‘Web3 Gaming Waits’ Says Ava, 2M Bitcoin Miners Make 13c: Web3 Gamer

Watch em' Web3 game suck and go, says Ava Labs

Why not just be up front and tell players that web3 games are complete garbage?

There is no future in the technology, so developers can throw in the towel and go back to regular software gigs.

That's a tongue-in-cheek marketing approach to get players' attention by Ava Labs — the team behind the Avalanche blockchain — and it seems to be paying off.

“With a title as polarizing as a Web3 game, people tend to make up their minds,” Ed Chang, head of gaming at Ava Labs, tells Web3 Gamer.

“We thought why not take a humorous approach to help people step outside their comfort zone, think differently and see what's behind all the hype.”

It's a breath of fresh air in Web3 game marketing, where buzzwords like “revolutionary,” “pioneering,” and “ground-breaking” are thrown around so easily.

Chang admits there have been some real flops in Web3 games, but he doesn't want that to scare gamers away from the industry.

After all, the first ever blockchain game, CryptoKitties, came out seven years ago in 2017.

“We want to help players understand that certainly not all Web3 games are great, but if you look in the right places, great things are happening,” he said.

Just to set the record straight, Chang is a fan of the Web3 game, and this isn't some passive-aggressive payback for not getting a raise or anything.

“No, I don't think web3 games will work. I believe the opposite. We have dozens of amazing games on Avalanche, including some amazing AAA titles dropping soon,” he says.

One of the most talked about games in Web3 right now is Shrapnel, a takedown shooter on Avalanche. Early Access for the game is slated for release later this year.

So why take an unusual marketing approach by disassembling the product you're working on?

“Out-of-the-box swings like ‘Web3 Gaming Awaits' help us stand out and focus on Web3 games that have game-changing potential,” he explains.

It's definitely turning heads. Last week at the biggest event in the gaming world, the Game Developers Conference (GDC), people couldn't get enough of it.

“Last year at GDC, we wanted to showcase established developers in the space. This year it was more about drawing more people in to see that Web3 games are real and fun.

Even attendees took to X to share images and thoughts on marketing, which definitely stood out as a highlight.

“During my week at GDC, I have to say how impressed I am with Avax Marketing.

Could baby blockchains shake things up for gaming? SA World CEO thinks

Gaming ecosystem SA World has made the leap from Polygon and BNB Smart Chain (BNB) to Layer-1 Block Chain Injectable to reduce payment costs and make it easier for players to exchange assets in games.

According to Du Le, CEO of SA World, game developers should not be afraid to gamble on smaller blockchains beyond the blockchain giants, as long as it fits with the business goals.

“While Polygon and Binance Smart Chain are important and have a long history, it's important for Web3 game developers to explore alternative options to fully achieve their gaming goals,” he tells Web3 Gamer.

Polygon and BNB It started in 2017, almost a year before the launch of injective blockchain. While they may be better known, Injector is emerging as a trusted open and scalable layer-1 blockchain that can connect to other networks such as Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon.

Lee explains that it allows players to “seamlessly exchange NFTs between games and power-ups in SA World's RPG mobile game in leading ecosystems, enhancing the overall gaming experience.”

He added that Summoners Arena, a major RPG game in particular, is a priority for the ecosystem.

If you're a talented designer on Web3 games, you should probably shoot Le a message about a job. He thinks there is a talent shortage like yours in the industry right now.

“We're experiencing a shortage of long-term game developers who offer comprehensive and comprehensive products,” he says.

“Games need designers who can dive deep, pay attention, and create truly immersive experiences,” he explains.

Hot take: Bitcoin mining

Fumb Games' ‘Bitcoin Miner' has now reached 2 million users, and naturally, I was curious to see what all the fuss was about.

The biggest takeaway for me was realizing how physically inefficient the thumb is.

Once I downloaded Bitcoin Miner, it took me about ten minutes to figure out WTF was going on before I realized it was just a clicker game.

There's no tutorial or anything, so you're just staring at the screen until it clicks – literally.

Once you start hammering that key over and over again, there's no stopping.

It reminds me of Super Mario in layout and sounds, and while it won't make you rich, you can pocket some bitcoins every time you play.

However, I'm not sure that all the Bitcoin you earn will cover your future arthritis treatment costs.

But it's surprisingly addictive. You just get into this click flow.

How much difference is there really between someone who types all day at a desk job with cash? You're using all 10 fingers, you only need one on a Bitcoin miner.

FYI — It's not a good idea to quit your office gig to be a full-time crypto miner. If you give it a few hours each day, you're looking at roughly 13 cents worth of bitcoins every day.

As you progress and level up, you'll be given little tasks like clicking on certain flashing logos on the conveyor belt to increase your coins.

While spending time clicking a button for just a penny isn't appealing to everyone, you can't argue with numbers. The game consistently attracts 30,000 daily players, which is very strong for a blockchain mobile game.

The founder of Fumb Games thinks that Web3 devs should take the minimalist strategy

Paul West, founder of Fumb Games, thinks there is still a lot of demand from players who prefer a “less is more” approach to Web3 gaming.

“I believe the simple and fun gameplay combined with free Bitcoin made the game stand out,” West tells Web3 Gamer.

It's not making any big promises to players, nor is it hinting that spending time in this clicker game will solve their problems with the rising cost of living in today's world.

“The actual monetary value here is minimal, so it's not like players are playing Bitcoin Miner for financial gain,” he says.

While a few years ago Web3 games were very complicated and developers were “too abusive,” it's clear that there is a demand for games and revenue, especially among today's mobile gamers.

One thing West doesn't want is a high bill for players to buy non-volatile tokens (NFTs) before playing the game.

“It's not about selling NFTs early and accidentally overpromising,” he said.

But West explains that when you throw rewards into play, big or small, especially when they have real-world value, it changes what players think.

“One of the main takeaways is that rewards can meaningfully enhance the gaming experience if implemented appropriately,” he says.

But entertainment should still be the focus, not just bribing people to suffer through a trick game.

“It doesn't make a bad game great; But it's a powerful new tool in a game maker's arsenal,” he explained.

Other news

— The highly anticipated AAA massively multiplayer online (MMO) Metaverse game, Wilder World, has launched on the Epic Games Store.

— US-based developer Parallel Studios closed the deal with a $35 million funding round. The biggest dollars came from heavy hitters like VanEyck, Solana Ventures, Bethesda and Spartan.

— Gaming market data company Newsoo has released a report predicting that the African gaming market will reach over $1 billion by 2024.

– The Arbitrum Foundation has partnered with Azuki and Web3 Foundation to launch AnimeChain, aiming to tap into the anime community through anime themed games and content.

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Ciaran Lyon

Ciaran Lyons is an Australian crypto journalist. He is also a freelance comedian and has been a radio and TV presenter on Triple J, SBS and The Project.