Intro to Web3 Gaming and Its Opportunities

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Dollars General
@Dollars_367devAug 29, 2025

The Spaces examined Web3 gaming with a focus on opportunities for African creators and players. Host from Sandbox Africa and guest speaker Ola defined Web3 gaming as traditional gameplay enhanced by blockchain-backed ownership and interoperability of in-game assets. They stressed persistent, tradable asset ownership across compatible games, and outlined monetization routes: play-to-earn tokens, selling NFT skins/assets, royalties, tournaments, and community-led events. Ola clarified pathways beyond “playing”: content creation, community management, marketing, operations, and technical tracks such as smart contracts, 3D modeling, and blockchain integration. Misconceptions addressed included the need to be a developer, “money from the sky,” and scams; value still derives from gameplay and community, with due diligence required. The session highlighted NFTs’ roles (characters, skins, land, avatars) and free vs. paid access. Practical onboarding steps were given: join gaming communities, test games via Steam/Epic or direct downloads, set up wallets, pick a role, and follow ecosystem updates. The host spotlighted the Sandbox ecosystem—play-and-earn, game jams, DAO contributions, grants, VoxEdit and Game Maker (no-code)—and emphasized that collaboration is welcome if it benefits the ecosystem. Q&A covered starter games, tournament rewards parity, and creator opportunities, closing with advice to enter now during the bear market and build skills.

Web3 Gaming and Opportunities for African Creators — Twitter Spaces Summary

Participants and Roles

  • Host (Sandbox Africa; referred to by participants as “She/She Is Africa”): Organized and moderated the session; shared Sandbox ecosystem resources, opportunities, and upcoming DAO-focused sessions.
  • Co-host: Dollars General (limited speaking in transcript).
  • Guest Speaker: Ola — Web3 gaming practitioner/designer; has designed multiple games (not yet live) and offered domain insights on ownership, NFTs, P2E, onboarding, and careers.
  • Audience Q&A: Banner Lee, Digital Recaptures, Mohammed, Grace, and Moments.

Core Themes

  • What Web3 gaming is and how it differs from traditional gaming.
  • Why on-chain ownership, transferability/interoperability of assets, and open markets matter.
  • Monetization mechanics for players and creators (P2E, royalties, tournaments, asset sales).
  • Entry paths for non-coders (content, community, operations) and for technical talent (smart contracts, 3D, blockchain integration).
  • Common misconceptions (barriers to entry, “free money,” and scams) and how to address them.
  • The Sandbox ecosystem: tools, ways to earn SAND, DAO participation, and grants.
  • Practical guidance: first steps, devices, platforms, and community engagement.

What Web3 Gaming Is (Ola)

  • Fundamentally, it’s gaming with a blockchain layer enabling true ownership of in-game items and progress.
  • Assets like skins, characters, achievements, and collectibles can be owned, traded, and moved. Unlike traditional games (e.g., FIFA, Call of Duty) where yearly resets or shutdowns erase progress, on-chain assets persist.
  • Interoperability: Items can be portable across compatible games built on the same infrastructure/network. Even if a specific game shuts down, on-chain assets remain transferable to other supported titles.

Why It’s Exciting (Ola)

  • Ownership: Players truly own assets and progress, not a single company.
  • Portability: Cross-game utility where supported.
  • Early-stage upside: The sector is still early; maturing infrastructure will expand use cases and player rights.

Monetization and Earning Mechanics

  • Players (Ola):
    • Play-to-Earn (P2E): Earn in-game tokens and/or tradable items through play, leveling, achievements, and tournaments.
    • Tournaments: Register, compete, win prize pools; rewards distributed post-event.
    • Marketplace: Sell earned skins/items on open markets; withdraw to supported wallets.
  • Creators/Studios (Ola):
    • Mint and sell assets (e.g., skins) as NFTs; do drops; set royalties.
    • Host tournaments (paid entry, prize distribution).
    • Multi-revenue approach: Asset sales, royalties, event fees, and token incentives.
  • Host (Sandbox focus):
    • In Sandbox, players can participate in game jams and events to earn SAND, and contributors can also earn via DAO participation.

P2E Explained and Entry Paths (beyond playing)

  • Not just for players (Ola):
    • Non-technical paths: Content creation, marketing, community building/management, business operations.
    • Technical paths: Smart contracts, 3D modeling, blockchain integration, game design, character design, narrative design.
    • Ola’s experience: Has designed several games; illustrates that designers and writers can contribute without heavy coding.
  • Mechanically (Ola):
    • Join a community, identify games, learn their economy and token integration, and decide whether to focus on playing, content/community roles, or technical building.

NFTs and Digital Ownership: Practical Roles (Ola)

  • NFTs can represent:
    • Characters/avatars (playable heroes).
    • Skins and cosmetics.
    • Land/space (e.g., metaverse plots to build experiences).
    • Virtual clothing and accessories.
  • Access model varies: Some NFTs are free; others are purchased on primary/secondary markets.
  • The specific role of NFTs depends on a game’s design and mechanics.

