The Round Table: Fostering Sustainable and Engaging Web3 Gaming Communities

By Ana-Maria Touza Medina

The landscape of online gaming has undergone a significant transformation with the emergence of Web3 technology. Web3 gaming projects are redefining the relationship between players and games by incorporating principles of ownership, community engagement, and decentralized ecosystems. In order to address the challenges faced by these projects, a new initiative called The Round Table has emerged, aiming to provide support, education, and community-building for Web3 gaming endeavors. This article is based on an interview with Brendan Mulhern, Operation Lead for “The Round Table”.

Understanding the Challenges

Web3 gaming projects face distinct challenges when it comes to onboarding and retaining users, primarily due to the shift in player motivations from Web2 to Web3. In the traditional Web2 gaming landscape, players were primarily driven by the desire for engaging and immersive experiences. The focus was on gameplay, storylines, and competition within the game itself.

However, the introduction of Web3 technology has brought about a fundamental change in player motivations. In addition to seeking enjoyable gaming experiences, Web3 gamers are also motivated by the potential for value extraction and ownership within the game’s ecosystem. The advent of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and blockchain technology has empowered players to truly own in-game assets and participate in the value-creation process.

This shift in player motivations presents a challenge for Web3 gaming projects. On one hand, they need to provide compelling and immersive gameplay experiences that cater to the traditional gamer’s desires for competition, dominance, and entertainment. On the other hand, they must also address the needs of speculators who are looking to profit and extract value from their participation in the game.

The Round Table recognizes the importance of balancing these divergent motivations and creating games that appeal to both types of players. While gamers are passionate about engaging gameplay and the joy of playing, speculators are motivated by the potential for financial gains. By understanding and addressing these differing motivations, The Round Table aims to work with games that embrace both player types and provide a holistic experience that combines entertainment and value creation.

To achieve this, The Round Table emphasizes the need for projects to foster community involvement that aligns with the team’s vision and motivations. By building a strong and inclusive community, projects can create an environment where gamers and speculators can coexist and thrive. This community-driven approach ensures that the game respects the core motivation of ownership and provides opportunities for players to contribute, participate, and share in the value created within the game’s ecosystem.

The Round Table is committed to fostering sustainable and wide participation in Web3 gaming projects. This involves supporting game protocols and encouraging speculators to see the opportunities within the gaming ecosystem. We would like to see a convergence from speculators to active gamers.- Brendan Mulhern

By addressing the challenges posed by divergent player motivations, The Round Table will create a more inclusive and sustainable Web3 gaming environment. Their goal is to partner with games that not only captivate gamers with immersive experiences but also provide opportunities for speculators to actively participate and benefit from the value creation within the game. Through this balanced approach, The Round Table aims to foster a thriving ecosystem that caters to the evolving needs and motivations of Web3 gamers.

The Role of The Round Table:

The Round Table plays a vital role in the Web3 gaming industry by acting as a catalyst for sustainable gaming projects. Recognizing the challenges faced by Web3 gaming projects in addressing divergent player motivations, The Round Table aims to support projects that align with its vision of sustainable gaming models.

One of the key roles of The Round Table is education. The world of Web3 gaming can be complex and overwhelming, especially for those new to the space. The Round Table takes on the responsibility of educating players by breaking down complex concepts into more manageable and understandable pieces. This educational outreach helps players gain a better understanding of the underlying technology, the opportunities within the game’s ecosystem, and the potential for value creation.

By providing educational resources and creating avenues for players to explore opportunities, The Round Table empowers gamers to grow their value within the game’s ecosystem. This focus on education and growth aligns with the core motivation of ownership in Web3 gaming. The Round Table understands that for a game to be successful, it needs to build a community or “tribe” that not only understands the dynamics of Web3 gaming but also shares the team’s vision and motivations.

In addition to education, The Round Table actively fosters community involvement. It creates spaces and events where players can come together, share their experiences, and strategize ways to maximize their participation in the game’s ecosystem. By nurturing a strong and inclusive community, The Round Table helps projects mitigate the detrimental effects of value extraction. It encourages players to actively contribute to the game’s protocol, participate in governance decisions, and collaborate with the development team to shape the future of the game.

The Round Table’s approach is centered around promoting ownership and aligning the community’s interests with the team’s vision. This focus on sustainable gaming models ensures that the value created within the game’s ecosystem is shared among the players and contributes to the long-term success and growth of the project.

Overall, The Round Table’s role is multi-faceted. It provides education, fosters community involvement, and creates opportunities for growth within Web3 gaming projects. By supporting projects that embrace sustainable gaming models and promote ownership, The Round Table aims to mitigate the detrimental effects of value extraction and build a thriving ecosystem where players can enjoy immersive gaming experiences while actively participating in the value creation process.

