Several months ago I participated in an all-hands discussion together with a number of Web3 luminaries at the 2024 YGG Play Summit. As a blockchain game founder and editor covering Web3 I’ve been wanting to participate in such discussions to distill how Web3 gaming has such a seemingly low bar of expectations as its been relegated more into a quick “money grab” by KOL’s and game founders. In attendance were industry leaders from the global Web3 community such as Andy Lee of Mugen, Alec Wantoch of HyperPlay, Ann Chien of IVC, Dreamer of Kingdom Studios, Giulio Xiloyannis of Mon Co., Jared Dillinger of Dark League Studios, Juntaro Iwase of Sky Mavis, and more.
5 changing habits in Web3 gaming
1. Play-to-Earn is Out, Play-and-Evolve is In
Gamers aren’t just chasing tokens anymore—they’re looking for meaningful progression, social recognition, and long-term utility.
2. Creators Are the New Guild Masters
KOLs and streamers now drive onboarding and retention. They’re becoming key stakeholders in game ecosystems, helping shape game design, economy, and community engagement.
3. Community = Currency
The strongest value driver is no longer the in-game asset—it’s the community around it. Guilds that focus on real-world support and shared learning are thriving.
4. Web3 Gamers Are Platform-Agnostic
Gamers now move fluidly between Web2 and Web3 games, choosing based on fun and value, not just hype or tokenomics.
5. Local is Global
Projects rooted in local cultures (like YGG’s Filipino community) are gaining traction worldwide. Regional identity is proving to be a Web3 strength, not a limitation.
It’s easy to be skeptical of buzzwords like “Web3 gaming” when the hype cycle has cooled off. But if the 2025 “Perspectives in Play” report by Yield Guild Games (YGG) tells us anything, it’s this: Play-to-earn may be old news, but the communities, creators, and builders shaping the next phase of gaming in Southeast Asia are just getting started.
At the recent YGG Play Summit, billed as the largest Web3 gaming event in the region, the narrative wasn’t about token speculation or “number go up” mechanics. It was about longevity—about how player communities, creators, and even local governments are finding new utility in Web3 gaming infrastructure. More than 20,000 attendees and 180 speakers gathered in Manila to explore this intersection between gaming, culture, and economic empowerment.
The biggest shift? A broader definition of “value.” Instead of extracting from games, today’s players are co-creating them. Influencers and KOLs (key opinion leaders) are no longer just passive promoters—they’re strategic partners shaping game economies. They help onboard players, build content pipelines, and even steer governance decisions in decentralized games. According to YGG’s data, this model is already being tested and refined by creators across the Philippines.
“Filipinos didn’t just embrace Web3 gaming because of earnings—they stayed because of the community,” says one creator in the report. Web3’s future, it seems, lies in these social bonds: players investing time, identity, and creativity into virtual spaces that feel just as real as the neighborhoods they grew up in.
The report also zooms out to contextualize Southeast Asia’s role in this evolution. With 65% of the population under 35 and a growing mobile-first economy, the region is fertile ground for digital-native economies. Governments like the Philippines’ Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) have also begun to see the potential of Web3 games—not just as entertainment, but as vehicles for financial inclusion, digital literacy, and innovation.
But there’s still a lot of work ahead. Many players remain skeptical of blockchain’s long-term value. Developers are trying to balance fun with sustainability. And onboarding new users—especially in areas with limited internet access or tech literacy—remains a challenge.
Still, the message from the report is clear: the Web3 gaming scene in Southeast Asia didn’t die—it evolved. And the community that built it isn’t waiting for the next bull run. They’re building the next generation of games, guilds, and digital economies right now, from the ground up.