What initially sounds promising doesn’t always deliver — a recurring lesson that the ever-evolving world of crypto and blockchain continues to teach us.
First, it was ICOs, then NFTs, P2E, and now Web3 gaming. This isn’t an exaggeration: Data from Coingecko covering 2018 to 2023 shows that 75% of Web3 games launched turn to dust within the first year. And while the 2024 report is not yet finalized, it’s unlikely that the numbers will be any better.
Despite these daunting statistics, Web3 gaming continues to draw significant attention. Recently, there has been a giant leap in Web3 gaming adoption, thanks to TON Foundation and projects like Hamster Combat, Notcoin, and Blum. In fact, Telegram has emerged as a key development platform for Web3 games, capturing 21% of new Web3 game launches this year, according to a report by Game7.
Source: CoinGeckoBeyond Tapping for Profit: The Need for Quality
The rise of Web3 gaming has been plagued by a fixation on quick profits, often at the expense of creating genuinely engaging experiences. Many early TON-based games catered to gamblers willing to dedicate disproportionate amounts of time for slim chances of earning. However, this audience is unsustainable in the long run.
In the wake of early successes of Hamster Combat, developers rushed to flood the market with low-effort tap-to-earn games, relying heavily on bot-driven traffic exchanges. While this might have worked initially, the market is evolving. Today, the apps with genuinely engaging gameplay and innovative mechanics are beginning to emerge as leaders.
Players are gradually moving away from pure gambling mechanics to seek games with deeper, more complex gameplay. Casual gamers — armed with mobile devices — are tapping the space. And while they currently represent a smaller share of the market, their numbers are poised to dwarf Web3 gamblers.
From Quantity to Quality: A New Direction
For game developers and game publishers, the path forward is clear: shift the focus from amassing large but shallow audiences — dominated by bots — to cultivating high-quality player bases. Building slowly but steadily is the key to sustainable success. This strategic shift will lay the groundwork for when mass adoption arrives, as it requires a solid, engaged user base rather than one built on short-term gains.
Mass adoption will require significant infrastructure changes. Once Telegram integrates an “Apps” button into the interface — similar to WeChat and KakaoTalk — Web3 gaming may see overnight mass adoption. All players had better get ready for this moment, which I am certain will transform the space entirely.
Why Quality Matters
Low-quality games do more than fail to entertain — they risk undermining the broader potential of Web3 gaming on TON. Without quality, the promises of asset ownership, interoperability, and decentralization will remain unrealized. Worse still, they jeopardize trust in the ecosystem, potentially destabilizing the gaming industry.
As of 2023, Web3 gaming is valued at $26.32 billion, comparable to the GDP of countries like Cyprus. According to the Journal of Informatics Education and Research, Gen Z investors, who make up 45% of crypto participants, are increasingly shaping this space, with 55% of their portfolios devoted to cryptocurrency. If Web3 games fail to deliver meaningful experiences, this could have far-reaching consequences for the gaming industry.
Source: GminsightsThe Art of Identifying Quality Experiences
However, in the end, my goal in this article is not just to warn game publishers and creators but, more importantly, to inform the gamers on whom our future relies. And I know that finding true gems can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But here are some key questions that may help you:
Does the game prioritize a quality experience or a token-centric focus?A game should be engaging and fun to play, not just a gamified way of distributing tokens.
What’s more important: an engaging Web3 narrative or a quick token launch?
For me, it’s all about the narrative. Here’s why: games that rely on token launches as their main hook often see players lose interest shortly after. Instead, the focus should be on building games where the TGE is a bonus — not the driving force.
Is the game’s community transparent and active?
Do the developers regularly communicate with players in-game community chats, updating them on changes and taking feedback seriously? It is vital that the gaming community feels that it is heard.
Is your Web3 game or in-game account secure?
Cybersecurity is crucial. If you’re a developer, don’t attract a large audience immediately. Ensure the project implements robust GameFi security measures, such as smart contract audits, user data encryption, and protections against cheating or scams.
Final Thoughts
Telegram, with nearly one billion monthly active users, represents a “blue ocean” of opportunity not only for Web3 gaming but also for Telegram mini-apps as a whole. Its ecosystem is young, brimming with potential, and reminiscent of the App Store in 2008, where minimal regulations and low entry barriers sparked explosive growth.
For Web3 gaming to thrive, it must move past its early mistakes and prioritize meaningful gameplay experiences. Gamers, too, have a role to play in shaping the future by supporting games that focus on quality rather than fleeting hype.
Finally, high-quality Web3 games are more than just good entertainment — they serve as a gateway to broader crypto adoption. By showcasing the practical utility, innovation, and enjoyment blockchain can offer, these games help to break down skepticism and encourage new users to explore the wider crypto ecosystem. A stronger focus on quality will not only redefine gaming but also bolster trust in blockchain technology, paving the way for widespread mass adoption.
Disclaimer: The opinions in this article are the writer’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of Cryptonews.com. This article is meant to provide a broad perspective on its topic and should not be taken as professional advice.
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