The Round Table (TRT) on Twitter: "🛡️ The Round Table Beta Test Team is thrilled to share its efforts towards building web3 and fostering communities with quality projects. 🏰 We are proud to announce our collaboration with @cradlesio for their upcoming beta test, scheduled to take place from 6/15-7/15. 📅 🧵👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/JKM1tawljG / Twitter"

🛡️ The Round Table Beta Test Team is thrilled to share its efforts towards building web3 and fostering communities with quality projects. 🏰 We are proud to announce our collaboration with @cradlesio for their upcoming beta test, scheduled to take place from 6/15-7/15. 📅 🧵👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/JKM1tawljG

Onboarding and Retention

Onboarding and retaining users are crucial aspects of Web3 gaming projects. To achieve success in these areas, projects must focus on establishing conviction among their target audience and providing a compelling experience that keeps players engaged over the long term. The Round Table recognizes the importance of these factors and aims to bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3 gamers to facilitate a smooth transition into the decentralized gaming world.

Transparency is a key element in onboarding users to Web3 gaming projects. By clearly communicating the development stage of the game and being transparent about its roadmap and future plans, projects can set the right expectations for their target audience. This transparency helps establish conviction among potential players and creates a sense of trust and confidence in the project’s vision and capabilities.

The Round Table recognizes the value of Web2 gamers and actively works to engage and educate them about the opportunities and benefits of Web3 gaming. By offering educational content and resources, The Round Table helps traditional gamers understand the fundamental differences between Web2 and Web3 gaming and guides them through the process of transitioning to the decentralized world. This educational outreach plays a crucial role in bridging the gap and expanding the user base of Web3 gaming projects.

In addition to education, user retention is essential for the long-term success of Web3 gaming projects. The Round Table acknowledges the importance of solid mechanics and a fun game loop in keeping players engaged and coming back for more. A well-designed game with rewarding gameplay experiences, exciting challenges, and opportunities for progression can captivate players and encourage them to stay involved.

Furthermore, fostering a welcoming and supportive community culture is vital for user retention. The Round Table recognizes the significance of building a community that embraces collaboration, inclusivity, and positive interactions among players. By creating an environment where players can connect, share experiences, and help each other, projects can foster a sense of belonging and loyalty among their user base.

Another crucial aspect of user retention is the ability for players to accumulate value over time. The Round Table understands the importance of providing opportunities for players to grow their value within the game’s ecosystem. This can be achieved through various means, such as in-game rewards, asset ownership, and participation in the project’s governance. By allowing players to actively participate in the value-creation process, projects can enhance the overall gaming experience and incentivize long-term engagement.

In summary, onboarding and retaining users in Web3 gaming projects require a combination of factors. The Round Table emphasizes the need for transparency, education, solid mechanics, a fun game loop, and a welcoming community culture. By addressing these aspects, projects can effectively onboard new users, retain existing ones, and create a thriving ecosystem that attracts and retains players in the decentralized gaming world.

Addressing Resource Constraints

The burden of community education and engagement can indeed strain the resources of Web3 gaming project teams, making it challenging to allocate sufficient time and effort to develop the end product. The Round Table recognizes this challenge and has devised strategies to mitigate resource constraints while still fostering community involvement and education.

One approach employed by The Round Table is to establish partnerships with knowledgeable sub-communities. These sub-communities possess expertise in various aspects of Web3 gaming, such as blockchain technology, decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and community management. By leveraging these partnerships, The Round Table can tap into the collective knowledge and experience of these communities and leverage their expertise to support projects in their ecosystem.

By partnering with knowledgeable sub-communities, The Round Table can offload some of the community-related responsibilities to these experts. This allows project teams to focus more on the core development of the game and allocate their resources more efficiently. The Round Table acts as a facilitator, connecting project teams with the right resources and expertise, and enabling them to benefit from the specialized knowledge of these sub-communities.

In addition to providing value-added services through partnerships, The Round Table also plays a role in shouldering some of the community-related responsibilities directly. This includes organizing educational initiatives, hosting webinars or workshops, and creating content that helps educate and engage the community. By taking on these responsibilities, The Round Table allows project teams to allocate their resources to areas where they can have the most impact, such as game design, programming, and user experience.

Moreover, The Round Table serves as a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration among projects. By facilitating interactions and fostering a sense of community among the teams, The Round Table enables knowledge exchange and collaboration on common challenges. This collective effort can help alleviate the resource constraints faced by individual projects and promote a more efficient use of resources within the ecosystem.

