Thoughts on the Blockchain Gaming Track: The Debate Between Gameplay and Gamification

The Web3 gaming sector has not yet seen a truly successful project after years of development. Although some games have a certain level of playability, they struggle to continuously attract players. This raises the question: should the blockchain gaming track focus more on "gameplay" or "gamification"? What are the differences between the two? From a player's perspective, what do they value more?

To explore these issues, we conducted an in-depth survey, interviewing 62 players, and reached 7 conclusions about blockchain games. Before analyzing the survey results, let's first discuss the currently hot topic of "gameplay" in the blockchain gaming space and its distinction from "gamification."

The Difference Between Gameplay and Gamification

Gameplay refers to the core mechanics and experience of a game, including rules, challenges, interactions, and how players derive enjoyment. It is like the main body of a cake, determining the basic flavor and shape of the cake.

Gamification is the application of game design elements, thinking, and mechanics to non-game contexts to enhance user engagement and motivation. This is similar to the decoration on a cake, making the cake look more appealing, but not the cake itself.

In short, "gamification" determines "appetite", making you "want to eat", while "gameplay" determines "taste", judging "whether it's delicious".

In Web3 blockchain games, gameplay serves as the foundation of the game, providing players with a direct way to experience the game, story, and interactions. Gamification, on the other hand, incentivizes players to participate in community building, market trading, and other Web3 activities through game mechanics.

The Real Needs of Web3 Players

To understand the real needs of Web3 players, we conducted a small-scale survey and reached the following 7 conclusions:

1. The number of blockchain games played by most Web3 players does not exceed 5.

2. Players mainly obtain information about blockchain games through Twitter.

3. 90% of players spend no more than 2 hours a day playing blockchain games, of which 57.5% spend less than 1 hour.

4. The popularity of a game is a major factor for players to decide whether to try a blockchain game.

5. 30.6% of players engage in blockchain games due to "gamification"( for opportunities to earn money), while 29% play because of the "gameplay"( which is rich and diverse).

6. 38.7% of players gave up blockchain games due to the "disappearance of gamification"( losing the appeal of making money), and the same percentage of players gave up due to the "disappearance of gameplay"( making it no longer interesting).

7. The Top 5 blockchain games players are most looking forward to: Xterio ecosystem games, MATR1X, Space Nation, Pixels, BAC Games.

These results indicate that Web3 Gaming seems to be at a turning point, beginning to truly return to "healthy" development. Players value both "gameplay" and "gamification", and have expectations in both areas.

Conclusion

Whether in terms of "gameplay" or "gamification" innovation, as long as it meets the needs of players, it is good. However, innovation must be based on an understanding of those needs. The fundamental needs of humans have not changed; what changes is the form of meeting those needs.

Web3 Gaming is essentially about meeting people's needs for spiritual freedom and emotional release in a new form. Although there are currently very few Web3 games that truly possess gameplay and can satisfy players' spiritual needs, as long as there is a demand for spiritual fulfillment in gaming, Web3 Gaming has a future.

Whether it is creating a gamified project that makes people "want to play," or developing a highly playable work that feels "fun," the ultimate goal is to expand the entire industry's pie. In this way, both game developers and players can benefit.