Web3 Gaming Sector Witnesses a Paradigm Shift as Traditional Gaming Experts Surpass Cryptocurrency Specialists

A significant shift has occurred in the Web3 gaming industry, with professionals from traditional gaming backgrounds now outnumbering those with expertise in blockchain and cryptocurrency, as per the Blockchain Game Alliance. The alliance's 2024 State of the Industry report reveals that 52.5% of respondents possess gaming expertise, marking the highest percentage since the survey's inception in 2021. In contrast, blockchain and cryptocurrency specialists now comprise only 10.8% of the industry, down from 21.7% in the previous year. The report highlights the importance of this trend, stating that it is noteworthy to see an increase in gaming professionals in an industry that has faced criticism for prioritizing financial aspects over gameplay. The report also notes that 71% of the 623 respondents value digital asset ownership as the primary benefit of blockchain gaming, a trend that has remained consistent since the alliance's first survey in 2021. Additionally, the report identifies poor user experience and onboarding issues as the biggest hurdles facing the industry, although efforts to simplify blockchain gaming have led to a decrease in these issues. According to Sebastien Borget, president of the BGA and co-founder and COO of The Sandbox, innovations in design and functionality have improved the Web3 gaming ecosystem, making it more accessible and intuitive for a broader audience. However, two-thirds of respondents also cite accusations of blockchain games being scams as a persistent issue, while 30% of respondents report facing criticism that Web3 gaming is dominated by bots.