GAM3 Awards 2024: The View from the Trenches at YGG Play Summit

The Web3 gaming scene reached a significant milestone with the recent GAM3 Awards held in Manila, Philippines. This annual event, now in its third year, took place live for the first time during the YGG Play Summit, marking a transformative moment for Web3 gaming’s growing prominence. Organized by GAM3S in partnership with Yield Guild Games (YGG), the awards celebrated the best in Web3 gaming with high-energy production and wide-reaching international participation.

Upptic Web3 Growth Strategist Jerry Singer and Upptic Web3 Growth Lead Mateo Arias attended the event in-person (Jerry even introduced an award to Pixels). Here is their impression of the event and what it means for the Web3 space as a whole.

Evolution of the Awards

What began as a niche virtual event has now evolved into a prestigious live ceremony that unites the Web3 gaming community. According to Jerry Singer, the move to a physical venue in Manila underscored the growth and relevance of the awards, solidifying their position as a central platform for recognition in the Web3 gaming industry. With an impressive lineup of gaming developers and industry leaders from across the globe, the event was a testament to the ecosystem’s increasing legitimacy and scale.

The event’s tone struck a balance between entertainment and professional celebration. Highlights included cutting-edge trailers and impactful speeches that celebrated progress while emphasizing the need for collective industry efforts.

Web3 Gaming in Southeast Asia

The Philippines, particularly Manila, has become a hotspot for Web3 gaming. The enthusiasm and acceptance in Southeast Asia contrast with the skepticism often seen in Western markets. Jerry and Mat highlighted how the YGG Play Summit, held alongside the GAM3 Awards, broke the mold of typical industry conferences. Instead of being dominated by developers and sales pitches, the event showcased players actively engaging with Web3 games. The affordable entry ticket price of $10 helped attract a diverse audience, from local gamers to international enthusiasts.

“Walking into the summit felt like entering a gaming festival,” Mat noted. The showroom floor buzzed with energy, with attendees queuing for hours to try popular titles like Fableborn. This level of engagement highlighted the region’s normalization of Web3 gaming as a mainstream entertainment option.

Celebrating Excellence: Notable Winners and Games

The awards celebrated a diverse range of games, with standouts including:

• Game of the Year: Off the Grid, a title widely praised for its innovative gameplay.
• Ecosystem of the Year: Ronin Network, which has established itself as a cornerstone of the Web3 gaming space.
• Mobile Game of the Year: Fableborn, which drew significant attention at the summit for its accessible and engaging gameplay.
• Best Art Direction: Moonfrost, developed by an indie team celebrated for their creative vision and scrappy determination.

Parallel Studios’ achievements also stood out, with the studio winning three awards. The unveiling of trailers for upcoming projects, including Forgotten Playland and a FIFA-backed football game by Mythical Games, generated considerable buzz.

A Vision for Web3 Gaming’s Future

As Web3 gaming matures, the industry faces calls to focus more on player experiences and less on technical infrastructure. The need for consumer-friendly solutions — such as unified wallets and streamlined accessibility — was a recurring theme during event discussions.

“For Web3 gaming to become just gaming, the focus must shift to the consumer,” Mat emphasized. Events like the YGG Play Summit demonstrated the potential of a player-first approach to drive wider adoption.

The GAM3 Awards also marked an inflection point in Web3’s acceptance globally. While skepticism persists in some regions, Southeast Asia’s readiness to embrace innovative monetization models — akin to the rise of freemium games — positions it as a leader in the industry’s evolution.

Key Takeaways

The GAM3 Awards in Manila provided a snapshot of Web3 gaming’s rapid development and potential for future growth. With an emphasis on community, innovation, and player engagement, the event reflected a vibrant and evolving landscape that is poised to redefine gaming worldwide. As Web3 gaming gains traction, events like the GAM3 Awards will continue to spotlight the pioneers and innovators shaping its future.