Web3 Gamer – Cointelegraph Magazine
2024.06.25 10:30
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Beta phases are for making games better, not delaying them, says Farmville creator Amitt Mahajan.
It can be frustrating to see your favorite blockchain game being released in stages when you just want the finished product. But according to Mahajan, the creator of hit games like Farmville and Pirate Nation, it’s worth it in the end because it leads to a much better game.
“I actually like this whole build in public, always evolving the game. It’s like release and iterate,” Mahajan tells Cointelegraph.
He explains that while it might feel like a tease for gamers and a cheap tactic to generate more excitement, it’s incredibly helpful for the developers.
“We need the feedback, it’s invaluable to us. So I like the release early and iterate model,” the founder of blockchain gaming company Proof of Play says, referring to the common practice in the blockchain gaming industry where games are released incrementally, sometimes over years, with continuous additions before the final release.
Before shifting to Web3 gaming, Mahajan co-created one of the most popular Facebook games of all time, FarmVille, which has had over 700 million downloads since being released in 2009.
He admits that the game didn’t receive much love and tender care before its initial release, it was built in “just five weeks” and launched.
“We released an update and it got better, released another update, and it got better again” he says.
“We kept doing that, and eventually, I think there was a point where literally every single person on Facebook saw at least one Farmville post and 32 million of them started to play every day.”
Mahajan believes 90% of what he has learned came from releasing a live game and receiving feedback from the community.
“Everything up until that point was only about 10% of our learnings,” he adds, though he tips his hat to companies that can launch a perfect finished product right off the bat.
“Maybe there are companies that can put out triple-A quality games, launch it, and then it’s just like a beautiful thing that once it launches, it just everything works and everything they expect it to go down when that goes down,” he laughs.
Mahajan’s newest gaming hit Pirate Nation allows gamers to take on a high-seas adventure (Pirate Nation)
In addition, he figures it’s not just about getting feedback during the long wait before release but also about building up the community.
“Between 2022 and 2024, as we’ve been kind of building the game out, most of the people in our community have been there because they think the stuff that we’re doing is really cool with the technology, right?” he adds.
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Mahajan’s latest gaming hit, the fully onchain free-to-play pirate-themed roleplaying game (RPG) Pirate Nation, has just launched its native token $PIRATE.
“This community-focused launch was designed to reward loyal players, holders of Founder’s Pirates, and supporters fairly,” a recent statement read.
Crypto rewards are not ‘crucial’ in blockchain games
Blockchain gaming companies should rethink how they market their products to gamers, suggests Sam Saliba, the former vice president of global marketing at gaming giant Activision Blizzard.
“One big issue I’ve noticed is how blockchain games are presented and marketed to players,” Saliba tells Cointelegraph, arguing that whether a game is Ethereum-based, Polygon-based, or any other blockchain shouldn’t be a primary marketing point because no one cares.
“Most gamers don’t care about which chain a game is on, they just want compelling, entertaining experiences,” he саыс, explaining that blockchain games should be “marketed like entertainment products, not tech products.”
“Instead of focusing on the tech aspects of blockchain, devs and marketers should highlight the engaging stories, exciting gameplay, and unique experiences their games offer.”
“Blockchain games could really shine with similar investments in storytelling and character development,” he declares.
He also doesn’t see the need to pay cryptocurrency for games as long as they are good.
“I don’t think it’s crucial to include crypto rewards and earnings as part of blockchain games,” he says, arguing that only a small portion of gamers prioritize earning crypto.
“Those rewards appeal to a niche focused on financial incentives, while most players are driven by the fun and engaging aspects of a game itself,” he says.
Players need to be incentivized through other ways
Saliba believes that players still need to be incentivized, but the best way to do that is through “compelling player progression systems” and rewarding gameplay design that makes them want to come back and keep playing.
“I want to see Web3 gaming succeed and begin to attract a more mass audience of players, this will happen when the games themselves are enjoyable and accessible,” he says.
When asked if he thinks former colleagues and others from the traditional gaming industry are considering jumping into Web3, he says it’s pretty much a no-brainer.
Saliba explains that the traditional gaming industry has seen some of the largest levels of layoffs in talent and reduced investment over the past two years.
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“Moreover, projections are for flat to minimal growth over the next couple of years. In contrast, Web3 gaming seems to be growing at a better rate, and many projects in Web3 gaming appear to secure investment more easily,” he adds.
“These dynamics create a situation where gaming developers looking for jobs might find opportunities more readily in the Web3 space,” he says.
As for whether the pay is better, Saliba says that Web3 might not always be “more lucrative,” but it can be more fulfilling as it allows more creative freedom and “enables developers to focus on what they want, rather than working on the same sequel mega franchise year after year.”
Hot Take: Arc8
Shoot one hoop only to move onto the next hoop until you fail (Arc8)
If you are into cocktail arcade game machines with loads of games stacked on them, you should consider adding the Polygon blockchain-powered gaming platform Arc8 to your mobile gaming collection.
Developed by GAMEE, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, the app has sixteen games to choose from, all playable online against other gamers.
One Football Striker requires the skill to Bend it like Beckham. (Arc8)
Matchmaking is pretty quick across all the games — I tried to test which ones were less popular, but within seconds, I found matches with players across the board.
It may seem pretty straightforward, but personally, I manage about one goal every 15 shots, so it is definitely worth a try to see if you can beat my embarrassing ratio.
The newest game to the list is One Football Striker, and as a soccer enthusiast and somewhat decent player (though my dreams of going pro never quite panned out), I find it a blast to play online.
Added on June 21, the goal is simple, compete against your opponent to score by adding spin and aiming for the circles in the goal.
There is a wide range of games to choose from, from soccer and card games to car racing and fighting to even a frustratingly addictive one called Hoops Shot.
In Hoops Shot, you shoot a ball into a hoop as you move up the screen. Each successful shot leads to aiming for the next hoop, which is harder than it sounds when the hoops are beneath each other.
Although there is a wide range of games to choose from, you will probably find your favorite two or three and stick with them.
Even better, you can earn GAMEE tokens (GMEE) just by playing. And the token’s performance isn’t too bad either — it has surged 173% over the past year, currently sitting at around $0.02, according to CoinMarketCap data.
Other News
— Cult favorite Solo Leveling is slated to debut a “Web3-enhanced version” of the franchise on Avalanche. It’s currently available in closed beta, and gamers can get an early access code by visiting the Otherworld community Discord channel.
— Highly anticipated sci-fi MMO MetalCore closed beta 3 launch date is on June 27, gamers can pre-register for an invitation to the closed beta on MetalCore’s website.
— Sky Mavis “deepens” its roots throughout Asia with the launch of MMORPG game Lumiterra on the Ronin Network.
— Gaming investment giant Animoca Brands invests in UK-based Web3 gaming firm Saltwater Games to develop its XR token, which will support all games on the XR network.
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Ciaran Lyons
Ciaran Lyons is an Australian crypto journalist. He’s also a standup comedian and has been a radio and TV presenter on Triple J, SBS and The Project.
