IntoTheVerse — “Web3 Worlds, Web3 Games: The New Era of Gaming and Publishing.”
Welcome to another IntoTheVerse Journal!
A metaverse that is focused on creating utility, impact and provides players with total control.
“Business is a game, played for fantastic stakes, and you’re in competition with experts. If you want to win, you have to learn to be a master of the game.” (Sidney Sheldon)
What is Video Game Publishing?
Publishing in video games involves overseeing the development and distribution of a specific game title. Leading game publishers play a vital role in bringing small, unknown indie games to the mass market and supporting them with financial backing, creative suggestions, quality assurance, marketing campaigns, localization, technical support, and legal matters to enhance their gaming experience.
History of Video Game Publishing
Video game publishing has had many evolutions since the emergence of the first games:
Late 1970s - Early 1980s
Publishing in game development in the 1970s-1980s was primarily handled by, Atari and Namco because the focus was on arcade games and early home consoles like the Magnavox Odyssey.
As home gaming became more popular, smaller publishers emerged to create new games for existing consoles.
Nintendo became a key player in the 1980s
Nintendo's introduction of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) revolutionized the gaming publishing industry because they introduced a licensing system that allowed third-party developers, like Capcom and Konami, to create games for the NES.
Sega initiated the console wars with Nintendo in the 1980s and 1990s
Sega’s introduction of Sega Genesis and Sonic the Hedgehog created a fierce console war between Sega and Nintendo to see which company would dominate the game publishing market.
PC Gaming took off in the 1990s
PC gaming ignited in the 1990s and became a prominent way to publish games because of leading publishers like Electronic Arts (EA) and Blizzard Entertainment.
The advancement of CD-ROM technology from floppy disks also intensified the gaming experience because it enabled games to use full-motion video for the first time.
Sony unveiled the PlayStation as a contender in the 1990s
The development of Sony’s PlayStation console created another major platform for publishing games, and it proved its ability to rival the giants, Sega and Nintendo, with the creation of epic titles, Final Fantasy VII and Metal Gear Solid.
Multiple consoles expanded distribution in the 1990s and 2000s
Publishing across multiple platforms and third-party publishing became mainstream, with the rise of companies, such as Ubisoft, Activision, and Take-Two Interactive.
The development of the internet also contributed to the creation of digital platforms for extensive game distribution, with the key players being, Steam, Xbox Live, and PlayStation Network.
Mobile Gaming, App Stores, and streaming in the 2000s and 2010s
Advancements in mobile technology with smartphones led to the creation of App stores, like Apple’s App Store and Google Play, which gave indie game developers the ability to reach wider audiences and share gameplay through streaming services, such as Twitch, YouTube, and Cloud gaming.
What has been the significance of Video Game Publishing in Web1?
Web1 paved the way for game publishing. Although it was restricted by technological limitations, it marked the transition from rudimentary gameplay to a more expansive gaming experience:
Transition to Online Gaming
Technological advancements shifted Web1 from primarily offline gaming experiences to online multiplayer gaming. This allowed players to break through geographical barriers and pushed gaming into the mainstream, making it easier for publishers to reach large audiences.
Gaming Became More Accessible
Adaptions to specialized hardware enabled players to have dedicated gaming networks, which made gaming much more accessible and it was viewed as a normal activity or hobby in day-to-day life. It also caused publishers to create an explosion of subscription-based online gaming experiences, especially with the development of MMORPGs and the sale of expansion packs and downloadable content (DLC).
Advancements in Game Design
As game design became more experimental and complex, game publishers continued to push the boundaries by creating persistent online worlds, such as Blizzard Entertainment with World of Warcraft. Publishers also started developing real-time strategy (RTS) games like StarCraft and Age of Empires which became popular online multiplayer experiences.
What has been the significance of Video Game Publishing in Web2?
Video game publishing diversified in the Web2 era and broadened the digital landscape by transforming the internet from a limited read-only platform to a much more immersive, interactive experience. Game publishing expanded in the following ways:
Digital Distribution
The emergence of digital distribution transformed the publishing industry because it removed physical barriers, enabling publishers to reach global audiences, with the ease of a button.
Players could also download games and play with friends online, which opened up the gaming industry to the mass market.
Game publishers also introduced the notion of DLCs (additional downloadable content and/or updates to the game) that could be released after the launch of the game title.
This created a cult following for popular games, with Gears of War, paving the way with their map system, Red Dead — Undead Nightmare, resurrecting the character of John, or the Donkey Kong DLC in Mario v Rabbids.
Streamlined Gaming for Players
Game publishing in Web2 streamlines a player’s gaming experience because it allows gamers to browse and purchase titles from a central platform, such as Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, the App Store, or Google Play.
