The gaming industry continues to experience notable annual growth. And with this expansion, the potential role of blockchain technology in enhancing the sector is gaining attention. This interest has fuelled the rise of the GameFi sector, where gaming applications are exploring web3 gaming infrastructure. This exploration incorporates features such as play-to-earn models and gaming NFTs, reflecting a shift towards integrating blockchain technology in gaming. This article explores Mantle Network's contribution to the advancement of GameFi and examines the role of AI in enhancing gaming experiences. Additionally, it looks at how AI serves as a bridge between web2 and web3 gaming environments.
Exploring the Potential of GameFi
The GameFi sector is experiencing significant growth and is projected to continue this trend in the coming years. In 2021, the GameFi industry was valued at $9 billion. It is expected to reach a valuation of $90.5 billion in 2031. Institutional entities have taken note of these remarkable growth figures, demonstrating significant interest in the field. This interest can be seen in recent investments from key players such as Animoca Brands, who recently became TON Blockchain's largest validator and will provide funding, research, and an analytics platform for third-party TON ecosystem mini-apps. The growing emphasis institutions are placing on GameFi is highlighted by this specific partnership. The reason behind this focus stems from the belief that the future of gaming lies within blockchain technology. Institutions speculate that a significant migration of web2 users to web3 gaming platforms will occur.
Mantle Network's Architectural Edge and Its Impact on GameFi Growth
Play-to-Earn (P2E) games are gaining popularity within the GameFi industry as numerous gaming platforms develop complex in-game economies that generate significant microtransactions. These platforms require a robust building infrastructure capable of handling a high volume of transactions per second (TPS). Thanks to its modular structure, Mantle Network has clocked 500 TPS without issue, making it an exceptionally competitive ecosystem for development. Mantle Network is set to boost its competitive edge further with the upcoming migration of Mantle DA to EigenDA. EigenLayer has specifically noted the impact of this migration on gaming, stating that:
"In private testing with a set of 100 nodes with standard performance characteristics, EigenDA has demonstrated a throughput of up to 10 MBps, and has a roadmap to scale to 1 GBps. This opens the door for bandwidth-intensive applications like multiplayer gaming and video streaming on top of Ethereum."
Mantle also stands out by providing some of the lowest transaction fees among L2 solutions. This cost-efficiency not only enhances the player experience by making in-game financial activities more accessible, but also presents a sustainable model for developers aiming to create intricate in-game economies. Additionally, EIP-4844, part of the Dencun Upgrade, will reduce the cost of posting L2 rollup data to Ethereum mainnet via blobs, further strengthening Mantle Network's ability to become a hub for GameFi dApps.
Fueling GameFi Expansion: The Role of GameFi dApps
One of Mantle's showcase applications, HyperPlay, illustrates the innovative direction that GameFi dApps are taking to ensure the sector thrives. This web3-native game launcher stands out by offering gamers the ability to effortlessly integrate their wallets, NFTs, tokens, and game achievements across a multitude of games.
By providing a web3-native game store that also includes popular platforms like the Epic Store and GOG, HyperPlay offers players a wide variety of web2 and web3 games. Hyperplay is set to expand its reach by integrating with several other gaming distribution platforms. This strategy aims to attract a wide audience, and is expected to draw many gamers to their platform. HyperPlay prioritizes tackling key challenges disrupting the gaming industry — restrictive platform policies and high fees imposed on developers. Addressing these issues helps lower the barriers to entry into the gaming world, and promote a more innovative and diverse gaming environment.
Mantle Network supports HyperPlay in a number of ways. For instance, it provides a secure and cost-effective tech stack for Hyperplay's backend metasystem, allowing players to mint their achievements on Mantle safely and affordably. Additionally, it's important to highlight Mantle's contribution to the development of HyperPlay. By providing the majority of the seed round funding, Mantle is playing a pivotal role in helping HyperPlay advance toward their ambition of becoming the preferred web3 game store.
For all you avid gamers out there interested in gaining access to a plethora of web2 and web3 games, be sure to check out HyperPlay.
