Everything You Need to Know About Web3 Platforms and Games

The Web3 marks a great transformation of the Internet. It relies on decentralized technologies like blockchain to ensure greater autonomy for users. This approach modifies data management and strengthens digital ownership. In the video game industry, Web3 introduces innovative platforms and games. These new infrastructures offer players complete control over their assets and allow the emergence of open virtual economies. Web3 gaming disrupts traditional models by integrating NFTs, cryptocurrencies, and smart contracts. This article analyzes these advances, explains their operation, and examines their influence on the future of gaming.

Web3 and its impact on gaming

Web3 transforms the Internet into a decentralized ecosystem. This evolution modifies economic models and online interactions. The gaming industry gradually adopts these innovations to offer more autonomy to players.

The principles of Web3

Web3 designates the third generation of the Web. It relies on technologies such as blockchain, smart contracts, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). This infrastructure ensures transaction transparency and eliminates intermediaries.

Unlike Web2, controlled by centralized platforms, Web3 returns data management to users. Content creators can monetize their works without relying on a single authority. This approach fosters a more open and secure Internet.

In Web3, digital assets truly belong to their holders. Users can trade or sell their goods without restriction. This innovation transforms several sectors, including gaming, digital art, and decentralized finance (DeFi).

The transition from traditional gaming to Web3

Video games have long operated on centralized servers. Players purchase virtual items, but these assets remain under the control of developers. Publishers can change the rules or remove content without user consent.

Web3 introduces a decentralized model. Players own their assets in the form of NFTs. They can trade these items outside the game and use them on multiple compatible platforms. This new approach creates an open economy, where users freely monetize their acquisitions.

Games like Axie Infinity and The Sandbox demonstrate the potential of Web3. These platforms integrate cryptocurrencies and NFTs to give players total control over their interactions. This evolution redefines the relationships between publishers and users.

Leading Web3 platforms in the gaming sector

Web3 redefines the video game industry by introducing decentralized platforms. These ecosystems offer players true ownership of their digital assets. Several major projects stand out for their innovation and growing adoption.

Decentraland

Decentraland offers a fully decentralized virtual world. Users buy parcels of digital land, represented as NFTs. These lands enable the construction of interactive spaces, like art galleries, shops, or conference rooms.

The Decentraland economy relies on the MANA token. This cryptocurrency facilitates transactions within the game. Content creators monetize their experiences by selling virtual goods or organizing events. Brands and companies also use this platform to interact with their communities.

The Sandbox

The Sandbox operates on the Ethereum blockchain and offers a universe where players own their creations. This metaverse is based on NFTs, ensuring ownership of digital assets.

Users can buy land, develop games, and design 3D objects. The SAND token allows them to buy, sell, and trade these resources. The Sandbox attracts brands and celebrities, who invest in virtual spaces to offer exclusive content.

Sorare

Sorare combines gaming and a passion for sports. This platform is based on the Ethereum blockchain and offers a sports simulation game based on player cards of footballers in the form of NFTs.

Players build their teams with these cards and participate in competitions. The performances of real players influence the results in the game. Users buy and sell their cards on a dynamic marketplace fueled by scarcity and demand.

Many professional clubs and leagues collaborate with Sorare. This massive adoption enhances the credibility of the project and attracts a large audience of football enthusiasts.

Illuvium

Illuvium stands out for its open world and sci-fi universe. This role-playing game operates on the Ethereum blockchain and offers an immersive experience where players capture and battle Illuvials, unique creatures represented by NFTs.

The game’s economy relies on the ILV token. Players earn rewards by participating in battles and exploring the environment. Token holders also participate in the governance of the project.

Star Atlas

Star Atlas offers a spatial strategy experience combining exploration, trade, and combat. This massively multiplayer game operates on the Solana blockchain, ensuring fast and low-cost transactions.

Players command spaceships, explore galaxies, and develop colonies. Each asset, whether it’s ships, land, or artifacts, actually belongs to the players in the form of NFTs. The ATLAS token facilitates exchanges and the development of the in-game economy.

These platforms illustrate the potential of Web3 in gaming. They offer immersive experiences while integrating a decentralized economy where players own and control their digital assets.

