![[中文] Sakaba 发起 “日本游戏之旅 🇯🇵 “，以庆祝日本区块链周](https://image.sakaba.xyz/news/JapanGameJourney.webp)
© 2023 Tempura technologies inc. All Right Reserved.
© 2023 Tempura technologies inc. All Right Reserved.
I’m
@hametaro_bcg
, in charge of research at Sakaba. Since 2019, when I first encountered Web3 games, I’ve been enjoying them daily, finding joy in the unique experiences only possible with blockchain and NFTs.
What kind of Web3 game would make you want to play upon release?
Profitable games
Games that were popular in Web2 and have transitioned to Web3
Games using famous IPs
Games backed by major corporations
Games that influencers are talking about
Different people might be interested in different aspects.
Although I’m someone who likes to spend time deeply engrossed in card games, in this article, I’d like to introduce criteria for starting a new Web3 game.
＜My Gaming History＞
CryptoSpells: Since August 2019
Brave Frontier Heroes: Since January 2020
Splinterlands: Since January 2021
Others (Skyweaver, Cross The Ages, NFTWars, Upland, Captain Tsubasa Rivals, WonderHeros, FiveStars, etc.)
Games that make you want to spend
Passionate community & management
Endearing NFTs
Whether a Game Issues Its Own Tokens Doesn’t Matter
The involvement of VCs and large-scale guilds is not a concern
In conclusion: Connection with peers with similar tastes
It’s easy to mistake Web3 games where “you can earn money = it’s fun”. You might spend money even if you’re not enjoying it, and if you can’t earn anymore, the NFT price might fall, leaving you with worthless NFTs. I always ask myself the following:
Do I enjoy it even if I can’t earn from it?
Do I want to spend (invest) to win?
Ideally, while you’re having fun playing for a long time, the number of players and the asset price unknowingly rise.
Web3 games are like “societies” and face various challenges apart from gameplay. These include threats of ecosystem collapse due to massive bot activity, game balance issues, and maintaining the value of tokens and NFTs.
Just like in the real world, there is no perfect society in Web3 games. Therefore, it’s essential for players and management to have ongoing discussions to improve the game environment many time.
It’s desirable to have games where the management conducts regular AMAs or releases producer letters. And it’s crucial to peek into community tools like Discord to see if players are giving constructive feedback. I think users should avoid communities where players selfishly comment things like “Thanks for letting me earn!” or “Why can’t I earn?”
“I want to find a game that uses NFTs that make me think, ‘Even if I acquire a new NFT, I’m not sure if I’ll use the old one, but I still want to cherish it.” Many Web3 games normalize the act of selling old NFTs once a new one is acquired, leading to a market flooded with NFTs. When the market overflows with NFTs, it often relies on a burn feature. This makes players recognize that “NFTs will eventually be burned,” leading to a disposable perception of NFTs. After all, NFTs originally designed with a lifespan assume a buy and dispose mentality.
While the sense of attachment may vary from person to person, it’s worth investigating beforehand if there’s a mechanism that allows many players to become attached.
The allure of limited issuance is undeniable. The fewer the quantity issued, the more challenging it is to acquire, and the sense of accomplishment when obtained is unmatched. Given that once you let go of it, you may never get it back, selling such an NFT requires courage.
Splinterlands assigns lore to its cards. CryptoSpells allows for flavor texts to be set for cards, and in Brave Frontier Heroes, you receive a summoning certificate with a name when minting. I’m keen to look for added values like these that make one want to own the NFT.
Regular Foil and special Foil may differ in issuance numbers, and the special Foil often comes with added utilities. It would be great to have mechanisms that encourage players to upgrade from a regular Foil to a special one, or simply to collect the special Foils.
In Brave Frontier Heroes, even if it’s the same unit, its growth can differ based on the “growth trend.” Moreover, through “training,” one can significantly enhance their capabilities. Due to these random elements, even if someone else owns the same unit, the unit’s stats will be unique. Adjusting to the desired stats requires effort, fostering a deeper attachment.
Games that issue their own tokens typically allow players to intuitively enjoy “Play to Earn” features, like earning tokens for winning battles. However, games that solely reward with tokens tend to attract players who quickly want to calculate returns and recover their initial investment. On the other hand, games without tokens often reward with tradable items, the price of which fluctuates based on their strength. Such a structure makes it hard to calculate returns, deterring players primarily seeking to recover their investment. Regardless of whether a game issues tokens, I focus on reward systems that are difficult to calculate in terms of returns, as I believe games crowded with people prioritizing quick returns tend to have a short lifespan.
While games funded by Venture Capitals (VCs) might seem more trustworthy, whether the game is enjoyable is another issue. I’ve seen countless games backed by VCs that never get released, and many lack actual gameplay. Just because a VC is involved doesn’t mean you can be complacent. Overconfidence can be dangerous.
The entry of large-scale guilds into a game might be seen by some as positive news indicating a rise in player numbers. When large guilds enter, NFT demand increases, often leading to a price surge. Thus, joining simultaneously with a large guild might require a hefty initial investment. Remember, these guilds also aim for profits. If they acquire and then quickly sell tokens, it might cause the token’s price to drop. Being too influenced by news of a major guild’s entry might not be wise.
The best way to find a suitable game is to follow the trends of friends with similar tastes. This principle applies to mobile games and one-time purchase games too. If you have friends enjoying a game, why not play with them? The number of followers doesn’t matter. Having many followers doesn’t mean they share your tastes.
How to find people with similar tastes? Find those enjoying the games you love. I hope platforms like Sakaba will help find like-minded individuals.
These were the standards I, with 4 years of Web3 gaming experience, consider when starting a new Web3 game. The choice of game to play is personal. To find a game you truly enjoy, why not set your own standards?
#Web3Game
#Sakaba
