Web3 Makes Gaming Better but It Isn’t Required — But It’s Coming to All Games
The introduction of Web3 technology into the gaming industry has created a lot of excitement among gamers and technologists alike. It has brought increases in player interactions, community development, and ongoing support from teams resulting in a more immersive experience. For those gamers eager to investigate the enhanced effects offered by Web3, or those curious to learn what the technology might mean to their gaming experience, understanding its use is essential. While Web3 is an option for gamers, it isn’t necessary to get the most out of the gaming experience — it’s a value add that soon all games will adopt.
Let’s explore how Web3 can make gaming better. We’ll examine the different aspects of Web3 technology, from how it works to how it improves gaming, and take a look at how gamers can experience a game without it. With this knowledge, gamers can make informed decisions about how to experience the best gaming experience for them.
What is Web3 gaming?
Web3 gaming is the newest trend in the gaming world. It’s an evolutionary step in gaming that utilizes the same interfaces you’d use to previously play the games, but instead of tying accounts to an email, you tie your assets and accounts to a wallet that you own (for this article, we’re going to ignore custody solutions for the time being). This technology uses the blockchain to record data, asset ownership, and/or more depending on use cases.
Using Web3 can make your gaming experience more personal, interactive, and enjoyable since every action a user takes could be logged onto the blockchain and can be seen by other players in real time. This adds an element of trust between players and developers and holds gamers accountable. Additionally, gamers can take advantage of the decentralized nature of Web3 and leverage the technology to own their assets entirely, which was previously unheard of. If a game were to decide (like Fortnite) that your account was to be no more, there would be no more Fortnite skins for you.
The great thing about Web3 gaming is that it isn’t a requirement. While it can provide an unprecedented level of immersion, ownership, and implied security through accountability for gamers, the tech can be passed over for those who just want to play the game on their own. While the future of gaming certainly looks brighter as Web3 progresses, it’s still an optional part of the gaming experience that provides a large amount of value for those that want it.
The Future of Gaming
A new era of gaming is being ushered in with the advent of Web3. Alternative gameplay options, asset ownership, and immersive user experiences enable gamers to soak up more enjoyable and interactive gaming adventures than ever before. However, the use of Web3 is optional for gamers; some games allow for its use, while others remain unchanged in the old-fashioned fashion. And then some use Web3 to make their games better but don’t have it as a requirement.
In the future of gaming, there’s no telling what types of games we’ll see. We may see VR enable games where gamers explore expansive virtual worlds (the metaverse, perhaps?), or interactive stories where players can shape the plot and create their unique outcomes. One thing is for sure, Web3 will significantly enhance the way future games look, feel, and play. Players will have the choice of using its immense capabilities, while those who prefer the classic gaming style can remain in the past, and that’s okay.\
Web3 can also alleviate some of the limitations seen in the current gaming experience. Multiplayer games can become more connected and competitive, with gamers being able to analyze data better and make better in-match decisions and tie those results to their assets. Developers can create more dynamic worlds for gamers to explore, where things can change in a blink of an eye based on choices made and governance provided by the community.
Whether it’s utilized or not, it’s clear to see the impact of Web3 on gaming is undeniable. It brings new possibilities to the gaming industry that we’ve never seen before, from better integration of data to more connected gaming experiences. As technology evolves, the future of gaming looks brighter and even more entertaining.
How Most Games Implement Web3
Most games are structured around an online platform that requires players to log in and create an account to use their services. For gamers, this is a necessity to protect their accounts and to enjoy the vastness of certain online worlds. With Web3 technology, game developers can offer more options, giving players greater access to their assets and providing a proven model for gamers to validate ownership with or without the original gaming platform.
A simple use-case for Web3 in gaming is storing game data on-chain. This ensures that each game is completely transparent and secure (to a degree, but that’s for another article) because all information is visibly stored on the blockchain’s distributed ledger. Game developers can grant players the ability to make transactions using digital tokens within the gaming experience, opening up new and unique paths to earning rewards.
We see an example of this as games use the NFT skins in their current offerings. It’s a simple way to “store game data” on-chain. Another example that is more data-driven is the storing of actual transactional game data. An example of this would be storing a turn in a game of chess on chain. That isn’t entirely efficient, but some tools let developers “batch” data on-chain and query it later so there aren’t a massive number of transactions to deal with.
Most games require that a gamer is fully in on Web3 or not and it has become very polarizing. Very rarely is it possible for a gamer to get into a Web3 game without purchasing assets before playing. This model is new for the traditional gamer as we have gotten used to multiplayer games having some semblance of a free option. The same applies to in-game purchases. Consider battle passes and loot boxes in games. Most games, like Overwatch or CS: GO, have a way to earn things when playing.
Web3 technology offers gamers options and more control over their gaming experience but currently has major gate-keeping mechanics that prevent users from enjoying the game.
Making Web3 Optional in Games is the Future
The concept of making Web3 optional in gaming is something that hasn’t been explored enough. Web3 is undeniably a game-changer, however, there are ways that the tech can be used without requiring the entire player base to be all-in on it. Allowing gamers to keep Web3 as an optional feature could be the wave of the future.
