As an analyst with a background in gaming and technology, I’m excited about the future of Web3 gaming and the innovative approaches companies like Warped Games are taking to stand out in this emerging market. With decades of experience in games development, Scott Brown and his team bring valuable insights and lessons learned from previous projects, including the successes and challenges of building a game on top of a cryptocurrency and the importance of user-centric design.
The enigma surrounding the future of Web3 gaming is gradually unraveling as big-budget AAA games enter the scene, major studios debut demos and beta versions following substantial investment, and startups establish a presence based on promising concepts with limited resources. Despite this diversity, most Web3 games strive to differentiate themselves in the competitive landscape.
Scott Brown, the President and Lead Game Developer at Warped Games, departed from STARL following disputes with the project’s originators. With firsthand knowledge of scaling a Web3 game, as STARL amassed over $900m in market capitalization, Brown is making a more calculated effort. Warped Games and the Warped Universe represent the latest chapter in his long-standing career in gaming. Having founded his own game development company, NetDevil, and collaborated with Disney on Lego Universe, Brown is now harnessing Web3 technology innovatively alongside his trusted companions and team.
The vision for Warped is bigger than just Web3, Scott explains,
“We believe the Web3 gaming community is still too small to support a standalone, conventional game. However, we’re convinced that some gamers will be drawn to this space, even with the challenges surrounding NFTs and blockchain games. If they encounter an enjoyable, high-quality game first, they might then appreciate the benefits of digital ownership and eventually grasp its value for them.”
In this instance, the priority is given to the Web3 gaming community. Scott and his team have been meticulously considering the preferences and requirements of this audience, as being a new startup without a launched game is essential in this regard. By immersing themselves in the larger community, examining comparable titles, and drawing motivation for Warped Universe from it, the Warped team can theoretically develop a product that resonates strongly with users and generates significant interest, all before its release.
“It’s important to us that the community plays a significant role in both the creative process and the entrepreneurship aspect of Warped Universe.”
As a researcher studying game development, I’d like to share some exciting news about a new approach in the gaming industry called “Game as a Service.” In this model, players will be given the power to make decisions that significantly impact the game. For instance, they’ll have a say in internal pricing, determining what should be free or paid for, and scrutinizing the contents of a Season Pass. Moreover, they’ll get to vote on the game’s development direction, such as whether developers should prioritize space combat or ground combat updates. This level of player involvement is a game-changer, making the gaming experience more engaging and personalized.
He explains that their voting mechanics make them a unique proposition from other Web3 games,
In simpler terms, the holders of our tokens wield greater control over the game’s direction. What lies ahead for this game? Where is it headed? There are numerous games that incorporate tokens, where you purchase these tokens to buy items within the game. Our token, however, exerts a more significant impact on the game beyond its daily interactions.
He adds,
“This situation creates an intriguing and distinct bond between token owners and Warped Universe.”
As a analyst, I’ve observed that interacting with Web3 gaming titles requires specific elements such as tokens, NFTs, and wallets. However, this process comes with added complexity and inconvenience, which has negatively impacted the growth of this space.
In our previous undertaking, we aimed to make having a wallet a fundamental aspect of the user experience. The expectation was for users to obtain a wallet initially and sign in with it. However, this approach deterred numerous participants at the outset. For our current project, we decided against starting with that concept.
Scott explained, before thoughtfully adding,
“A wallet shouldn’t be where you start, the game should be where you start.”
Scott emphasized that enhancing user experience is the key to leveraging blockchain technology effectively in gaming, rather than making it exclusively about the underlying technology itself.
“It’s important for us that Warped Universe isn’t labeled solely as a blockchain game. Our previous experience taught us that such labeling may not accurately represent the richness and depth of the game.”
Certainly, the development process for any project involves obstacles. Therefore, we inquired about the potential hurdles Scott anticipates encountering during their endeavor, given his background in creating games within Web3 and traditional gaming. He brought up the example of STARL, a cryptocurrency attempting to construct a game on top but ultimately faltered due to being overly focused on wallet functionality and lacking a suitable product-market fit. Additionally, he recalled his experience at Lego Universe, where efforts were made to transition real-life Lego builders to computers, resulting in another mismatched endeavor. Scott paused before sharing the thought process behind his reflections.
As a researcher, I analyzed those two experiences and pondered over some fundamental questions: “What’s the focus here? Who is our target audience? Where do we begin?” Our objective was to cater to gamers, so we decided to establish a gaming platform. The key to attracting gamers was to make it accessible. We eliminated wallet requirements, avoided complex blockchain discussions, and removed any initial costs for playing. Instead, we aimed to present them with an excellent game right from the start.
To wrap up our conversation, we discussed the captivating art presented before us. Intrigued by an advanced sneak peek of the Warped Universe, we were curious about its origins. It appears there’s no counterpart available elsewhere. Scott disclosed that…
When creating a game, particularly a Sci-Fi one, it can be challenging to leave a lasting impression. So, how can you make your game truly stand out and be memorable?
In the realm of Sci-Fi, it can be a challenge to differentiate your creation from the multitude of gray spaceships against starry backdrops. The risk is becoming indistinguishable among the sea of space games that have come before. To prevent blending in and ensure Warped leaves a unique mark, we dedicated significant thought to identifying what sets us apart. What makes Warped special? What does it mean for a game to be Warped?
As an analyst, I would recommend keeping yourself informed about the latest updates from Scott and his team by following them on Twitter or visiting their website regularly. This way, you won’t miss any new developments, including a potential continuation of their insightful interview.
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2024-05-20 16:42