2026 Trends: Sei Foundation’s Jason Lim says don’t prioritize speculative mechanisms over genuine gameplay

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, the time to look back and consider what we learned during 2025 and how to make the most of that knowledge in 2026. 

In this article we catch up with the Sei Development Foundation’s director of gaming Jason Lim.

What was the most significant trend for blockchain games in 2025?

Jason Lim: AI is becoming a huge deal in web3 gaming. It’s making games way more dynamic and personal with NPCs that are smarter, gameplay that adapts to you, and new content generated on the fly.

Plus, it’s a game-changer for developers, speeding things up by automating stuff like testing and making assets. Basically, AI is revolutionizing gaming for everyone!

How did your business adapt to these changes?

The integration of AI is an emerging trend in the gaming industry, enhancing realism, creating personalized user experiences, and streamlining game development, thereby reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

Furthermore, from an investment perspective, AI introduces a new narrative that may help to attract capital into the gaming sector by offering a compelling value proposition centered on cost reduction and innovative gameplay.

How do you think this will change in 2026?

Developers and players may exhibit over-reliance on and feel overwhelmed by AI in the context of game development and the gaming experience. Games may feel more automated and lacks human creativity and AI algorithms can potentially lead to game exploitation if it’s too predictable.  

What was your favourite blockchain game during 2025?

Honestly, all the games on Sei are my favorite blockchain game, so this is a bit of a trick question!

What’s your New Year’s resolution and what resolution would you enforce on the industry?

The assertion that “web3 gaming is no longer a hot topic” is a formidable claim, yet the reality presents a more intricate picture. While numerous projects have faltered due to prioritizing speculative mechanisms over genuine gameplay, a considerable segment of the industry is currently undergoing difficulties and reorienting toward sustainable business frameworks.

My New Year’s resolution would be to re-establish the narrative of web3 gaming through tangible consumer use cases and applications.

Read all our End of Year features via the EOY 2025 tag.