Imagine carrying your favorite sword from World of Warcraft into Fortnite. Or trading a rare skin between two entirely different gaming worlds. How would that feel? What about being able to play your favorite character in The Witcher game, right on Fortnite?
Are these even possible? you might ask. Well, this is fast becoming a reality in Web3 gaming. Where cross-game interoperability is fundamentally changing how players interact with in-game assets.
By allowing items, currencies, and even characters to move across multiple games. Web3 is set to revolutionize not only the gaming experience. But also the broader digital economy.
According to a 2024 report by DappRadar. Web3 games account for 28% of all decentralized application (dApp) activity, with over 2.8 million daily active wallets. This means there is a growing demand for decentralized gaming experiences. Where players have unprecedented control over their digital assets.
As Robbie Ferguson, co-founder of Immutable, said during the Token 2049 in Dubai:
“When players have the option to sell. You have brand new monetization mechanisms, secondary marketplaces, and royalties. But you also will take the size of gaming from $150 billion to trillions of dollars.
Our vision is to create a world where digital assets have real value. That player can trade, sell, and use across different games, having property rights over them.”
This shift in ownership and asset portability has the potential to upend traditional gaming ecosystems. Offering new revenue models and collaborative opportunities for developers. But most importantly, it will give rise to asset portability in gaming.
Understanding Asset Portability in Gaming
At its core, asset portability refers to the ability of digital goods—such as characters, weapons, or in-game currencies—to move across different games or platforms.
Unlike traditional gaming ecosystems, where in-game assets are locked within one game. Web3 gaming offers the potential for players to truly own these assets. And carry them across multiple games and through blockchain technology.
In traditional gaming, everything is tightly controlled by the game developers. From skins in Fortnite to weapon upgrades in Call of Duty. Players like you invest time, money, and effort into acquiring assets. But these assets exist solely within the confines of that one game.
Imagine if you are offered to buy an asset like a car and you can only drive it within your boulevard. You can’t take it to the beach with your friends; you can drive to work or to get groceries downtown. Would you buy it?
Here’s why you would not buy it: it’s too restricted and that means it does not have enough utility. If it’s yours, you should be able to take it anywhere as the real owner, right?
That’s exactly how it feels when buying gaming assets in games that are not interoperable.
Web3 gaming introduces a shift where items and NPCs can be minted as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Which allows them to exist independently of the game’s infrastructure.
For example, in Axie Infinity. Players can use their Axie NFTs in different parts of the game’s ecosystem. And soon they could be usable in other Web3 games.
Cross-game interoperability is possible thanks to token standards like ERC-721 and ERC-1155. These tokens ensure that assets keep their unique properties. And can function across many games, thanks to a shared and decentralized infrastructure.
This not only empowers players but also opens up an entirely new level of engagement in the gaming ecosystem. The best part? It’s nearly only possible in Web3, and it builds up so many benefits not only for the game but for gamers like you.
Benefits of Cross-Game Interoperability
The most immediate benefit of cross-game interoperability is the enhanced player experience. Now, you as a gamer can move your hard-earned assets across different games. This extends the utility and lifespan of in-game purchases.
This type of continuity in gaming is not just novel—it’s transformative. Gamers no longer feel their progress is wasted if they switch to another game. Or feel that biting shame of not having your special rifle from Call of Duty in your Fortnite game.
Cross-game interoperability expands game economies by creating more fluid, player-driven markets. Assets can be traded, sold, or used across multiple platforms. The value of these digital items increases. This opens up new revenue streams for developers, as they can charge transaction fees or royalties for trades across games.
With $1.1 billion invested in blockchain gaming during Q2 2024 alone. This is becoming a lucrative space for both developers and players.
The benefits extend beyond just players. For game developers, interoperability encourages collaboration.
By integrating assets and economies with other titles, developers can tap into each other’s player bases. Creating shared worlds and cross-promotions that would have been impossible in the past.
Imagine a scenario where a special event in one game unlocks exclusive content in another. This will drive engagement across both titles. There have been many use cases of asset portability and cross-game interoperability in Web 3. Here’s a few of them:
Case Studies of Cross-Game Interoperability Games
One fascinating example of interoperability in action is the Enjin Multiverse. A collection of games that share a common ecosystem of blockchain assets. Games like Space Misfits, 9Lives Arena, and Forest Knight allow players to use the same items across different gaming experiences.
For example, a sword earned in Forest Knight could be used as a futuristic weapon in Space Misfits. Each game interprets the item in a way that fits its unique setting and gameplay.
As more games embrace interoperability, we’re likely to see even more innovative approaches and collaborations. The key to success lies in creating meaningful connections between games that enhance the overall player experience. Rather than simply implementing interoperability for its own sake.
But the road to cross-game interoperability is fraught with technical challenges. While Web3 games have successful case studies. One of the most significant barriers is blockchain compatibility, amongst others. Here are some technical challenges with asset portability
Technical Challenges with Cross-Game Interoperability
The road to cross-game interoperability is fraught with technical challenges. One of the most significant barriers is the issue of blockchain compatibility.
Games built on different blockchains often face difficulties in exchanging assets. For instance, assets minted on Ethereum may not be easily transferrable to a game running on Solana.
Solutions such as Layer 2 scaling technologies like Polygon and Immutable X are emerging to bridge these gaps. Offering faster, cheaper transactions that enable seamless cross-chain asset transfers.
Another critical challenge is the lack of standardization in the industry. While the ERC-721 and ERC-1155 standards provide a foundation for creating interoperable NFTs. There’s still no universal standard that applies across all games and platforms.
Scalability is another hurdle that must be addressed. Ensuring that blockchain networks can handle large volumes of transactions without slowing down or becoming prohibitively expensive is crucial.
Layer 2 solutions as well as sidechains are being designed to increase throughput and reduce fees. But there’s still progress to be made. Balancing game design with interoperability is another major issue. Developers must ensure that assets from other games don’t break the balance or integrity of their titles.
For instance. A powerful weapon from one game could overpower the mechanics of another. Leading to unfair advantages for players.
Cross-game interoperability is reshaping the landscape of Web3 gaming.
It’s not just about the novelty of transferring assets between games. It represents a fundamental shift in how we perceive ownership, economies, and collaboration in digital worlds.
While there are still significant challenges to overcome. The potential for a seamless, player-driven gaming ecosystem is within reach.
As blockchain technology continues to evolve. Cross-game interoperability will likely play a pivotal role in the future of gaming. Offering unprecedented control, value, and experiences for players and developers alike.