As we say farewell to 2023, it’s time again for our annual look at the year ahead. And while nobody can truly predict the future, there are few trends in web3 gaming that we think will see increased significance throughout 2024!
2023 was a big year for web3 gaming, but 2024 will likely be even bigger! Here are a few trends that we expect to trend even more throughout 2024.
Mobile Gaming
Mobile gaming is already starting to dominate the web3 gaming world — at least in regards to active user numbers. And this includes a wide variety of projects. From the walk to earn Sweat Economy, to game platforms such as PlayEmber, to standalone games like MotoDex and Benji Bananas.
Not only will we more mobile games hit the web3 markets this year, but we will also see a continued increase in mobile focus for desktop games as they seek to capture a portion of this very large and potentially lucrative playerbase.
Expect to see the quality of mobile games increase as well, with projects like Heroes of Mavia, Rogue Nation, and Fableborne all focused on creating high quality mobile gaming experiences!
Web2 / Web3 Crossovers
We’ve already seen a number of these sorts of games. There are some cases where the developers have built separate applications for web2 and web3 players. But, the trend seems to be going in a different direction. Many games are now building their basic functionality with web2 gamers in mind, gating or hiding any blockchain aspects. This should help attract new players, while also appealing to NFT owners and play to earn gamers.
In addition, we’ll see an increased presence from traditional web2 gaming companies in the web3 space. Zynga is already making big moves with Sugartown, and Ubisoft is developing a web3 game of their own called Champions Tactics.
Founder NFTs
And then we have NFTs. Specifically, gaming NFTs. And even more specifically, founder-level NFTs. These are generally limited edition NFTs that are sold at the beginning of a game’s development to help create some buzz around the project and generate some initial income for the team.
Founder NFTs often come with promises of airdrops, whitelists for future mints, special early access to the game, and other perks along those lines. Many of these already do well at holding value. However, as we move into 2024 and some of these games begin to come online, the dev teams are beginning to hand out rewards to their founder NFT holders, and sometimes even trying to find extra ways to add value to these NFTs! I think that 2024 will be the year that we see the real value of these NFTs surge, especially with projects that are delivering on their promises.
Cross-app integrations
Cross-app integration has always been one of those cool features of NFTs that hasn’t seen a whole lot of traction in regards to actual implementation. But we’ve started to see a bit more with Pixels letting players use avatars from a number of different PFP projects in-game, and the Alien Worlds Syndicates funding third party development, many of which interact with the Alien Worlds NFTs in some ways.
And personally, I think that a lot of big name brands are missing a huge opportunity here. Imagine that instead of just having that Hot Wheels NFT sitting around in your collection, you could actually drive it in racing games like Revv Racer? Or in open worlds like Mega World Or Upland or SinVerse? That would be pretty cool!
This one of the powers and advantages that an NFT has over a regular digital items, and we really haven’t seen it used that much. Perhaps traditional game companies are too protective of their IPs. But if they remain stagnant, others will come in and fill that void!
2024 Ahoy!
But whatever happens with web3 gaming in 2024, we’re here to keep you up to date on the latest news in web3 gaming and we’re looking forward to sharing it with you!