By addressing resource constraints through partnerships, value-added services, and community collaboration, The Round Table plays a vital role in enabling Web3 gaming projects to allocate their resources more efficiently. This approach ensures that project teams can focus on developing the end-product while still benefiting from the educational and community engagement initiatives facilitated by The Round Table. Ultimately, this collaborative approach helps create a more sustainable and thriving ecosystem for Web3 gaming.

The Round Table (TRT) on Twitter: "🚨Intrigue #1: KILLER genre🚨Team-based shooters? CoolBattle-royale? Been there, done that@playShrapnel is the next evolution - ExtractionRisk for Reward. Expect the Unexpected 💢Replayability ➿ + Persistent Progression 📈Ready to redefine the Battlefield?Be there. pic.twitter.com/NESOPlORjD / Twitter"

🚨Intrigue #1: KILLER genre🚨Team-based shooters? CoolBattle-royale? Been there, done that@playShrapnel is the next evolution - ExtractionRisk for Reward. Expect the Unexpected 💢Replayability ➿ + Persistent Progression 📈Ready to redefine the Battlefield?Be there. pic.twitter.com/NESOPlORjD

Community as a Service

The concept of “community-as-a-service” introduced by The Round Table underscores the significance of communities in the success and sustainability of Web3 gaming ecosystems. The Round Table recognizes that communities bring a wealth of talents, expertise, and passion to the table, making them a valuable asset for gaming projects.

Under the “community-as-a-service” framework, sub-communities within the Web3 gaming ecosystem offer a diverse range of services that benefit their gaming partners. These services can include community moderation, content creation, technical development, community management, marketing support, and more. By tapping into the collective talents and expertise of Web3 gamers and enthusiasts, The Round Table aims to enhance the overall quality of gaming ecosystems and foster their long-term sustainability.

One of the key advantages of the “community-as-a-service” concept is that it allows gaming projects to leverage the strengths and capabilities of specialized sub-communities. These sub-communities have deep knowledge and experience in specific areas related to Web3 gaming, such as blockchain technology, decentralized finance (DeFi), or NFTs. By partnering with these sub-communities, gaming projects can benefit from their expertise and tap into a wider pool of resources.

For example, a gaming project may collaborate with a sub-community that specializes in community management. This sub-community can help establish and maintain a vibrant and engaged community around the game, ensuring that players feel connected, supported, and motivated to participate. This, in turn, enhances user retention and fosters a positive gaming experience.

Similarly, another gaming project may partner with a sub-community that excels in technical development. This sub-community can contribute to the development of game features, smart contracts, or other technical aspects, improving the overall quality and functionality of the game.

At The Round Table, for example, our Head of Operations, Andy Craven, who is a computer games industry pioneer responsible for shipping the first-ever mass market Star Wars Title, is now a solidity developer creating tools and use cases for NFT holders. The services a sub-community can offer are diverse and dependant on its own unique capabilities, and in providing those services, they can add substantial value to their Web3 gaming partners.- Brendan Mulhern

By embracing the concept of “community-as-a-service,” The Round Table creates an environment where gaming projects can easily access these specialized services and expertise. This approach not only helps individual projects overcome resource constraints but also facilitates collaboration and knowledge sharing within the Web3 gaming ecosystem.

Furthermore, by empowering sub-communities to provide valuable services, The Round Table fosters a sense of ownership and engagement among community members. It recognizes and rewards the contributions made by community members, incentivizing their continued participation and dedication. This, in turn, strengthens the overall sustainability of the gaming ecosystem and encourages a virtuous cycle of growth and innovation.

In summary, the concept of “community-as-a-service” introduced by The Round Table highlights the integral role of communities in Web3 gaming ecosystems. By tapping into the talents and expertise of sub-communities, gaming projects can benefit from specialized services, enhance the quality of their offerings, and foster long-term sustainability. This collaborative approach not only addresses resource constraints but also promotes a vibrant and engaged community that contributes to the success of Web3 gaming projects.

Measuring Success and Future Opportunities

The Round Table’s success in community engagement and educational outreach efforts can be measured through various key performance indicators (KPIs) that reflect the growth and active participation of the community. These KPIs include metrics such as community size, engagement rate, active contributors, event attendance, and the overall impact of educational initiatives.

Community growth is an important indicator of success, as it demonstrates the increasing interest and involvement of individuals within the Web3 gaming ecosystem. The Round Table measures community growth by tracking the number of new members joining their community channels, such as Discord or Telegram, as well as the growth of their social media following.

Active participation is another significant metric that indicates the level of engagement and involvement within The Round Table’s community. This can be measured by tracking the number of active community members who regularly contribute, participate in discussions, provide feedback, or engage in community-led initiatives.

