The Web3 gaming industry is witnessing a significant shift, with professionals from traditional gaming now outnumbering blockchain and cryptocurrency specialists. According to the Blockchain Game Alliance’s (BGA) 2024 State of the Industry report, over half (52.5%) of respondents working in Web3 gaming have backgrounds in traditional gaming—the highest percentage since the survey began in 2021. By contrast, blockchain and cryptocurrency specialists now make up just 10.8% of the workforce, a sharp decline from 21.7% last year.
“For an industry that has faced heavy scrutiny about prioritizing fun-first, less financialized games, the increased presence of professionals from traditional gaming backgrounds is a notable milestone,” the report stated.
Digital Asset Ownership: The Most Valued Feature
The report highlighted digital asset ownership as the most valued feature of blockchain gaming. An impressive 71% of the 623 respondents identified ownership of in-game digital assets as the top benefit, a trend that has remained consistent since the BGA’s inaugural survey in 2021. Additionally, other features such as new player reward models and revenue opportunities were noted, underscoring blockchain’s potential to transform the gaming experience.
User Experience Remains a Key Challenge
While progress has been made, the industry continues to face hurdles. Poor user experience and onboarding issues remain the biggest challenges, identified by 54% of respondents. This figure, however, reflects significant improvement from 80% in 2023, as efforts to streamline blockchain gaming have begun to yield results.
“Innovations in design and functionality have reduced barriers, making the Web3 gaming ecosystem more intuitive, inclusive, and accessible to a broader audience,” said Sebastien Borget, president of the BGA and co-founder and COO of The Sandbox.
Persistent Challenges: Scams and Bots
The report also noted lingering concerns about the industry’s reputation. Two-thirds of respondents cited accusations of blockchain games being scams as a persistent issue, while 30% reported encountering criticism regarding the presence of bots within Web3 gaming environments.
Despite these challenges, the growing presence of traditional gaming professionals and advancements in user experience indicate a positive trajectory for Web3 gaming. As the industry continues to mature, the focus remains on creating fun, accessible, and rewarding experiences for players while leveraging the unique benefits of blockchain technology.
