Weekly Digest

March 30-April 05

Author

Yoda Labs
April 06, 2023

The importance of in-game assets is growing as creators and designers enable players to make, exchange, and stake assets for the purpose of gaining rewards, joining a community, and taking part in an ecosystem. Is asset ownership a game changer for you?

Also in our weekly digest:

  • Splinterlands, one of the most-played Web3 games, is going mobile targeting millions of players

  • FIFA steps into Web3 gaming offering mintable NFT characters

  • Huobi and Gala Games partner to become a powerhouse in gaming

  • Ex-Activision Blizzard COO announced as Yuga Labs CEO

  • Food brands are cooking in the metaverse with Papa John’s, Wrigley, and McDonald’s serving virtual offerings

And the introduction of a new section in our coverage: 

Free mints from Web3 Games hand-picked for you!

Yoda Labs exclusive research report featuring expert insights into the Immutable gaming ecosystem covering the explosive growth, best games, technology, financing, and much more 👽

Co-authored by BGA & DappRadar

Web3 Gaming News 🎮

Casual Games Key to Web3 Gaming Adoption

With casual games designed to be easy to learn, quick to play, and accessible to a wide audience it makes them appealing to a broad range of people, including those who may not typically play video games. Additionally, casual games are often available on mobile devices and can be played on the go, which makes them convenient and easy to fit into a busy schedule.

Casual games often have simple and addictive gameplay mechanics, such as match-three puzzles, endless runners, or farming simulations, that keep players engaged and motivated to continue playing. Many casual games also incorporate social elements, such as leaderboards or in-game friends lists, which can add an element of competition and encourage players to keep playing to beat their friends' scores. This mix of recipes is ideally suited to Web3 technology and communities.

Many see casual games as a genuinely plausible way to onboard new gamers to Web3. The news headlines this week second that opinion and movement. Industry leaders have noted that fun is also a key factor. We are beginning to see more casual mobile games capture the limelight as these are often far quicker to implement and bring to market than Web3 games that are aiming to be AAA blockbuster titles.

  • Immutable is attracting many developers with a whole suite of tools, a passport for seamless onboarding, zero gas, and royalties at a protocol level it is understandable to see why.

Asset ownership gives a sense of belonging

Asset ownership is a crucial aspect of Web3 games and is what truly sets blockchain games from traditional gaming. We are seeing more Web3 games utilize NFTs as a form of ownership, fast becoming a critical component of gameplay with the potential to have significant value for players. Stored on a blockchain, it provides players with true ownership and controls over their assets.

Because blockchain-based assets cannot be duplicated, players can be confident that invested game time goes into assets they own rather than a fictitious profile that is akin to traditional gaming. Therefore a Web3 game asset is not only unique but potentially valuable too.

Game studios and developers are using this to their strength. Offering creative ways to increase engagement from the community. Shark Race is particularly interesting as gamers can now ‘create’ assets rather than just mint. Traditional game ecosystems such as FIFA are getting in on the act, while Web3 native companies such as GALA are enticing players to manage their assets too.

Web3 Gaming Trends 🚀

The indirect way to onboard traditional gamers

Square Enix and Proton Gaming are great examples of how companies are subtly exposing Web3 tech to traditional gamers. It is safe to say both companies see Web3 gaming as the future and are making attempts to support gamers to make the transition.

We know that no one likes change, where fear of the unknown, loss of control, and perception of risk is the stigma that surrounds crypto and Web3. Yet incentives, rewards, and engagement that are offered by trustworthy sources or by companies that gamers align with is potentially the optimal approach in building trust and helping players make the shift.

Consumers of goods and servicing don’t really care about how things are run or the underlying tech that props up an organization or a movement. Players in this case want an experience that is equal to or better than what they currently have. By giving them transferrable rewards in a digital format, companies are able to increase engagement, empower their community, and lower costs. In addition customers and audiences are retained as they are onboarded into the company’s Web3 ecosystem. Everybody is happy.

Web3 Funding News 💸

Exploring the Metaverse 🛸

Verse Estate scanning studio. Source: Verse Estate

Food Brands make a move into the metaverse

One would not necessarily associate restaurant chains and food brands to be flag bearers of the metaverse. Yet here we are. Forward-thinking firms have openly embraced the technology in an attempt to get ahead of their competitors.

It is easy to see why. They have to keep innovating as the business landscape is constantly changing. Companies that fail to adapt risk falling behind. With the metaverse expected to generate $5 trillion in value, early adopters will gain from a first-mover advantage. Thus increasing profitability. Additionally, it is a great opportunity to stay relevant, align with consumer preferences and expectations, whilst future-proofing the brand.

Not to be outdone, Mcdonald’s has applied for patents that hint at establishing virtual restaurants-enticing teenagers for decades to come. This Innovation helps brands stand out in crowded markets by offering unique and valuable solutions that competitors will strive to match.

Besides, after visiting a concert, a gallery, or an event, what better way to unwind than having a virtual meal?

Upcoming Free Gaming Mints ⚒️

Enter the Hashverse: Season 1 Battle Pack
Hashflow's story-driven, gamified DAO, was developed in partnership with Superconductor (Avengers, Captain America, Fast & Furious franchises).

Enter the Hashverse: Season 1 Battle Pack represents in-game NFT artifacts that will be made available within the Hashverse. These limited-edition items will allow players to increase their XP and HFT rewards by attacking, defending, and leveling up their in-game character.

Shrapnel Sigma Containment Unit (ETH)
SHRAPNEL is an upcoming AAA first-person extraction shooter built by a unique team of BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning talent using Unreal Engine 5. Voted Most Anticipated Web3 Game, SHRAPNEL brings a rich combination of competitive combat, player-creation tools, curation, and connection into a community where players own the platform and decide its future.

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“When you look at the dark side, careful you must be. For the dark side looks back.”
-Yoda

See you same place same time next week!

❤❤❤

Yoda Labs team