Opinion Mainstream gaming can be rescued by Web3 governance

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The mainstream gaming industry is primed for increased engagement from the community, and the solution lies in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and web3 governance. The recent controversy surrounding the launch of Helldivers 2 serves as a perfect example of this.
Helldivers 2 has emerged as a major success in the gaming world this year. Developed by ArrowHead Studios, an indie developer, this cooperative third-person shooter has gained immense popularity since its release on Steam and Sony PlayStation. Despite the studio’s previous success with Magicka in 2011, the success of Helldivers 2 has been unprecedented. The game has sold over 12 million copies, becoming the fastest-selling game on PlayStation.
One of the key factors contributing to the game’s success is its exceptional implementation of cooperative gameplay, allowing teams of four to engage in missions with a well-organized matchmaking system. Each mission, lasting between 10 to 30 minutes, provides players with a sense of accomplishment within a relatively short timeframe. The game’s visuals, audio, and gunplay are top-notch, and powerful “stratagems” offer players a sense of empowerment and the ability to influence gameplay in real-time.
The game’s community and sense of belonging have also played a significant role in its success. Unlike many mainstream games, Helldivers 2 has successfully fostered a strong sense of community among its players. The game’s narrative of humanity’s struggle against alien invaders, overseen by an Arrowhead employee known as “Joel,” has united players in a shared cause. This has led to an unprecedented level of community engagement, with players immersing themselves in the game’s universe both in-game and through various online platforms.
Following its launch, Helldivers 2 continued to attract a large player base, with up to 500,000 gamers participating in battles at any given time. This sustained level of engagement has propelled the game to receive overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam.
However, this strong sense of community was put to the test when Arrowhead and Sony announced a controversial decision requiring PC players to create and link a PlayStation account to continue playing Helldivers 2. This decision would have excluded players in over 170 countries and faced opposition from those in regions where PlayStation accounts were available.
In response to this announcement, the Helldivers community orchestrated a coordinated campaign to express their disapproval, leading to a rapid decline in the game’s reviews. Ultimately, Arrowhead and Sony reversed their decision, marking a significant victory for the community.
The Helldivers 2 conflict serves as a cautionary tale about the power and potential pitfalls of community engagement in the gaming industry. This is where web3 gaming, DAOs, and blockchain technology can play a pivotal role. By implementing decentralized governance models through DAOs, players can have a direct say in critical decisions affecting the gaming experience. This transformative approach would shift decision-making from a top-down structure to a bottom-up system, empowering the community and fostering long-term player loyalty and engagement.
Leveraging web3 technology could revolutionize community feedback in gaming, offering a transparent and verifiable platform for players to influence game development. This approach would not only prevent backlash but also create a more dynamic and responsive gaming experience, setting a new standard for player interaction in the industry.
While integrating web3 and DAOs into mainstream gaming presents challenges, the potential benefits—increased transparency, player empowerment, and a deeper sense of community—make it a worthwhile endeavor. Embracing these innovative approaches can usher the gaming industry into a new era of community-driven development and sustainability.