What are Web2 game distribution platforms?

Web2 game distribution platforms, also known as traditional gaming platforms, act as online game shops with community features that connect gamers worldwide in a common ecosystem. Players usually download a small software client to access the platform, which offers user-friendly interfaces with a streamlined purchase process and detailed information about each game title.

Currently, there are three major traditional game distribution platforms: Steam, Epic Games Store and Microsoft Store. Built by Half-Life maker Valve, Steam is the oldest of the three and has the most extensive library.

Epic Games Store came from the creators of Unreal Engine, one of the best, real-time 3D-creation tools. It’s known for its free games offered in a cycle. Meanwhile, Microsoft Store is not the first place to look for games. Its subscription service, Game Pass, enables access to hundreds of games with a Netflix-style monthly subscription.

What do Web2 game distribution platforms offer players and developers?

Game distribution platforms like Steam and Epic Store instill trust, as they host reputable brands and millions of people using their services. Customers aren’t afraid to provide their payment information and know they will be safe from scams when buying games.

For newcomers, Web2 platforms make purchasing and installing a new game incomparably easier than any manual alternative. Also, games stay updated without interacting with the developer site, thanks to automated update processes. Players can browse a massive library of games and start playing them after a few clicks. The user review and rating systems help other gamers navigate through the game selection.

As for developers, Web2 platforms provide direct access to a global audience via development kits, marketing assistance and distribution infrastructure. By employing robust anti-piracy measures, game distribution platforms also ensure developers are rightfully compensated for their hard work.

What are Web3 game distribution platforms, and how do they differ from traditional platforms?

Web3 game distribution platforms aim to promote a more player-centered and community-driven gaming ecosystem than their Web2 counterparts by giving users more power through decentralization. Blockchain technology lies at the heart of Web3 gaming. Players and stakeholders have a say in decisions through governance mechanisms such as decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), entities with no central leadership, where decisions are made from the bottom up and governed by a community that is organized around a specific set of rules enforced on a blockchain.

Web3 gaming usually involves smart contracts, DAOs and in-game assets.

Nonfungible tokens (NFTs) vitalize the ecosystem’s economy and give value to in-game items by providing true ownership. Crypto assets can be used to purchase games and in-game items, opening the space to a new sector. Web3 elements introduce new monetization options like the play-to-earn model, where players earn crypto and NFTs by playing a game. These models help developers raise capital and attract players, but often lack sustainability.

A recent example is Ryu Games’s all-in-one solution Flame, which combines a Web3 marketplace, a multichain wallet and a game launcher in a single platform. Kongregate and Lootrush are also venturing into decentralized gaming. Some developers are even putting their Web3 games on Steam and Epic Games to reach the broader audience of Web2 gamers.

What are the key challenges Web3 game distribution platforms face?

Currently, Web3 gaming requires a more advanced understanding of underlying technologies than traditional platforms — both for players and developers. The process of building and launching games on Web3 platforms is more complex and expensive, posing a higher entry barrier for developers.

Gamers also need to understand concepts like crypto, NFTs and marketplaces. Even after getting familiar with the technology, the Web3 gaming space simply doesn’t provide enough titles. Steam achieved success by bundling the platform with Half-Life 2, considered one of the greatest PC games of all time. However, Web3 gaming has yet to produce a game that could compete with the legendary title.

Preconceptions about the Web3 and crypto space are another factor causing many people to steer away from the ecosystem. News of scams and schemes on these spaces spread like wildfire, while incidents on traditional platforms are often swept under the rug.

Developers prioritize monetization over originality and quality, which is insufficient to attract mass audiences. The Web3 gaming market is still in its early development stages, meaning this situation could quickly change with the right projects.

What would it take to establish the Steam of Web3?

A broad range of enjoyable games that cater to both Web3 and non-Web3 players’ interests is a crucial requirement for reproducing the success of Steam in the Web3 space. Transparency and security standards must instill confidence in the users so they can make purchases without worrying about the safety of their funds.

Web3 platforms should take a cue from the ease-of-use of platforms like Epic Games Store and Steam, and start thinking about how to present blockchain games with simple and well-designed interfaces.

Emphasizing community interaction and giving users a safe space to share opinions and make friends both go a long way. Extensive social features such as DAO voting also help with player engagement and retention.

QORPO, a Web3 game development company with two game titles, Citizen Conflict and AneeMate, offers all these features to gamers and developers of both worlds. The company recently merged all its fundamental products, including a game launcher, an NFT marketplace and a gaming asset management, under one roof called QORPO WORLD.

What is the future of Web3 game distribution platforms?

Web3 gaming platforms need to provide the means for deeper interaction between their users. Home to Web3 games from different genres, QORPO WORLD provides overviews and community ratings with reviews for games in its launcher to help users pick their next game and start playing right away.

The Web3-friendly economic cycle of Qorpo World. Source: QORPO

A native crypto wallet and popular third-party wallets streamline the process of trading, collecting and leveling up in-game items.

Esports arenas are a big part of traditional gaming that fuel players’ competitive spirits and benefit overall engagement. Introducing an esports platform promotes tournament gaming and opens the door to sponsorships.

Just like Steam, QORPO has an integrated marketplace, allowing users to access their game assets through a simplified user interface. Web3 is foreign ground to many, and introducing its elements in a beginner-friendly manner is key to convincing newcomers to stay.

By adopting what works for Web2 and leapfrogging the shortcomings of traditional platforms, the Web3 gaming space has the potential to present a reliable alternative to established industry players like Steam or Epic Games Store.