces.
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Play-to-Own (P2O): Play-to-Own represents the next-generation Web3 business paradigm, proposed by Web3 & Crypto Investor founder Arthur 0x. This model argues that gaming should not be treated as work, and that financial incentives should not overshadow enjoyment. Instead, P2O emphasizes engaging gameplay, sustainable economies, and fostering player ownership of in-game assets and intellectual property. However, this model has yet to be implemented in practice.
The shift from P2E to P2O reflects an effort by crypto gaming to return to the original purpose of game design—entertainment. Whether traditional or Web3, games should prioritize delivering enjoyable experiences that captivate players and sustain long-term engagement.
Promising Web3 Gaming Projects to Watch
Many projects in the Web3 gaming space have begun recognizing the shortcomings of the GameFi paradigm. Additionally, several new titles are set to launch Alpha or Beta versions in Q1 2023, sparking considerable anticipation. Below are some noteworthy crypto gaming projects (listed in no particular order).
Skyweaver
Skyweaver is a fully open trading card game (TCG) accessible via web browsers and mobile devices (iOS/Android). Gameplay resembles Hearthstone, allowing players to build decks across five distinct styles with customizable options. All cards are tradable NFTs, and players can earn valuable silver and gold cards through battles.
Notably, Skyweaver significantly lowers the entry barrier for gamers. It's free and open to all players, featuring an intuitive interface and beginner tutorials that enable instant gameplay without downloads. Skyweaver offers a seamless gateway into the Web3 gaming world, eliminating complex setup processes.
RobotEra
RobotEra is building a sandbox-style metaverse focused on planetary reconstruction. In the game, you play as a robot managing your own land and participating in world-building. You can gather resources from your land and create robot companions. The platform supports a shared multiverse connected to other worlds, hosting theme parks, concerts, museums, and more. Collaborate with various NFT communities to create, share, operate, explore, and trade within RobotEra.
RobotEra provides a wide array of tools enabling innovative experiences beyond what's possible in traditional games. Additionally, its smart contract code has been fully audited by SharkTeam, and the project and team KYC have been verified by Coinsniper, enhancing overall security.
Tamadoge
Tamadoge is a P2E game where players earn crypto assets by training, feeding, and raising digital pets. Once matured, these pets battle others. A leaderboard ranks players based on how they raise their pets, rewarding top performers with cryptocurrency.
According to official announcements, Tamadoge plans to release an augmented reality (AR) application in 2023, alongside upcoming features like a P2E Arcade. The AR app will enable more immersive interactions between players and their pets.
Undead Blocks
Undead Blocks is a first-person shooter (FPS) survival game. Currently in beta and early development, new maps and features are being gradually introduced. Players can choose solo or co-op modes, earning daily rewards by killing zombies and surviving waves of attacks.
For fans of survival games, this title is worth trying. Undead Blocks delivers excellent visual and audio quality, packed with clever one-liners and inside jokes from crypto culture.
Web3 Gaming: Entertainment First
Game developers must never lose sight of gaming’s core priority: entertainment. Similarly, while earning assets in Web3 games is part of the experience, it should not become the sole reason for user participation. Therefore, focusing solely on the financial (Fi) aspect is insufficient for sustainable Web3 gaming.
The projects highlighted above demonstrate how crypto gaming is evolving—moving beyond mere wealth generation. More developers are now prioritizing high-quality visuals, rich storytelling, low entry barriers, and engaging gameplay mechanics, striving to build vibrant, creative, and enduring crypto gaming ecosystems.
We hope Web3 gaming becomes a gateway for mainstream users to enter the Web3 world. We also look forward to more game-focused developers seizing the untapped entertainment potential in this space and making their mark in the Web3 gaming arena.
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