The world of gaming is a boundless landscape, where creativity and innovation often determine success,be it short or long-term. Yet for new developers and creators, breaking into this realm is no small feat. As platforms like Steam dominate the traditional gaming market, they offer incredible opportunities but these have its own costs that challenge many creators. The rise of Web3 technology, however, is disrupting this dynamic, opening the door for aspiring creators to build, publish, and distribute their games without the gatekeeping of centralized platforms.
At its core, gaming is about two things: fun and competition. For developers with novel ideas but limited resources, Web3 represents a true paradigm shift. It levels the playing field by removing the middlemen and creating direct pathways to audiences who value unique gameplay experiences over flashy graphics or big-budget marketing campaigns.
Opportunity or Bottleneck?
Steam, the titan of Web2 gaming platforms, has long been the go-to marketplace for developers of all sizes. Its reach is unparalleled, with over 120 million active monthly users as of 2024. Last year alone, Steam saw an astonishing 19,003 new games published, proving the platform's accessibility and global appeal.
But there is also a less positive side to these numbers. With such a deluge of content, standing out is increasingly difficult, especially for new creators. Steam’s recommendation algorithms and curated showcases tend to favor established developers or games with high production values - or marketing costs. For the small, often solo creators trying to carve out their niche, the challenge of visibility often becomes an insurmountable hurdle.
Think of your friend who is a developer and has a unique idea for gameplay, a mechanic that hasn’t been explored or a narrative that truly pushes boundaries of the gaming medium. On Steam, such a game may stay in the shadows simply because it lacks the polished veneer or marketing power of a larger studio. Players will probably never even know it exists, and without feedback or community engagement, the creator’s potential remains untapped, even if next year someone takes the same novel idea and suddenly is touted as a genius.
Banana’s Meteoric Rise
Let’s take probably the most vivid example of last year. Among the myriad releases on Steam, the game simply called ‘Banana’ emerged as an unexpected phenomenon. At its core, Banana is a minimalist clicker game where players simply click on a digital banana (sounds familiar web3 aficionados, right?), receiving random banana images as drops every few hours. Despite - or perhaps because of - its simplicity, Banana garnered significant attention, achieving an all-time peak of over 847,000 concurrent players.
The allure of ‘Banana’ lies not in complex mechanics or high-end graphics but in its straightforward engagement loop and the novelty of collecting and trading digital banana images - which is not a novel idea, but the one that was a bit forgotten by the Steam community. Players receive "Banana Skins" as drops, which can then be traded on the Steam Community Market, and while most skins hold minimal monetary value, some rare items have fetched prices exceeding $1,000 further strengthening the trend.
However, Banana's success also highlights the volatility and unpredictability of the traditional gaming marketplace. There is a sensible argument to be made that its rise was fueled by viral interest and the speculative trading of in-game items, rather than sustained community engagement or innovative gameplay. While true, this argument fails to see the second-order results that may be at play. Winning the attention by introducing simple mechanics can be the first step to launching something far more ambitious which would not be possible without all the attention brought in step one.
As the saying goes, “Gentlemen you had my curiosity but now you have my attention.”
Pathway to Visibility and Freedom
Web3 changes the game for developers, particularly those just beginning their creative journeys. By decentralizing publishing and distribution, Web3 eliminates the gatekeeping inherent to platforms like Steam. Developers don’t need to navigate opaque algorithms or compete for attention in overcrowded storefronts using various engagement techniques. Instead, they can connect directly with players, using blockchain technology to build communities around their games straight at the source.
In the Web3 ecosystem, attention is earned not through corporate curation but through genuine community interest and attention. A novel idea - whether it’s a quirky mechanic like Banana or a deeply personal narrative, can thrive if it resonates with enough players. After all, it is the community, not a platform’s algorithm, that determines a game’s success.
For example, a developer could release their game as a decentralized application (dApp) on a blockchain like Ethereum or T(he) O(pen) N(etwork) (Telegram’s blockchain). By integrating non-fungible tokens (NFTs) or smart contracts, they can reward early adopters, offer unique in-game assets, or even crowdfund future development in a variety of forms that are both simple and easy for developer and players. This creates a direct relationship between creators and players, fostering engagement and feedback without the need for intermediaries.
The potential of Web3 becomes even more compelling when viewed through the lens of gaming’s global expansion. In 2024, the Asian market continued to grow at a staggering pace, not only in terms of players but also in its influence on global gaming culture. Games originating from Asia, once confined to regional audiences, are now finding fans worldwide, thanks in part to platforms like Steam - but also to the decentralization that Web3 offers.
For creators in emerging markets, Web3 represents an unprecedented opportunity. Without the barriers imposed by corporate platforms, developers from across Asia, Africa, and South America can publish their games to a global audience. They are no longer beholden to traditional publishing houses or constrained by regional distribution deals, or even to the stricter rules from the Steam side, which is the case for Chinese creators, but this is a topic for another blog post.
Consider a small team of developers in Indonesia with an idea for a multiplayer game rooted in local mythology. On a Web2 platform like Steam, they might struggle to gain traction, competing against high-budget titles with mass appeal. On Web3, however, they can build a direct community around their game, using blockchain to share their vision with players who value authenticity and creativity, i.e. begin at the source and build an audience from day one.
Web3 as a Launchpad
For new creators, the ability to reach an audience is only part of the equation. Equally important is the ability to sustain development and build a viable career. Here again, Web3 provides tools that traditional platforms cannot match.
By leveraging blockchain technology, developers can implement innovative monetization models that go beyond one-time purchases or ad revenue. The lessons learnt from the controversies of Play-to-Earn (P2E) mechanics, offer a glimpse of what’s possible right now. Today we have more refined approaches, such as skill-based rewards or limited-edition digital assets, allowing creators to align their monetization strategies with player engagement. An example of this may be a situation where players can compete not only for their in-game achievements, but also win real money by engaging in Compete-to-Earn games, where two players put their money at stake and the winner takes the entire stake.
Two Roads for Aspiring Creators
None of this is to suggest that Steam and other Web2 platforms are without merit. They remain powerful tools for developers, offering access to vast audiences and established infrastructures. But they also come with limitations that are particularly challenging for new creators.
Steam’s sheer scale can be both a blessing and a curse. While it provides a platform for thousands of developers, it also creates an environment where discoverability is a constant struggle. For developers with limited resources, the prospect of competing for attention in such a crowded space can feel daunting.
Web3, by contrast, offers a more egalitarian model. Without the gatekeeping of traditional platforms, creators are free to pursue their visions, no matter how unconventional. Success is determined not by algorithms or corporate curation but by the enthusiasm of players who discover and champion their work.
New Era for Gaming Creators
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the rise of Web3 represents a profound shift in how games are created, distributed, and played. For new developers, it offers a pathway to success that bypasses the traditional gatekeepers, allowing them to connect directly with players and build communities around their ideas.
In a world where fun and competition are the heart of gaming, Web3 ensures that even the smallest creators have a chance to share their stories, challenge conventions, and redefine what’s possible. For those ready to embrace this new frontier, the possibilities are as limitless as their imaginations.
Join the Revolution
If you haven’t joined the Elympics Bot yet, here’s your chance to do so.
The Elympics Bot on Telegram represents the next step in our mission to revolutionize gaming through web3 technology. We’re excited to bring these games to our community and can’t wait to see how you’ll master the challenges they present.
Ready to dive in? Sign up now at t.me/elympics_bot and start playing today. Every game you play, every point you score, and every connection you make is a step forward in the future of gaming with Elympics.
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