80% Web 3 Gaming Market Could Come from Asia

According to a recent study by DappRadar and Pacific Meta, gamers in Asia are expected to dominate the Web3 gaming market. The study found that Asia currently accounts for 55% of the global gaming population, with 1.7 billion players, and is projected to make up 80% of all Web3 gamers. This is a remarkable figure, considering that some countries in the region, such as China and South Korea, have placed restrictions on gaming.

Despite the legal limitations, the study highlights examples such as Nexon's Web3 play with MapleStory Universe and Square Enix's upcoming Web3 game Symbiogenesis, both of which use Polygon, the most-preferred network for Web3 gaming from a game studio perspective. The study also reveals that the Asian market favors the roleplay game genre the most, such as Final Fantasy, Phantasy Star Online, or Genshin Impact.

While the interest in Web3 gaming is substantial, it still has a ways to go before it sees mainstream adoption. The study shows that in Japan, where over 1,000 adults were surveyed, 40% knew about blockchain games, with nearly 57% saying Web3 games "seem interesting." When asked about the types of blockchain games they'd be interested in, respondents said they prefer games that are free-to-play and playable on mobile phones. They also indicated that player earnings, game quality, consoles, and famous IP were less important than the platform and initial cost.

As Web3 games become more focused on gameplay over financials, the study suggests that both western and eastern audiences will come to expect similar experiences. Although big brands like Razer and FIFA are doubling down on Web3 gaming projects, the industry still has a long way to go before it reaches mainstream adoption.