One thing being put to the test—alongside the broader crypto market—is the ability of Web3 games to rise to the challenge and offer an experience that goes beyond merely investing and hoping for a return.
Video games need to be fun; there are numerous examples of projects that threw everything away by prioritizing an investment product over actual gameplay. Let’s look at a few examples.
The most obvious example is Axie Infinity. Developed by Sky Mavis, the game became a global phenomenon in 2021 thanks to its "play-to-earn" model, which allowed thousands of people to generate income through gameplay. In countries like the Philippines, entire communities even came to rely on the game for their livelihood.
However, its growth was so rapid that the economy became unsustainable. The constant issuance of rewards led to severe inflation of the SLP token, driving down its value and causing many players to abandon the project once it was no longer profitable.
Holozing can avoid this pitfall by prioritizing a balanced economy over immediate rewards. Players should want to enter the world of Holozing because capturing creatures, exploring environments, and developing their characters is fun—not simply because they hope to make a financial profit.
When fun becomes the primary driver, the economy has a better chance of remaining stable in the long run.
Another interesting case is Illuvium. From its initial reveals, it drew attention by offering graphics far superior to the average blockchain game. The project understood that competing solely within the Web3 sector wasn't enough, so it aimed for a visual quality comparable to traditional video games.
Although its development has been a long process, it offered an important lesson: today's players expect a complete experience, regardless of the blockchain technology powering the game.
In this regard, Holozing has a very interesting opportunity. Its art style, inspired by fantastical creatures, has already sparked interest within the Hive community; however, the next step involves building a living world featuring memorable settings, high-quality animations, and a combat system deep enough to sustain interest for hundreds of hours.
Pixels represents another important lesson. The game managed to attract a massive number of users thanks to simple, browser-accessible gameplay, thereby eliminating many of the technical barriers that have historically hindered the adoption of Web3 games.
The easier it is to start playing, the greater the chances of building an active community. Holozing could benefit from offering quick access for new players before introducing more complex features related to NFTs or digital assets.
It is also worth looking at the case of Big Time. This action RPG decided to keep blockchain technology in the background. Many players can enjoy the title without worrying about cryptocurrency, while those who wish to participate in the digital economy have that option available. That philosophy reduces friction and prevents the financial component from overshadowing the gaming experience.
Perhaps the biggest lesson for Holozing is that the Web3 market has matured. Players are no longer looking solely for projects that promise financial gain; they are seeking video games capable of competing with any traditional release.
If Holozing manages to deliver an entertaining adventure, a deep creature-capturing system, a sustainable economy, and an experience accessible to any user, it will have a much better chance of standing out than projects that relied entirely on speculation for their appeal.