Beta Phases Enhance Game Quality
Amitt Mahajan, creator of Farmville and Pirate Nation, emphasizes the importance of beta releases in game development, particularly in the blockchain gaming sector. Mahajan argues that releasing games incrementally and evolving them based on community feedback leads to higher quality and more engaging final products.
"I actually like this whole build in public, always evolving the game. It’s like release and iterate," Mahajan shared with Cointelegraph. He believes that early feedback is invaluable, citing the iterative improvements of Farmville, which was initially built in just five weeks but continually updated based on user input.
Community Building and Engagement
Mahajan highlights that the incremental release model not only improves game quality but also helps in building a strong community. He explains that during the development of Pirate Nation, a fully on-chain free-to-play pirate-themed role-playing game (RPG), the community's interest in the technology and ongoing developments played a crucial role in shaping the game. "Most of the people in our community have been there because they think the stuff that we’re doing is really cool with the technology," Mahajan noted.
Rethinking Crypto Rewards in Blockchain Games
Sam Saliba, former vice president of global marketing at Activision Blizzard, suggests that blockchain gaming companies should reconsider their marketing strategies. He argues that emphasizing blockchain technology and crypto rewards might not be the best approach. “Most gamers don’t care about which chain a game is on, they just want compelling, entertaining experiences,” Saliba told Cointelegraph.
He believes that games should be marketed like entertainment products, focusing on storytelling, exciting gameplay, and unique experiences rather than the underlying technology. Saliba also questions the necessity of crypto rewards in blockchain games.
"I don’t think it’s crucial to include crypto rewards and earnings as part of blockchain games," he said, explaining that these rewards appeal to a niche audience focused on financial incentives, while most players are driven by the fun and engaging aspects of the game itself. Instead, Saliba advocates for "compelling player progression systems" and rewarding gameplay design to keep players engaged.
Web3 Gaming’s Growing Appeal
According to the crypto news, espite skepticism from some in the traditional gaming industry, Saliba sees potential in Web3 gaming, particularly given the recent layoffs and reduced investment in traditional gaming. "Web3 gaming seems to be growing at a better rate, and many projects in Web3 gaming appear to secure investment more easily," he observed. He also notes that Web3 can offer developers more creative freedom, allowing them to focus on innovative projects rather than repetitive franchise sequels.
