Ariel Ho Kjaer unpacks the Metaverses gaming downfall and reveals how Web3 could redefine player engagement, ownership, and digital immersion for the next generation in a keynote on the second day of SiGMA Asia.
Before diving into social gaming, its crucial to clear the air around the “metaverse.” Often presented as a revolutionary vision of the future, the metaverse is, at its core, just a 3D interface – one that replicates our physical reality in digital space, complete with avatars and interactive environments. Its not a new technology. Its a new lens through which we interact with digital information.
Think of it this way: Just as Google Chrome replaced Internet Explorer, the metaverse is poised to replace the static web interface with something more immersive. Instead of browsing static images of a hotel room, we could explore that room in 3D, change the lighting, look out the virtual window. Instead of scrolling through product shots, we might see a 3D model of a t-shirt on an avatar that looks like us.
But theres a catch: 3D worlds demand powerful hardware. VR and AR devices are getting there, but mainstream adoption is still limited. And more importantly, understanding how to navigate and engage in a 3D world is a generational leapone that younger gamers have made, but the average consumer is still learning.
Web3 and the Age of Ownership
Connected to this conversation is the concept of Web3 – a term often used synonymously with blockchain, crypto, and the metaverse, but which is really about ownership. Chris Dixon of Andreessen Horowitz put it succinctly:
- Web1 was the read era (think static websites).
- Web2 is the read/write era (hello, social media).
- Web3 is the read/write/own era, where users own their content, their data, their digital assets.
Right now, tech giants own most of the platforms we create on – and profit from our creativity. Web3 challenges that, powered by decentralized technologies that enable peer-to-peer ownership. The metaverse gets lumped into this narrative, but at its heart, Web3 is about shifting power from platforms to people.
Gaming: The Original Web3 Space
If you want to see Web3 principles in action, look no further than gaming. Long before NFTs or crypto, gamers were already buying skins, customizing avatars, trading items, and modding game experiences. These are all forms of digital ownership.
Today, the video game industry is bigger than film, music, and streaming combined. Why? Because theyve mastered one thing: immersion.
And immersion isnt just about visuals – it’s about what makes you stay. In physical 바카라s, that might be soft lighting, free drinks, and perfect ambiance. In games, it comes down to three pillars:
1. Proper Gamification
Gamification isnt just points and leaderboards. True gamification understands core mechanics, motivational psychology, and player behavior. As Yu-Kai Chou outlines in his book Actionable Gamification, game design is a mix of behavioral economics, neuroscience, and well-crafted incentives.
2. Network Effects
The power of social. A game, app, or virtual world becomes exponentially more valuable when your friends are there. One standout example is Yuga Labs metaverse event (from the creators of Bored Ape Yacht Club), which pulled over 7,000 users into a shared spacenot because of innovative gameplay, but because of its massive social pull. People dont want to go to an empty 바카라. They want crowds, connection, community.
3. Ownership
Games have been experimenting with digital ownership for decades. Whether through in-game marketplaces or more recently, blockchain-based models like token buyback and burn, the goal is clear: Make players feel like they own a piece of the experience.
Some platforms go further, experimenting with in-game revenue sharing and on-chain assets, not just external crypto tokens. These are early steps, but they signal a shift toward user empowerment and shared economic participation.
Southeast Asia: A Social Gaming Superpower
Southeast Asia is uniquely poised to lead the charge in this new era of social gaming. Why?
- Mobile-first users: Most gamers in SEA play on mobile, not consoles or PCs, lowering the barrier to entry.
- Youth-driven culture: A majority of the population is under 30digitally native and socially active online.
- Cultural acceptance of gaming: Gaming isnt a niche hobby in SEAits mainstream entertainment, often integrated with local pop culture and influencers.
Platforms like TikTok Live, YouTube Gaming, and even Facebook Gaming are seeing massive engagement, not just from players, but from spectators. Watching games is now as important as playing them. It’s this convergence of entertainment, social connection, and immersive technology that defines the next wave of gaming in the region.
Beyond Buzzwords
The future of gaming and the metaverse isnt about jargon. Its about immersion, ownership, and community. Slapping on a 3D skin doesnt make a metaverse. Adding a token doesnt make something Web3.
What works and what Southeast Asia is embracing is the blend of smart design, social interaction, and user empowerment. If we get that right, the lines between gaming, social media, and the future internet will blur into something truly new.
As Yu-Kai Chou says, the metaverse isnt a place – its a system built from psychology, behavior, technology, and design. And Southeast Asia? Its already playing the game. Spectators and all.