Iconic Web3 games

Some Web3 games have made a mark in the industry by introducing innovative economic models. They allow players to own their digital assets and interact with a decentralized economy.

Axie Infinity

Axie Infinity is one of the first Web3 games to popularize Play-to-Earn. This game, developed on the Ethereum blockchain, revolves around breeding and battling creatures called Axies. Each Axie is an NFT with unique characteristics.

Players must own at least three Axies to participate in battles. They can breed new creatures, trade them on a decentralized market, or use them to complete quests. The game’s economy relies on two tokens:

• AXS (Axie Infinity Shards): this governance token allows players to participate in project decisions;
• SLP (Smooth Love Potion): this utility token is used for breeding Axies and is earned by playing.

Axie Infinity has achieved significant success, particularly in Southeast Asia, where many players have used the game as a source of income. However, the volatility of the tokens and high entry costs have hindered its long-term adoption.

Gods Unchained

Gods Unchained is a trading card game operating on the Ethereum blockchain. It takes inspiration from traditional games like Hearthstone while integrating NFTs. Each card is unique and truly belongs to the players, who can sell it on NFT marketplaces.

The game features competitive tournaments, where players face other participants to win cryptocurrency rewards. The GODS token plays a central role in the game’s economy. It allows players to purchase new cards and access certain features.

Gods Unchained focuses on providing a balanced gaming experience. Its economic model emphasizes strategy and player engagement rather than mere speculation on NFTs.

CryptoBlades

CryptoBlades is a role-playing game using the Binance Smart Chain blockchain. It allows players to fight enemies, upgrade their characters, and craft weapons in the form of NFTs.

Each battle rewards players with SKILL tokens, which can be used to buy new equipment or upgrades. The game’s market facilitates the trading of characters and items between players.

CryptoBlades leverages a staking system that allows users to lock their SKILL tokens to earn additional rewards. This mechanism encourages long-term investment in the game.

These three games illustrate the new economic dynamics of Web3. They provide players with real ownership of their assets and introduce innovative economic models.

The underlying technologies of Web3 platforms and games

Web3 games and platforms rely on advanced technologies that ensure the transparency and security of transactions. These innovations allow players to own and monetize their digital assets.

The blockchain

The blockchain is the cornerstone of Web3. This technology relies on a decentralized ledger that records all transactions immutably. Each block contains information validated by a network of nodes that ensure data integrity.

In Web3 games, the blockchain allows for storing digital assets in the form of NFTs and securing transactions. It prevents fraud by guaranteeing the authenticity of game items and preventing any unauthorized modifications.

The most used blockchains in Web3 gaming are Ethereum, Solana, Binance Smart Chain, and Polygon. They provide infrastructures suitable for smart contracts and NFTs.

Smart contracts

Smart contracts are automated programs that execute specific actions when a condition is met. They eliminate the need for an intermediary and ensure secure transactions.

In Web3 games, smart contracts manage several aspects:

• Digital asset exchanges: players can buy, sell, or trade their items without going through a centralized platform;
• Rewards and Play-to-Earn: some games distribute tokens based on player performance;
• Decentralized governance: some projects allow token holders to vote on game developments.

These smart contracts make Web3 games more reliable and transparent.

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)

NFTs represent unique and indivisible digital assets. Each NFT has a distinct identifier recorded on the blockchain, ensuring its authenticity.

In Web3 gaming, NFTs are used to represent game items, characters, virtual lands, or equipment. Players can trade or sell them on dedicated marketplaces.

These tokens ensure real digital ownership, allowing players to keep their items even if the game ceases to exist. This innovation fosters the creation of an open and interoperable economy.

The benefits and challenges of Web platforms and games

Web3 games introduce innovations that transform the player experience. However, these new technologies also present challenges that hinder their adoption.

The benefits

Web3 games offer a real digital ownership. Unlike traditional games, where items remain under the control of publishers, players own their assets in the form of NFTs. They can trade, sell, or use them in other compatible ecosystems.

The blockchain ensures transparency and security of transactions. All player actions are recorded on an immutable ledger, reducing fraud and guaranteeing the authenticity of digital items.

