Elon Musk, the owner of the social media website X (formerly known as Twitter), recently made headlines as he participated in the platform’s first gaming stream. The stream featured Musk playing Blizzard Entertainment’s latest title, Diablo 4, and answering questions from viewers. This stream was a test of X’s new streaming feature, and it proved to be a success with over 42 million views and no technical issues.
Musk has been open about his desire to make X a “super app,” and this move is just one of many features the platform aims to offer. While Musk acknowledges that specialist streaming apps like Kick and Twitch may have certain advantages, he believes that X can be the best generalist app, offering a wide range of content and the ability to connect with a large audience.
The popularity of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) has been on the rise in recent years, with the NFT ecosystem continually evolving. A report by DappRadar shows that NFT activity in the third quarter of 2023 has increased, grabbing a larger share of the total blockchain ecosystem. NFTs have proven to be more than just digital art, with potential as an onboarding tool for Web3 communities. Cronos Labs, a Web3 startup accelerator backed by Crypto.com, has recognized the power of NFTs in building communities for blockchain games. By launching an NFT collection, game developers can engage with NFT holders and start building a passionate community from there.
The acceptance of NFTs in the gaming industry has been mixed, with some established Web2 gamers hesitant to embrace the concept. However, companies like Zynga, one of the leading mobile gaming publishers, have recently announced their entry into the Web3 gaming space with NFT collections. Zynga’s “Sugartown Oras” NFT collection quickly became popular on the NFT marketplace OpenSea, despite the majority of Zynga’s user base consisting of traditional gamers.
In another development, Immutable, a Web3 gaming platform, has partnered with industry giant Amazon Web Services (AWS) to expand opportunities for game developers. As part of this partnership, AWS has added Immutable to its Independent Software Vendors (ISV) Accelerate Program, providing training, technical support, and AWS cloud credits to game studios. The partnership aims to strike a balance between decentralization and practical game development, acknowledging that games are typically built on centralized platforms.
MetalCore, a free-to-play massively multiplayer online action game, is generating excitement in the Web3 gaming space. Developed by Studio 369 and Umbrella Network, MetalCore features industry veterans with experience in AAA games and design and illustrations from well-known Hollywood franchises. The game utilizes NFTs, allowing players to truly own their assets, from vehicles to exclusive equipment and in-game currencies. MetalCore is assembling partnerships with companies like Immutable and Epic Games, positioning itself as a quality game in the Web3 gaming market.
Overall, the rise of NFTs and the entry of established gaming companies into the Web3 space signal a growing interest in the fusion of blockchain technology and gaming. With the support of platforms like X and partnerships with industry leaders like AWS, Web3 gaming has the potential to offer new and exciting experiences for gamers worldwide. The future of gaming looks bright with the continued development of these innovative technologies.