How Blockchain Is Transforming the Gaming Industry: A Conversation with Sky Mavis Co-Founder and Growth Lead Jeff Zirlin

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As an analyst with a background in blockchain technology and gaming industry trends, I find Jeff Zirlin’s insights on the current state and future potential of Web3 gaming to be both insightful and inspiring. His vision for a decentralized, player-centric, and community-driven gaming ecosystem is compelling, and Ronin’s role as a foundation for this new generation of games is intriguing.

Web3 gaming holds significant potential for driving cryptocurrency into mainstream use. Yet, one might wonder about the current state of this industry. To shed light on this topic, Mike Ermolaev conducted an enlightening conversation with Jeff Zirlin, Co-Founder and Growth Lead of Sky Mavis, the entity behind Axie Infinity and Ronin, a sidechain linked to Ethereum. Through this interview, Zirlin offered valuable perspectives on the gaming industry’s trajectory and Ronin’s role in shaping its future, as part of the GoCrypto interview series, supported by GoMining.

A New Generation of Games that Put the Player First

As a crypto investor with an interest in the gaming industry, I’m excited about the transformative potential of blockchain technology. Instead of just being passive players, we now have the power to take control and own our in-game assets like never before. This is a major shift that’s happening in the gaming world, and blockchain is leading the charge.

Jeff Zirlin envisions a future of gaming marked by empowerment and cooperation, where players are more than mere consumers. Instead, they hold significant influence as key contributors to the games’ success. He believes that Ronin serves as the base for constructing next-generation titles that prioritize the player experience above all else. This entails fostering an environment where “players and game creators join forces to mold the adventures they cherish.”

In the conventional gaming setup, players have typically been exploited for value, according to Jeff. However, with Ronin, we aim to reverse this dynamic, enabling users to assume control within the platform and acquire and exchange desirable in-game assets at their discretion.

At Sky Mavis, our players form a tight-knit community that not only participates in the game’s evolution but also influences its direction through active involvement in development and decision-making processes. Such an extensive level of community interaction is essential for developing games that deeply connect with players.

One major hurdle in integrating blockchain technology into gaming, according to Jeff, is expanding user acceptance and gaining a clearer regulatory landscape. He highlights the importance of enlightening gamers about the advantages of blockchain-enabled games. Additionally, he emphasizes the significance of collaborating with regulators to foster responsible and enduring growth within the industry.

In the ever-advancing world of gaming, Jeff is convinced that the implementation of blockchain technology holds immense potential for fostering creativity and expansion.

He finishes by expressing his belief that the future of gaming will be shaped by decentralized systems, with a focus on individual players and their communities. We’re thrilled to be part of this evolution and can’t wait to witness its developments in the time ahead.

Ronin Pioneers Player-Owned Gaming and Rapid Growth

Zirlin’s enthusiasm for the industry shines through as he discusses his vision for Ronin, which marks the beginning of a new phase in gaming. In this innovative platform, players gain genuine ownership and control over their digital possessions. According to him, by utilizing Ronin’s impressive scalability and minimal transaction fees, game developers can effortlessly incorporate blockchain technology into deeply engaging experiences.

As a researcher studying blockchain technologies, I’d describe Ronin as an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible blockchain tailored to game developers building games with player-owned economies. The native token of this thriving platform is RON, which empowers users to cover transaction fees, engage in community decision-making processes, and validate transactions to earn rewards. Since the beginning of 2023, Ronin has experienced a remarkable surge, recording a 715% growth rate from January to March. Most recently, we reached an impressive milestone of 1.49 million Daily Active Addresses, surpassing previous records even surpassing the peak activity levels witnessed during the last bull market.

Sky Mavis has proven its resilience through various cryptocurrency market downturns and uptrends. According to Jeff, the company has demonstrated this strength by not only surviving but thriving in each cycle. With improved infrastructure, more robust products, and valuable partnerships as a result, he takes great pride in Sky Mavis’ ability to adapt and grow.

Approximately a year ago, Sky Mavis introduced Ronin to the public beyond Axie games. Since then, they’ve observed an intriguing trend they coined “The Ronin Effect.” Games debuting on Ronin rapidly gain their initial enthusiastic fan base of around 1,000 users and benefit from a ripple effect of growth. Pixels is a compelling illustration of The Ronin Effect. Prior to its transition to Ronin, Pixels had an average of 5-10,000 daily active users (DAUs) on Polygon. However, this number has since soared past 760k DAUs and integrated over ninety other Web3 projects into its gameplay.

On Bringing MMORPG Ragnarok to the Blockchain

The introduction of “Ragnarok: Monster World” into the Ronin platform, which was developed in collaboration with Gravity, signifies a significant development in recent times. This event marks the arrival of the renowned MMORPG, Ragnarok Online, in the expanding sector of blockchain gaming. For many gamers, this crossover represents an impressive feat and a meaningful step towards merging conventional and Web3 gaming experiences.

As a researcher examining the partnership between Ragnarok and Ronin, I’d note that Ragnarok transcends its role as just a game. It is, in fact, an iconic gaming universe with a staggering following of 68 million players worldwide. This billion-dollar transmedia intellectual property (IP) has left an indelible mark on generations of gamers. By integrating Ragnarok into Ronin, we are forging a connection between Web3 and Web2 player bases in a way that has not been accomplished before.

Looking ahead, Sky Mavis aims to onboard 16 collaboration studios or games onto Ronin by the year 2024. Pursuing partnerships with more gaming brands appears to be an effective approach for connecting the world of traditional gaming with the realm of blockchain technology.

On Coinbase Pay

Lately, Zirlin highlighted another significant advancement: the addition of Coinbase into the picture. A prominent cryptocurrency exchange, Coinbase, has recently revealed plans to connect its payment solution, Coinbase Pay, with the Ronin network. The objective is to streamline the experience for users in the Ronin community when it comes to buying and cashing out cryptocurrencies. With Coinbase Pay integrated, users will no longer need to move funds between different accounts to make transactions.

The addition of Coinbase Pay to Ronin is anticipated to enhance the total user experience and decrease the obstacles encountered during cryptocurrency transactions within the Ronin network. This development represents a major advancement in the ongoing mission to make dealing with cryptocurrencies more convenient and intuitive for users.

Jeff Zirlin’s Recommendations for Web3 Games

As we move forward, an increasing number of games are emerging on the blockchain. The industry has progressed beyond its initial trials and now provides compelling evidence of what Web3 gaming can achieve. For those considering jumping into the world of gaming, Jeff suggests exploring Kaidro – a multiplayer action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic realm. Kaidro is not just a game; it’s an entire universe encompassing a webcomic and an animated TV series. The team behind this project boasts an impressive resume, with previous contributions to productions like Jurassic World, Transformers, and Call of Duty. The creative force behind the TV series is none other than Tim Hedrick, who has worked on Avatar: The Last Airbender.

If you’re interested in game recommendations from Jeff Zirlin, he suggests checking out The Machines Arena, a 4v4 top-down hero shooter. Additionally, there are two up-and-coming games on Ronin that are worth your attention: Pixels and Apeiron. These games may not be widely known if you’re not regularly part of the Ronin gaming community, but they offer intriguing possibilities for gamers.

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2024-05-17 00:30