In the digital cosmos, a vibrant new revolution is taking shape, transforming the virtual world and how we interact with it. Web3, the Internet’s third iteration, is propelling us into an exciting and decentralized future where users possess control over their data and the value they create. Stepping beyond the traditional realms of internet usage, Web3 brings a level of complexity and depth to digital spaces like never before. A prime example of this revolution is the emerging world of Web3 gaming.

Web3 games are a convergence of innovation, technology, and creativity, powered by blockchain technology, decentralized networks, and cryptocurrency economies. These games offer an exciting departure from the norm, allowing players not just to enjoy a dynamic gaming experience but also to own, trade, and profit from in-game assets. Web3 is transforming gaming into more than an engaging pastime; it’s now a potentially profitable endeavor that’s reshaping the industry.

According to recent market reports, the Web3 gaming sector is witnessing unprecedented growth. The player base for these games is expanding at a breathtaking pace, signifying a shift in players’ preferences towards more interactive, decentralized, and rewarding gaming experiences. Statistics show that, as of the first quarter of 2023, the Web3 gaming industry has seen an impressive year-on-year growth rate of 180%, surpassing traditional gaming sectors.

Source: Footprint Analytics

The Top 20 most popular web3 games in 2023 are:

1. Alien Worlds (230,978 daily average unique active wallets)
2. Splinterlands (132,865)
3. Planet IX (43,711)
4. Iskra (35,140)
5. Upland (21,856)
6. Nine Chronicles (21,371)
7. PlayMining (17,422)
8. Benji Bananas (13,377)
9. Axie Infinity (11,072)
10. SecondLive (11,008)
11. Wombat Dungeon Master (10,887)
12. Era7: Game of Truth (10,068)
13. Meta Apes (9,971)
14. Arc8 by GAMEE (8,827)
15. Tap Fantasy (7,995)
16. X World Games (7,497)
17. Taco (5,954)
18. PROSPECTORS (5,883)
19. Tiny World (5,262)
20. MOMO: NFT Farmer (4,427)

Leading Web3 Strategy Games for Universe Creation

When it comes to the virtual gaming realm, known as web3, four world-building strategy games attract the most attention: Alien Worlds, Planet IX, Meta Apes, and PROSPECTORS. These four digital landscapes pull in a remarkable average of 72,636 daily players this year, doubling the draw of the top 20 web3 games combined. Why the allure? World-building games offer a complex, layered environment, bursting with variables that can be manipulated by tokenomics – creating a gaming experience that’s not just richer, but profoundly engaging.

Of these four gaming universes, three whisk players away to sci-fi realms, each spinning its unique story.

Alien Worlds leads the pack as the most frequented web3 game in 2023, hosting an average of 230,978 daily players. Mimicking real-world economics with its Trillium (TLM) token, this space exploration game has held a firm grip on its performance since its launch in late 2020, with both player count and transactions remaining robust. Clocking a monthly average of nearly 365 million transactions, Alien Worlds proves that fun web3 games can sustain a long-term player interest, even beyond the lure of earning potential.

Planet IX, the third most played game in the web3 universe, attracts an average of 43,711 players daily. It offers a twist on the post-apocalyptic narrative, focusing on restoring Earth while imparting knowledge on climate change. Meta Apes, on the other hand, drawing in 9,971 players daily, gives its players a different post-apocalyptic challenge, vying for control over Earth and the cosmos.

Leading Web3 Card-Trading Games

In the bustling arena of web3 games this year, four stand out for their engaging card-trading gameplays: Splinterlands, Axie Infinity, Era7: Game of Truth, and Tiny World. With an average daily player presence of roughly 39,817 in 2023, these games score 29.4% higher than the average of the top 20 web3 games. This hints that the allure of trading collectible cards blends seamlessly with the intriguing world of blockchain games.

Splinterlands, donned with fantasy themes, proudly sits at the pinnacle of web3 card-collecting games, boasting an average of 132,865 daily players throughout the year. Despite starting the year on a high note with 208,339 daily players in January, Splinterlands has seen a slight dip in player participation over the following three months. However, since its inception in early 2021, this multiplayer game has consistently held its ground in the player counts.

Axie Infinity, arguably the most recognized NFT game today, takes the 9th spot among the top web3 games. While Axie Infinity may gather less than a tenth of Splinterlands’ daily players, at about 11,072 this year, it keeps a steady player engagement. The game shines brightest in transaction volume, achieving a monthly average of a whopping $75.08 million, accounting for 77.2% of the volume among the top 20 web3 games.

Era7: Game of Truth and Tiny World, both card-trading games hailing from the BNB Chain, hold their spots at #12 and #19 respectively. While Era7 began with a daily player count of around 10,068, it has witnessed a downward trend over three consecutive months. Contrarily, Tiny World has held a steady player count, averaging at 5,262 daily players throughout the year.

