Web3 Gaming Industry Research Report: The Development History and Future Outlook of Fully On-Chain Games

With the rapid development of blockchain technology, the global blockchain gaming market is gaining widespread attention and is continuously growing, with a market value reaching hundreds of billions of dollars. As an emerging form of gaming, full-chain games fully implement game logic and state on-chain, possessing advantages such as decentralization, openness, and interoperability, providing players with a new gaming experience.

This report will delve into the definition, origins, and development process of blockchain games, analyze their significance and current market situation, outline major competitors and representative projects, dissect the technical and design challenges faced, and look ahead to future development trends and innovation directions.

1. Overview of Whole Chain Games

1.1 The Origin of Full-Chain Games

The development history of blockchain games can be traced back more than a decade.

• 2012: SatoshiDice was launched, becoming the first Bitcoin-based gambling game.
• 2013: HunterCoin ran as a prototype of a fully on-chain game on an independent blockchain.
• 2015: The Ethereum mainnet went live, leading to the emergence of more generalized blockchain games.
• 2017: CryptoKitties created the first crypto game, enriching the possibilities of blockchain gaming.
• 2018: Axie Infinity put assets on the blockchain as NFTs, innovating the gaming economic model.
• 2020: Dark Forest released its beta version, incorporating zero-knowledge proof technology.
• 2021: Loot Project launched, becoming a symbol of foundational layer IP.
• 2023: Rapid development of new types of full-chain games and autonomous worlds, major public chain ecosystems actively cultivating.

Definition of Full-Chain Games 1.2

Blockchain games are a game model based on blockchain technology, using smart contracts to implement all game logic. Its main features include:

• Fully on-chain game logic and state
• Blockchain data as the唯一真实来源
• Follow the principles of an open ecosystem
• The game is not related to the client
• Interoperable with blockchain assets

1.3 The Significance of Full-Chain Games

Full-chain games hold significant importance in the gaming industry:

• Ensure that game information exists eternally to avoid asset loss caused by server shutdowns.
• Promote open collaboration and decentralization, enabling players to become creators.
• Promote interoperability between games to achieve value transfer and universal reputation.

2. Overview of the Full-Chain Game Ecosystem

2.1 Full Chain Game Engine

Mainstream blockchain game engines include MUD, DOJO, World Engine, etc. Features:

• Adopting Entity Component System (ECS) architecture
• Provides on-chain data storage and state management
• Supports high-performance on-chain computing
• Focus on developer experience
• Highly modular and open
• Compatible with mainstream blockchains and languages
• Some integrated Layer 2 solutions

2.2 All-Chain Game Development Tools

To simplify the development process, various innovative tools have emerged:

• PixeLAW: Layered architecture design that simplifies development complexity
• ZKWASM: Supports off-chain execution and on-chain verification strategies
• Web3Games.com: Provides Layer2 networks, development kits, and community support

2.3 All-Chain Game Public Chain

Mainstream choices include:

• Layer 2 solutions: Arbitrum, Optimism, ZKSync, etc.
• Game-oriented customized public chains: World Engine, Curio, etc.
• Next-generation universal computing public chain: such as Starknet

2.4 Representative full-chain game projects

• Dark Forest: A space strategy game that uses zkSNARKs to achieve information confidentiality.
• Loot Survivor: An adventure game that uses the Cairo language to write smart contracts.
• Treaty: A strategy game on the Sui blockchain that allows the signing of smart contract agreements.
• Wolf Game: A resource collection and farming game with a risk protocol mechanism.
• GoL2: Game of Life Simulation on StarkNet
• LootRealms: An infinite strategy game on StarkNet
• Briq: Allows the creation of NFT building blocks on StarkNet
• SUI 8192: Mobile games on the Sui chain
• NoGame: Space-themed MMORPG
• SkyStrife: A fast-paced RTS combat game

2.5 Full-chain Game Platform

• matchboxDAO: A platform for incubating games in the Starknet ecosystem.
• Cartridge: Starknet Game Aggregation Platform
• 0xPARC: Focused on frontier exploration of all-chain gaming
• Composable Hub: An all-chain game aggregation platform

3. Challenges Facing Blockchain Games

• Performance and scalability issues: need to explore scaling solutions such as Layer 2 and sharding.
• Game design limitations: Current technology struggles to support complex real-time interactive games.
• User threshold and transaction costs: the threshold for use and transaction fees need to be lowered.
• Privacy leak risk: Zero-knowledge proof and other technologies need to be introduced to protect privacy.
• Balancing decentralization and gameplay: Seeking a balance between free innovation and experience quality

4. Future Outlook of Full-Chain Games

• The application of AI in games: enhancing gaming experience, providing valuable data for the real world
• Innovative Gameplay: Leading DeFi Innovation, Restructuring Incentive Mechanisms and Governance Models
• Open and decentralized trend: Closer integration with DAOs to increase participation of ordinary players.
• New business model: Increased openness may bring new business opportunities

The full-chain gaming represents the future development direction of the gaming industry, continuing to bring innovation and opportunities to the gaming sector, providing players with more freedom and control, and creating unique gaming experiences. This future full of possibilities is worth our collective anticipation and exploration.