Back to Basics: Strong IP is Key to the Future of Blockchain Gaming | Perspective
Web3 gaming is fast, furious, and full of excitement — flash wins, viral NFT mints, and intense meme battles. The ecosystem thrives on hype cycles that come and go quickly. But once the hype fades, what’s left? If all Web3 gaming offers are brief bursts of excitement, it’s on a path to self-destruction.
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Addressing the Web3 Gaming Knowledge Gap and How to Close It | Perspective
It’s Time to Get Back to Basics. Web3 gaming is about more than just adding blockchain and cryptocurrency to the fabric of the game. At its core, gaming is about entertainment — the thrill of the race, the challenges, and the long-term experiences that keep players coming back, even after the initial excitement has worn off. And what drives that sustained engagement? That’s the power of intellectual property (IP).
Many may view IP as just a money-making tool for publishers or studios. However, after years of developing different titles, it’s clear that IP is much more than that. It’s what keeps players engaged, creates deep connections, and builds lasting memories. While creating that experience isn’t easy, it’s not impossible — and it’s the key to the future of blockchain gaming.
IP is more than visuals
Over the years, discussions about IP have often revolved around character and world building. Popular brands like Marvel are recognizable for their compelling stories and memorable heroes. Gaming, however, follows a different framework. Unlike movies or comics, games are interactive, and elements like mechanics, progression, and in-game economies shape the player experience. In games, IP is more than just aesthetics; it is also the core elements that make a game fun and rewarding for players.
For a game to have lasting value, whether Web2 or Web3, developers must first understand what makes it unique. What keeps players coming back year after year? What is the most valuable part of the experience they are getting? This is the foundation for creating value in IP. The strongest IPs are built on unique in-game experiences that keep players engaged.
Take Gran Turismo, for example. While the IP for the cars in the game belongs to the manufacturers, Gran Turismo’s identity is built on precision driving mechanics and authenticity. Similarly, Counter-Strike has maintained its position for decades — not because of its rich lore, but because of its highly competitive and skill-based economy. Players don’t come back for the story, they come back for the challenge and the opportunity to hone their skills, compete, and conquer the game.
If a game’s true value lies in the depth of its competition, progression, or item economy, then its IP strategy and mass-market experiences must honor and leverage those elements. Once developers identify what makes their games compelling, the next question becomes: How can blockchain enhance these experiences?
Achieving True Utility
Web3 games often follow a familiar script: launch tokens, drop NFTs, pump and dump, and crash quickly. But blockchain should not replace quality game design. Instead, it should enhance and expand on core game strengths like IP, economy, and player-driven systems.
For games that rely on collecting and developing items, blockchain can help preserve the value of those items, enforce scarcity, and prevent inflation. If a game has a dynamic economy driven by players, blockchain can provide ownership, real-world asset integration, and open market trading. The key is to apply blockchain in ways that enhance what is already working, rather than forcing web3 monetization models to be trendy.
Some of the oldest titles, like MapleStory, have found success with item-based progression loops. Players work hard to get better weapons, armor, and gear — items that represent skill and dedication. By tokenizing these items, blockchain provides a new layer of value and interaction. Items are no longer static, locked in a single server, but are sustainable, tradable assets that retain value in the ecosystem.
Similarly, by implementing capped supply models with appropriate game protocols, blockchain can prevent runaway inflation in game economies. Items no longer become obsolete after each update, but increase in value over time along with the growth of the game and ecosystem, making each player's investment worthwhile.
