In this episode of CryptoCurrents, host Tori Madison welcomes Carlos Cameo and Íñigo Cavestany, the founders of Second World Games. These Madrid-based innovators are on a mission to shake up the gaming industry by fusing traditional gaming excellence with cutting-edge Web3 technologies.
Carlos Cameo, who developed his first game at the tender age of 14 and founded his first multi-million-dollar company at 18, is no stranger to the world of tech and entrepreneurship. He began his journey into game development with the explosion of mobile gaming and the launch of the Apple Store, which he leveraged to create the next viral hit. It was a bold leap from playing games to making them, driven by a deep passion for technology and innovation.
Íñigo Cavestany, on the other hand, was an avid gamer from a young age. Unlike Carlos, Íñigo’s path was not initially about coding but about competitive gameplay. He became one of Spain’s top players in the pro-gaming scene, a passion that ignited his love for technology and eventually led him to work at IBM. There, he honed his skills in blockchain and AI, setting the stage for his future in game development.
Their paths converged over a decade ago, leading to a successful collaboration that culminated in the founding of Second World Games in 2022. Their motivation was simple but profound: to create games that prioritized quality gameplay over speculative hype, a common pitfall in many Web3 ventures.
The duo observed that many crypto games were more focused on financial aspects than on providing an enjoyable gaming experience. This realization drove them to build games that not only incorporated blockchain technology but also offered the same level of enjoyment and engagement as traditional games.
Second World Games’ flagship titles, “Ball Guys: Furry Road” and “Second World: New Era,” exemplify this approach. “Ball Guys: Furry Road” is a multiplayer racing game where players compete by rolling their avatars to the finish line, aiming to top the global leaderboards. It’s a frenetic, fun experience designed to attract a wide audience.
“Second World: New Era,” on the other hand, is a more complex game that combines city-building and competitive battling, drawing inspiration from hits like Clash Royale and Clash of Clans. Players start in the Stone Age and progress through historical eras, building and defending their cities in a dynamic, evolving game world.
The real innovation, however, lies in their use of blockchain technology to ensure true ownership of in-game assets. Players can buy, sell, and trade their assets freely, with Second World Games having no control over their digital property. This approach democratizes asset ownership and brings a new level of transparency and fairness to the gaming world. Their upcoming token, $SWIO, will further integrate this ownership model, allowing for seamless transitions between games and enabling new revenue streams for players.
One of the most exciting initiatives from Second World Games is a novel integration of betting and gaming that allows players to wager their tokens in competitive battles. This system not only adds a new layer of excitement to the games but also provides a sustainable way for players to earn money based on their skills. For those not inclined to play, it offers opportunities for investment, where users can support top players and earn a share of their winnings, much like in traditional sports sponsorship.
Íñigo emphasizes that Web3’s potential lies in its collaborative nature, where open-source projects and community involvement can drive innovation. He highlights how this ecosystem fosters inclusivity and provides unique opportunities for new players to join and thrive in the gaming industry. This approach contrasts sharply with the often closed-off, data-driven strategies of traditional tech giants, offering a fresh and democratized way of building and enjoying digital experiences.
Carlos adds that the gaming industry is ripe for another revolution. He believes that while blockchain and NFTs offer powerful tools, the real breakthrough will come from leveraging these technologies in ways that provide genuine value and enjoyment to players. Second World Games is poised to be at the forefront of this shift, with a focus on creating high-quality, engaging games that integrate seamlessly with the new capabilities of Web3.
