The gaming industry has undergone significant transformations over the years, and the rise of Web3 technology is poised to bring about even more changes. Simon Davis, the co-founder and CEO of Mighty Bear Games, a multiplatform game developer in Southeast Asia, has been at the forefront of this evolution. In this article, we will explore Davis’ insights on the future of Web3 gaming and how it is shaping the gaming landscape.
Davis, who spent almost two decades working in the gaming industry, initially had no plans to enter this field. Previously, he pursued a career as a professional guitarist, relying on gigs and guitar teaching to make a living. However, a fortuitous opportunity as a professional game tester led him to discover his passion for the gaming industry. Over the years, Davis held various management and product lead positions in esteemed gaming companies. In 2017, he co-founded Mighty Bear Games to create traditional games before venturing into the realm of blockchain in 2022.
One pivotal moment for Davis was his introduction to NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) in 2021 and witnessing the impact of Axie Infinity in Southeast Asia. The transition to free-to-play games, similar to the rise of Farmville on Facebook, sparked a realization for Davis. He believed that player-owned and operated economies would become the dominant business model for live service titles like Fortnite and League of Legends. Davis emphasized the importance of digital property rights in virtual worlds and the untapped potential that Web3 technology offers.
Analyzing the market trends and demographics, Davis highlighted the dominance of mobile gaming as the primary platform. Countries with underdeveloped payment systems, such as Indonesia and Brazil, tend to have a higher inclination towards crypto and Web3. For these mobile-first markets, Davis expressed skepticism towards investing excessively in high-end Web3 games that require powerful hardware. Instead, he advocated for focusing on mobile accessibility to cater to a broader user base.
One of the crucial aspects of Web3 gaming that needs improvement is usability. Davis compared the current user experience to the early days of setting up a home internet connection via dial-up. To accelerate adoption, Web3 should strive for an easy and intuitive user interface, rivaling the simplicity of Web2 experiences. Davis emphasized the need to make it effortless for users to interact with Web3 applications and handle tasks like social recovery without technical complexities. He shared his hope for upcoming products in 2023 that promise significant usability enhancements.
Drawing parallels with the gaming industry’s past, Davis acknowledged the initial negative reputation associated with gaming in the 90s. Similar to music’s moral panic, there were concerns about video games inciting violence. However, as people experienced games firsthand, perceptions changed, and gaming became a mass market. Davis believes that the perception of crypto and Web3 can undergo a similar transformation if users have positive interactions with these technologies.
Davis discussed emerging use cases in the Web3 gaming space that excite him. One notable example is games that allow players to earn small amounts of Bitcoin, which exhibit promising retention numbers. He also highlighted Reddit’s successful adoption of NFTs, reaching a vast audience that may not have been aware of interacting with NFTs. While the on-chain transaction volume may not be high initially, Davis views it positively since it signifies that users are not hastily dumping their assets. Stealth onboarding through familiar platforms and gradual asset exploration are essential for sustainable growth.
ERC-6551 tokens, the brainchild of Davis’ imagination, offer exciting possibilities for game developers. These tokens combine the capabilities of smart contract accounts with the characteristics of traditional NFTs. Assets bound to ERC-6551 tokens can communicate directly with each other without relying on external wallets like MetaMask. This feature opens up avenues for dynamic character customization and reputation management within games. Davis views this innovation as a step towards a more secure and versatile gaming experience.
Simon Davis, as the CEO of Mighty Bear Games, has provided valuable insights into the future of Web3 gaming. From the dominance of mobile gaming to the importance of usability and evolving use cases, Davis’s perspective sheds light on the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. As Web3 gaming continues to evolve, developers like Davis and his team at Mighty Bear Games are at the forefront of shaping the future of the industry, creating new and accessible multiplayer experiences in this rapidly changing landscape.
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