From: thepipeline_xyz
The collaboration between Sappy Seals and Play Ember, with their upcoming launch on Monad Testnet [00:01:43], signifies a notable advancement in Web3 gaming [00:01:36]. This partnership originated from an NFT gaming meetup in Nando [00:02:11], combining Play Ember’s experience in scaling games [00:03:04] with Sappy Seals’ “rabid community” [00:03:08]. Their joint venture is a game concept, code-named Sappy Quest, envisioned as an RPG/Dungeon Crawler [00:03:36].
Why Gaming and Crypto Integration is Key
Blockchain gaming is a logical fit for digital economies and tokenized assets [00:05:00]. It’s viewed as a fundamental use case for crypto [00:05:20], and one of the “end games” for widespread crypto adoption [00:06:00]. Previous cycles, with examples like Axie Infinity [00:05:39] and Defi Kingdoms [00:05:41], have demonstrated that people care about onchain gaming activities [00:05:43]. Current and upcoming games like Prime and Parallel [00:05:47] further underscore this potential.
Gaming offers an accessible entry point for “normies” [00:07:31] to engage with blockchain-powered experiences [00:07:31]. Its broad appeal, similar to entertainment platforms like TikTok and YouTube [00:07:49], makes it an intuitive pathway for users to acquire digital currency for free through gameplay, then explore other crypto communities and products [00:14:08].
The Importance of Community and IP
A strong Intellectual Property (IP) and community are crucial for scaling and delivering engaging experiences [00:06:12]. The Sappy Seals’ community is known for its “rabid” engagement with other ecosystems, demonstrating high retention rates in game collaborations [00:20:19]. This community-driven approach fosters interaction and helps bootstrap initial traction for new projects [00:21:56].
Sappy Seals’ natural evolution into a gaming-centric community stems from its meme-focused culture, which aligns well with the persona of a gamer [00:19:39]. This organic fit, rather than intentional curation, has attracted a base of individuals with shared roots in gaming [00:30:37].
Challenges and Opportunities in Web3 Game Development
Currently, many Web3 games “kind of suck” [00:10:06] because talented game developers are disincentivized by the perceived risk of the crypto industry [00:12:40]. This results in less experienced developers building projects, leading to lower quality games [00:12:47]. However, as the industry matures and becomes less risky (e.g., with ETFs and stablecoins for everyday use) [00:13:13], the quality of Web3 games is expected to improve significantly [00:13:17].
“People just look down on it because a lot of the games that have been built so far aren’t that great, but I think that that’s just like a natural market force.” [00:13:39]
A key challenge is overcoming the “crypto bubble” mentality and reaching a broader audience beyond crypto natives [00:14:02]. This involves creating “lighter touch experiences” [00:08:27] that offer entertainment with minimal technical friction [00:08:40]. Successful Web3 gaming will involve building brands hand-in-hand with the community, allowing them to freestyle and create [00:49:04].
NFTs as Identity and Network
While the financialization of NFTs as investment vehicles has seen fluctuations [00:35:47], their core value lies in identity and network [00:39:01]. NFTs offer a finite, unique digital identity that users attach to, creating a psychological attachment [00:32:56]. This fosters strong, loyal communities, even when the market is down [00:33:01].
The value of an NFT isn’t solely in its art, but in the “network” – the collective of people actively contributing and outputting something they believe in [00:37:55]. This “cultural piece” is what people care about [00:37:08], and it’s what differentiates resilient NFT communities from those that die off [00:33:07].
The Future Trajectory of Web3
The evolution of crypto and Web3 will be marked by innovations that are impossible to understand at first glance because they won’t resemble previous models [00:46:17]. The “Activision of crypto” won’t look like a “Call of Duty with coins”; it will be a completely different concept [00:44:27]. This requires patience and trust in “absolute Geniuses” in the space to figure things out, even if it takes years [00:50:06].
Authenticity is the most valuable currency in this new paradigm [00:51:37]. Unlike traditional models where money can dictate growth, Web3 thrives on grassroots efforts that resonate with users and lead them to adopt projects as part of their identity [00:50:40]. The shift from a “startup culture” to a more “philosophical” approach to building will define the future of NFTs and Web3 [00:38:27].
Key Takeaways for Success in Web3
- Conviction: Founders must have strong conviction in themselves and their products [00:58:39].
- Agency & Work Ethic: Success in crypto is not about waiting for opportunities, but actively pursuing them and putting in the effort [00:58:17].
- Curate Community: Deliberate curation of an audience with the “right user persona” who understand and enjoy the experiences is critical [00:24:39].
- Embrace New Business Models: Be open to completely new ways of building brands and engaging with users that differ from Web2 approaches [00:49:15].