Weekly Digest

June 08-14

Author

Yoda Labs
June 15, 2023

This week we saw the first-ever Web3 Gaming Expo by 3XP, and some big announcements by Ava Labs and Champion Ascension were dropped. Elsewhere we see Japan looking toward the metaverse to address its aging population and Google, Warner Music, The Sandbox, and NEAR all pushing forward to make a difference. Are you as bullish as these builders?

Also in our weekly digest:

  • Yoda Labs special summary of the main talking points within 3XP

  • NFL Rivals clocks over a Million downloads

  • Champions Ascension moved $10M of assets to their new chain

  • The Armory allows users to rent digital assets without any deposits

  • GameStop fires its CEO who was bullish on Web3 tech

  • Should NFTs be banned in games - Minecraft isn’t budging (yet)

  • Are we ready to accept AI-assisted content creation?

The most in-depth research on the future of E-sports, Web3 gaming and crypto by Yoda Labs

Co-authored by BGA & DappRadar & Sura Gaming

3XP Web3 Gaming Expo

  • Web3 RPG 'Stella Fantasy' by Ring Games plans to release on Steam and mobile, aiming to increase accessibility and attract a larger user base.

  • Mino Games releases alpha version of Dimensional's first character. Players can now experience the unique gameplay and features offered by this Web3 RPG.

3XP roundup by Yoda Labs

The Web 3 Gaming Expo hosted by 3XP was an extraordinary event that left a lasting impression. The eSports Arena showcased thrilling games like Mega Weapon and Champions Ascension, captivating attendees with their skill and innovation. The exhibition area featured a diverse range of gaming projects, highlighting the creative and technological advancements in Web3 Gaming. Avalanche Gaming made a significant impact, supporting multiple titles and providing comfortable gaming chairs for visitors.

The Main Stage was a hub of knowledge, with industry titans sharing insights and shaping the future of gaming. Johnny Casamassina's talk “Champions Ascension: Changing the Game with Player Ownership“, drawing upon his extensive experience, resonated with the audience. The offsite events provided opportunities for attendees to connect on a personal level. The DeFi Kingdoms MeetUp and CaeserVerse Toga Party fostered inclusivity and camaraderie.

The grand finale took place at the iconic Faze Clan Headquarters. Attendees enjoyed basketball, beer pong, go-karting, and made lasting connections. The event created a sense of anticipation for the future. With plans for future expos already in motion, the excitement for 3xp 2024 and beyond was palpable.

All in all, the Web 3 Gaming Expo showcased the limitless potential of the Web3 gaming industry. Attendees left with cherished memories, eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the evolution of whats in store.

Web3 Gaming News 🎮

Should NFTs be banned in games?

Back in 2021, Microsoft reported 141 million monthly active players across devices for its popular game Minecraft. It caught the attention of the Web3 gaming industry with the announcement of a ban and exclusion of NFTs.

Mojang said specifically that it would ban the use of NFT assets in ways that “gate” or restrict access to certain content or features on fan-operated game servers. Whilst the game publisher allows players to charge for access to servers, such features must be available to everyone to purchase. With NFTs, there could be features limited to a small set of asset owners.

Citing that NFTs and blockchain technologies establish digital ownership through scarcity and exclusion, thus conflicting with Minecraft's values of creativity and inclusivity Mojang argued that NFTs divide the community into haves and have-nots, lacking inclusivity.

12 months is a long time in Web3, both technology and trends move at pace. Even though Mojang is currently sticking to its stance (but not updating its terms). The rise of Free Mint, Subscription, and Membership NFTs proves that Web3 tech can be incorporated into games without upsetting traditional gamers and or diving communities. In fact, superfans could have a closer relationship with gaming creators thus embracing inclusivity at a level that is currently not available.

  • Topia World relaunches World Staking feature, after their recent rebrand, offering passive income for users to contribute to metaverse growth and gaming experience.

  • BillionAir, a raffles and games platform, joins the BNB Chain Kickstart Program, supported by Binance and BNB Chain, to accelerate blockchain projects and expand its presence in Web3 gaming.

