Gaming in a new era

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This week we’re quoting Ahmed Sharif (CTO at Sandsoft)

What Ahmed said: 

“Decentralised game development and ownership models, allowing for more player-driven content and community governance, are transforming how games are developed, played, and monetised – introducing new possibilities and reshaping the industry landscape.”

What are decentralised games? 

Decentralised gaming platforms use distributed ledger tech to store digital assets, player data, and game-state data. Instead of being owned or controlled by a single entity, they give players agency over their own choices and gaming experience – for example, digital assets acquired through one game can be used in other games too. 

Players own their in-game assets in full, and can trade, sell, or use them as they wish. And as game data is stored on the blockchain, decentralised games offer significantly enhanced security and transparency compared to conventional gaming platforms. 

Play-to-earn and player governance 

Digital assets enable players to earn real-world value from their activities and achievements in-game, with play-to-earn models built for the exchange of NFTs. 

And many decentralised games also make use of governance tokens – that is, tokens that give players the right to vote on game development decisions. Those decisions might include game rules, fund allocation, or changes to game regulations. 

Governance tokens make players stakeholders in the game, and this creates a community ownership experience that brings the interests of the players neatly in line with those of the gaming platform itself. Players aren’t being fed rules and game decisions – they’re actively shaping the game they want to play. 

How will decentralised gaming evolve in 2025?

Ahmed said: 

“AI and blockchain technology have significantly impacted the gaming industry in recent years and will impact in the years to come, not only in terms of more sophisticated and responsive game environments, but also in terms of player behaviour analysis, enhanced ad monetisation.” 

And in the most recent Blockchain Gaming Industry Report from the Blockchain Game Alliance (BGA), researchers identified a number of key shifts that will happen in this space in 2025 and beyond: 

• Consolidation: A surge in the development of decentralised gaming infrastructure will oversaturate the space, and then give way to consolidation as game developers seek to create a more unified approach, in place of a fragmented network of tools.
• AI-powered personalisation: The use of AI will enable game developers to create personalised experiences that simply weren’t possible before; for example, by analysing player behaviour and using that data to make personalised recommendations, or to engage in dynamic interactions.
• Web3 integration: We’ll move into a situation where infrastructure will need to improve the gaming experience, rather than creating friction for players – and this means seamless integration with Web3, rather than active effort from players to utilise or move their assets across the decentralised web.
• Improved interoperability: Right now, interoperability in decentralised games focuses on the ability to transfer digital assets from one game to another. But in 2025, we’ll enter new territory – and game interoperability will allow players to transfer their skills, reputations, and achievements across platforms.

Moving further into decentralisation - and striving for a better user experience

Ultimately, developments in decentralised gaming are all working towards the goal of true decentralisation; breaking down the barriers between games and creating a collective, community approach to game development and governance. 

The question of user experience remains a challenge, as does public perception of blockchain gaming – with many people wary of scammers operating under the guise of gaming platforms. 

We loved learning from gaming industry leaders like Ahmed at LEAP 2025. And as Ahmed put it, “For the gaming industry as a whole, events like LEAP foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing. They bring together key players from across the globe, allowing for the exchange of ideas, the exploration of new technologies, and the formation of strategic partnerships. This collective effort drives the industry forward, inspiring new developments and ensuring that gaming remains a dynamic and evolving space.”

We can’t wait to explore the evolution of decentralised gaming at LEAP 2026. See you there. 

Have an idea for a topic you'd like us to cover? We're eager to hear it. Drop us a message and share your thoughts.

Catch you next week,
The LEAP Team