2023 could be the decisive year for blockchain gaming (play-to-own). The future of crypto gaming is still unclear though. Interoperability is one of the biggest issues and playability has not yet reached the level of traditional games.
Mixed signals for crypto gaming in 2023
Whether there will be an explosion of crypto gaming this year is uncertain. Some popular play-to-earn games, such as Axie Infinity, are losing players. Mainstream gamers are also reporting playability issues with Web3 games.
Beacons of hope in crypto gaming: the first AAA games in Web3
There are, however, beacons of hope as the first AAA games appear in Web3, such as Illuvium. The idea of crypto gaming is attractive, but the implementation is unclear. It is important to develop a game with functioning tokenomics that does not look like a “crypto game”. Easy onboarding and good user experience are key.
Breakthrough with successful crypto game?
A successful crypto game could mean a breakthrough for mainstream adoption. The forecasts for the growth of blockchain gaming are optimistic, with an expected value of $65.7 billion by 2027.
Challenges for mass onboarding
Despite the positive forecasts, there are various problems for mass onboarding, including tokenomics, skepticism, and lack of successful examples. However, Web3 fits well into the gaming culture, thanks to freemium models, player ownership, and open culture.
Unclear future of the GameFi sector
The future of the GameFi sector depends on the development of successful games. Indie games and small publishers are more likely to develop player-owning or interoperable economic systems.
