Mobile gaming company Zynga, owned by Take-Two Interactive, which also owns Rockstar Games, is entering the Web3 space with the launch of its new franchise, Sugartown. Zynga has created a new studio called Zynga Web3 (ZW3) to develop the cross-media world of Sugartown, which will function as a Web3 gaming platform rather than a single game. The teaser video for Sugartown features cute cartoon animals, hinting at the potential for animated content alongside the gaming experience. While details about the franchise are still limited, it has been confirmed that it will have an NFT collection called Oras, which will be required for participation in future games within the Sugartown universe.
This move by Zynga into Web3 gaming raises questions about why Web3 games have not been adopted as widely as traditional games. During a Web3 gaming panel at Istanbul Blockchain Week 2023, Uluç Yuca, co-founder of Curator Studios, highlighted the low number of Web3 gamers compared to traditional gamers. He emphasized that there are currently only 15 million active Web3 gamers, in contrast to the 3 billion traditional gamers worldwide. Yuca argued that the focus on features like third-party trading and ownership in Web3 games is not enough to attract players, as these features already exist in traditional games. He called for the development of games with the same level of enjoyment as Minecraft or Angry Birds, stating that current Web3 games lack engaging gameplay.
In other Web3 gaming news, an online Bitcoin casino called Ordinals has emerged, offering basic casino games like jackpot and slot machines. While it may not have the high-fidelity graphics of modern games, Ordinals aims to expand the use of Bitcoin beyond just currency. The gaming platform utilizes a layer-2 solution called NOS, which enhances speed and efficiency for complex interactions, preserving the valuable space on the main Bitcoin blockchain. The platform also features a graffiti tent where users can contribute and earn royalties if someone purchases the finished canvas.
Another Web3 game gaining attention is Sunflower Land, an online farming game built on Polygon. Similar to early Facebook games like FarmVille, Sunflower Land allows players to plant seeds, wait for them to grow, and harvest their crops. All in-game resources, such as seeds and equipment, are represented as NFTs and can be transferred and traded on OpenSea. Sunflower Land also features a skill tree that allows players to work faster and obtain higher yields as they level up. The game recently launched its Witches Eve season, introducing a massive multiplayer online world called Pumpkin Plaza, where players can socialize and build their own games within the Sunflower Land universe.
Overall, the entry of Zynga into Web3 gaming, along with discussions surrounding the adoption of Web3 games and the emergence of new platforms like Ordinals and Sunflower Land, indicates growing interest and exploration in the intersection of gaming and blockchain technology. As the Web3 space continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these developments will shape the future of the gaming industry.
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