Web3 Gaming in the EU is Rising to the Surface

The rise of Web3 gaming, initially popularized by Axie Infinity, has brought a wave of new titles to the market. However, the journey has been challenging, with many Web3 games struggling to overcome skepticism about their quality, leading to a generally negative perception among gamers. Although the quality of a video game does not solely depend on its graphics or production scale, many Web3 games have been criticized for highlighting monetization and earning opportunities than on strong game design and production capacities.

This trend appears to be shifting, as witnessed by team Blockus at Gamescom ‘24, where several developers showcased Web3 games that prioritize gameplay and innovation. One such project is Bornless, which confidently debuted its prototype at the event. Despite some shortcomings in animation quality, detailed gunplay, and user interface convenience, Bornless is carving out its own niche between popular titles like Hunt: Showdown and Escape from Tarkov. The game’s unique feature, allowing players to become demons under certain conditions, stands out as an example of a Web3 game distinguishing itself by game design.

Another promising title is Space Nation, which aims to become the next major space MMORPG, following in the footsteps of EVE Online. The game not only offers ship piloting and combat but also features a well-developed progression model, including ship upgrades and crew management. The game’s CEO, Jerome Wu, personally attended the booth to discuss large-scale territorial wars between guilds, which generated considerable excitement among visitors.

In addition to these titles, the "Beam Goes Gamescom" side event, hosted by the emerging gaming chain Beam, highlighted various Web3 games under development in Europe. Notable among these were the action RPG Crystal Fall and the old-school MMORPG Domi Online. Both games are being developed by industry veterans with decades of experience, raising anticipation for how blockchain technology could enhance gameplay.

This year’s Gamescom demonstrated that the recent crypto winter did not bring the collapse of the web3 gaming, rather provided game developers with the time needed to prepare high-quality games in the coming years. Blockus, a Web3 onboarding solution provider to leading game development studios, are always thrilled to support quality games and support them to hit the market. The next article will be about the games showcased at WebX Tokyo, where Asian crypto games will take center stage. Stay tuned for our coverage of this exciting event!

‍