Shaping the future of Web3 gaming in Southeast Asia: An interview with W3GG CEO Chin Yu

Asia has the biggest gaming population in the world with over 2X more gamers than the rest of the world, according to recent reports. The Southeast Asian region has a higher concentration of this overall group and with the advancements in Web3, there is a new arena of opportunities open for gamers and developers.

W3GG is a platform that has been making strides with its vision of a decentralized engagement system for gamers and its unique approach to game distribution. At the heart of the W3GG approach is a fundamental shift in how they aim to connect players and developers.

In a conversation with Chin Yu, the CEO of W3GG we discussed the motivation for creating the W3GG platform, their community, the $W3GG token, and the road ahead.

1. Tell us more about the W3GG mission. What was the motivation behind the platform?

At the core of W3GG’s identity lies our deep-rooted understanding of both the gaming industry and the emerging Web3 landscape. Our foundations trace back to our role as the exclusive guild partner for Yield Guild Games in Southeast Asia. During this formative period, we spearheaded crypto adoption through play-to-earn gaming scholarships, distributing over $1 million in in-game tokens to more than 50,000 scholars across the region.

However, the market dynamics shifted in 2022, as the collapse of Terra, Luna, and 3AC rendered scholarships as a primary business model unsustainable. Rather than being deterred, we took a step back to reevaluate the landscape and saw an even greater opportunity.

 Recognizing SEA as a high-growth market for decentralized gaming, we doubled down on building a platform that solves two critical challenges.

First, we aim to provide genuine earning opportunities for our SEA community, empowering them to participate in the Web3 gaming revolution. Secondly, we empower Web3 game studios to directly reach, acquire, and engage these vibrant gaming communities – a feat that has eluded incumbent marketing platforms due to their limited visibility and ineffective distribution channels.

By tying gaming actions to Soulbound tokens, a form of digital identity on the blockchain, we ensure that all player engagement is irrefutably recorded on-chain. This enables us to offer a level of transparency and accountability that sets us apart from traditional models.

For gamers, this presents an opportunity to build a platform that bridges the gap between play and ownership. We reward players not only for their skill but for their loyalty and dedication, empowering them with true digital ownership through NFTs and tokens.

By fostering this ecosystem of recognition and ownership, we believe W3GG can become the central hub for Web3 gaming in Southeast Asia and beyond. Our unique combination of gaming expertise, blockchain-enabled infrastructure, and deep understanding of the target market positions us as a true industry leader, poised to redefine the future of decentralized gaming.

2. What makes W3GG stand out from the rest in the space?

W3GG’s origins trace back to a humble yet impactful mission – empowering communities, particularly in Southeast Asia. This regional focus has been and continues to be the driving force behind our platform. We have established a grassroots presence across five Southeast Asian countries – Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore – forging strong connections with communities in even the most far-flung corners of these markets.

Importantly, we’ve also built robust relationships with government agencies, universities, NGOs, and gaming developers across the region. This extensive network allows us to bring together communities and key stakeholders, enabling us to make a lasting impact throughout Southeast Asia.

Another important distinction is our targeted focus on Southeast Asia, one of the world’s most active gaming markets. By tailoring our platform to a region that is both crypto-savvy and highly engaged in gaming, we’ve secured a formidable competitive edge.

Finally, W3GG’s investment in a diverse ecosystem of over 80 Web3 projects, ranging from gaming to AI to infrastructure, sets us apart. This not only bolsters our treasury but also allows us to onboard new partners into the W3GG ecosystem and distribute rewards from these projects to our most engaged community members.

3. Tell us more about the W3Key Soulbound Token?

Unlike other platforms, we empower developers to connect with players directly, providing both parties with a richer, community-driven experience. At the heart of this is the W3Key Soulbound Token (SBT) – a critical pillar in our efforts to empower developers and communities.

By attributing gaming achievements to players via the blockchain, we can create an irrefutable digital CV for gamers. These aggregated gaming credentials unlock new opportunities, allowing players to participate, contribute, and be compensated for their time, engagement, and loyalty. Gamers can even use these credentials to apply for contributor roles within games, becoming indirect employees and stakeholders in the success of their favorite titles.

Moreover, by integrating blockchain-based rewards, including NFTs and Soulbound Tokens that track achievements, W3GG offers players a lasting record of their contributions. Crucially, this also enables us to onboard users into Web3 while granting them digital ownership – a powerful combination that empowers individuals.

For gaming studios, the W3Key SBT presents a unique advantage. They can leverage these player credentials to target users based on their gaming history, crafting highly engaging reward programs that connect, acquire, engage, and retain their communities both before and after launch – a critical factor in ensuring long-term game sustainability.

4. The $W3GG token has been described as the cornerstone of the platform’s gaming ecosystem. What are some of its use cases that would appeal to a user?

One of the central applications of the $W3GG token lies in its role within W3GG’s launchpad. To participate, users need both a soulbound token (SBT) and staked $W3GG tokens, which ensures they have early access to exciting game launches and upcoming game titles.

Additionally, $W3GG holders can unlock a suite of premium features on the platform. Players who hold and spend tokens gain access to exclusive NFT whitelists, discounts on high-demand NFTs, special skins, exclusive game modes, premium gaming assets, and even W3GG merchandise.

The $W3GG token also connects users to an array of exclusive events and communities, including W3GG’s highly-anticipated annual Gam3Day and other prominent blockchain gatherings. 

