Web3 marks a new era for the video game industry

Web3 is ushering in a new era for the video game industry, built on blockchain, decentralization, and digital ownership. This model is transforming the way players interact with games and own their assets.

As a result of the rise of Web3 games, several platforms have emerged to provide access to these new experiences. Some platforms, like Epic Games Store, are pivoting to integrate Web3, while others, like Illuvium, Sorare, Decentraland, and The Sandbox, are completely dedicated to offering a decentralized gaming experience.

These platforms are highlighting the shift in the gaming industry, presenting a stark contrast to platforms like Steam, which have banned NFT-based games and prefer to focus on traditional gaming models.

Web3 is ushering in a new generation of internet based on decentralization. It relies on blockchain, which guarantees the transparency of transactions and the ownership of digital assets.

Unlike Web2, which is dominated by centralized platforms like Google, Facebook, and Steam, Web3 allows users to control their data and assets. In the video game industry, this technology is transforming economic models.

Indeed, in Web3 games, players can truly own their in-game items in the form of NFTs, exchange them freely, and generate income through Play-and-Earn mechanisms. Web3 games also promote interoperability, allowing the use of the same assets across multiple platforms.

This transformation redefines player engagement. The experience is no longer limited to simple entertainment; it incorporates an economic and social dimension, making games more immersive and interactive.

Not all Web3 gaming platforms are equal. Several criteria help assess their quality and relevance for players. These elements ensure an optimal experience and enhanced security.

Several Web3 gaming platforms offer diverse experiences and cater to different types of players. These platforms integrate blockchain technologies, guarantee the ownership of digital assets, and allow for seamless and secure transactions. They provide players with access to a wide range of decentralized games, from role-playing games to sports simulations and virtual worlds.

Launched in 2018, the Epic Games Store quickly became a major competitor to Steam. Epic Games, known for the success of Fortnite, designed the platform to attract developers with a reduced commission policy compared to its competitor.

This strategy has encouraged the adoption of the platform by independent studios and large video game companies, who are enticed by the prospect of keeping a larger share of the revenue generated by their games on the Epic Games Store.

The integration of Web3

The Epic Games Store began integrating Web3 in 2022, becoming the first major game distribution platform to accept NFTs and blockchain.

Indeed, while Steam has banned NFT-based games and prefers to focus on traditional gaming models, Epic Games has adopted a more open approach to encourage innovation and the development of new technologies.

Epic Games Store is now integrating NFTs and blockchain in its games and services. The goal is to create a more decentralized and engaging gaming experience, where players have more control over their digital assets and can participate in the economic dimension of games.

Among the first Web3 games available on the Epic Games Store is Grit, a battle royale game set in the Wild West. This game features unique NFTs that provide players with skins, mounts, and other customizable items.

Illuvium is a blockchain gaming platform built on Ethereum. Founded in 2020, it specializes in developing and hosting triple-A open-world role-playing games and strategy games. Its ecosystem is based on an interoperable model, enabling players to use digital assets across different games linked to the platform.

The games offered by Illuvium are:

Illuvium collaborates with influential companies and brands, like Team Liquid, a professional e-sports team, and GameStop, a video game retail chain, to expand its ecosystem and engage a broader audience.

Sorare is a sports simulation game powered by the Ethereum blockchain. Since its launch in 2019, it has become a major player in the NFT gaming scene with its offering of football player cards in the form of NFTs.

In Sorare, players buy, collect, and trade digital player cards. Each card represents a real football player and derives its value from the player’s performance in official competitions.

Initially concentrating on football, Sorare has expanded into baseball and basketball, further broadening its appeal and attracting an even larger audience. It has also forged partnerships with major sports institutions, including the NBA, MLB, and European leagues, to expand its presence in the world of Web3 games.

Decentraland is a decentralized virtual reality platform powered by the Ethereum blockchain. Its launch in 2015 marked a turning point in the concept of virtual worlds, allowing players to own and develop plots of land in the form of NFTs.

In Decentraland, players can:

The platform uses the MANA token as a medium of exchange. Players use it to buy items, plots of land, and services in the Decentraland ecosystem.

The Sandbox is