From the Pac-Man,  Pokemon and Super Mario to the current player-owned universes. The early days of gaming intellectual property (IP) were relatively straightforward. 

Where Iconic characters like Pac-Man — the Yellow Dot-muncher and the Moustachioed Super Mario were synonymous with their respective games, these games still bring nostalgic memories even when they are mentioned.

You might remember the Pac-Man character charm and the power palettes that won our hearts. Or Super Mario power-ups, the hidden blocks and story elements which you most likely fell in love with.

To some, they were heroes, but these heroes didn’t just captivate us on screen; they leapt into our world through TV shows, lunch boxes, cards and other merchandise, marking the first forays into broader IP integration.

You most likely had a sticker, or a lunch box, or a school bag or your room was Marvel-themed or something else which you remember now. The pride it gave having those items and playing the characters in games was incredible. You’d agree those were some fun days, right?

But It’s over decades since these IP games were released, and one reality stands true even today — these IPs were tightly controlled, with licensing deals carefully managed to maintain brand integrity.

But as gaming evolved, so did gaming IP integration and the expectation for control

This evolution started in the 1990s down to the 2000s. Where players could now race as Spider-Man in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 or fight alongside Batman in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. Can you remember the excitement you felt if you played these games?

These strategic IP Integrations and collaborations expanded game universes and attracted new audiences. With new multiplayer online games (MMOs) popping off, like World of Warcraft, where players could purchase themed items and mounts,

This laid the groundwork for today’s microtransaction-based economies in games like Fortnite, where players eagerly snap up skins of their favourite Marvel or Star Wars characters, and this was a norm for the next generation of games until recently.

Right now, Web3 gaming is redefining IP integration once again. This time, it is going beyond gaming characters, and it’s creating a new plain field for inclusivity across different communities and ownership models. 

No longer are players merely consumers of carefully controlled brands; they’re becoming stakeholders in the gaming brands they love.

This shift in IP integration prompts us to ask: How is Web3 gaming redefining IP integration? And what does it mean when players can truly own and influence the virtual worlds they love?

Beyond Characters: How Web3 Gaming Redifines IP Integration

Take Axie Infinity, for example. It is a blockchain-based game that allows players to truly own their in-game assets as NFTs. When Sky Mavis (the game’s creator) partnered with CyberKongz to develop a new game, it wasn’t just a cosmetic change – 

Players gained the ability to own and trade assets within this collaborative IP, enhancing their gaming experience. This brought two distinct communities together, both the Axie game with Cyberkongz Play & Kollect game, in the evolving Ronin ecosystem.

Similarly, The Sandbox partnered with renowned brands like Snoop Dogg, The Walking Dead, and Warner Music Group. This partnership allowed players to engage with these iconic IPs while also creating and monetizing their own experiences within these themed environments. 

Through the partnership with Snoop Dogg, players can explore his virtual mansion, attend exclusive concerts, and utilize unique Snoop Dogg avatars and items. The collaboration with The Walking Dead allows players to incorporate characters and elements from the popular series into their gameplay. 

Additionally, the Warner Music Group partnership brings immersive music experiences to The Sandbox, letting players buy LAND adjacent to WMG properties and interact with their favourite artists in innovative ways.

Most importantly, these strategic IP integrations in web3 gaming go beyond characters. It shifts towards player ownership and creation. And it’s changing how we perceive and interact with gaming IP, blurring the lines between creator, player, and owner in exciting new ways. 

Aside from Axie Infinity & Sandbox, what are the other Strategic IP Integration Models in Web3 Gaming?

Strategic IP Integration Models in Web3 Gaming

In 2021, the blockchain gaming market was valued at $4.6 billion. By 2027, it’s projected to reach a staggering $65.7 billion, growing at a CAGR of 70.3%. This explosive growth is reshaping how we think about gaming IPs.

A found case study would be Decentraland, a leading metaverse project, that saw virtual real estate sales exceed $500 million in 2021. Some virtual plots sold for millions, with brands like Samsung and Adidas purchasing “land” to integrate their IPs into the metaverse.

Even traditional gaming giants are taking notice. Ubisoft, a major game publisher, launched Ubisoft Quartz, introducing NFTs called “Digits” into their AAA game “Ghost Recon Breakpoint.” While met with mixed reactions, it shows a significant shift in how major IPs might be integrated into the Web3 space.

The lines between game developers, players, and IP holders are blurring. And Web3 has created a new opportunity for Strategic IP Integration Models in Web3 Gaming:

Fractional Ownership of IP

In Web3 gaming, fractional ownership allows players to own a piece of the game’s IP. For instance, in games like “The Sandbox,” players can purchase virtual land as NFTs. This land can be developed, sold, or rented, giving players a stake in the game world’s IP.

Animoca Brands’ “The Sandbox” allows players to buy LAND tokens, representing ownership of digital real estate within the game. These LAND owners can create experiences on their property, effectively becoming part-owners of the game’s evolving IP.

Time-limited IP Events and Exclusivity

Web3 games are introducing time-sensitive events featuring exclusive IP integrations. These events create scarcity and drive engagement.

Decentraland hosted a virtual Sotheby’s auction house, featuring limited-time art exhibitions and sales. This blend of real-world IP (Sotheby’s) with the virtual world created a unique, time-bound experience for users.

Cross-chain IP Collaborations

Web3 gaming enables IP to exist across different blockchain networks, fostering unprecedented collaborations and The Enjin ecosystem leads the way in this Cros chain of IP collaborations. Allowing for cross-chain asset transfers. 

A character from one blockchain game could potentially appear in another game on a different blockchain, creating rich, interconnected gaming universes.

NFTs as a Vehicle for Unique IP Experiences

NFTs allow for verifiably unique in-game items, creating new ways to experience IP. Remember the NBA Top Shot? They offered NFTs of iconic basketball moments from Iconic Basketball players. 

And these could be integrated into basketball-themed Web3 games, allowing players to use their moments in gameplay. But most importantly, allowing players to own the rights to the NFTs, which is different from owning a basketball card.

With Web3 Game IP, the projected growth to $65.7 billion by 2027 underscores the immense potential of web3 IP Games. There is no doubt The evolution of Strategic IP Integration is reshaping gaming as we know it.

As players become stakeholders and creators, the lines between developer, user, and IP holder blur. 

The future of gaming isn’t just about play—

It’s about ownership, creation, and community-driven development. As Web3 gaming evolves, it promises to redefine our relationship with digital content and intellectual property players can own and share.

By leveraging blockchain technology, NFTs, and community-driven models, it’s creating more immersive, dynamic, and player-centric gaming experiences. As this space continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative approaches to IP integration that blur the lines between developers, players, and the virtual worlds they inhabit.