Original title: (Gunzilla Games’ Theo Agranat: Web3 Gaming Skepticism ‘Will Always Exist, and for Good Reason’)
Original author: Kurt Robson
Compiled by: Zen, PANews
As 2024 approaches its end, the gaming industry has gradually become a new hotbed for the rise of Web3 technology. Once a niche area of the gaming industry, Web3 gaming has rapidly entered the mainstream over the past 12 months, sparking developers' imaginations for unlimited possibilities in the future.
Among them, Gunzilla Games has seized these possibilities in its first game (Off The Grid) and achieved significant success this year.
In an interview with cryptocurrency media CCN.com, Gunzilla Games' Web3 Director Theo Agranat discussed the barriers to widespread adoption of blockchain in video games, future regulations that may impact the industry, and why skepticism will always accompany players.
Embracing the ever-present skepticism
On October 8, 2024, Gunzilla Games officially launched (Off The Grid), a free battle royale game set in a dystopian cyberpunk future. The game stands out due to its 150-player multiplayer gameplay and strong narrative elements led by Oscar-nominated director Neill Blomkamp of (District 9).
In addition to rich gameplay, (Off The Grid) utilizes blockchain technology to integrate an NFT marketplace that supports in-game asset ownership and trading. Unlike other purely Web3 games, Gunzilla is committed to bridging the gap between traditional players and Web3 gaming enthusiasts, offering blockchain elements as an optional additional feature. This decision may stem from Gunzilla's acute awareness of the widespread skepticism among players. In fact, they believe skepticism is an important part of the industry.
"Skepticism will always exist, and for good reason. It keeps game developers transparent and pushes them to prove their value through effort," Agranat stated, adding that even skeptical players, once they truly try (Off The Grid), are usually stunned. Because it feels entirely like a traditional game, but with asset ownership, peer-to-peer trading of in-game items, fully verifiable transparency, and other unique advantages brought by blockchain technology.
For Gunzilla, it is crucial to ensure that traditional players can experience Web3 elements without being forced to participate, Agranat added. "In fact, if players wish, they can completely choose to avoid these features. At no point will these features disrupt the player experience. Instead, it is more like an experience that can be freely chosen to participate in,"
After recently landing on PlayStation 5, (Off The Grid) has attracted more traditional players, which may expose more people to the potential of blockchain.
Putting product and compliance first
"Gunzilla Games is well aware that to establish blockchain gaming in a top position in the industry, significant obstacles must be overcome."
Agranat noted that there has long been a distrust between traditional media and players, as well as between those purely existing in the Web3 realm. However, developers believe that as more traditional individuals begin to understand the appeal of blockchain, these barriers are gradually being broken down.
"We are working to gain recognition from both fields, including passionate players and top industry stakeholders."
Agranat stated that these efforts will align with compliance with potential future regulatory requirements, which seems increasingly important, especially after recent crackdowns by global regulators. For example, the Australian Web3 gaming platform Immutable recently became the first blockchain gaming company to receive a "Wells Notice" from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). According to Immutable's announcement, the notice mentioned its IMX token listing and private sale conducted in 2021, with the SEC implying that there was no actual value exchange between the parties at that time.
However, Agranat believes that as long as regulation remains reasonable, future regulations will be positive. He also stated that developers should cooperate with regulators rather than oppose them. "Web3 developers and publishers need to put product and compliance first, and Web3 technology second," Agranat said. "In my view, this is a healthy direction for progress that contributes to the maturity of the entire industry."
Emphasizing transparency is key to Web3
Agranat stated that Gunzilla Games places transparency at the core of product development, which is also key to the growth of blockchain gaming. This German game developer recently announced that crypto venture capital firm Delphi Ventures will become the largest validator of its blockchain platform GUNZ.
Agranat mentioned that the venture capital firm will provide advice on Gunzilla's Web3 roadmap, marketing strategies, and implementation of in-game features, ensuring the success of its upcoming functional token. Additionally, the venture capital firm will assist in creating a dashboard to showcase the transparency of the entire GUNZ ecosystem to players.
"We want players, stakeholders, and partners to know that we are very serious about this," Agranat pointed out, stating that Gunzilla serves only the player community. He further added that the company believes the labels of Web2 and Web3 are outdated.
"In the future, regardless of the technology used to provide an excellent user and player experience, all of this will simply be referred to as 'gaming'," Agranat concluded.