Tomer Pascal, the CEO and co-founder of OwnPlay, a Web3 mobile gaming ecosystem, recently sat down for an interview with Matt Zahab, host of the Cryptonews Podcast. Pascal discussed the advantages of Web3 gaming, the decision to avoid Apple and Google for their game, the success of creating a PWA game, and the upcoming launches.
In 2022, Pascal reached out to his old colleague, Boaz Levin, to create a startup together. Pascal believed it was the right time for Web3 gaming and saw the opportunity it presented. Web3 elements allow players to have a potential financial upside from the gameplay itself, adding a new level of excitement.
However, the team faced a challenge when it came to Apple and Google. These companies are unfriendly to anything crypto-related, making it impossible to get approval for a Web3 game with NFTs. Pascal noted that these companies prioritize their financial interests, which may not align with user interests or the on-chain experience.
To bypass this challenge, OwnPlay decided to build their game, CityVerse Tycoon, as a mobile app without going through the app stores. They utilized the progressive web application (PWA) protocol to provide an app-like experience. This allowed them to avoid the restrictions imposed by Apple and Google.
The team conducted a “great experiment” to see if they could market the PWA and convince people to install it. They ran ads on Facebook and Instagram and found that the conversion rates were on par or better than a mobile native app. They also achieved good retention and monetization numbers.
Currently, OwnPlay has over 100,000 installs of the PWA, and users treat the game as a regular app. Pascal mentioned that they are gearing up for the public launch of the game’s new version in May. This version will have all the Web3 elements baked in, including the ability to purchase and sell buildings as NFTs, the introduction of an additional coin, and a Piggy Club collection of NFTs that boost players’ in-game earnings.
In addition to discussing the game and Web3 gaming, Pascal also talked about his previous startup experience, meeting his co-founder, the decision to build the game as a PWA, and the challenges and opportunities of operating a mobile Web3 game.
You can watch the full podcast episode for more insights from Tomer Pascal.