The rise of social media also created a new longevity in gaming because it encouraged new levels of community engagement. Publishers created hype and long-term appeal in game titles, by encouraging players to contribute with user-generated content, and communication through forums, where they could gather feedback to improve the games.
Web2 publishers have also pushed the boundaries with cross-platform play, by enabling players on different platforms to play together in some game titles, to create a more fulfilling and interactive gaming experience.
Game Monetization and Live Support
The advancement of technology-enabled Web2 game publishers to offer games for free or at a low cost and to generate revenue through in-game purchases. They also ensured player loyalty by utilizing their games as a service, through the (GaaS) model, which offered ongoing support and game updates to retain a player's interest.
As the gaming industry became more complex, players demanded higher standards in in-game mechanics. Web2 game publishers adopted a data-driven approach to focus games on player behavior, preferences, and engagement patterns.
Web2 also enabled small, independent game developers to publish their titles on designated platforms, without the need for large-scale marketing and distribution efforts. Alternative pathways in publishing, such as crowdfunding, seed funders, and larger publishers, such as Chucklefish and Nintendo, allowed indie game developers to share their work, and publish on their platforms, giving newcomers the ability to be recognized and celebrated for their innovation and hard work.
What can Web3 learn from Web1 and Web2 game publishing?
Web3 game publishing has limitless potential because of the decentralized, nature of blockchain technology. It has transformed the industry by establishing true ownership of in-game assets. The play-to-earn models also empower players to buy, sell, and trade digital items across games, such as NFTs.
Blockchain also increases greater transparency and trust through smart contracts, community governance, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), which gives players a direct say in the development and governance of virtual worlds and games, reducing the influence of traditional game publishers.
Web3 can still, however, learn valuable lessons from the successful development and evolution of game publishing in Web1 and Web2:
User Experience is Key
One of the most significant issues facing Web3 is the lack of accessibility for mass market players because of poor user experience. Entry to Web3 games should be simple and gameplay should be on par or more enhanced than Web2 games. The decentralized aspects of the game should not compromise enjoyable, intuitive gameplay for players.
Web3 can learn from Web2’s intuitive interfaces, seamless interactions, and user-friendly design protocols. In order for Web3 to create user-friendly digital experiences, they will need to simplify processes, remove confusing buzzwords and jargon, adopt a user-oriented approach, and create easy access, if they hope to attract and retain a broader audience.
Scalability and Transaction Speed
Web3 is still in its initial evolution, and so it still faces challenges with scalability and transaction speeds. Web3 could learn from Web1 and Web2 because they both overcame similar issues. Web2 faced scalability issues as platforms and user bases grew, which often resulted in performance bottlenecks.
Web3 needs to prioritize scalability solutions to ensure that games can run smoothly and handle a large number of players. Solutions, such as layer 2 scaling, sharding, and optimized consensus algorithms will ensure blockchain-based games and applications can handle a high volume of transactions without sacrificing speed or efficiency.
Interoperability
Game publishing in Web2 pushed the boundaries with interoperability by enabling gamers to play the same game on different platforms together. Technological restrictions, however, limited the full scope of interoperability because gamers had to often play in closed ecosystems.
Web3 can expand interoperability because it can allow assets and data to move freely between games and platforms. It is also still in an early rendition and therefore has the potential to create limitless connectivity which would allow players to transfer all aspects of a game to other platforms.
Monetization
Publishers in Web2 gaming introduced diverse monetization models, such as microtransactions and in-game purchases, but it is limited. Web3 already empowers players by enabling them to own in-game assets, which can be bought, sold, or traded outside the game ecosystem. Monetization has become player-focused by introducing play-to-earn models, token rewards, and decentralized marketplaces where players can invest.
Decentralized finance (DeFi) also allows players to stake their in-game assets in yield-generating protocols, enabling them to generate passive income. Web3 can, however, go even further by combining these protocols with real-world initiatives to create a gaming experience that makes a positive difference, not only in our society but in our world.
In conclusion, Web3 is already redefining game publishing through decentralization, ownership, and empowerment. By giving players control over their assets and encouraging greater community engagement Web3 can foster more transparency and creative freedom to challenge traditional gaming publishing models.
As with any new industry, however, it is important to learn from the lessons of our predecessors in Web1 and Web2, to ensure we create a new transparent publishing experience that prioritizes the player, retains integrity, and focuses on what’s most important, creating a stimulating and immersive gaming experience.
Stay tuned for more tech articles from IntoTheVerse.
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Aimee Gilmore is a Creative Writer at IntoTheVerse. Come say hi to her on Twitter or Discord.
