Takeaways from gm gm with Blockstars
The Blockstars team was interviewed by Magic Eden
Gaming as a driving force in bringing blockchain technologies to mainstream
Online games are built on community interaction and thrive when there is a steady stream of players and the base keeps growing. Many are very interactive and encourage players to join with others to enhance gameplay. For some gamers, this comradery is a big draw.
The same can be said about NFT collections. The best projects are often fueled by hype which requires a strong community, but it’s not just about that artificial “pump” which raises floor prices. A lot can be said about the shared experience and the mindset that holders have something in common with one another, whether it is an affinity for the same type of artwork or belief in the same project team or utility.
Combine an epic game with a great NFT, and the sky’s the limit.
How web3 compares to the previous platforms
The Blockstars founders (Niko, Cojo, and Sherrie) have been a part of gaming as it has evolved over the years. From PC/console to MySpace/Facebook games (web2/social media) and Mobile gaming (web2.5). With each wave of innovation, they gained the experience and insight which contributes to a unique perspective on the newest evolution, web3 and blockchain gaming.
The team sees web3 providing the landscape for open, tokenized economies. This allows for true digital ownership in the form of NFT’s, as well as legitimate pathways for moving those assets to other game environments or even liquidation.
They do not believe that blockchain gaming will replace any other platforms. Like its predecessors it will instead be additive, offering gamers new ways to play and new features to entice them. It will be key in moving NFT’s and crypto in general to the mainstream.
Mass adoption of NFT’s
New technology platforms always lead to innovation, and web3 is no different. What sets it apart, though, is the power it has given game developers to make interesting and unique game design choices, such as complex and realistic game economies.
But mass adoption relies on making a product readily available to the consumer, which won’t happen for web3 gaming until the underlying blockchain technology becomes “invisible” to players. PC and console games can be downloaded in a matter of minutes and a new user needs only to create an online account to begin playing. Just to gain access to a web3 game, a brand-new player must download a wallet (like Phantom), buy a crypto currency on a CEX, and transfer it to a wallet. That’s just to get to the point where they can buy the NFT on a 3rd-party marketplace and finally gain entrance to the game.
And even then, the next hurdle is the game itself.
It’s also about great game design
Today’s gamers are used to excellent graphics, intriguing storylines, and immersive experiences. This holds true regardless of the platform, but a web3 game can’t just be a version of a web2 game with an NFT and a token thrown in for good measure. To really take advantage of what blockchain offers, a game must be built explicitly for blockchain by developers who not only know web3 technology but also know how to build fantastic games.
The Blockstars team has been making games for a long time. They chose a game style which they feel is perfect for the blockchain because it centers around a complex economy. They know their audience because management SIM games appeal to a specific type of gamer. They have built a community which is incredibly social and engaged, and they involve their holders in each milestone as it is conquered. The success of the project is best expressed in the words of founder and CEO, Niko: “NFT’s are the intersection of art and community. That’s where the magic happens.”
Tracey Cranz | @cranzini_ | writer/developer | 2FunDevs.io