For users interested in advancing their gaming journey, W3GG has created a scholarship system where $W3GG tokens can be used to bid on scholarship NFTs. Furthermore, the $W3GG token enables users to participate in W3GG’s decentralized gamer talent network.

The $W3GG token also incorporates diversified staking rewards, enabling holders to benefit from various ecosystem activities. Stakers earn $W3GG rewards and can participate in additional raffles for prizes, tickets, NFTs, and partner token giveaways. 

Lastly, $W3GG token holders can actively participate in platform governance. By staking tokens, they gain the right to vote on key proposals related to ecosystem enhancements, treasury allocations, partner onboarding, and grants, allowing them to influence the future of W3GG.

5. A sense of community is one of the core values behind W3GG. Keeping this in mind, what initiatives are you taking to ensure you build and strengthen your Web3 community?

At W3GG, community empowerment is at the core of our mission. We employ a multi-tiered approach to engagement, ensuring that we not only build connections with our user base but also elevate and empower them through meaningful interactions, events, and opportunities for growth.

Our community team actively engages with micro-communities, organizing a wide range of local and regional events. These events include offline game nights, tournaments, and real-life meetups, which enable gamers to connect, collaborate, and celebrate their shared passion. 

One of the unique aspects of our approach is our commitment to providing opportunities for growth and skill development. Our community members are encouraged to contribute in various ways, such as content creation, game testing, and providing feedback to developers. By recognizing and rewarding these contributions, we empower players to build their skills and earn rewards while supporting the broader W3GG ecosystem. 

W3GG also hosts annual events like Gam3day—a premier gathering where we highlight web3 gaming. During these events, we engage community members in crucial roles, from event setup to providing support, allowing them to earn while being an integral part of our biggest gatherings. These touchpoints are more than events; they are opportunities for our community to actively shape W3GG’s future.

Through these initiatives, we are building a dynamic, interactive environment where gamers feel valued and connected. By fostering a network that encourages contribution, growth, and recognition, W3GG is creating a vibrant and empowered community that stands at the forefront of the Web3 gaming movement.

6. W3GG’s former CEO, Irene Umar has been appointed the Deputy Minister for the Creative Economy of Indonesia, how significant is this with regard to the larger picture of Web3 and blockchain development?

Irene Umar’s recent appointment as Indonesia’s Deputy Minister for the Creative Economy is an incredibly exciting milestone, not just for W3GG but for the broader Web3 and blockchain industry. Her role in the government is a testament to the growing legitimacy and importance of blockchain technology in the national landscape, underscoring Indonesia’s commitment to embracing the digital economy. As a prominent advocate for Web3, Irene’s influence in this strategic position allows her to champion blockchain initiatives that could revolutionize Indonesia’s creative and digital sectors, paving the way for new opportunities and partnerships.

Indonesia, already one of the world’s largest and most active gaming and blockchain markets, ranks among the top three countries globally for crypto adoption, according to a recent 2024 Chainalysis report. This highlights the immense potential for Web3 growth in the region. With Irene in an influential governmental role, W3GG now has unprecedented access to work closely with the government to help shape Web3 initiatives, tackle regulatory challenges, and lead educational campaigns on blockchain and digital ownership. This partnership between private sector innovation and government policy could accelerate the mainstream adoption of Web3 and create a more open, thriving digital economy.

For W3GG, this appointment signifies a major advantage, offering new pathways to align with national creative and economic goals. We are particularly thrilled about the possibilities of forging collaborations that not only enhance the gaming and blockchain sectors but also benefit local developers and gamers, creating jobs, economic growth, and a forward-thinking digital infrastructure.

With Irene’s leadership, we see a promising future where Indonesia can set the standard for Web3 integration, and W3GG is honored to contribute to and support this vision. This next chapter for W3GG and Indonesia is bound to unlock boundless opportunities for Web3 innovation, both locally and globally.

7. What lies ahead on your roadmap? Do you have any developments planned that we can look forward to?

We’re incredibly excited about what’s ahead for W3GG as we continue to scale and innovate, and we believe 2025 is going to be a pivotal year for us. By the end of this year, we’ll be launching Version 2 of our platform, a major upgrade that will set the stage for more immersive and engaging experiences.

While Version 1 successfully introduced users to our ecosystem through simple social quests, Version 2 takes it to the next level, adding gaming API integrations that allow players to connect directly with in-game experiences. 

Our launchpad will also come into full swing, adding some of the best and most anticipated games in Web3 to our roster. The launchpad’s engagement tools, like quests and community rewards, will help developers maximize their outreach and establish a dedicated player base from day one.

Another exciting area of development is expanded blockchain integration. We recently announced that we will be integrating with the Ronin chain, one of the largest and most successful gaming blockchain networks but this is just the beginning. 

2025 will also see the launch of our rewards marketplace, a dynamic environment where players can redeem or trade NFTs, tokens, and other in-game assets. This marketplace will give gamers tangible value for their engagement, allowing them to use or trade their rewards within and across games. 

With these developments, W3GG is well on its way to becoming the premier platform for Web3 gaming distribution and engagement. Our vision for 2025 and beyond is to empower gamers with ownership and a sense of community while providing developers with the tools they need to thrive in the decentralized space. This is a transformative time for W3GG, and we’re thrilled to share it with our community and investors as we pave the way for a robust and inclusive Web3 gaming ecosystem.

For more information on W3GG, please check out their official website.

Disclaimer: This is a paid post and should not be treated as news/advice.