The emergence of Web3 technology is forging a new era for the gaming industry. This evolution promises to transform our roles within virtual worlds from passive participants to active creators and owners. Central to this transformation is the groundbreaking gaming project Wanderers, a testament to the potential of Web3 to redefine gaming paradigms.
On the CryptoCurrents podcast, Tori Madison spoke with industry insiders Jamie King, Jenna Greenfield, and Nick Greenawalt about the impact of gaming on culture and personal development, the advent of Web3 technology, and how Wanderers is charting a new course in the gaming universe.
The Cultural and Personal Impact of Gaming
Gaming has long transcended its origins as mere digital entertainment, evolving into a significant cultural and personal phenomenon. Games such as “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” have left indelible marks on the fabric of gaming culture, pushing the boundaries of narrative, immersion, and player agency.
Gaming veteran Jamie King, Co-Founder of Rockstar games and former VP of Development for Grand Theft Auto, reminisces, “Grand Theft Auto San Andreas had such a massive impact on our lives (video game developers) to explore the culture of that time in America, and to repurpose it into a video game, that was a major opportunity.” King went on to win a group BAFTA award for Lifetime Achievement in Video Games, credited with over 85 video game titles, including Max Payne, Midnight Club, Bully, and Red Dead.
It is this massive impact on all involved that highlights just how powerful the medium’s ability to reflect and shape societal norms really is.
Wanderers: Pioneering Web3 Gaming
At the forefront of the Web3 gaming revolution is Wanderers, a project that encapsulates the future of interactive entertainment. Founded by Jenna Greenfield and Nick Greenawalt, Wanderers is a comprehensive science fiction universe powered by Web3 technology.
“Wanderers began in 2021. By trade, I’m an animator, and started seeing a rise in NFTs and thought… This could be a community collection with thousands of pieces… And it ultimately, exploded larger than I think any of us could have predicted,” explained Greenawalt.
“We want to be the new age Star Wars Universe. We were born out of Web 3. We started with a community from NFTs, but we can be so much more. And I think we’re pioneering a new path where there is no playbook,” Jenna Greenfield shared.
Wanderers leverages the principles of digital ownership inherent in Web3, enabling players to truly own, trade, and utilize in-game assets across its ecosystem. This approach enhances the gaming experience and also empowers players, making them stakeholders in the game’s universe.
The integration of digital collectibles, such as Wandernauts and Planets, into the gameplay adds depth and personalization, allowing players to customize their experiences in ways previously unimaginable.
Digital Ownership and Community Engagement
Unlike traditional games, where in-game assets remain confined within a single platform, Web3 enables a model of ownership that extends beyond the game itself. This shift fundamentally alters the player’s relationship with the game, transforming them from mere consumers to active participants with a stake in the game’s success.
“The reason why we are participating in this space is because there are so many interesting elements of ownership, especially this on-chain history that, essentially, is a source of truth,” says Greenawalt.
However, it is the community that is truly at the heart of this new gaming paradigm. Platforms like the Wanderers Codex exemplify how Web3 technology can foster deeply connected and engaged gaming communities, facilitating cross-platform experiences, digital identities, and an evolving utility and reward system, enriching the player experience and building a vibrant community around the game.
But when it comes to digital ownership, it has been weaved into Wanderers very story, “One of the elements that really interests me with blockchain and with Web3 gaming is the idea of audience participation… the idea of collaborative storytelling is, I think, a very interesting one,” says King.
The Future of Gaming with Web3
The introduction of Web3 technology into gaming heralds a future where players are not just participants but co-creators and stakeholders in expansive, interconnected digital worlds. Projects like Wanderers demonstrate the potential of Web3 to create immersive, interactive universes that offer players new levels of engagement, ownership, and empowerment.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the principles of digital ownership, community engagement, and immersive storytelling at the heart of Web3 gaming will increasingly come to define what games can be. This new era of gaming promises to bring players closer than ever to the worlds they inhabit, granting them the power to shape those worlds in their image.
The revolution of Web3 in gaming is changing how we play and revolutionizing the very essence of gaming itself. As technology advances and companies continue to unlock the next level in the evolution of digital entertainment, the possibilities for what gaming can become are as limitless as the universes waiting to be explored.
For deeper insights, make sure to listen to the full CryptoCurrents episode.
