Blockchain gaming is evolving rapidly, with more players accessing games seamlessly, according to the Blockchain Game Alliance (BGA). The organization is dedicated to advancing blockchain technology in the gaming sector and has recently released a report highlighting key shifts in the industry.
Traditional gaming developers like Sony and Square Enix are entering the blockchain gaming space through layer-2 solutions, signaling a major shift in the sector. However, public perception remains a challenge, with 66% of projects still working to establish credibility and combat misconceptions about blockchain games being associated with scams.
Despite these challenges, the ease of onboarding players into blockchain games has improved significantly. The report shows that onboarding friction rates have decreased from 79.5% to 53.9% in 2024, thanks to better user experiences that make it easier for gamers to transition to blockchain-based games.
BGA President Sebastian Borget emphasized the principle of player empowerment as a driving force behind the growth of blockchain gaming. The report reveals that over 71% of respondents see ownership as the biggest benefit of blockchain gaming, highlighting the appeal of decentralized experiences for gamers.
Looking ahead to 2025, the BGA predicts a continued focus on enhancing player experience over financial mechanisms in blockchain gaming platforms. The trend is shifting towards seamless integrations where Web3 functionality operates in the background, moving away from overt crypto elements like token economies and NFT marketplaces.
The concept of play-to-earn is also evolving in 2025, with a new meta emerging in blockchain gaming. Traditional centralized gaming servers are being replaced by blockchain-based infrastructure, enabling true digital ownership through on-chain asset tracking and trading. The play-to-earn models are now more focused on utilizing on-chain characteristics for in-game activities.
The report introduces the terms “autonomous worlds” (AW) and “fully on-chain games” (FOCGs) to describe games that exist entirely on-chain as autonomous experiences. This includes game rules, player items, and in-game economics, providing a new level of transparency and player control. Autonomous worlds allow games to evolve based on community input, while fully on-chain games could integrate AI advancements with blockchain infrastructure for intelligent, adaptive gameplay.
Overall, the future of blockchain gaming looks promising, with a continued emphasis on player experience, ownership, and innovation in integrating blockchain technology seamlessly into gaming experiences. The industry is poised for further growth and evolution as more developers and players embrace the potential of blockchain technology in gaming.