In this episode, we continue our conversation with Max “0xguru” Diewold, with a focus on the current state & trends of the Web3 gaming ecosystem. Max updates us and shares top-tier insights on a few of the most notable projects in blockchain gaming today, including a few that he himself is an advisor to (full-disclosures given, with transparent, objective views on everything covered).
This is part two of our two-part conversation, so be sure to listen to part one first if you haven’t yet! Both episodes offer amazing insights on the current Web3 gaming ecosystem, and what lies ahead in the future of the biggest sector in entertainment.
👉 Add NFT Droplets to your podcast app of choice 👈
Check out the NFT Droplets newsletter at nftdroplets.xyz, and be sure to subscribe to be among the first to know about new articles & episodes, updates, announcements, and giveaways!
Summary
It is crucial for teams to be well capitalized, regardless of market conditions, so that teams can continue building, especially in nescient, cyclical markets as volatile as crypto.
Blockchain gaming has amazing potential for creativity & potential revenue in games, but sustainable tokenomics for in-game currencies & NFTs are crucial to get right for each unique gaming community. Above all else, quality gameplay experience must always be the top priority.
In order for Web3 gaming to scale and meet the demands of modern gamers, projects will likely need to utilize a combination of on-chain (mainnet, layer-2), off-chain (private servers), and hybrid (permissioned blockchain networks, i.e. proprietary ZK-proof rollup chains with cross-network tokens that Max described as “ZPTs”).
ZK-Rollups on Ethereum (technical documentation)
ZK-Rollups & Optimistic Rollups (simpler explanation)
Show Notes
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:00:29] Welcome Back
[00:01:45] Max - Axie Infinity: Where Things Stand & Where Things Go from Here
[00:04:05] Max - Updates on Sky Mavis (Axie Parent Company) & the Ronin Sidechain
[00:08:53] Max - Yuga Labs: Bored Apes Break On Through to the Otherside!
[00:15:51] Max - A Quick L2 Summary of the ImmutableX Network
[00:16:25] Max - IMX Project Spotlight #1: Illuvium
[00:20:36] Max - IMX Project Spotlight #2: Guild of Guardians
[00:25:35] Max - Sipher: A Flagship Blockchain Game on Polygon
[00:32:51] Max - Scaling Blockchain Gaming: Off-Chain & Rollup-Based Hybrids
[00:37:29] Max - Solana - A Great Network for NFTs (If They Ever Address Their Outages)
[00:40:26] Max - Avalanche & Flow - Underutilized Launchpad Networks for Web3 Games?
[00:45:39] Max - Why Do Gamers Hate NFTs?
[00:49:08] Max - Wrap-Up
[00:49:40] Key Take-Aways
[00:50:38] Wrap-Up
[00:50:57] OutroLinks
Method the the Mythos
Max “0xguru” Diewold
NFT Droplets
The NFT Droplets Podcast is on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!
NFT Droplets Website (nftdroplets.xyz)
NFT Droplets on Twitter (@nftdroplets)
Mas on Twitter (@masangri_art)
Email inquiries: masaki@substack.com
Quotes
“In the bear market, you really gotta understand where the money is…where you don’t have as much income coming in, you need to have that backing…that runway.”
- Max Diewold (on the importance for a project to be well capitalized to be viable)
Extra Resources
Project Spotlights
Built on the Ronin network (Etherium sidechain)
Axie Infinity newsletter for recent announcements on Axie v3, a.k.a. “Origin
Similar gameplay to Sly the Spire, Pokémon, Monster Train, & Hearthstone
Recent TIME Into the Metaverse article on the perils of the Play-to-Earn dream
Token ecosystem:
$AXS, $SLP
NFTs: Axies, Lunacia land
Yuga Labs/ BAYC/ Otherside/ Improbable
Built on Ethereum (mainnet)
Token ecosystem:
$APE
NFTs: BAYC, BAKC, MAYC, Otherdeed & Koda
Illuvium Arena: auto-chess battler with Illuvials (think DOTA 2 Auto Chess (mod) & TFT (TeamFight Tactics)
Illuvium Otherworld: exploration + Illuvial capture-&-collect
Illuvium Zero: Land-based resource builder (details yet to be fully revealed)
Founded by Kieren Warwick
Built on ImmutableX (ZK-STARK L2)
Token ecosystem
$ILV
NFTs: Illuvium Land
Mobile dungeon crawler; similar gameplay to Diablo & Torchlight
Built on ImmutableX (“ZK-STARK” layer-2)
Token ecosystem:
Gameplay verticals:
Dungeon-running shooter-looter (primary, similar game genre as GOG above)
Open-world builder (similar to Runescape)
Arena-based PvP (similar gameplay to Brawl Stars & LoL )
Large-scale PvP (similar gameplay to Albion Online)
Founded by Tin Nguyen, currently with a team of 100+
Build on Polygon (Etherium sidechain)
Token ecosystem:
$SIPHER
Referenced
As always, thank you so much for taking time to share this journey together with me into the world of NFTs. If you got value out of today’s episode, be sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave a positive review on your podcast app of choice! 😁
If you’re not yet subscribed to the NFT Droplets newsletter, enter your email below and be among the first to find out when fresh NFT articles get dropped (I promise that you will never get spammed, nor will your email ever be shared with anyone). ✅👇
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future topics o guests, please share your thoughts in the comments section below. 💬
⚠ Disclaimer ⚠
Cryptocurrencies and NFTs are a speculative asset class. Be aware of the risks involved and know that you could lose money. Everything I share references an opinion and is for information and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be investment advice. Please consult a licensed professional before making any investment decision.
💬 The NFT Droplets Podcast - Episode 8: What Makes a Good NFT Game? 5 Projects You Need to Know