- “There’s a clear rift between the mobile games industry and its younger sibling, web3 gaming”
- “There are key lessons mobile game developers can learn from how web3 games studios operate”
This article was authored by Andy Adams, the head of business development at Stardust.
The gaming industry has always been marked by divisions and competition, from console rivalries to legal battles like Epic vs Apple. While healthy competition can drive innovation, it’s equally important for different sectors of the industry to learn from each other for mutual growth.
Currently, there is a noticeable gap between the mobile games industry and the emerging realm of web3 gaming. This divide is evident at industry events where blockchain discussions are often segregated to specific sessions, creating a visible split in the audience. Some events even avoid or limit discussions around web3 gaming altogether.
It’s time to bridge this gap and unite for the greater good. Web3 technology presents exciting opportunities beyond its initial niche applications. There are valuable insights that mobile game developers can glean from how web3 game studios approach community building, player engagement, and fundraising.
Building Community
Successful games thrive on passionate communities. In the web3 space, communities are easily identifiable by their unique language and strong sense of belonging. Web3 gamers proudly self-identify with their communities and actively champion the projects they support.
By fostering a sense of belonging and ownership among players, web3 games effectively harness the energy of their communities for mutual benefit. Mobile game developers could adapt similar strategies to enhance player engagement and loyalty through community-building initiatives.
Additionally, rewarding players for various actions, such as bug reporting and social engagement, can incentivize continued participation and advocacy within the gaming community.
Rewards Drive Retention
Web3 gamers have a penchant for rewards, with airdrops being a common mechanism for incentivizing user engagement. By offering unique digital items, such as NFTs, web3 games create a sense of exclusivity and reward that keeps players coming back.
Mobile developers can leverage this concept by offering exclusive in-game items or collaborations to incentivize player retention. Unique rewards not only encourage player loyalty but also enhance the overall gaming experience.
Raising Capital
While mobile developers have traditional avenues for funding game development, web3 gaming has explored innovative approaches like ICOs and crowdfunding to secure capital. These methods involve early community involvement and offer rewards in return for financial support.
Mobile developers can learn from the grassroots fundraising strategies of web3 games to engage players in the development process and foster community investment in their projects.
Learning from Blockchain
In contrast to the challenges of mobile marketing in an age of privacy regulations, blockchain technology offers transparency and data integrity. By leveraging blockchain data, mobile developers can gain valuable insights into user behavior and enhance user acquisition strategies.
Integrating blockchain technology into user acquisition processes can provide mobile developers with a clearer understanding of market data, ultimately improving their marketing effectiveness and player engagement.
Ending Divisions
While competition is essential, overcoming the divisions in the games industry is paramount for collective growth. By embracing cross-industry learning and collaboration, mobile game developers and web3 studios can create a symbiotic relationship that propels the industry forward.
