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Why Casual Gamers Are the Unsung Heroes of the Blockchain Gaming Revolution

Casual gamers a ‘critical’ audience for blockchain games: GameFi execs

Are you a casual gamer who enjoys a quick gaming session on your phone during your commute or downtime? You might be more crucial to the future of blockchain gaming than you think! While blockchain games and NFTs might still sound like niche concepts for crypto enthusiasts, gaming industry leaders believe that casual gamers are the secret ingredient to mainstream adoption.

Why are Casual Gamers So Important for Blockchain Games?

Think about it: casual gamers are everywhere. They make up the largest segment of the gaming world. Kieran Warwick, co-founder of Illuvium, a blockchain role-playing game, rightly points out their sheer numbers. Let’s look at the scale:

  • Globally, we’re looking at over 3 billion gamers by 2023.
  • A whopping 1.95 billion of these are casual gamers!

That’s a massive audience! Gaming executives see this group as essential for the growth of blockchain-powered games and the integration of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) into the gaming experience. Why? Because history tends to repeat itself. Yat Siu, co-founder of Animoca Brands, draws a parallel:

“Casual games were one of the factors that contributed to the growth of mainstream gaming.”

Remember the rise of mobile gaming? It revitalized the gaming industry and brought in a whole new wave of players. Blockchain gaming hopes to follow a similar trajectory, and casual gamers are expected to lead the charge.

The Allure of Play-to-Earn for Casual Gamers

Beyond just sheer numbers, there’s another compelling reason why casual gamers are crucial: the potential for in-game revenue. Especially in regions where earning opportunities are limited, the play-to-earn aspect of blockchain games holds significant appeal. Mobile gaming, being easily accessible, becomes a natural gateway for these gamers.

Imagine playing a fun game and earning cryptocurrency or NFTs that have real-world value. For many, this isn’t just entertainment; it’s a chance to supplement their income. This is a powerful motivator, particularly for casual gamers who might not have the time or resources to invest heavily in traditional gaming.

The Hurdles: Why Aren’t Casual Gamers Rushing to Blockchain Games Yet?

Despite the potential, there’s a significant challenge. Kieran Warwick acknowledges a “huge hurdle” – the perception of blockchain games being low quality. Let’s face it, the early days of any new technology are often filled with more hype than polished products. Blockchain gaming is no exception. Many casual gamers might associate blockchain games with:

  • Complex setups: Dealing with crypto wallets and blockchain transactions can be daunting for someone just looking for a quick game.
  • High paywalls: Some blockchain games require initial investments to even start playing, which is a barrier for casual players.
  • Questionable game quality: Early blockchain games sometimes prioritized the “earn” aspect over engaging gameplay.

These factors contribute to the hesitation among casual gamers. But industry experts are optimistic that this is a temporary phase.

The Turning Point: One Good Game is All it Takes?

Yat Siu believes it all boils down to one thing: a truly captivating game. He predicts a blockchain gaming boom within the next 18 to 24 months, sparked by a single successful title. Think of it like this:

“All you need is one game that is reasonably successful, and you’ll basically get enormous news, and because it’s Web3, if it’s highly popular, it’ll leak into the other games.”

The interconnected nature of Web3 could amplify the success of a hit blockchain game, drawing in millions of players. It’s about creating a game that’s fun, engaging, and happens to leverage blockchain technology in a meaningful way. Not the other way around.

NFTs in Games: Overcoming the Pushback

NFTs in gaming have faced considerable resistance from mainstream gaming communities. Many gamers express concerns about:

  • Environmental impact: While some blockchains are more eco-friendly, concerns about the environmental footprint of NFTs persist.
  • Speculation and greed: Some gamers fear NFTs will turn games into pay-to-win economies driven by speculation.
  • Unnecessary complexity: Many simply don’t see the value of NFTs in games, questioning why they need digital ownership of in-game items.

This pushback has led some major gaming companies to backtrack on their NFT plans. However, Yat Siu sees this as a temporary reaction to community sentiment. He believes education is key to changing perceptions.

“Most gamers I deal with say they support digital ownership of games but are still opposed to NFTs, but education will eventually change that,” Siu explains.

As gamers understand the benefits of true digital ownership, and as NFTs are integrated more seamlessly and ethically into games, the resistance is expected to lessen.

Mobile Games: The Perfect Gateway for Casual Blockchain Gamers

Bozena Rezab, CEO of GAMEE, a blockchain mobile gaming platform, emphasizes the role of mobile games in onboarding casual players. Mobile games are:

  • Accessible: Most people have smartphones, making mobile games incredibly accessible.
  • Convenient: Perfect for short gaming sessions during breaks or commutes.
  • Familiar: Casual gamers are already comfortable with mobile game mechanics and interfaces.

Mobile blockchain games, therefore, offer the easiest entry point for casual gamers to explore the world of Web3 gaming. However, Rezab points out that further adjustments are needed to truly cater to this audience:

  • Removing paywalls: Making games free-to-play or very affordable.
  • Shorter sessions: Designing games for quick and engaging gameplay loops.
  • Simpler setups: Streamlining the process of getting started with blockchain elements.

The Future is Playable and Ownable

While the journey to mainstream blockchain gaming adoption is still ongoing, the pieces are falling into place. Gaming executives are betting on casual gamers to drive this revolution, and for good reason. The potential is immense, but it requires addressing the current challenges and focusing on creating truly enjoyable and accessible blockchain gaming experiences.

As Bozena Rezab aptly summarizes:

“We are still studying the usage of blockchain technology in games; the concept of asset ownership is very powerful and will remain. The specific game genres, game economic models, and features that will define the future have yet to be discovered.”

The future of gaming is likely to be one where players not only play but also truly own their in-game assets, and casual gamers are poised to be at the forefront of this exciting evolution. Keep your eyes peeled for that one game-changer – it might just be around the corner!

Disclaimer: The information provided is not trading advice, Bitcoinworld.co.in holds no liability for any investments made based on the information provided on this page. We strongly recommend independent research and/or consultation with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.