Exploring the Future of Web3 Gaming: A Glimpse into GDC 2023

Srini Anala

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2023 in San Francisco. The conference was an excellent opportunity to connect with other gaming professionals, learn about the latest trends in the industry, and showcase our upcoming game to potential partners and investors.

However, the conference's highlight was the side events I could attend and co-host with some of our web3 friends. One of the events we co-hosted was the Web3 Games Night, along with our friend at Eclipse, where we brought together some of the most innovative minds in the web3 gaming industry. It was an excellent opportunity to network, share ideas, and learn from each other. We had some great discussions about the future of web3 gaming, and I came away from the event feeling energized and inspired.

I also had the opportunity to participate in the Importance of Community panel. This was an excellent opportunity to share insights we gained from building our community at Bullieverse. We discussed the importance of fostering a strong community around a gaming product and the benefits that this can bring regarding player engagement, retention, and monetization. The panel was well-received, and it was great to see many other great minds who shared our passion for building strong communities.

Of course, showcasing our game was the critical focus of our time at GDC. We had the opportunity to showcase our latest game Necrodemic – A survival zombie shooter in multiple events, and we received some great feedback from players and industry professionals alike.

It was fantastic to see people playing our game and enjoying it, and it gave us a great sense of pride to see the Bullieverse brand being built right in front of our eyes.

I came away with three key takeaways below.

1. More Curiosity and Less Suspicion. One of the key takeaways about web3 gaming was the shift towards more curiosity and less suspicion among game developers. Also, thanks to the continued flow of capital into Web3 gaming, Developers are becoming more interested in exploring the possibilities of web3 gaming rather than being skeptical or mistrustful.
2. Interoperability is going to be critical for the growth of web3 gaming. With so many different blockchain networks and gaming platforms emerging, it’s essential to have a standardized approach to interoperability. This means developing protocols and standards that enable seamless communication between different systems, allowing players to move assets and data between games and platforms. Without interoperability, web3 gaming risks becoming fragmented and siloed, limiting its growth potential.
3. Play-to-Earn is alive and well in web3 gaming. Despite some recent setbacks, play-to-earn remains a powerful motivator for players and a key driver of growth for the web3 gaming ecosystem. However, it’s important to approach play-to-earn sustainably and responsibly, ensuring it doesn’t lead to value extraction from the game economy. By embracing play-to-earn and balancing it with fair and equitable gameplay, we can unlock the full potential of web3 gaming for players and developers.

Overall, GDC 2023 was an incredible experience for Bullieverse and me. It was an excellent opportunity to connect with others in the industry, learn about the latest trends and technologies, and showcase our game to potential partners and investors. But it was the side events that made the conference special for me. Co-hosting the Web3 Games Night and participating in the Importance of Community panel were incredible experiences I will never forget. I can’t wait to see what new opportunities it will bring for Bullieverse and the web3 gaming industry.

~Srini