Misconceptions and How to Address Them (Ola)

  • “You must be a hardcore developer to join”: False. Many roles require no coding; being a gamer or operations-minded professional is sufficient to start.
  • “Money appears from thin air in P2E”: False. Sustainable value stems from compelling gameplay and sound in-game economies.
  • “It’s all scams”: Scams exist in any industry. Do due diligence; there are serious teams and viable projects pushing Web3 gaming forward.

Getting Started: First Three Steps (for Newcomers)

  1. Choose a focus (Ola):
    • Player (free-to-play/P2E), community/business, or technical (dev/3D/blockchain).
  2. Join communities and try games (Ola):
    • Explore different titles to find fit; check if they are on Steam/Epic or require direct download/keys.
    • Engage in active communities to learn, join events, and find tournaments.
  3. Learn the ecosystem and tools (Ola + Host):
    • Track updates, read news, and build a portfolio (content, prototypes, ops contributions).
    • For Sandbox specifically: Sign up, download the client, explore tutorials, use Game Maker and VoxEdit (no code required), join the DAO, and look into grants.

Devices and Accessibility (Ola)

  • High-end PCs are not mandatory. Many titles run on standard laptops or mobile.
  • Example setups: MacBook, handhelds, or a basic Windows PC can suffice depending on the game.

The Sandbox Ecosystem (Host)

  • Nature: An ecosystem hosting many brand-built game experiences rather than a single game.
  • Token: SAND — earned via playing events, participating in game jams, and contributing to the DAO.
  • Tools: Game Maker and VoxEdit (no-code tools for building experiences and assets). Tutorials are widely available.
  • Brands and IPs: Collaborations include figures like Snoop Dogg and brands like Adidas and The Walking Dead, among others.
  • Openness to cross-ecosystem creators (Host response to Digital Recaptures): Sandbox is open to developers from other ecosystems as long as contributions benefit the Sandbox ecosystem.
  • Community and Grants:
    • Sandbox Africa community links were pinned; Telegram community available.
    • DAO participation is open; creators and community leaders can apply for grants (e.g., Sandbox Improvement Programs) with proof of work and milestone delivery.
    • Upcoming session: A dedicated Sandbox DAO/grants space on Thursday at 8 PM to explain submission and contribution processes.

Q&A Highlights

  • Which games should I start with? (Banner Lee)

    • Ola: Won’t endorse specific titles; do your own research. Search for “play-to-earn” and browse Steam/Epic plus dedicated communities.
    • Host: A practical starting point is Sandbox — register, download, and look for in-app game jams and events awarding SAND; playable on typical laptops.

  • Cross-ecosystem collaboration with Sandbox? (Digital Recaptures)

    • Host: Fully open if your work benefits the Sandbox ecosystem; community invitation pinned.

  • Are Web3 tournaments like traditional ones? (Mohammed)

    • Ola: Yes, same structure; prize pools, winners selected per rules, rewards distributed after the event.
    • Mohammed also asked what Sandbox games look like; Host explained they’re curated brand experiences with reward pools. Creators can build assets and games; no coding required, tools provided, and many tutorials exist.

  • Examples of Web3 games/projects? (Grace)

    • Host: Encouraged exploring the Sandbox catalog (numerous partner experiences, collections, avatars, and game jams).

  • Animation/Cartoon creator opportunities? (Moments)

    • Audio issues prevented a full exchange. Host invited Moments to DM; questions would be routed to Sandbox or to Ola as appropriate.

Strategic Advice and Market Context (Ola)

  • Timing: Despite a bear market, this is an excellent time to enter Web3 gaming — less noise, more room to build skills and networks.
  • Community-first: Join active communities (including esports groups) to practice, scrim, and compete. Progress and earnings aren’t instant; skill development is key.
  • Business and hosting: Those inclined to operations can host niche spaces and build relationships across the gaming ecosystem.
  • Developers: Join hackathons to accelerate learning and visibility.

Practical Resources and Next Steps

  • Sandbox:
    • Create an account; download the client.
    • Explore Game Maker and VoxEdit tutorials; start building assets/experiences.
    • Participate in game jams and DAO initiatives to earn SAND and gain visibility.
    • Join Sandbox Africa (links were pinned during the space) and the Sandbox DAO and Creators channels.
  • Broad Web3 Gaming:
    • Join reputable gaming communities; sample free-to-play/P2E titles.
    • Track updates on official channels; verify projects and avoid rushing into paid assets without research.
    • Build a public portfolio (writing, assets, demos, community contributions) to unlock roles and grants.

Key Takeaways

  • Web3 gaming’s edge is digital ownership, portability, and open markets — a structural shift from traditional gaming.
  • Multiple entry points exist beyond coding; creators, operators, and players can all find viable roles.
  • Sustainability comes from strong gameplay and well-designed economies, not “free money.”
  • Sandbox offers an accessible, no-code pathway for creators and players to build, play, and earn, with community and DAO support.
  • Now is a favorable time to enter: learn, build, network, and prepare for the next market upcycle.