Gaming has come a remarkably long way since the inception of the first video game. And now, with the rise of Web3 technology, it stands on the brink of an even more transformative era. However, things are unfolding in a manner nobody anticipated from the outset.
Titles like Axie Infinity and the Sandbox have played a huge part in popularizing blockchain games. For a brief moment, they seemed to have solved the problem they had set out to; how do games ensure players extract tangible value from the time invested?
The answer was GameFi, a new frontline in gaming that leveraged blockchain technology to reward players. Yet, despite a bright flourish, these games have faded away, gradually falling into obscurity as players abandoned them.
This signaled the end of Web3 gaming for some. But for others, the initial flurry of players revealed an unmet hunger for empowering interactive experiences. The revelation has inspired them to look for meaningful integrations of Web3 technologies into gaming.
One such stakeholder is the mobile gaming studio Z3 Bros. Through its own Web3 virtual world, the Army of Fortune Metaverse (AOFVerse), the studio is redefining Web3 gaming into Game 3.0.
The Problem of Over-Emphasizing Monetary Rewards
GameFi was the pioneering iteration of blockchain-based gaming, centered around the promise of empowering the player through rewards for in-game participation. But in this pursuit, GameFi made a mistake; it departed from fundamental gaming values.
In a zealous attempt to maximize player rewards, GameFi prioritizes financial mechanics, a situation that has led to the development of what are essentially financial transactions masquerading as video games.
Here, the top motivation is the potential for financial gain. With game mechanics entangled with trading and investing dynamics, core gaming tenets like fun and entertainment take a backseat. The negative consequences of this can’t be overstated.
As evidenced by the poster child of GameFi, the original version of Axie Infinity, these principles have made Web3 gaming ecosystems extractive. Players are focused on maximizing their earnings.
The result?
There is no player loyalty and game longevity. If and when the current opportunity fails to meet financial expectations, the transient player base swiftly moves on to the next lucrative opportunity. The abandoned game is left to slowly die.
This phenomenon has been the greatest hindrance to the adoption of Web3 technologies in gaming and the cultivation of a robust Web3 gaming ecosystem.
What is Game 3.0 and How Does it Improve on GameFi?
Game 3.0 is a new vision for Web3 gaming pioneered by AOFverse, a mobile games studio. It represents a paradigm shift in the gaming landscape, where player empowerment doesn’t compromise the quintessential gaming experience.
By building on blockchain technology and integrating the best of traditional gaming mechanics, Game 3.0 will introduce enhancements that genuinely benefit players. This approach paves the way for features like true digital ownership, an open economy, revenue sharing, and interoperability.
At the heart of the Game 3.0 ecosystem is a more equitable business model – one that enhances player autonomy while opening up new avenues for revenue generation and engagement.
Furthermore, all games in this ecosystem are designed with fairness, playability, and entertainment in mind while leveraging blockchain technology to implement reward mechanisms that empower the player.
More importantly, unlike GameFi, Game 3.0 resists the allure of short-term profit-driven objectives. It’s just as much about letting the player have fun as it is about empowering them.
Game creators have the license to focus on gameplay and storytelling and even leverage IP generation to create a world of interconnected narrative experiences for players to enjoy. This should go a long way towards ensuring long-term player loyalty.
Overall, Game 3.0’s approach allows it to shift focus from the overwhelming technicalities of Web3 gaming to the joy and essence of gaming; so much so that players don’t even realize they’re interacting with the blockchain.
The AOFVerse: A Glimpse at Game 3.0
Z3 Bros has already put this idea to work, creating a virtual world of unique Web3 mobile games. This world is called the Army of Fortune Metaverse (AOFVerse). Its flagship game, Army of Fortune, is a real-time deck-building mobile game that’s still in development and the first gameplay loop of its kind.
Nonetheless, there is a game that provides a glimpse into what Game 3.0 has in store for players. Called Army of Tactics, it’s a tactical PvP auto-battler where players build and compete with their own armies in arena duels.
The game uses NFTs, regular tokens, and innovative simulation, progression, and social systems to craft a unique interactive experience that blends the best of traditional multiplayer dynamics with the revolutionary features of Web 3.0.
Army of Tactics is currently available for users to play on iOS and Android.
A New Age of Player Empowerment and Entertainment
Web3 gaming’s transformation under Game 3.0 is remarkable. This new approach rectifies the shortcomings of its predecessor by giving genuine entertainment as much weight as player empowerment.
In doing so, it holds immense promise in finally delivering the era promised to players at the advent of blockchain-powered gaming; one where players immerse themselves in captivating virtual worlds while reaping tangible rewards of their in-game adventures.
If you want to get in early, the AOFverse will be launching its token, $AFG, on December 6th. Find out more through its social media pages:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AOFverse/,
Twitter: https://x.com/aofverse , and
Instagram: https://instagram.com/aofverseofficial.
