Web3 Gaming Evolution: Lessons from Blockchain’s Missteps

The blockchain gaming sector is undergoing a maturation phase, with titles like Axie Infinity demonstrating both the potential and pitfalls of play-to-earn models. At its November 2021 peak, Axie boasted 2.7 million daily active users—a figure that plummeted 45% within five months. The collapse exposed critical design flaws in early Web3 games.

Mythical Games emerges as a case study in course correction, prioritizing true digital asset ownership while abstracting blockchain complexities. Their platform allows email-based onboarding—a stark contrast to games requiring crypto wallet setup before first play. This shift recognizes that sustainable adoption requires balancing technological innovation with mainstream accessibility.

The sector's growing pains reveal seven cardinal sins: over-indexing on NFT mechanics at the expense of gameplay depth, complex onboarding flows that alienate casual players, and unsustainable tokenomics models that prioritize speculation over retention. Successful titles now embed blockchain as an invisible LAYER rather than a core gameplay obstacle.