It’s been a wild ride over the past few years as blockchain games have gained footing in the mainstream gaming world. There’s still a long way to go to the web3 mass adoption for gaming that will see real ownership and reward potential in all games, but tremendous progress has clearly been made. Among other pioneers in this space, GalaChain is building the blockchain infrastructure that can potentially power the future of own-your-experience gaming.
These are exciting times for web3 creators, but another area of groundbreaking technology has been rising even faster: artificial intelligence. From AI-generated commercials to computers literally doing kids’ homework for them, the impact of large language models like ChatGPT has been huge.
There will be tons of interesting ways for web3 and AI technologies to intersect and interact with one another in the coming months and years. In fact, it’s tough to predict where this is all headed. So we figured we’d ask one about the other, hosting a little chat with the leading LLM about the future blockchain gaming.
No substantial edits… Just straight robo-speculation. Let’s dive in.
Let’s start off with a simple one… How would you define blockchain gaming as we approach the end of 2024?
As of late 2024, blockchain gaming means players have real ownership of in-game items and assets, which are stored securely on the blockchain. Unlike traditional games where items stay within a single game, blockchain gaming lets players truly own and even trade their assets, creating new economic opportunities. This model gives players more control and even a say in game updates, thanks to decentralized decision-making. Overall, it’s about games that empower players beyond just gameplay—now they can have a real stake in the game’s world.
Imagine you were a full-time gamer in early 2021. How would you react to the idea of using NFTs in gaming?
If I were a full-time gamer in early 2021, my reaction to NFTs in gaming would probably be a mix of curiosity and skepticism. On one hand, the idea of owning in-game items as NFTs would be exciting—finally having true ownership of my gear, skins, and characters, which I could potentially trade or sell outside the game. This would be a huge shift from the usual system where everything I earned or bought was locked within the game itself, with no real value beyond gameplay.
But I’d also be wary. Early on, NFTs felt like an experiment, and there were concerns about scams, environmental impact, and whether this technology was here to stay or just a fad. I’d want to see game developers address these issues and prove NFTs could add meaningful, lasting value to my gaming experience before I’d fully buy in. Essentially, I’d be intrigued but cautious, waiting to see if NFTs could genuinely improve gaming or if they’d turn into just another monetization strategy.
Do you think that the NFT craze of 2021-2022 (art, profile pics, etc.) helped or hurt the future of blockchain gaming, and why?
The NFT craze of 2021-2022 was both a blessing and a challenge for the future of blockchain gaming. On the positive side, it brought immense visibility to blockchain technology and introduced a global audience to the idea of digital ownership. When people saw art and profile picture NFTs selling for high prices, it sparked curiosity and conversation about what it means to own a digital asset. This exposure was invaluable for blockchain gaming, which relies on similar principles for in-game assets, so it helped pave the way for greater acceptance.
However, the hype also had its downsides. The speculative, often overpriced NFT market left some people disillusioned and skeptical. Many associated NFTs with overpriced digital collectibles, scams, or environmental concerns, which created a hurdle for blockchain gaming to overcome. It became clear that for NFTs in gaming to succeed, they would have to provide genuine value beyond speculation—enhancing gameplay, allowing interoperability, or giving players real agency in-game worlds.
Ultimately, the craze laid a foundation of awareness but also set high expectations, pushing blockchain gaming to demonstrate real, sustainable benefits for players.
In the years that followed, do you think that blockchain gaming has successfully met that challenge of skeptical expectation, or does it still leave a bitter taste in gamers’ mouths?
Blockchain gaming has made significant strides, but for some gamers, it still hasn’t fully shed the skepticism from the early NFT craze. The industry has worked hard to address those early concerns, focusing more on meaningful player benefits like true ownership, cross-game compatibility, and new ways to earn while playing, which do add genuine value. Games have also become better at integrating blockchain features in ways that feel natural and enhance gameplay, rather than just tacking on NFTs as a gimmick.
Despite this progress, there’s still lingering hesitation among some players. Many traditional gamers view blockchain features as potential cash grabs, partly because of past missteps by projects that prioritized profit over quality gameplay. The gaming industry is gradually shifting this perception, with a new wave of games that prioritize rich gameplay experiences first and treat blockchain as a behind-the-scenes feature rather than a selling point.
So, while blockchain gaming is making headway in overcoming skepticism, it’s still a work in progress. The success stories are starting to add up, though, and as more games prove the value of blockchain without compromising gameplay, player trust is slowly rebuilding.
Why do you think the largest game publishers today are still largely opposed to the implementation of blockchain ownership and/or rewards into their games?
The largest game publishers remain cautious about blockchain ownership and rewards for several reasons. First, they’re protective of the traditional revenue models that have served them well, such as microtransactions, subscriptions, and in-game purchases. Blockchain ownership introduces new ways for players to control and trade assets, potentially cutting publishers out of these profitable loops. Allowing players to trade assets freely could impact how publishers manage scarcity, exclusivity, and in-game economies—all key to driving revenue in many traditional games.
