EP 22 - Forging a New Future in Gaming & Blockchain | Eljaboom x GameOn Forge

Summary

In this insightful discussion, the host and guest delve into the world of game publishing in Web3, focusing on the importance of genuine user engagement for the success of games. They discuss the challenges of distinguishing between casual and esports players and the unique approach of Game on Forge, a platform that aims to drive real users to games, ensuring a sustainable ecosystem. The guest shares his experience in the industry, the evolution of user-generated content, and the critical role of community and streamers in the adoption of blockchain-based games.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The speaker discusses the process of game distribution and testing by companies like Ubisoft and Gameloft, emphasizing the importance of tester feedback and market reactions in determining a game's success.
• 📢 The concept of using streamers to gauge market response is highlighted, suggesting that streamers play a crucial role in testing how the audience will react to a game before it is widely released.
• 💰 The speaker mentions a strategy of giving away $100 in every episode to engage viewers, requiring them to comment, like, and share their Twitter accounts to participate in the weekly draw.
• 🤝 The guest, Muaz, is introduced as a hardworking individual with years of experience in the industry, supporting various projects and launchpads.
• 🏝 Muaz shares his background, growing up in a decentralized environment in the Maldives, which influenced his understanding of blockchain technology.
• 🕹 Muaz's journey into the gaming industry began with a lifelong passion for gaming, leading to the creation of an online gaming clan and eventually becoming a game tester.
• 💼 Muaz's professional background includes hospitality and revenue management, working for Hilton properties, before transitioning into the gaming and blockchain industry.
• 🔄 The speaker talks about the cyclical nature of the cryptocurrency market, noting patterns in new account creations on Twitter and market corrections that precede bull cycles.
• 🤔 Muaz expresses uncertainty about Solana's potential for an ETF but suggests that it could perform better than one, highlighting the platform's focus on consumer experience.
• 🔑 The importance of consumer adoption over builder presence in the blockchain space is underscored, with Muaz advocating for the significance of user-generated content and community engagement.
• 🎉 The project 'Game on Forge' is introduced as a game publisher aiming to bridge the gap between web2 and web3 gaming by driving genuine users to web3 games, thereby enhancing their survival and success in the market.

Q & A

What is the primary role of Gameloft or Ubisoft in the context of the script?

Gameloft or Ubisoft are mentioned as examples of traditional game publishers who distribute games to testers. They evaluate the games, and if found valuable, they further distribute them to streamers to gauge market reaction before finalizing deals with game studios for marketing and onboarding users.

How does the speaker describe the process of testing a game in the traditional gaming industry?

The speaker describes a process where games are first given to testers who evaluate the game. Based on the testers' feedback, the game is then sent to streamers to see how the market reacts. The results of these tests inform the game publishers' decisions on how to proceed with marketing and user onboarding.

What is the significance of the $100 giveaway mentioned in the script?

The $100 giveaway is a promotional strategy used to engage the audience. Viewers are encouraged to comment their favorite part of the episode along with their Twitter account, like the content, and the winner is picked weekly, which helps increase viewer interaction and promotion of the content.

What does the speaker mean by 'B traditional users'?

The term 'B traditional users' seems to be a typo or misspoken phrase in the script. It likely refers to 'both traditional users' or users from traditional platforms who are being onboarded or introduced to new games or services.

What is the guest's background in the gaming industry?

The guest has a background in hospitality and revenue management, having worked for Hilton properties. However, he has been a lifelong gamer and started playing online games in 2002. He began game testing and was involved in the gaming ecosystem, particularly when the game World at Arms became famous in Asia and Australia.

How did the guest's interest in blockchain technology begin?

The guest's interest in blockchain began when he was managing a gaming clan and needed a solution to pay his clan members. A Cretian person introduced him to crypto as an alternative to traditional banking methods like telegraphic transfers.

What was the guest's first experience with cryptocurrency?

The guest's first experience with cryptocurrency was in 2016 when he tried to use it as a transaction method to pay his gaming clan members. He faced challenges, including getting the transaction stuck and needing to learn about public and private keys from a Discord community.

What is the guest's perspective on the importance of consumer engagement in the gaming industry?

The guest believes that consumer engagement is crucial for the success of games. He emphasizes that games need genuine players who will not only extract value but also contribute to the ecosystem by spending time and potentially money, which drives the game's value and attracts investment.

What is the concept of 'Game on Forge' as described in the script?

Game on Forge is described as a game publisher that aims to onboard games before they seek venture capital or public exposure. It focuses on driving genuine users to games, ensuring that the games have a consumer base that can sustain them in the market.

What is the guest's view on the importance of daily active users for a game's success?

The guest stresses that having a high number of daily active users is essential for a game's success. He suggests that games with only 500 to 5,000 daily active users are unlikely to succeed, as they need more engagement to drive value and attract investment.

What is the guest's advice for gamers looking to invest in web3 games?

The guest advises gamers to look for games with high engagement and a significant number of daily active users. He suggests that games that can retain users and offer value, such as through in-game purchases or other incentives, are more likely to be successful and worthy of investment.