  • Thirdweb hires former Facebook executive to drive Web3 gaming industry growth by building infrastructure and dev tools that will power the biggest games in blockchain gaming.

Web3 Gaming Trends 🚀

Are we ready to accept AI-assisted content creation?

AI-Assisted Content was listed as a banner during the game credits. Firmament by Cyan World gave credit to all the features that were either generated or augmented by AI. This included journals, logs, stories, songs, poems, voice acting, and in-game wallpaper.

Cyan Worlds were transparent in the use of AI. However, gamers were left “extremely disappointed to learn of the use of AI in the creation of Firmament”. Others went on to say that ”the company has lost my interest if this plagiarized [cobination of assets] is what we can expect going forward“. Some “wanted to like this game”, but didn’t think they can knowing that AI was used.

The company asserted that AI tools were used to enhance in-game content and stressed human involvement remained. But this didn’t stop Voice from Screen Actors Guild from authorizing a walkout on 12th June due to concerns over recognition. The guild is worried about AI recreating members' voices from earlier content and is seeking “informed consent and fair compensation” if companies are going to “use any kind of AI or digital technology to recreate someone's image or likeness"

With the movement of AI just beginning, we can expect to see more situations where both the paying public and those that are providing their services react as they are both affected by the different ends of the same spectrum.
Creators, owners, and backers need to tread carefully and take a measured approach as we shift into a new social, industrial, and perhaps disruptive revolution.

Focussing on the success of the past

The Play-to-Earn model was one of the most popular trends in gaming in 2021. However, the bear market and a series of hacks have led to a decline in popularity. Take note of the Free-to-Play model (F2P). This has been the most successful model in gaming for many years. F2P games allow players to try the game for free before they decide to spend money. This can help to attract a wider audience and increase the chances of success. Additionally, F2P games can generate revenue through in-game purchases, which can help to fund the development and maintenance of the game.

Web3 games have the potential to revolutionize the gaming industry, but they need to learn from the successes and failures of Web2 games. Web3 games can succeed by focusing on gameplay. If a game is fun and enjoyable this will increase its appeal. Web3 games should also strive to be accessible to a wide range of players. This means that they should be available on a variety of devices and platforms - with Apple loosening their stance and games stores like Epic Games embracing Web3 the future is very bright.

3VERSE which operates in the ever-popular genre of multiplayer online battle arenas seems to have found the right balance. A F2P game that has fun and engaging gameplay keeps players coming back for more. Those that stay have the opportunity to earn, so time isn’t wasted and rewards can be exchanged for crypto. With a passionate community that is active on social media and is welcoming to new comers, this is the type of supportive environment that is necessary for a Web3 game to succeed, which has been an increasing trend in 2023.

Web3 Funding News 💸

Exploring the Metaverse 🛸

  • Sandbox opposes SEC's classification of its SAND token as a security, arguing it's a metaverse utility and will collaborate with legal counsel.

  • Apple's AR headset unveiling sparks speculation on Web3 metaverse impact, relying on unreleased features and functionality.

  • Japan embraces the metaverse, to help reverse the rapid aging of the country and projected population slump looking with a view strengthen and shape its future economy.

  • Puma enters the metaverse with the launch of Black Station, a 3D metaverse experience. The brand aims to engage with consumers in virtual environments and explore new opportunities in the digital space.

Upcoming Free Gaming Mints ⚒️

Pirates of the Arrland
Building the most unique gaming ecosystem in the Web3 space with MOBA, Strategy and Private Islands in one game connected with AI portal to the pirates world!

Katana INU
$Kata - A Battle Royale - NFT PC Game with NFT Skins

Legend of Arcadia
Legend of Arcadia is a multi-chain free-to-play and play-to-earn casual strategy card game that combines traditional gaming experience with Web3 GameFi 2.0.

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"Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Consume you, it will”
-Yoda

See you same place same time next week!

❤❤❤

Yoda Labs team

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