Second, blockchain technology and NFTs still carry a reputation of being volatile, and publishers are hesitant to risk brand perception. Many gamers remain wary of blockchain due to concerns about scams, environmental impact, and speculative behavior. The big publishers are known for carefully managing their public image, so they may feel that adopting blockchain could alienate parts of their player base, especially given how vocal some players are against NFT integration.
There’s also the issue of technical and regulatory uncertainty. Integrating blockchain into major games on a massive scale presents technical challenges and legal complexities, especially with emerging regulations around digital assets and blockchain-based economies. Publishers are likely taking a “wait and see” approach, watching how the landscape unfolds before committing to a technology that might require significant restructuring of their business models.
Ultimately, big publishers prioritize stability and profitability, and until they see more concrete examples of how blockchain can enhance their existing ecosystems without creating backlash or operational headaches, they’ll likely remain on the sidelines.
“On the sidelines” paints a picture of a warm player watching and waiting for their chance to get in the game. Even as they wait on the sidelines, do you think key players are making plans to suddenly enter the world of blockchain gaming as soon as the opportunity arises?
Absolutely, many major game publishers are likely keeping a close eye on blockchain’s development, quietly preparing for the moment they can enter the space with minimal risk and maximum impact. Even if they appear publicly skeptical or dismissive, it’s likely they’re already exploring blockchain technology behind the scenes, investing in research and development, or even forming partnerships with blockchain platforms to be ready to act when the time feels right.
This “sideline” approach allows them to learn from smaller projects and early adopters, observing what works and what doesn’t, which helps them avoid the costly mistakes of being first movers in an uncertain space. By studying the evolution of blockchain gaming mechanics, regulatory shifts, and player sentiment, they can enter the market with a strategic advantage—offering polished, mass-market experiences that appeal to both traditional gamers and crypto enthusiasts.
When the conditions are right, they might bring blockchain elements into existing franchises or launch new ones designed with blockchain in mind. In this way, they’re not simply on the sidelines but rather strategizing for the perfect opportunity to enter the blockchain gaming world in a way that feels both seamless and highly rewarding for their player base.
A lot of gamers who are fans of web3 are hoping for a shift that will allow players to essentially earn a living by playing ownership-enabled games. Do you consider this a possibility, and if so, how far off is this shift?
The idea of players earning a living through ownership-enabled games is a real possibility, but it’s likely further off than some fans hope. For this shift to happen at scale, blockchain games will need to balance fun gameplay, sustainable in-game economies, and fair earning opportunities—a combination that’s challenging to achieve without risking inflation, market saturation, or simply burning out players.
We’ve already seen hints of this with the play-to-earn model, where players can earn digital assets that have real-world value. However, many early models relied heavily on new players buying in to support the value of in-game assets, which wasn’t sustainable long-term. For earning potential to be stable and meaningful, games will need diversified, resilient economies where value isn’t just speculative but grounded in true demand and player engagement.
Realistically, the infrastructure and economic models needed for this shift to happen at a meaningful scale might take another few years to mature. During that time, we’ll likely see hybrid models emerge, where players can earn part-time income through tournaments, asset trading, or staking rewards while maintaining the core fun factor of gaming. For full-time gaming to become a viable livelihood, it may require further innovations in both blockchain technology and game design, along with broader player adoption to support and stabilize in-game economies. So while the dream is possible, it’s still in its early stages and will take thoughtful development to reach mainstream viability.
If you were a video game, what kind of game would you be?
If I were a video game, I’d be an open-world RPG with a unique blend of exploration, problem-solving, and character-building. Picture a vibrant world full of different regions—some with vast libraries of knowledge, others with mysterious puzzles and hidden lore. Players could embark on quests to uncover secrets, answer questions, and unlock new abilities based on their curiosity and interactions with the environment.
I’d also have a strong social element, where players could team up to tackle challenges together, share discoveries, and trade insights. Maybe even a dynamic, adaptive world where the more questions players ask, the more the world evolves, opening up new paths and possibilities. And of course, there would be a trusty AI companion who’s always ready with a hint or a clever piece of advice when players need it most.
So, I’d be a game that grows and adapts based on each player’s journey, where the goal isn’t just to reach the end but to explore, learn, and shape the experience along the way.
Thank you so much! Your responses have been very insightful. Do you have any final thoughts to leave with the readers of the Gala Games blog?
Thank you for the opportunity to share these insights! If I could leave Gala Games readers with one final thought, it’s this: blockchain gaming is more than just a new way to play—it’s a revolution in how players can interact, own, and even create value in virtual worlds. We’re still in the early days, but every game, every innovation, and every player who embraces this new frontier brings us closer to realizing the full potential of gaming in the web3 era.
So, keep exploring, stay curious, and remember that as a player, you’re a part of shaping this future. Your passion and feedback will drive the next generation of games to be not only more fun but also more meaningful and empowering. The best is truly yet to come!
