In Southeast Asia, blockchain gaming continues to grow massively bolstered by several factors such as the region’s large, digitally-native population, mobile phone and internet penetration, as well as the attractiveness of cryptocurrency as a potential income stream. The region’s Web3 gaming market is expected to grow rapidly to US$3 billion by 2032, representing an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40.1 per cent.

This rapid growth in blockchain gaming brings along potential beyond our wildest imaginations. By leveraging blockchain technology to enhance the playing experience of classic, widely played games, we can effectively guide Web2 gamers towards engaging with and embracing Web3 technologies.

Asia, which is home to approximately 1.5 billion gamers, with a vast majority of them being Web2 gamers, holds immense potential in introducing more players to the world of Web3 via blockchain gaming. Merging the ubiquity of traditional games with the innovative possibilities of blockchain, promises to modernise classical games and breathe new life into our favourite, age-old pastimes – from attracting new audiences to engaging players with new gameplay.

What if we add blockchain elements to a classic game enjoyed by 700 million players?

Game developers are exploring ways to innovate by tapping into the widespread appeal of beloved games. Blockchain games are showcasing how expanding upon the foundations of a classic game can reshape its timeless appeal through new ideas and imagination, without intending to replace the cherished original.

Take chess for instance, a game enjoyed by over 700 million players worldwide and undoubtedly one of the most enduring and beloved games for thousands of years. An example of this innovation is Anichess, a decentralised chess variant that adds a unique spell layer to the classic game. In partnership with Chess.com, the world’s most popular chess website, Anichess is co-creating a platform to introduce chess players and gamers to Web3 gaming.

Unlike Web2-based games, blockchain games enable players to truly own in-game items which can also be used across different games and platforms, allowing them to maximise the utility of their assets and enjoy cross-game ecosystems.

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However, it remains essential to focus on building games that are genuinely fun to play first, then integrate blockchain where it truly adds value to players. Games that succeed long-term are those that enhance gameplay through blockchain, rather than those that simply focus on blockchain.

For example, Anichess introduces a unique spell layer to the gameplay, adding a new level of dynamism to the classic chess experience. While embracing the fundamental rules and structure of traditional chess, this innovation not only enhances strategy and enjoyment with special spells but also levels the playing field between novices and grandmasters, giving players a fair chance to compete against those with more experience.

In addition to the fun factor, the game integrates blockchain technology by allowing players to collect items such as spells, chess piece cosmetics and battle passes on the blockchain, thus providing gamers with greater control and ownership over the game.

By fusing blockchain elements to the traditional 8×8 board game, it is revitalising chess for the approximately 270 million strong gaming community in Southeast Asia and a whopping 826 million gamers in Asia.

Enhancing the social and economic impact of chess through blockchain

While chess has traditionally been a two-player game, decentralising it on the blockchain allows for players and developers to enhance its community-driven aspects. A Decentralised Autonomous Organisation (DAO) structure enables players to vote on rule changes or features, creating the foundation for open innovation — allowing the community to carve the future of the game together and reflecting the true desire of all the players.

Blockchain also enables open networks to grow in value based on various factors such as number of users and investment. A key element in Web3 networks, which are open and permissionless by design, is cultural capital — intangibles like knowledge, skills and experience. Chess players, who tend to be inherently competitive and strategic, form a unique type of cultural capital, making the network even more valuable.

Chess tournaments also feed into the play-and-earn Web3 game model, giving chess players the opportunity to monetise their skills and turn chess into an exciting source of potential income for anyone. This particularly expands its appeal to a large audience of younger players and especially appeals to the significant unbanked population in Southeast Asia.

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Chess is just one example; we will see more traditional games beginning to integrate blockchain elements. This integration maintains the fun aspect while bringing benefits of ownership, social interaction, and economic opportunities to the existing fans of these traditional games.

Putting player engagement at the heart of revitalising classic games

We are continuing to see blockchain-enabled games go mainstream, with the lines between Web2 and Web3 gaming becoming increasingly blurred. Blockchain-based games are not only bridging generational gaps by appealing to both seasoned gamers and tech-savvy youth exploring blockchain-powered games, but getting more audiences exploring possibilities of Web3 in an engaging and accessible manner.

The innovative blend of Web3 elements with traditional gaming never fails to captivate me. By enabling the creation of vibrant, community-driven gaming ecosystems, this exciting fusion promises to revitalise beloved classical games for generations to come. I also believe that Southeast Asia is at the forefront of mainstream adoption of these Web3-enabled traditional games.

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