Event involvement is another important KPI that reflects the success of The Round Table’s efforts. The organization can measure the number of attendees and participants in events such as webinars, workshops, gaming tournaments, or conferences organized by The Round Table. Additionally, they can gauge the impact of these events by collecting feedback and testimonials from participants.

Furthermore, The Round Table can measure success by tracking the outcomes and achievements of their educational initiatives. This can include the number of individuals who successfully transition from Web2 to Web3 gaming, the level of understanding and adoption of decentralized gaming concepts, and the overall impact of educational content in empowering individuals within the Web3 space.

In addition to these KPIs, The Round Table offers opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs, and creators to contribute to and benefit from their initiatives. Investors can engage with The Round Table by exploring vetted projects that align with their investment goals and values. By investing in these projects, they support the growth of sustainable Web3 gaming models.

Entrepreneurs and creators can collaborate with The Round Table on various engaging content variations, such as educational videos, articles, or podcasts. These collaborations can help disseminate knowledge and raise awareness about Web3 gaming, reaching a wider audience and fostering community growth.

Moreover, The Round Table offers a beta tester program, allowing community members to participate in the testing and development of new gaming projects. This provides an opportunity for individuals to be involved in the early stages of game development, contribute their feedback, and have a direct impact on shaping the future of Web3 gaming.

By empowering its community members and facilitating their growth within the Web3 space, The Round Table aims to create a thriving ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders. The organization’s success lies in the active engagement and participation of its community, as well as the measurable impact of its educational initiatives and collaborations.

The dragun on Twitter: "🎮 BIG NEWS: @TheRoundTableGG Beta Testing Team is Recruiting!🌟 LIMITED MEMBERSHIP available! Experience the ultimate privilege: early access to groundbreaking games, potential meetings with visionary creators, and EPIC giveaways!🔥 Be part of an exclusive gaming elite.🧵⬇️ pic.twitter.com/2cg8I2RTNo / Twitter"

🎮 BIG NEWS: @TheRoundTableGG Beta Testing Team is Recruiting!🌟 LIMITED MEMBERSHIP available! Experience the ultimate privilege: early access to groundbreaking games, potential meetings with visionary creators, and EPIC giveaways!🔥 Be part of an exclusive gaming elite.🧵⬇️ pic.twitter.com/2cg8I2RTNo

The Round Table: A Catalyst

The Round Table serves as a catalyst for the sustainable growth of Web3 gaming projects. By recognizing the divergent motivations of gamers and speculators, The Round Table strives to develop games that embrace both player types, creating engaging and immersive experiences while also offering opportunities for value extraction.

The organization understands the challenges faced by Web3 gaming projects, particularly in onboarding and retaining users. To address these challenges, The Round Table focuses on establishing conviction by being transparent about development stages and identifying target audiences. By bridging the gap between Web2 and Web3 gamers through educational content and support, they facilitate the transition to decentralized gaming.

User retention is crucial, and The Round Table recognizes the importance of solid mechanics, a fun game loop, and a welcoming community culture. These elements contribute to the accumulation of value over time and ensure a rewarding gaming experience for players.

Resource constraints can hinder the development of Web3 gaming projects, but The Round Table mitigates this challenge by partnering with knowledgeable sub-communities. By leveraging their expertise and support, The Round Table allows project teams to allocate their resources more efficiently, focusing on game development while community-related responsibilities are shared.

The Round Table introduces the concept of “community-as-a-service,” acknowledging the integral role that communities play in the success of Web3 gaming ecosystems. By tapping into the collective talents and expertise of Web3 gamers and enthusiasts, The Round Table enhances the quality of gaming ecosystems and fosters long-term sustainability.

Success for The Round Table is measured through KPIs such as community growth, active participation, and event involvement. Investors, entrepreneurs, and creators can contribute to and benefit from The Round Table’s initiatives by investing in vetted projects, collaborating on engaging content variations, and participating in the beta tester program. Ultimately, The Round Table aims to empower its community members and facilitate their growth within the Web3 space.

In a rapidly evolving Web3 gaming landscape, The Round Table’s efforts to create sustainable gaming communities, address challenges, and foster ownership and value creation are essential for the long-term success of the industry. Through collaboration, education, and community engagement, The Round Table paves the way for a vibrant and thriving Web3 gaming future.

Connect with The Round Table: Discord.com/theroundtablegg

This article is sponsored by Blockstars.

Blockstars

Blockstars’ mission is to enable human connections, competition & collaboration that motivate a desire to be remarkable. We are also developing an amazing free-to-play mobile game that will be realeased this summer. Check our socials to enter to win early access!

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The Round Table: Fostering Sustainable and Engaging Web3 Gaming Communities was originally published in gam3on on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.