Empowering Gaming dApps: Mantle Network's Ecosystem Support
Mantle Network not only provides gaming dApps with a robust tech stack, but also plays a vital role in their development through its ecosystem support initiatives. Applications developed on Mantle Network benefit from its vast and engaging community. Mantle has been proactive in utilizing this advantage by launching initiatives to direct traffic to gaming dApps within its ecosystem. This approach is demonstrated within Astra: OmniRise, a web3-based MMORPG built on Mantle Network. Citizens of Mantle holders were awarded the opportunity to mint rarer Astra: OmniRise NFTs, which are integral to the game. Such initiatives motivate the Mantle community to engage with these gaming dApps, facilitating their overall growth.
To stay in the loop with Astra: OmniRise's latest developments and upcoming release, follow their X/Twitter or visit their official website. Astra: Omnirise NFTs are also available on Mintle, so go ahead and check them out.
The Role of AI in GameFi
As artificial intelligence (AI) drives advancements across various sectors, attention is shifting towards its role in propelling the GameFi industry forward. GeeZee, Mantle’s gaming business development lead, emphasizes this evolution, stating, “Gaming has always revolved around delivering engaging experiences. Technologies such as AI and Blockchain fundamentally redefine the way gamers engage with each other and content. Consequently, these technologies becoming an integral part of the gaming industry is not merely a possibility but an inevitable evolution.”
AI is playing a pivotal role in rapidly advancing gaming technology and the overall growth of the gaming industry. While it might not always be apparent, there is significant work involving AI unfolding behind the scenes in gaming architecture.
Game Design
The most apparent use case is AI-based game design. Procedural AI generation can significantly streamline the development of GameFi products. Although particular aspects of game design are better handled by human creativity, AI can effectively balance in-game systems and generate game levels procedurally. AI enables the creation of expansive open-world environments and reduces routine tasks. It offers level designers complete levels as starting points, which they can then refine and customize. This significantly cuts down the time required for developing each level.
AI-based game design is why web3 gaming dApps are creating more extensive and engaging gaming environments, leading to a greater user experience, which is significantly contributing towards the development of the GameFi space.
NPC Behavior
AI is also enhancing NPC (Non-Player Character) behavior in gaming, particularly in the context of web3. AI technology has made significant strides in creating more realistic and responsive NPCs. This involves complex algorithms that allow NPCs to exhibit more human-like behavior, allowing for more dynamic interactions. For instance, NPCs can now adapt to player actions in real time, offering a more immersive and engaging gaming experience. Leading video game titles typically launch a game that serves as a standard template, leading to each player experiencing an identical gaming experience. Now, with the help of AI, gaming applications can provide unique experiences to each player. This was logistically impractical in the past, but now that it has become achievable, it's set to transform the gaming industry as we understand it.
In the context of GameFi and web3, AI-driven NPCs can play an integral role in decentralized gaming ecosystems. They can be used to guide players through complex game mechanics, particularly in games with economic and financial elements. This infrastructure is exactly what is required to facilitate the transition of web2 users to web3 gaming dApps. Something that tends to deter web2 users from transitioning to the web3 space stems from a lack of familiarity with interacting with blockchain technology. However, this challenge can be mitigated through AI-driven NPCs, as they can guide users through the entire process, effectively bridging the gap in understanding and experience.
The Future Looks Bright For GameFi
The GameFi sector has made significant strides in recent years, and many believe its impressive growth statistics will continue. Gaming dApps themselves have undergone substantial improvements in quality and user experience thanks to advancements in blockchain technology. The enhancements in infrastructure have also played a considerable role. A prime example is HyperPlay's integration of MetaMask Snaps. This feature lets players utilize custom wallet apps directly within games, simplifying the interaction with blockchain-based gaming. Such advancements are pivotal in lowering the entry barriers for web2 users. The more accessible web3 technology becomes to these users, the greater the likelihood of widespread adoption and success.
The synergy between AI and gaming is set to accelerate the evolution of web3 gaming by enhancing gameplay and facilitating the transition of web2 gamers into the web3 space. It's becoming increasingly apparent that gaming dApps are just beginning to tap into the potential of AI. Once AI becomes a core component in gaming enhancement, the GameFi sector will benefit significantly, and Mantle Network is positioning itself to become a hub for gaming dApps. If you're interested in delving deeper into the ecosystem, consider exploring some gaming dApps on Mantle Network here.