Having Web3 as an optional feature allows users to tweak their gaming experience to their personal preference. For those who don’t need to experience the highest levels of gaming potential, keeping Web 3 on the sidelines might be a viable option. Those who want to make the most out of the technology can choose to delve deeper and engage with the advantages that Web3 offers.
An example of this would be making the technology record the data on-chain and utilizing it behind the scenes. This enables the tech but isn’t truly optional. A better example would be letting users play the game the same way whether they want to own their assets or not. In this example, those that care about asset ownership can have their NFTs be in the game and exportable (true ownership) and those that don’t can play the same way they are familiar with. This model makes it simple for Web3 gamers to play with traditional gamers and focus only on the gameplay.
Ultimately, making Web3 an optional feature is about choice. It’s about giving gamers control of their experience and allowing them to decide what works best for them. When gamers feel empowered to make these choices, they get a richer and more meaningful gaming experience. Not only do they feel a sense of ownership, but they are also encouraged to think outside the box and explore different gaming possibilities.
By offering Web3 as an optional feature, gamers are offered a wider range of gaming possibilities. And that’s ultimately a win-win situation! People get to pick and choose what they want, while still having access to the vast potential of Web3 if they choose to explore it. These options don’t stop at asset ownership either. There are many different integrations games can configure in Web3 and making each one optional is the future.
An Easy On-Ramp Makes Web3 Gaming Viable
Alright, quick summary time. We’ve talked about how we can make games better with Web3 and how it can be optional. Let’s define how the tech can be used in the future in a way that will make those who don’t want to use it more likely to.
An easy on-ramp for new gamers to explore the fun of Web3 gaming starts with opt-in experiences. Rather than diving into a full-scale Web3 game straight away, gamers can have the option of interacting with Web3-enabled features gradually. This allows gamers to better understand what Web3 has to offer, while at the same time giving them a chance to decide that Web3 might not be the right fit for them (although I doubt that).
Other than making Web3 optional, game development teams can implement familiar tooling. The release of ERC-4337 made things like social account recovery possible. Certain chains already provide email login and there are pieces of tech that create wallets for users. The moral of the story is that games with Web3 implementations need to feel and look familiar.
Game Asset Ownership is Important
When it comes to gaming, asset ownership is an important element of modern gameplay. Web3 takes the concept of asset ownership to the next level, allowing gamers to permanently acquire in-game digital assets that are fully owned by the user rather than being controlled by a centralized authority. This concept, though optional in the case we’ve defined, has many exciting benefits.
For starters, it gives gamers the freedom to store and leave assets in their private accounts, so they can do what they want with them at a later date. Plus, game assets have the potential to appreciate if the right game is chosen. Even if a player doesn’t immediately sell their assets, they can eventually do so while still having full control and ownership over the asset. Imagine picking an asset that is used in a suite of games or in an expansive IP universe!
Game asset ownership can also provide gamers with a sense of security and ownership of their game economies. It can help maintain the game’s integrity by preventing certain players from unfairly gaining extra resources or having some other kind of unfair advantage. It combats digital fraud as best as we can as long as the teams behind the games don’t set it up inappropriately.
Game asset ownership offers a way for gamers to join and grow the game economy without having to fully rely on a third party. It provides gamers with a strong sense of self-ownership and a secure way of managing their virtual assets. While Web3 isn’t necessarily a must-have for gamers (yet), it does offer plenty of benefits to those who choose to use it.
Games Should be Fun
Games should be fun. It’s what we’re all playing for, after all. That doesn’t mean they can’t also be challenging, rewarding, or captivating. But the most important criterion of any game is that it should bring joyous moments to the players. Web3 may make gaming more exciting and immersive, but it isn’t always required to have a fun time.
Whether it is playing Super Mario Bros. on a hot summer day or sitting for hours around a board game with friends and family, the bottom line remains the same. Gaming should be an enjoyable experience. Something that allows us to come together, allow our imaginations to grow, and have a great time. It can be different for everyone, but that doesn’t detract from the essential point — games should be fun.
Maybe it’s an elaborate escape room, a scavenger hunt, or a video game night. As technology becomes even more advanced and enjoyable, the world of gaming is constantly evolving. Web3 may add a certain level of sophistication, but in the end, the goal is still the same — to have fun. The route you take to get there just may vary depending on personal preference.
Nothing compares to the feeling of finally completing a difficult level or winning a hardcore round of a competitive. Games should be fun, and that is something that will never change. As endless as the possibilities of gaming may be, the paramount criterion is that there should be an enjoyable time to be had.
The Best Road Possible
Web3 has certainly revolutionized gaming and has a lot of exciting advancements to offer that improve gaming experiences, such as asset ownership and accountability. These advancements are not essential for all gamers, and it’s ultimately up to an individual whether or not they choose to upgrade to the new technology. As the technology continues to develop, more and more gamers will likely leap Web3 and enjoy the numerous benefits it brings with it.
Aaron is the technical co-founder of Unnamed.gg, a game and Web3 studio currently producing two games: FutureProof, a tactics PvP game with some deck builder elements, and Project Ocean, a secret project in the works at QuarterMachine.io which he also owns. In his spare time, he ponders what to do with his spare time.
Follow me on Twitter: @GuyettAaron and ask for a job or advice any time!
