Amazon Prime Announces Free Gaming NFTs | GAM3S Grid Weekly

Mojo Melee Amazon Prime Drop, Gamestop Ends Crypto Wallet, The Bornless on Epic Games and Steam, and More!

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GAM3S.GG
August 10, 2023

🔥 Top headlines from this week’s digest:

✨ Platform Update: Leaderboard, Notifications & more!

BEHOLD, THE SIDEBAR!

You might’ve noticed a new update with our navigation sidebar; which will help improve your experience even further through the following:

  • Stay notified with the latest news, reviews, guides, and game pages

  • Climb the leaderboard & compete with other users

  • Enjoy watching games currently being streamed

  • Get your streams featured by linking your Twitch to your profile

  • Listen to our Press Play episodes seamlessly while browsing the platform.

Let us know your feedback & stay on the lookout for more updates & cool new features on your favorite web3 gaming platform ✨

📝 Mobile App Trends in Japan 2023: Insights for Web3 Gaming

As of 2023, Japan maintains its stronghold on the worldwide mobile app market, boasting an impressive 85% smartphone penetration within its population. This figure is anticipated to rise in the future. The Japanese mobile app sector flourishes due to its emphasis on innovation and intense rivalry, rendering it an essential landscape for web3 gaming developers to investigate.

What’s Going On Here? 

In 2023, Japan's dominance in the global mobile app market remains unwavering, with a substantial 85% of its population already integrated into the realm of smartphones. This figure is anticipated to experience further growth in the coming times. Notably, Japan's mobile app market is characterized by its robust innovation and intense competitive landscape, rendering it a pivotal region for web3 gaming developers to delve into.

What Does This Mean?

Japan's standing as a significant player in the global mobile app sector is reinforced by a populace of over 70 million active mobile gamers, solidifying its position as one of the largest mobile gaming markets worldwide. The projection for gaming consumer expenditure in Japan surpasses $12.6 billion annually by the conclusion of 2023. A study conducted in July 2022 revealed that 65% of Japanese smartphone users engage in gaming activities on a daily basis, with a remarkable 92% participating at least once weekly.

Why Should I Care?

The distinctiveness of Japan's gaming preferences becomes evident upon scrutiny. Different age groups exhibit varying inclinations, with Gen Z showing heightened engagement with party royale games, while younger millennials gravitate towards MOBA games. Preferences shift to puzzle games for older millennials, while card games such as solitaire gain favor among Gen X and baby boomers. Gender also plays a role, as simulation sports games gain traction among men, whereas matching puzzle games attract a larger female audience.

In terms of growth, the trajectory of gaming app installs indicates an upward trend in 2023, despite a temporary dip in the previous year. Notably, Japan experienced a notable 12% surge in installs during Q1 2023 compared to Q4 2022. The RPG genre maintains its stronghold as the most favored category, encompassing 13% of all gaming app installations.

An interesting platform dichotomy arises in the context of mobile app preferences. Approximately 61% of tracked gaming apps in Japan are iOS-based, signifying a penchant for Apple iPhones. Moreover, platform choice diverges further in sub-verticals like adventure and puzzle games, with iOS dominating the former (90%) and Android claiming the majority share in the latter (60%).

What's the Takeaway?

For web3 game studios, this landscape presents a compelling case for targeting Japanese mobile gamers due to the expansive market size and upward app usage trends. By leveraging insights into user preferences, game developers can tailor strategies to resonate effectively with various age groups and genders.

The implications for web3 gaming encompass the creation of mobile-friendly experiences rooted in Japanese culture and preferences. Incorporating elements aligned with the gaming habits and interests of Japanese players can substantially enhance user engagement and bolster prospects for success.

Read the full report breakdown here

✍️ Reviews of the Week

We scored goals and hit the SIU in MetaStar Strikers then went on a mythical TCG adventure filled with legendary beasts in our two featured reviews:

While MetaStar Strikers can be won without relying on the skill tree, a notable issue arises from the lack of challenge in quick matches due to the AI's limited strategic abilities, resulting in repetitive and unexciting gameplay which combined with the absence of diverse maps, leaves plenty of areas improvement.

Legendary Heroes Unchained provides an engaging experience for card collectible enthusiasts, currently emphasizing PvE mode with PvP on the horizon. Special attack animations heighten combat thrill, suggesting potential for enhancing hero abilities further to distinguish the game.

🎮 Fresh Games

From chaotic fights in a colorful battle royale to a heart-pounding survival horror experience, check out the latest games added to our platform!

Trouble Punk: Cyber Galz plunges players into a relentless battle royale, where the ultimate goal is to emerge as the sole survivor. The game is enriched with cutting-edge in-game growth systems, and an eye-catching arena.

Last Remains offers an exhilarating survival experience in a post-apocalyptic world, blending the best of Battle Royale, zombie, and stealth genres. Step into this thrilling world and test your skills to outlast the competition and the undead.

🎙️Conversation of the Week

This week we spoke with Flavien Defraire - Director of Game Development at Blockchain Game Alliance to learn more about their upcoming initiatives and what he is most excited about in the world of web3 gaming.

The Blockchain Game Alliance functions as a dedicated entity that strives to advance the integration of blockchain technology within the gaming sector. Its primary objective involves raising consciousness regarding blockchain innovations and promoting their utilization. This is achieved through emphasizing their capacity to facilitate innovative methods of game development, distribution, engagement, and the formation of robust gaming communities.

What You Need to Know About Blockchain Game Alliance:

  • Awareness and Adoption: The alliance promotes blockchain's potential to transform gaming and disrupt business areas, while working to establish industry standards and best practices to accelerate adoption.

  • Standards and Best Practices: It encourages the development of standards and the sharing of best practices for blockchain technology in gaming, fostering interoperability and knowledge sharing.

  • Public Understanding: The alliance enhances public understanding of blockchain games by providing insights into their benefits and limitations, acting as a trusted source for industry, media, and society.

  • Open Engagement: Serving as an open platform, it facilitates discussions among members and stakeholders about blockchain's impact on people, businesses, and society, ensuring active participation and knowledge exchange.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation recording here

📺 Video of the Week

Everyone in gaming is talking about Baldur’s Gate 3, but why did this Dungeons & Dragons RPG break Steam records and reach 800,000+ concurrent players? Find out in our newest YouTube video 👇

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Until next time, happy gaming!