Big Time 2024: New Multiplayer Battle Expectations, Blockchain Games Make a Strong Comeback
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Big Time 2024: New Multiplayer Battle Expectations, Blockchain Games Make a Strong Comeback
This article will invite Michael Migliero, CMO of BigTime, to share insights from BigTime's perspective on the industry, project development, and plans.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsAs the 2024 cryptocurrency market rebounds, blockchain gaming is emerging as one of the most dynamic sectors in the industry. Valued at over $3 billion by 2023, the market is projected to reach $90 billion by 2030. This growth is driven in part by increased investment and the widespread adoption of NFTs. At the forefront of this trend are "play-to-earn" (P2E) and "play-to-own" (P2O) games that blend traditional gameplay with blockchain technology. With continuous advancements in technology, financial investment, community engagement, and in-game economies, 2024 is expected to be a pivotal year for GameFi projects.
As a leading project in the blockchain gaming space, BigTime has drawn significant attention following its recent distribution of nearly $300 million in pre-season player rewards. In this article, we speak with Michael Migliero, CMO of BigTime, to explore the industry outlook and BigTime’s strategic roadmap from an insider perspective.
Q: What inspired you to join BigTime?
A: My background in the mobile gaming industry spans from 2011 to 2018, after which my previous company was acquired by a major game publisher. During that time, I experienced firsthand the persistent issue of in-game inflation. As marketing budgets grew, the pressure to recoup costs intensified, leading to heavier monetization—ultimately shifting more financial burden onto users. I realized this model was unsustainable. When we began building BigTime, I was inspired by Web3's potential to transform this dynamic. Web3 empowers players to actively participate in the game economy, representing what I believe is the future of gaming—a sustainable, player-centric ecosystem.
Q: How does your core team’s experience in traditional gaming benefit BigTime?
A: The expertise of our core team, particularly members from Epic Games who contributed to Fortnite, has played a crucial role in shaping BigTime. Their experience working on groundbreaking titles like Fortnite set a high benchmark for delivering premium gameplay experiences. It also enables us to iterate quickly, ensuring BigTime not only meets but exceeds current player expectations. This combination of quality focus and agility is central to our development strategy.
Q: What has been the biggest challenge during game development, and how did you overcome it?
A: Our biggest challenge has been balancing development speed with quality. The Web3 space moves fast, while traditional game development often drags on for years. In crypto markets, timing is critical—especially during bull runs when interest in new Web3 games surges. Our commitment to rapid delivery meant dealing with occasional bugs, errors, and even character resets through patches. But these challenges were worth it. Our focus on speed has made BigTime one of the most complete and timely games available in today’s market.
Q: Blockchain games are sometimes seen as financial products disguised as games. Where do you see the value in combining crypto with gaming?
A: As the blockchain gaming industry matures, I expect a shift away from games primarily designed as financial instruments. The future of Web3 gaming lies in creating inherently enjoyable experiences that are free to play, fair, and avoid "pay-to-win" mechanics. Successfully integrating crypto into games will depend on enhancing gameplay without sacrificing fun or accessibility. For example, in BigTime, players can fully enjoy the game at no cost. However, for those interested in deeper economic participation—such as collecting tokens or engaging in crafting—owning or renting utility NFTs like Spaces, Workshops, and Hourglasses becomes relevant. This approach keeps the game free-to-play while offering an additional layer of engagement for economically inclined players, balancing entertainment value with economic opportunity.
Q: BigTime’s NFT sales have performed well, but some question whether there are enough asset consumption use cases. How does the team view this?
A: Since launching our economy about 140 days ago—with 40 of those days falling within Western holiday seasons—it's important to recognize that BigTime’s economy is still in its early stages and continuously evolving. We’re actively enhancing the overall player economic experience. Given the game is still in its early phase, our focus remains on optimizing both the economy and gameplay itself. We believe that as these improvements roll out, our user base will grow, demand will increase, and economic activity will diversify. Our approach clearly identifies room for growth and development in addressing current asset consumption dynamics.
Q: BigTime emphasizes being player-first. What efforts have you made in this regard?
A: Being player-first is at the heart of everything we do at BigTime. From day one, we’ve ensured player participation is essential—for instance, requiring active gameplay as a condition for receiving Workshop NFTs via airdrop. This philosophy is reflected in our main leaderboard, which is heavily weighted toward actual gameplay. All our strategies and decisions prioritize player experience and engagement, ensuring the game remains rewarding and enjoyable for those who invest their time and effort. Notably, neither team members nor investors receive token allocations.
Q: Besides retaining existing users, attracting new ones is equally important. The entry cost for casual players can be high, with long payback periods. What steps are you taking to lower the barrier for new users?
A: To address the high entry barrier and make the game more accessible, we’ve implemented an in-game asset rental system. Recognizing that a 30-day minimum lease might deter some players, we recently reduced the shortest rental period to just 7 days. This change is part of our ongoing effort to lower entry barriers, making it easier for newcomers to get involved. Additionally, we’re actively developing new mechanisms aimed at further reducing upfront costs, ensuring our game remains affordable and accessible to a broader audience. These initiatives reflect our commitment not only to retain current players but also to welcome new ones into our community.
Q: Do you have any message for the Asian or Chinese community?
A: The Chinese community holds a special place in the hearts of the BigTime team. We recognize its significance and find ourselves increasingly engaging with players on platforms like WeChat, spending more time each day connecting directly. We’re intensifying our efforts across China—from improving customer support to strengthening marketing and even hosting giveaway events during Chinese holidays. Our commitment to the Chinese community is strong, and we’re excited to continue building and deepening this relationship.
Q: What are BigTime’s plans for rolling out new content and features? What are the priorities?
A: For 2024, BigTime aims to launch Player-vs-Player (PvP) functionality—a highly requested feature and a top priority for our team. This addition will introduce an exciting new dimension to the game, allowing players to challenge each other and the environment, wagering real assets for prizes. While specific PvP mechanics remain under wraps, we’re committed to ensuring they enhance gameplay without making competitive play a requirement for success in the game economy or on leaderboards. This initiative is part of our broader strategy to continuously evolve and enrich BigTime, keeping our community engaged and excited.
Q: BigTime’s invite codes were once scarce. When will access be open to everyone?
A: We aim to remove the invite code requirement within this year. Before opening access to all, we need to strengthen certain areas, including the first-time user experience (FTUE) and infrastructure scalability. These improvements are essential to ensure smooth and enjoyable onboarding for new players and that our systems can efficiently handle a growing player base.
Q: What advice would you give to gamers and enthusiasts interested in Web3 game development?
A: For those passionate about diving into Web3 game development, my advice is to deeply engage with existing Web3 games. Interact with communities, talk to fellow players, and truly listen to their experiences. Pay close attention to what makes current games successful, and just as importantly, understand why others fail and what doesn’t work. Learning from both successes and failures across the industry will give you a solid foundation to innovate and improve. This hands-on experience and knowledge are invaluable for anyone looking to make a meaningful contribution to the evolving world of Web3 gaming.
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