A New Era for Web3 Games: From Hype to Real Gaming Experience

In recent years, Web3 games have undergone a transformation. After years of conceptual hype and half-finished experiments, a new generation of blockchain-based games is finally starting to show truly engaging gameplay. Whether you are interested in virtual world games, hope to gain real profits and asset ownership during gameplay, or simply seek an immersive gaming experience, the current Web3 gaming ecosystem offers a wealth of choices.

This article will review the most noteworthy Web3 games currently, covering various types and platforms. From NFT-based racing games, fantasy role-playing games, to immersive building and social games, we will delve into the advantages, shortcomings, and future development prospects of these games.

Play-to-Own: A New Paradigm for Web3 Games

The new generation of Web3 games is moving away from the short-sighted design of "play-to-earn" and embracing a more sustainable model — Play-to-Own. These blockchain-based games no longer rely on highly volatile tokens to reward players, but instead provide players with NFTs and digital assets that have real value and utility, allowing them to truly "own" the content they earn through immersive building, racing, and combat experiences.

The following are two representative Play-to-Own games:

FIFA Rivals

FIFA Rivals cleverly integrates Web3 mechanics into sports gaming, where players hardly feel the presence of blockchain. The game allows players to collect digital player cards, participate in real-time events, and build their very own teams—all players and items exist as NFTs. The game does not deliberately emphasize its blockchain elements, which is precisely the brilliance of its design. Players can easily get started without the need for a wallet or cryptocurrency knowledge, while their progress and assets are securely recorded on the chain, no longer relying on a centralized account system.

Exiled Racers

Exiled Racers is a high-paced, browser-based racing game that emphasizes a chaotic and exciting competitive experience, along with a strong community atmosphere. In the newly launched Ghost Riders league, players can participate in dynamically changing weekly tournaments—tracks and rules are updated in real-time, with no wallet required and no downloads needed, registration is all it takes to start racing. The game is fast-paced and exhilarating, fully embodying the spirit of Web3 without feeling forced or awkward. It represents the perfect blend of Play-to-Own and Play-to-Earn concepts: providing tangible rewards while not setting the participation threshold too high.

a truly fun Play-to-Earn game

Although the Play-to-Own model is more sustainable, there are still some Play-to-Earn games that successfully achieve a balance between "making money" and "fun." These games distribute rewards through competition or skill progression, rather than solely relying on the speculative nature of token economics.

Gods Unchained

Gods Unchained is a strategic card battle game where each card exists as an NFT. The game has a fast pace and gameplay similar to Hearthstone, supporting true asset ownership. Although trading cards and earning ranking rewards require a wallet connection, the in-game guidance and tutorial for beginners are very well designed. With its multi-layered game mechanics and high playability, it has become one of the few P2E projects that always prioritizes "gameplay."

Aurory

Aurory is an expanding Web3 gaming ecosystem, with its core game "Seekers of Tokane" being a free JRPG. Players can explore procedurally generated maps, collect and train Nefties pets, and engage in turn-based combat. All assets in the game are NFTs that can be used across platforms, utilizing a hybrid on-chain and off-chain asset management approach. Although it incorporates Play-to-Own elements, its structured reward mechanism and token system give it a significant place in the P2E space.

Current popular metaverse games

Open-world, user-generated content metaverse games have always been hallmark projects of Web3. These games emphasize community building, creative expression, and virtual social interactions, rather than simply upgrading and defeating monsters. They showcase the immense potential of digital asset ownership and user-driven economies.

The Sandbox

As a pioneer in the metaverse field, The Sandbox brings together a large number of artists, brands, and players, providing powerful creation tools, but new users may need a certain learning curve to get started. The highlight of the game lies in its rich brand collaborations, recently launching a Jurassic World themed island featuring over 40 mini-games and a dinosaur conservation experience, and in the past, it has collaborated with over 400 brands including Snoop Dogg, Gucci, and Ubisoft.

Decentraland

As one of the earliest blockchain gaming platforms, Decentraland has laid the foundation for the metaverse, allowing users to build games, host events, and collaboratively construct a virtual world with the community. Although its graphics and interactive experience are relatively outdated, its decentralized concept and user governance mechanism still hold benchmark significance. Recently, it held a virtual fashion week again, attracting well-known brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and DKNY, and also established a DAO funding governance mechanism.

Otherside

Otherside is a metaverse project under development that integrates elements of narrative, exploration, and digital identity. Currently, it is only open to specific NFT holders and has not been fully launched, but it has already showcased a live demo. This project aims to transform high-value static NFTs into controllable game characters, injecting new vitality into the NFT ecosystem.

Other Web3 games worth paying attention to

The diversity of the Web3 gaming ecosystem goes far beyond this, ranging from casual farm simulations to social story games, and even mini-games on instant messaging platforms, featuring a wide variety that is both entertaining and has asset attributes.

Pixels

Pixels is a casual-style farming and social MMO game where players can complete tasks, craft items, and explore a colorful world. The game can be started without a wallet, and after connecting a wallet, players can own NFTs of characters and items, as well as acquire items with real-world value in the game. While some players may find the game loop a bit repetitive, overall it is very suitable for Web3 beginners.

Shrapnel

Shrapnel is a tactical shooting "extraction" game created by team members who were involved in the development of AAA titles such as Halo and Call of Duty. The game allows players to fight, collect, and extract, and features assets like skins and equipment. Players can experience the game without a wallet on mainstream gaming platforms; after connecting a wallet, they can mint and trade items. Although it is still in the early stages of development, there are plans to link the revenue mechanism with player performance and item rarity in the future, aiming to create a high-quality game that combines deep gameplay with asset value.

Conclusion: The Future Outlook of Web3 Games

Web3 games are undergoing a transition from mere hype to genuine playability. The standout projects consistently prioritize "fun" as the primary goal, skillfully integrating blockchain elements into game design. Future Web3 games will focus more on providing authentic gaming experiences, digital asset ownership, and sustainable reward systems, allowing players to choose whether to participate in asset monetization, with an emphasis on long-term value rather than short-term speculation. This shift will not only benefit the development of the games themselves but will also propel the entire Web3 ecosystem towards a more mature and sustainable direction.