Decentralized esports and interoperability are set to redefine gaming in this year, according to the 2025 Predictions on the Blockchain Game Alliance’s 2024 State of the Industry Report.
The report predicts interoperability will be a cornerstone of gaming, enabling accomplishments in one game to unlock opportunities in others.
Decentralized esports is highlighted as a solution to traditional challenges, such as centralized decision-making and lack of community involvement.
Features like instant prize payments and advanced anti-cheat systems will enhance trust and fairness.
BGA 2025 Web3 Gaming Predictions
Prediction 1: Consolidation of Chains and Infrastructure
Key points:
BGA stated that the web3 gaming space is seeing rapid growth in infrastructure, including blockchains, developer tools, and marketplaces.
The report noted that influx of development may lead to an oversaturation of projects, with only the most popular ones expected to dominate the market.
Many infrastructure projects are likely to consolidate to survive, either through mergers with smaller companies or by being acquired by larger ones.
This consolidation mirrors a common practice in the broader technology sector and is expected to occur similarly in the web3 space.
Prediction 2: Web3 Operates in the Background
Key points:
The report wrote that web3 gaming professionals are shifting towards integrating web3 elements subtly in the background.
Early play-to-earn games displayed web3 elements overtly, but this approach is changing.
The majority of players in w eb3 gaming are more focused on the player experience than the underlying technical details.
Efforts have intensified in improving user experience (UX) and user interface (UI).
The goal is to provide a seamless experience akin to traditional Web2 games.
Key quotes:
Jacob C, Co-founder and CEO, HyperPlay:
He highlighted significant progress in progressive onboarding and account abstraction, ensuring players don’t need to engage with web3 until there’s a compelling reason to do so.
Kristofer Penseyres, Co-founder and CEO, DOGAMI:
Penseyres emphasized that the real shift in web3 will come from delivering innovative digital experiences rather than focusing on technical details. He believes that just as people browse the web without understanding its technical workings, players will engage with Web3 games for their seamless, exciting experiences.
By focusing on ownership, immersive worlds, and enhanced interactivity, he believes Web3 gaming will break down barriers and create a future-facing environment.
Jack O’Holleran, CEO and Co-founder, SKALE Labs:
“We are entering the phase of growth where infrastructure must add value and not friction or it will not be adopted. Blockchains must be invisible to players other than the features that add explicit value such as NFTs and tokens.”
Prediction 3: AI Introduces New and Personalized Gaming Experiences
Key points:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is noted to be rapidly advancing and being integrated across various industries, including web3 and gaming.
Game developers have primarily used AI for data gathering and analysis, with some experimenting with generative AI for game development.
With fully onchain games and autonomous worlds emerging, AI is expected to become a core foundation of gaming.
AI’s role in data gathering from players may evolve to create personalized experiences, such as providing recommendations based on player behavior and adjusting in-game interactions.
Prediction 4: Enhanced Interoperability
Key points:
The report stressed that by 2025, interoperability will extend beyond asset transfers to include digital reputation, verified skills, and achievements across games and platforms.
The evolution will create dynamic, co-created ecosystems where in-game items gain new value and functionality across different titles.
Player accomplishments, such as leaderboard rankings and unique feats, will unlock opportunities in other game worlds.
BGA noted that interoperability will become a cornerstone of gaming identity, fostering interconnected economies, collaborative storytelling, and a unified progression across the metaverse.
Prediction 5: Decentralized Esports
Key points:
As per BGA, esports competitions have traditionally been centralized, with key organizers and game developers making major decisions, and decentralizing these systems could better align the competitive scene with community interests.
In a decentralized system, the community could have more influence, including voting on changes to formats, including more teams, and contributing to prize pools.
Decentralized esports would open up more possibilities for gaming.
Between the lines: The predictions align with ongoing and emerging web3 gaming narratives, emphasizing player ownership, community governance, and seamless integration across gaming worlds.
