The Development Path of Decentralized Gaming Platforms: Self-developed Quality Products or Distributed Games?

Decentralization games have always been a hot topic in the crypto market. Recently, the decentralized gaming platform Magic on Arbitrum has exploded in popularity, sparking market discussions. Some compare it to the "Nintendo of the crypto world," corresponding to Gala games, which is referred to as the "Web3 version of the Steam platform."

These two completely different models raise a question: which development path is suitable for decentralized platforms?

Development of Traditional Gaming Platforms

The development of the traditional game industry platform can be divided into three types: studio model, development engine model, and distribution platform model.

The studio model started from game studios and gradually evolved into large companies with multiple game IPs. Representative companies include Blizzard, which developed from the initial Warcraft to several well-known IPs such as World of Warcraft.

A representative of the engine model is Roblox, which provides an ecosystem for creating and sharing games, including development tools, a virtual currency system, and commercialization features. Roblox has a large user base, especially popular among younger audiences.

The distribution platform model takes Steam as an example, starting with its products like DOTA2 and CSGO, and has developed into a game distribution platform. Steam provides players with convenient purchasing and downloading channels, and also offers a promotion and distribution platform for developers.

Development Path of Blockchain Gaming Platforms

Game Studio Mode and Public Chain Ecosystem

In the world of blockchain, this model has gradually evolved into creating blockbuster games first and then launching public chains. Representatives include the Flow public chain issued by Dapper and Ronin issued by Axie Infinity. Some new projects, such as Fusionist, also adopt this idea, launching their own mainnet Endurance.

This model relies on the influence of a single game, requiring the first product to create a sensation. However, if the game struggles to launch, the value of the public chain will also decline. The core of the studio model still lies in how to create a good game, rather than telling grand stories.

Development Engine Model

Decentralization development engine is built on blockchain technology, providing more freedom and creativity. Fragnova and Cocos-CBX are two representative projects.

Decentralization game engines have some advantages over centralized engines, such as better protection of game data and user assets, providing developers with more freedom, and achieving a fairer and more transparent game ecosystem.

But this is also the most difficult path, as it has to compete with mature engines like UE and Unity. The decentralized platform still needs improvement and perfection in terms of technology and ecology.

Distribution platform model

The distribution platform model has become the entrepreneurial model for many decentralized gaming platforms. TreasureDAO is a typical representative, having evolved from the revenue protocol of the Loot ecosystem to become the largest decentralized gaming platform on Arbitrum.

Gala Games adopts another operational model, focusing more on using tokens to incentivize the community and govern, while listing more high-quality games. Its Decentralization node network is its unique feature.

Compared to traditional platforms, decentralized gaming platforms still have gaps in the quantity and quality of games. However, with the rapid increase in the number of blockchain games, decentralized distribution platforms are expected to become a hub for game traffic due to their advantages.

Development Space

Regardless of the model, the core is the need for blockbuster games to attract traffic. The key issue is how to create or attract blockbuster games.

Vertical public chains have development potential in the future, especially after the modular blockchain and Layer 3 architecture are improved. Building a dedicated Appchain for a single game can further enhance performance. However, the priority of creating popular games should be higher than that of constructing public chains.

The urgent priority for developing engines and distribution platforms is to attract more game developers and studios to win by "volume".

Decentralized gaming platforms still have dozens or even hundreds of times the growth potential compared to leading traditional gaming companies. Key issues that need to be addressed include:

• How to better utilize blockchain technology to protect user rights
• How to attract more players and developers, and improve the quality and quantity of games
• How to compete with traditional platforms in popular games

Decentralization platforms have the potential to disrupt centralized platforms. When user experience and security are good enough, their advantages in production relationships may completely replace centralized platforms, returning more rights to users and developers.

Conclusion

In the coming years, decentralized platforms will face challenges and opportunities. Technologically, continuous improvement and refinement are needed, while the market requires the creation of more blockbuster games to attract users and developers. At the same time, they must compete with traditional platforms to gain more traffic and users. Decentralized platforms need to continuously innovate and develop in order to achieve greater success in the fierce market competition.