Web3 games introduce innovative economic models. The Play-to-Earn model allows players to earn cryptocurrencies by completing tasks or participating in competitions. This system creates a virtual economy where time spent playing can generate income.

The challenges

The adoption of Web3 remains limited due to its technological complexity. Players must understand how digital wallets, smart contracts, and blockchain transactions work. This technical barrier slows the democratization of Web3 gaming.

The volatility of cryptocurrencies poses a risk for players and investors. The value of tokens used in games can fluctuate significantly, affecting users’ digital assets. This uncertainty may discourage the engagement of new players.

The uncertain regulation of cryptocurrencies and NFTs represents another challenge. Many governments hesitate to regulate these digital assets, leaving legal uncertainties hanging. Some countries restrict Play-to-Earn games, complicating their large-scale adoption.

Web3 games offer unique opportunities, but their development requires solutions to simplify their use, stabilize their economy, and clarify their legal framework.

The perspectives of Web3 platforms and games

Web3 platforms and games are rapidly evolving thanks to technological innovations and the growing adoption of digital assets. Several trends are emerging for the future of the sector.

Growing adoption and improved accessibility

The adoption of Web3 games is accelerating due to technical improvements and better accessibility. Developers are working on simplified interfaces to reduce entry barriers. Sidechains and Layer 2 solutions, such as Polygon, lower transaction costs and speed up interactions on the blockchain.

Major companies in the sector are starting to explore the potential of Web3. Ubisoft, Square Enix, and Epic Games are gradually integrating Blockchain elements into their games. This adoption by major players legitimizes the technology and encourages new players to test these digital universes.

Improvement of user experience and gameplay

One of the main challenges of Web3 gaming involves user experience. Current games focus more on finance and speculation than on gameplay quality. In the future, developers will strive to create more immersive and engaging gaming experiences.

Projects like Illuvium and Star Atlas aim to offer graphics and gameplay that meet AAA standards. These games demonstrate that Web3 can compete with the traditional video game industry while retaining its decentralized advantages.

Regulation and legal framework

The regulation of Web3 games represents a major challenge for their expansion. Many countries are working on establishing regulations regarding NFTs, cryptocurrencies, and Play-to-Earn games. Platforms will need to comply with laws to avoid bans and ensure player safety.

The European Union and the United States are considering regulating blockchain transactions and smart contracts to combat money laundering and fraud. Well-defined regulations could secure investments and strengthen user trust.

Towards an interoperable and decentralized ecosystem

The future of Web3 games relies on interoperability. Currently, digital assets are often limited to a single game or platform. Projects like Polkadot and Cosmos aim to connect multiple blockchains to allow players to use their NFTs and cryptocurrencies across different games.

The development of interconnected metaverses will foster the emergence of an ecosystem where users can move freely between multiple digital universes while retaining their assets. This evolution will enhance the value of digital items and their long-term use.

Web3 platforms and games are transforming the functioning of gaming Web 3 by introducing decentralization, digital ownership, and new economic models. Players can now own their assets, interact with decentralized ecosystems, and participate in the governance of games. However, challenges remain, particularly regarding scalability, user experience, and regulation. The gradual adoption of alternative blockchains, improvements in gameplay mechanics, and legal frameworks will help structure this emerging market. Web3 continues to evolve, and its impact on the video game industry could be as profound as the shift from Web1 to Web2. The coming years will determine if this revolution will deliver on its promises and if players will widely adopt this new generation of decentralized games.

Luc Jose A.

Diplômé de Sciences Po Toulouse et titulaire d'une certification consultant blockchain délivrée par Alyra, j'ai rejoint l'aventure Cointribune en 2019. Convaincu du potentiel de la blockchain pour transformer de nombreux secteurs de l'économie, j'ai pris l'engagement de sensibiliser et d'informer le grand public sur cet écosystème en constante évolution. Mon objectif est de permettre à chacun de mieux comprendre la blockchain et de saisir les opportunités qu'elle offre. Je m'efforce chaque jour de fournir une analyse objective de l'actualité, de décrypter les tendances du marché, de relayer les dernières innovations technologiques et de mettre en perspective les enjeux économiques et sociétaux de cette révolution en marche.