Top 5 Web3 Gaming Ecosystems (2024)

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Web3 gaming has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years. The level of gameplay is climbing, with entry barriers taking a backseat. We are seeing a push towards creating sustainable models around games as opposed to money-making schemes that never prioritized player experiences.

With gaming capturing the attention of the crypto industry, each blockchain ecosystem has doubled down to attract and retain top gaming projects. Games are choosing a blockchain based on performance, community, liquidity, and user experience. There have even been cases where a game migrates to a new chain and witnesses player growth.

In this blog, we’ll dive into top 5 web3 gaming ecosystems and understand what unique offerings each has to offer to game studios.

Beam (BEAM), a pioneering gaming-focused blockchain by Merit Circle, has set a new standard in game development and asset trading. Operating as a subnet on Avalanche (AVAX), Beam leverages LayerZero for interoperability, minting omnichain NFTs that seamlessly traverse chains. This integration with Avalanche’s architecture ensures rapid processing times and low fees, crucial for the fast-paced world of Play-to-Earn (P2E) games.

As an Avalanche subnet, Beam maintains its validator set and plans to transition from proof of authority (PoA) to proof of stake (PoS) validation. Despite being in its early stages, Beam’s ecosystem boasts essential tools like the AMM Swap, LayerZero Bridge, Block Explorer, Sphere NFT marketplace, and BeamOS portal.

With over 180 games already listed on the platform, including the inaugural Raini: The Lord of Light card game, Beam showcases its rapid growth and appeal within the gaming community. Forgotten Playland is also a game under development by Merit Circle. As Beam matures, its ecosystem is poised to expand, offering a dynamic environment for developers and players alike.

Polygon has rapidly ascended as a major player in the Web3 gaming market. Fueled by high scalability and security, Polygon’s Plasma + sidechains combination ensures efficient layer 2 solutions while inheriting Ethereum’s security features.

The network’s strategic business development, marked by key partnerships with Meta, Nike, and Starbucks, further amplifies its appeal. Casual games dominate Polygon’s ecosystem, with titles like Benji Bananas, Arc8, and Sunflower Land leading the way. Casual games, known for their accessibility and lower development costs, align well with blockchain infrastructure.

Polygon’s versatility is evident in its growing genre diversity, featuring titles like Oath of Peak, a mobile MMORPG, and Derby Stars, a horse racing simulation. The participation of Web2 game companies like Neowiz and Nexon signals a potential growth spurt, with established players leveraging their IPs on the Polygon network.

Immutable, a trailblazer in Web3 gaming, revolutionizes game development on Ethereum, allowing creators to focus on crafting engaging experiences. With a powerful tech stack comprising rollup and platform layers, Immutable addresses Ethereum’s scalability challenges, offering a groundbreaking solution for developers.

The introduction of Immutable zkEVM, a Layer 2 solution developed in collaboration with Polygon, enhances interoperability and allows seamless integration with other platforms. Immutable also streamlines onboarding with Passport that unifies user experience across games. Orderbook & Marketplace Network ensures liquidity for instant in-game purchases, while Checkout simplifies transactions, enhancing user engagement and developer revenue.

Games like Illuvium, Gods Unchained, Cross The Ages, WAGMI Games, and The Bornless showcase the diversity within the Immutable ecosystem. The IMX token incentivizes participation, fueling the growth of games and shaping the future of Web3 gaming.

Ronin, a gaming-centric Ethereum sidechain, is designed to execute transactions faster and more affordably than Ethereum’s mainnet. Initially launched as a “proof of authority” blockchain (PoA) in February 2021, Ronin underwent a significant shift to a delegated proof-of-stake mechanism (DPoS) in April 2023, enhancing decentralization.

Despite a setback with a $622 million hack in March 2022, Ronin rebounded, refunding affected users and adopting a more decentralized approach. Renowned games like Axie Infinity, Pixels, Zoids Wild Arena, and others contribute to Ronin’s flourishing ecosystem, attracting a growing community of active users. As Ronin continues to evolve and integrate new features, it remains a pivotal player in redefining Web3 gaming experiences.

Arbitrum is one of the fastest growing gaming ecosystems in Web3. They have introduced various products to make game building easier on blockchains. First, they built a rollup with an external data availability layer. This is called Arbitrum Nova. The technology it uses is called AnyTrust. It helps create scalable blockchains to meet gaming-specific needs with a mild trust assumption.

Second, they also introduced the Orbit developmental framework to design custom blockchains while inheriting the features of Arbitrum and Ethereum. Many projects are adopting this approach to build their own blockchain on top of Arbitrum. XAI Games is the first Orbit chain, featuring games like Final Form, LAMOverse, and Tarochi.

Besides the tech, the community is second to none in Web3. One of the best communities on Arbitrum is Treasure DAO. It is a gaming platform featuring games like AI Arena, Beacon, Mighty Player Heroes, and more. The network effects of building on Arbitrum are real, making it one of the best Web3 gaming ecosystems.

In the ever-expanding realm of Web3 gaming, the future is promising and diverse. The top gaming ecosystems, each with its unique strengths, are flourishing. Unlike a winner-takes-all scenario, these ecosystems are set to coexist, catering to a variety of gaming preferences. Innovation and collaboration pave the way for a dynamic future, where gamers and developers alike can explore distinct niches. The horizon of Web3 gaming is bright, ensuring a decentralized and rich gaming experience for enthusiasts worldwide.

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