Apeiron Co-Founder Frank Cheng shares insights into the rapid growth and innovative strategies of the web3 game. With a background in consulting at McKinsey and private equity at Saif, Cheng has transitioned from traditional business avenues to chase his passion in the gaming industry, specifically within the burgeoning web3 space.
Takeaways
- Apeiron has achieved 525% growth in the last several months
- Game started as web2, but shifted to web3 for NFT ownership
- The game blends web2 and web3 technologies and methodologies
- Apeiron’s gameplay mechanics incentivize player engagement
- Web3 needs to invite regulation and compliance for mass adoption
Chapters
- 00:00 – Episode synopsis and sponsor plug
- 02:05 – Introduction to Frank Cheng and Apeiron
- 06:23 – Apeiron’s core game loops and mechanics
- 08:22 – Game development evolution (web2 to web3)
- 12:35 – Gamer behavior, engagement, determining KPIs
- 17:37 – Audience, distribution, compliance, onboarding
- 21:06 – Role of chains in gaming and decision to use Ronin
- 26:51 – App stores and going after mainstream gamers
- 31:11 – Apeiron’s next moves: Tournament, launch, IP
- 33:55 – Future of web3 mass adoption (or lack thereof)
- 36:32 – Closing remarks and contact information
Apeiron: A blend of genres and technologies
Apeiron is not just another game; it’s a free-to-play game that creatively merges roguelite and real-time strategy (RTS) card game genres, as well as web2 and web3 capabilities and philosophies. Since its launch in December, Apeiron has skyrocketed its daily active users (DAU), marking an impressive growth of over 525%. This March, the game saw the launch of its core ecosystem token, $APRS, on Bybit, reaching a market cap of approximately $50 million. Adding to its ecosystem, Apeiron is set to launch a second token, $ANIMA, further expanding its game economy.
Innovative game mechanics and player engagement
During the podcast, Cheng detailed Apeiron’s intricate gameplay and economic strategies. The game features a battle arena and combines action, RPG, and card gaming elements, fostering an engaging player experience. The core economic loop incentivizes players to compete and win tokens, which can be used in powerful game mechanics like token breeding.
Originally intended as a web2 mobile game, Apeiron shifted focus to integrate blockchain technology, recognizing the unique incentives and ownership opportunities provided by NFTs within the gaming realm.
Demographics and integration challenges
Cheng also discussed the demographic shifts and challenges in Web3 gaming. While some players engage in speculative activities, the primary focus is on those genuinely enjoying the game. Apeiron’s origins in web2 have informed its approach to creating a seamless onboarding experience – even as it integrates various web3 components such as NFTs, tokens, and virtual land.
The future of web3 gaming
Looking ahead, Cheng expresses the importance of navigating compliance and regulatory landscapes to facilitate growth on mainstream platforms like Android’s Google Play and Apple iOS’s App Store. He touches upon the potential for web3 gaming to achieve more mainstream adoption through proper regulation and better integration of web3 technologies – to highlight their utility beyond mere speculation.
What’s next for Apeiron?
Apeiron recently introduced a guild wars season, which will lead up to a major online-streamed tournament with a substantial prize pool. This initiative is part of Apeiron’s strategy to maintain player engagement and continue its growth trajectory. As Apeiron continues to evolve and expand its footprint in the gaming world, it merits watching to emulate innovative growth strategies and game mechanics that engage players.
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