Top Picks in Web3 MMORPG Universe

A fascinating trend in the web3 gaming landscape this year reveals MMORPGs carving a niche for themselves, with three titles – Nine Chronicles, SecondLive, and Tap Fantasy – claiming spots among the top 20 games. The umbrella of MMORPG embraces a multitude of genres, even extending its shadows over the realm of world-building strategy games.

Stepping into the spotlight at position six, Nine Chronicles captivates an average daily Unique Active Wallet (UAW) Year To Date (YTD) count of 21,371, rivalling the mesmerizing realm of Tap Fantasy, holding its own at fifteenth place with a count of 7,995. Both games, awash with fantastical elements, continue to spellbind players in the web3 MMORPG sphere. Nine Chronicles, having made its debut in 2020, boasts an impressive player loyalty, while Tap Fantasy, launched in early 2022, has kept up a robust daily UAW throughout the year.

Emerging as the cream of the crop in the web3 virtual life genre, SecondLive touts an average daily UAW YTD of 11,008. Merging the vibrancy of gaming with the camaraderie of social interaction, akin to the charm of ‘Sims’, SecondLive experienced a resurgence from 3,508 UAW in January to a staggering 19,615 by April. Whether it can sustain its player base remains a question, given the six-month decline in UAW in 2022, following its launch at the end of 2021.

Cream of the Crop: Web3 Casual Games

In the animated world of web3 gaming for 2023, casual and even hyper-casual games have created quite a buzz, making up almost half of the top 20 contenders. The mix includes simulation titles like Upland and MOMO: NFT Farmer, adventure thrillers such as Benji Bananas and Wombat Dungeon Masters, tournament-style Arc8 by GAMEE, and an array of platforms serving up mini games – Iskra, PlayMining, X World Games, and Taco. Despite their thrilling gameplay, these nine casual games command an average daily player base of around 13,932 – a figure which is 31.2% shy of the mean for the top 20 web3 games.

Leading the casual web3 gaming pack is Upland, boasting a daily average Unique Active Wallet (UAW) Year To Date (YTD) of 21,856. Inspired by the classic Monopoly, this real estate simulation game first garnered attention in 2021 and now takes the fifth spot in terms of monthly average transaction count, clocking in at 5.50 million YTD. Along similar lines, MOMO: NFT Farmer shines in the casual simulation genre with a daily average UAW of 4,427 YTD. Launched by MOBOX in early 2021 as part of its gaming platform, MOMO: NFT Farmer secures the second position in total transaction volume, having amassed a staggering $32.35 million YTD.

Adventure games that reward play, namely Benji Bananas and Wombat Dungeon Masters, top the casual gaming charts with daily average UAWs of 13,377 and 10,887 respectively YTD. Both offer simple game mechanics, although Benji Bananas spices things up with action-packed challenges requiring extra skills, while Wombat Dungeon Masters veers towards leisurely play.

Arc8 by GAMEE, a competitive multiplayer arcade-style game, enjoys popularity with 8,827 daily average UAW YTD. The game invites players into seasonal tournaments featuring a rotating cast of arcade games – a design akin to web3 platforms hosting mini casual games.

With only its first game launched in February 2023, Iskra has swiftly climbed the ranks to become the leading platform for web3 casual mini games, pulling in a daily average UAW of 35,140 YTD. Iskra‘s pull was so strong that its daily UAW skyrocketed from 1,355 in February to a jaw-dropping 116,329 by April.

Conversely, PlayMining and X World Games, despite their initial success in late 2021, have witnessed a downturn in daily average UAW since the year’s onset, tallying at a modest 17,422 and 7,497 respectively YTD.

Meanwhile, Taco, a casual web3 gaming platform, has held its ground with a steady daily average UAW of around 5,954 YTD, notwithstanding prior fluctuations in player retention. As a result, the verdict is still out on whether mini games can hold their charm and player base in the web3 realm. Iskra‘s ability to continue to draw new players and retain the existing ones remains to be seen.

As the virtual tides turn, it’s clear that 2023 is a thrilling year for Web3 gaming. From the adventurous world-building of Alien Worlds and Planet IX, to the trading prowess of Splinterlands, the expansive realms of Nine Chronicles and SecondLive, and the casual fun of Upland and Iskra – Web3 games are proving to be a force of innovation and engagement. 

The gaming universe continues to morph and expand, opening up new possibilities and frontiers. As we ride this exhilarating wave of change, one thing is for sure: the future of gaming is decentralized, participatory, and immensely rewarding. 

Brace yourselves for an exciting journey, because this is only the beginning. Game on!