In a captivating interview with Cryptonews, Jack O’Holleran, the CEO of SKALE Labs, a blockchain platform designed for Ethereum scaling, delved into the world of Web3 gaming and its potential for a massive breakthrough. He emphasized that the industry is on the cusp of attracting millions of players and explored the role of social apps in reaching wider audiences. Additionally, O’Holleran highlighted two significant partnerships that SKALE has recently embarked on.
According to O’Holleran, SKALE has witnessed over 50 million transactions in the previous 30 days, with an average of over 5 million active wallets per month. He attributed a substantial portion of this activity to gaming, as well as Web3 AI products, decentralized social products, and DePIN. O’Holleran expressed his excitement about discussing the current state of affairs rather than speculating about the future.
Furthermore, SKALE currently hosts several major games, with more set to launch in the near future. O’Holleran predicted a massive breakthrough in the industry, especially with the integration of Unity and games in the Epic Games Store. He believed that gaming will be the first category to attract around ten million daily blockchain users, particularly mobile games that excel at capturing and retaining interest. By combining the fun environment of cryptocurrency with Web3 and asset usage, gaming experiences can be taken to a whole new level, O’Holleran added.
O’Holleran anticipated that SKALE-based games will soon boast hundreds of thousands of daily active users, with the potential to reach millions by the end of the year. He emphasized the significant growth the industry has already experienced, with tens of thousands of players evolving into hundreds of thousands in a short span of time. O’Holleran attributed this growth to the launch of kick-ass games and the implementation of effective growth methodologies.
Regarding the role of social apps in driving Web3 gaming adoption, O’Holleran acknowledged the potential but also highlighted the challenge posed by strong network effects. Breaking into platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, which are already deeply entrenched among users, is no easy task. O’Holleran believed that it would take three to five years for a crypto native play to become the leading global social network. However, he pointed out that as projects incentivize actions and create engaging experiences, the skills and growth methodologies developed in gaming will eventually spill over into social networks.
In terms of partnerships, O’Holleran discussed SKALE’s collaboration with Virtualness, a mobile-first platform that combines generative AI and blockchain technology to enhance the connection between fans and sports organizations. He considered this partnership as a validation of SKALE’s capabilities. O’Holleran also highlighted Virtualness as an example of a team building a mobile-first product for normal users, combining an NFT marketplace, creativity, and fan engagement. He believed that this type of use case could pave the way for the next mega app and facilitate Web3 social play.
Furthermore, SKALE announced its partnership with Unity, the world’s top game engine, which focuses on building casual mobile games. O’Holleran praised Unity’s commitment to developer support and highlighted the enhanced support services that the partnership will provide to gaming developers. This collaboration aims to leverage Unity’s game development platform and unleash the full potential of Web3 gaming on SKALE’s gas-less blockchain architecture.
In conclusion, O’Holleran’s interview shed light on the promising future of Web3 gaming and its potential to attract millions of players. He discussed the challenges faced by social apps in driving adoption and the role of partnerships in expanding the reach of Web3 gaming. Overall, O’Holleran’s insights showcased the evolving landscape of the gaming industry and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.