Grand Theft Auto owner Take-Two Interactive is entering the Web3 space through its mobile gaming arm, Zynga, which recently announced the launch of its Web3 studio called Zynga Web3 (ZW3) and its new franchise, Sugartown. While Zynga is best known for its FarmVille series, Sugartown appears to be more than just a video game. The teaser video hints at a cross-media world that could include a Netflix series and other forms of entertainment. The franchise will also launch an NFT collection called Oras, which will be required to participate in upcoming games within the Sugartown universe.
With Zynga’s entry into Web3, it raises the question of whether other big titles from Take-Two Interactive, such as Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, and NBA 2K, could follow suit. This move could potentially pave the way for more established gaming franchises to enter the Web3 space and explore the possibilities offered by blockchain technology.
During a Web3 gaming panel at Istanbul Blockchain Week 2023, the topic of why Web3 games aren’t adopted as much as traditional games was discussed. Uluç Yuca, co-founder of Curator Studios, pointed out that there are currently only 15 million active Web3 gamers compared to the 3 billion traditional gamers worldwide. He argued that the focus on features like third-party trading, ownership, and monetization models is not enough to attract traditional gamers to the Web3 space. Yuca emphasized the need for a game that is not only built on Web3 principles but is also fun and engaging, similar to popular games like Minecraft or Angry Birds.
In the realm of Bitcoin and gaming, there are developments that suggest a return to online poker. The original Bitcoin code in 2008 contained scraps of code for an online poker game, hinting that Satoshi Nakamoto may have been a poker player. With the introduction of Ordinals, the Bitcoin base layer has become home to various images, videos, and basic games. New Bitcoin City, a gaming platform that utilizes Trustless Computer (TC) and the related New Bitcoin City (NBC) protocols, offers basic casino games and aims to make Bitcoin more than just a currency. While the gaming platform may not have high-fidelity graphics, it focuses on expanding the usability of Bitcoin and integrating it into various applications.
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On the Web3 gaming front, Sunflower Land is an online farming game built on the Polygon network. Players can plant and harvest crops, trade in-game resources as NFTs, and level up their skills to increase their yields. The game also offers mini-games for players to enjoy while waiting for their crops to grow. Sunflower Land recently launched its new season, Witches Eve, which introduces a massive multiplayer online (MMO) world for players to socialize and community islands where players can create their own games within the Sunflower Land universe. The game aims to become the “Roblox of Web3 gaming” and has garnered positive feedback for its smooth gameplay and appealing graphics.
In conclusion, the entry of Zynga’s Web3 studio, Zynga Web3 (ZW3), and the announcement of the Sugartown franchise indicate take-Two Interactive’s interest in the Web3 space. While there are challenges in attracting traditional gamers to Web3 games, the focus should be on creating engaging and fun experiences rather than solely relying on Web3 features. Additionally, developments in Bitcoin gaming and Web3 games like Sunflower Land showcase the potential for blockchain technology to revolutionize the gaming industry. As more companies and developers explore the possibilities of Web3, the future of gaming looks promising.
