GDC is approaching, and Web3 games are making a comeback
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GDC is approaching, and Web3 games are making a comeback
This article will introduce you to the hottest Web3 games to watch before attending GDC 2024.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsWritten by: Tiger Research
Translated by: TechFlow
Summary
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The cryptocurrency market has recently flourished, and blockchain technology is expected to make a comeback at GDC 2024—the world’s largest game developers conference.
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In particular, discussions around Web3 gaming are expected to be more active than ever, with major Web3 companies such as Avalanche, Arbitrum, and Oasys participating.
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AAA-level Web3 games such as Nexon's MapleStory Universe and Wemade's Night Crows are setting new directions for the entire industry.
Introduction
The world's largest gaming event—the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2024—will open this week. The conference brings together game developers from around the globe to explore the latest trends in the gaming industry and share insights that help shape its future. The more you learn from GDC, the better prepared you'll be for the future of gaming. In this report, we’ll introduce the top Web3 games to watch ahead of attending GDC 2024.
Web3 Gaming Makes a Comeback
With the recent recovery of the cryptocurrency market, blockchain technology is expected to once again take center stage at GDC 2024. Last year, Nexon, Wemade, and Com2uS launched their blockchain games, drawing significant attention to the Web3 gaming market. This year, Nexon and Wemade plan to launch their blockchain titles MapleStory Universe and Night Crows respectively, with Wemade poised to participate for the third consecutive year as a major sponsor.
Beyond game studios, GDC 2024 will also feature keynote sessions involving numerous Web3-related companies such as Animoca Brands and The Sandbox. This presents a key opportunity to further explore the applicability and impact of blockchain technology within the gaming industry.
Mainnet Participation Heats Up
This year’s conference will see increased participation from mainnet platforms including Avalanche, Arbitrum, and Oasys. These networks have set up their own booths and are actively seeking game development partners, signaling their commitment to driving innovation and growth in blockchain-powered gaming.
The involvement of Avalanche and Oasys is particularly noteworthy. Avalanche has been strengthening its presence in Web3 gaming, recently launching Shrapnel, an FPS game built on Avalanche, and announcing a partnership with MapleStory Universe. Oasys is also highly active, having recently partnered with Kakao Games’ Metabora, Com2uS’ XPLA, and Ubisoft. Additionally, Gala Games will host a $1 million hackathon at the event, generating further excitement around Web3 game development.
Prominent Web3 Gaming Companies Attending GDC 2024
Nexon Universe, MapleStory Universe
Presented by Nexon Universe, MapleStory Universe is a Web3 game based on the MapleStory IP, which boasts over 180 million global users. The game features a much-anticipated community-driven C2E (Create-to-Earn) ecosystem that encourages user-generated content creation within the game.
The company plans to launch the game this year and has recently released several trailers for MapleStory N. Stay tuned, as they are expected to reveal detailed information about their collaboration with Avalanche during this GDC.
Wemade, Night Crows
Wemade’s Night Crows is a Web3 MMORPG that launched globally in March this year. After being released across 180 countries, the game was warmly received, reaching 200,000 concurrent users within just two days of launch. As Wemade solidifies its role as a leader in the Web3 gaming space, their vision for a comprehensive Web3 gaming ecosystem deserves close attention.
Other Gaming Conferences
Compared to other regional gaming events, interest in blockchain technology at GDC 2024 stands out. At Korea’s G-STAR 2023 last year, only 4% of nearly 300 exhibiting companies were related to blockchain technology. This low participation rate can be attributed to South Korea’s strict regulatory environment. Currently, Web3 games face operational restrictions in Korea, as the Korean Game Rating and Administration Committee continues to refuse classification for blockchain-based games.
TGS 2023
In contrast, gaming conferences held last year in Japan and China placed greater emphasis on Web3 gaming. In Korea, aside from Wemade, it’s difficult to see other prominent Web3 gaming companies. On the other hand, Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2023 in Japan saw stronger participation from Web3 projects such as Oasys and Double Tokyo Jump, along with a joint booth from major gaming firms Gumi and Crooz Blockchain Lab.
China Joy 2023
Contrary to strict regulatory concerns, China hosted a session on Web3 technology at its largest gaming conference, ChinaJoy 2023.
Conclusion
While many P2E games have failed to achieve long-term success, the Web3 gaming market remains full of creative and disruptive initiatives. GDC 2024 will further highlight these efforts. With advancements in blockchain infrastructure and lessons learned from past trials and errors, the possibility of AAA-quality Web3 games is growing stronger by the day.
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With the recovery of the cryptocurrency market and a clear increase in GameFi user numbers, expectations for Web3 gaming are higher than ever this year. Watch GDC 2024 to understand where the future is headed.
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