- Over 10% of surveyed gamers say complicated crypto wallets prevent them from trying Web3 games.
- 7.3% of gamers don’t see the value in Web3 gaming, limiting its adoption.
- Competing and earning rewards are primary motivators for players engaging with blockchain-based games.
A recent report examining the current landscape of Web3 gaming found that many gamers avoid blockchain-based games due to the complexities of cryptocurrency wallets. The report, titled “The Future of Web3 Gaming is Competitive: Global Gaming Report 2024,” was produced by Web3 gaming protocol Elympics in partnership with the Blockchain Game Alliance (BGA) and PlayToEarn, a data tracker for blockchain games.
Researchers surveyed 1,000 gamers globally, asking for insights into their gaming habits and reasons why some have not ventured into Web3 gaming. Over 10% of respondents cited the difficulty of using cryptocurrency wallets as a major deterrent. An additional 7.3% revealed that they do not fully understand the value of Web3 games, further contributing to its slow adoption. Another small portion of players expressed satisfaction with traditional Web2 gaming, stating they saw no need to explore blockchain-based alternatives.
Gamers Seek Rewards and Competition
The report also highlighted that many gamers are drawn to Web3 games for potential rewards, such as airdrops, or the opportunity to earn money through gameplay. Competing with others emerged as another key motivator for those already engaged in blockchain-based games. Despite these drivers, the survey underscores a prevailing issue: the difficulty in onboarding new players due to technical barriers, such as the complexity of setting up and managing crypto wallets.
Elympics CEO Michal Dabrowski acknowledged these challenges, describing the struggle Web3 gaming has faced in attracting mainstream audiences. However, he expressed optimism, suggesting that infrastructure advancements, like the introduction of social networks from projects such as The Open Network (TON), could change this. Dabrowski believes that as more developers join the Web3 space, higher-quality games will encourage broader participation.
Efforts to Simplify Access
Efforts to lower the entry barriers for gamers are underway. For example, The Open Network (TON) is developing more accessible solutions for crypto interactions, aiming to simplify the user experience. This includes leveraging Telegram’s Mini Apps to make engaging with blockchain games feel seamless. Since the launch of these initiatives, games like Hamster Kombat have gained substantial traction, with over 300 million users playing through the TON ecosystem, suggesting that convenience could drive Web3 gaming forward.
