Welcome to the third edition of BlockchainGamer.biz’s regular Mavens group. If you’d also like to join the discussion, please contact [email protected]
With leading game developer Ubisoft revealing its first web3 title Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles, we asked our blockchain mavens how significant the announcement is for future adoption of blockchain technology in the gaming sector.
Mike Levine – Mystic Moose
If you’ve followed the web3 gaming news over the last few years, the Ubisoft news is not terribly surprising, though it is significant. Several other large gaming companies, from Asia and other parts of the world, are already very much leaning into web3 enabled titles. Ubisoft is probably the biggest so far and coming from Europe, perhaps a sign of more to come.
It’s important to note – gamers have rejected their efforts thus far. The success of using blockchain and web3 elements in games is going to come down to how it’s implemented and presented to players. The devil is in the details as they say.
Gabriel Meredith – Merfolk Games
I think Ubisoft’s announcement is definitely significant for the web3 gaming space. Ubisoft has been working in the web3 space for several years at this point, and it’s come in a variety of forms, from partnerships to things like investment and mentorship. The announcement of a fully-fledged blockchain game could potentially bring in a lot of excitement for the future of blockchain gaming, particularly among people who are already adopters of blockchain technology.
There is still, however, a significant challenge in terms of convincing people with a negative perception of blockchains and cryptocurrencies that the addition of web3 aspects makes for a better experience than traditional games. In many ways, it boils down to whether or not the games they will publish are actually fun and innovative. Either way, I think many blockchain gamers are looking forward to these developments.
Alexander Goldybin – Founder and Chairman, iLogos
The announcement by Ubisoft of its first web3 game represents a significant milestone for the adoption of this technology in the gaming industry. As one of the world’s largest game publishers, Ubisoft’s support is a powerful validation of web3 technology’s potential, not only from a recognition standpoint but also in terms of shaping the future prospects of the industry.
Web3 gaming promises to offer numerous benefits over its web2 counterpart, with a key aspect being true digital ownership. If Ubisoft can leverage web3 to its full potential, it could serve as an exemplary showcase of this technology’s integration into gaming, demonstrating its numerous benefits and addressing skeptics’ misconceptions.
Given the current perception among many web2 players who view web3 with suspicion or even as a scam, Ubisoft’s adoption of the technology could have a transformative effect. A successful implementation and reception of Ubisoft’s web3 game could demonstrate to these users the tangible benefits of web3, potentially shifting perceptions and fostering wider acceptance. Moreover, the complexity associated with transitioning from web2 to web3 is one of the barriers to its widespread adoption. If Ubisoft’s web3 game provides solutions for a seamless onboarding and smooth in-game experience, minimizing the complexities of web3 and enabling an easy, user-friendly transition, it could significantly boost the number of players willing to explore this space.
Ubisoft’s venture into web3 gaming could also have far-reaching effects beyond just the gaming industry. A potential success could stimulate the growth and mass adoption of web3 technology as a whole. If the game gains substantial traction, it could bring us a step closer to achieving the ambitious goal of onboarding the first billion users into web3. This is undoubtedly an exciting time, and the industry will be keenly watching Ubisoft’s efforts to set a new trend in gaming.
Jerry Seo – Head of Business at Delabs
Although the release of Ubisoft’s PC web3 game is a welcomed participation from a major game company, its market impact may be limited. Nevertheless, there is a mounting curiosity surrounding Ubisoft’s strategy concerning the dynamic field of token economics, which serves as a pivotal element in web3 games.
Plus, Ubisoft’s web3 initiatives and Oasys blockchain adoption are set to make waves in web3 game-active regions like Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia. With Japan actively fostering the web3.0 industry and regulatory barriers easing, the adoption and development of web3 games are expected to surge. While ‘Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles’ may not be revolutionary, Ubisoft’s strategic approach and partnerships signal a broader commitment to the evolving web3 landscape, extending their influence beyond the game itself.
Ubisoft’s Oasys blockchain has garnered attention by collaborating not only with Ubisoft but also with major game companies in Korea and Japan. With the proactive moves of the Japanese government to foster the web3.0 industry, expectations are growing for a surge of blockchain games in the gaming powerhouse of Japan. Currently, Bandai Namco, SEGA, SquareEnix, as well as Nexon, Netmarble, Com2uS, Neowiz, WeMade, NHN, and others are participating as node validators in Oasys.
As a result, Japan’s game market, which had relatively lagged behind China and Korea in terms of the mobile gaming sector, is expected to gain a prominent position in the Southeast Asian market as regulatory barriers, such as the burdensome corporate tax on unrealized token gains, are eased for entities engaged in blockchain businesses. The permission for stablecoin issuance further adds to the anticipation of Japan becoming a key market in Southeast Asia.
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