As we move further into 2024, it's becoming increasingly clear that the landscape of blockchain gaming we were familiar with during the 2020-2021 period is now a thing of the past. There's no turning back, except for a few games that are sticking to the old rules and, as a result, are doomed to repeat the same mistakes and share the same outcome. The upcoming months hold the promise not only of fresh ideas and games coming into the market, but also of the introduction of a different type of player that blockchain gaming hasn't seen before. This marks a significant milestone on the path toward establishing itself as a respected gaming sector, moving beyond its initial phase as a novelty struggling to find its place in the broader gaming world.
For those interested in understanding the ongoing shift and exploring the future of crypto gaming, we highly recommend delving into our previous blog posts. These writings dive into what the future of on-chain gaming is expected to look like and how it will impact not only creators but above all - players who will come seeking quality.
Why 2024 is the Year of Blockchain Gaming
https://elympics23.webflow.io/post/why-2024-is-the-year-of-blockchain-gaming
Revolutionizing Web3 Gaming Landscape
https://elympics23.webflow.io/post/revolutionizing-web3-gaming-landscape---clash-of-orbs
The Natural Shift in Player’s Preference
The introduction of mobile phones and smartphones has significantly reshaped the gaming landscape, influencing player preferences and altering the dynamics of gaming. These portable devices, equipped with advanced graphics, touchscreens, and powerful processors, have ushered in a new gaming era, transcending traditional boundaries and gaming sessions where players were most often required to stick to their PCs and consoles. This transformation has changed the preferences to favor shorter gaming sessions, aligning with the on-the-go nature of mobile gaming. In contrast to the immersive, hours-long sessions associated with console or PC gaming, mobile games cater to a fast-paced lifestyle, where players engage in brief yet frequent gaming moments throughout the day whether at school, during the commute, or even while competing with friends outside.
This shift is underscored by the rise of casual and hyper-casual gaming styles, which have become dominant forces in the mobile gaming market and influenced the way in which future games began to be designed. Casual games, characterized by simple mechanics and easy-to-understand gameplay, have found widespread appeal among diverse player demographics, from school kids to grown adults. Titles like "Angry Birds" and "Candy Crush Saga" exemplify the allure of games that offer instant gratification without requiring a significant time commitment and particular space or environment to engage in the competition. Hyper-casual games go even further and take simplicity to the extreme, featuring straightforward gameplay mechanics and minimalist designs, making them accessible to virtually anyone, regardless of gaming experience, available time, or space.
The impact of this trend is reflected in the remarkable numbers observed in the mobile game market today. The sheer volume of downloads for mobile games has reached unprecedented levels, showcasing the widespread adoption and demand for convenient, bite-sized entertainment. Even more, mobile games are not only reaching traditional gamers but are also attracting individuals who may not have identified as gamers before the mobile gaming era. The situation can sometimes be taken to the extreme, where people who spend hours on mobile games don’t even call themselves gamers at all!
The mobile gaming market has witnessed the implementation of innovative monetization strategies, including in-app purchases, advertisements, pay-to-win mechanisms, and subscription models. These strategies leverage the popularity of free-to-play games, allowing developers to generate revenue through optional microtransactions that are often a topic of heated debates. Nevertheless, this approach has proven highly successful, contributing to the profitability of mobile games and further propelling the industry's growth as not every demographic sees the same mechanisms in the same way. Asia - and China in particular, can be a great example as various microtransactions mechanics are more than welcomed, which stands in stark contrast to most European players.
The introduction and explosive growth of mobile gaming has not only transformed the gaming market but has redefined the essence of gaming itself. The prevalence of casual and hyper-casual gaming styles, coupled with the convenience of shorter gaming sessions, has helped the mobile gaming industry reach unprecedented heights not only in adoption and revenue, but in mainstream awareness as well. The substantial number of downloads and the diverse demographic engaged in mobile gaming underscore its status as a global phenomenon, shaping the way people play and consume games in the modern era. Now the question worth asking is whether we see this trend finding its way into the world of web3 gaming?
The Signs of a Growing Trend
The evolution of web 3 gaming is steering towards a paradigm dominated by skill-based games, with a deliberate emphasis on casual and hyper-casual game design that we’ve discussed above. This strategic shift not only appeals to traditional gamers but also acts as a magnetic force for web 2 players accustomed to the mobile gaming experience. This transition marks a substantial departure from the web 3 gaming landscape of 2020/21, which predominantly revolved around blockchain games tethered to PC gaming. This era was characterized by clunky user interfaces, a multitude of various transactions on crypto wallets users had to sign, and high entry thresholds both technical and sometimes financial; and if this wasn’t enough all this was intricately linked to subsequent blockchain ecosystems, further limiting the accessibility for new players.
But here comes Telegram, making significant strides in embracing the core ethos of web 3 gaming within its semi-official TON ecosystem. Telegram's entrance into this space is marked by a strong inclination towards casual and hyper-casual games, underlined by its application - or game, called Notcoin which may be hard to define, at least for now. In this not-so-innovative endeavor, players earn points simply by tapping the screen, encapsulating the essence of hyper-casual gaming and eliminating the transactional complexities associated with traditional blockchain games. While such games are not a novelty in the broader mobile gaming world, those are definitely an interesting occurrence in web3 gaming.
However, Notcoin doesn't just stop at screen taps; it introduces a variety of gamified solutions that ignite interest and engagement within the community as well as numerous cross-application rewards that push the player to explore the ecosystem. The noteworthy aspect here is the remarkable speed at which Notcoin has amassed an audience, reaching millions within its first week of the official release. This success story underscores the potential of hyper-casual games when tailored to the right audience in the right way. Telegram's integration of Notcoin as a built-in app within one of the most widely-used messaging applications exemplifies a stark departure from the past practice of gatekeeping games within specific blockchain ecosystems, removing barriers to entry and maximizing accessibility. It also presents the way in which future web3 games will be built, and proves the point Elympics has been making ever since its creation - that casual and hyper-casual games with skill-based design are the future of web3 gaming. Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, Elympics is gearing up to showcase a groundbreaking lineup. The focus remains on skill-based gaming mechanics, ensuring wide accessibility, and customizability to cater to diverse audience preferences.
In summary, the ongoing transformation within web 3 gaming is navigating towards skill-based games with a casual and hyper-casual design. Telegram's TON ecosystem and the success of Notcoin, serves as a pioneering example of the potential of this shift. It highlights the efficacy of breaking away from the confines of specific blockchain ecosystems and embracing a broader, more inclusive gaming environment. As Elympics follows suit, doubling down on accessibility and skill-based gaming, the future promises an exciting era in the world of web 3 gaming.
Explore What’s in Store
Embark on a gaming adventure with our latest release, Clash of Orbs! Immerse yourself in a world where strategy and action collide, conquering opponents with your tactical prowess and strategic thinking!
Even more, the excitement doesn't end there because on our website you will find a variety of games that await your exploration. Whether you're looking to challenge friends or enhance your skills in the emerging trend of skill-based games, we've got it all. The future of web 3 gaming revolves around skill, strategy, and seamless experiences, and that’s exactly what you will find there.
Join us at the forefront of this gaming revolution, where each move matters, and victory is a testament to your skill. Visit Elympics and explore a multitude of games that will reshape how you play and engage in the dynamic realm of web 3 gaming!
