Welcome to another episode of Founder's Funnel, where we bring you closer to the visionaries reshaping the Web3 landscape.
Join us in this episode of Founder's Funnel featuring David Johansson, CEO and founder of BLOCKLORDS. Dive into BLOCKLORDS, a medieval strategy MMO game blending traditional gaming with cutting-edge Web3 technology.
David discusses the evolution of BLOCKLORDS, revealing how it challenges the norms of gaming with its Web3 integration, creating a real economy within a medieval fantasy world. Learn about the game's journey from concept to reality, the balancing act between technical intricacies and user experience, and the strategic decisions shaping its appeal to a diverse audience.
Also, gain insights into the future of Web3 gaming, and hear David's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the space.
1. Explain BLOCKLORDS to your grandma.
Answer: BLOCKLORDS is a medieval strategy game that's also an MMO. You start as a farmer, expanding your farm, collecting resources, and building your squads. As you progress, you collect heroes and can even form armies to attack other players, steal resources, or protect them. The game uses Web 3 technology, meaning your heroes can be minted on blockchain networks like Immutable X and Polygon. It's available on the Epic Game Store and offers a real economy where players can live out their medieval fantasies in a shared online world.
2. Since the launch of BLOCKLORDS, how has the game evolved in terms of gameplay mechanics and user engagement?
Answer: BLOCKLORDS has evolved significantly since its launch, with enhancements in gameplay mechanics and a focus on user engagement. We've developed a real MMO game based around a real economy, integrating Web 3 to incentivize users in ways that Web 2 couldn't. This has allowed users to more deeply immerse themselves in their medieval fantasies within a shared online experience.
3. Can you discuss any significant changes or additions made to BLOCKLORDS based on community feedback and your vision for the game?
Answer: Significant changes in BLOCKLORDS have been driven by a mix of community feedback and our vision for the game. We've worked on several NFT and tokenized projects, drawing inspiration from these experiences. The idea for BLOCKLORDS was born from playing and making a lot of games and seeing the potential of Web 3 in creating an MMO game with a real economy at its core.
4. What are the key strategic decisions you've made recently to enhance BLOCKLORDS' appeal to both hardcore gamers and casual players?
Answer: The key strategic decision has been to create a game that not only appeals to hardcore gamers with its complex mechanics and competitive elements but also remains accessible and enjoyable for casual players. This involves balancing intricate game design with user-friendliness.
5. How are you addressing technical challenges in scaling BLOCKLORDS, especially considering the complexities of blockchain and MMO environments?
Answer: Addressing technical challenges in scaling BLOCKLORDS involves tackling issues related to the nascent infrastructure of Web 3, focusing on user onboarding, retention, and security. Given the youth of the Web 3 infrastructure, we're navigating through these challenges while trying to maintain a standard that aligns with more established Web 2 companies.
6. How do you see the integration of web3 technologies impacting the broader gaming industry in the next few years?
Answer: Web3 technologies are set to significantly impact the gaming industry by offering new forms of user incentivization and engagement. This integration will likely lead to a paradigm shift where games are not just entertainment platforms but also ecosystems for real economic activity, leveraging blockchain technology to enhance the overall gaming experience.
7. What trends or shifts in the gaming industry are you anticipating, and how is BLOCKLORDS positioned to adapt to these changes?
Answer: We anticipate shifts towards more blockchain integration and player-driven economies in the gaming industry. BLOCKLORDS is positioned to adapt to these changes by staying ahead of technological advancements, ensuring that our game meets evolving player expectations and capitalizes on the opportunities presented by these trends.
8. What do you perceive as the biggest challenges and opportunities in the web3 gaming space currently?
Answer: The biggest challenges in the web3 gaming space are related to the young infrastructure, security concerns, and customer service issues. However, these challenges present opportunities to innovate and set new standards in gaming, particularly in terms of creating games with real economic impact and player engagement.
9. How do you balance the need for a compelling user experience with the technical intricacies of web3 in BLOCKLORDS?
Answer: Balancing a compelling user experience with the intricacies of web3 involves streamlining the complex aspects of blockchain technology to ensure it enhances, rather than hinders, the gaming experience. This means making the game accessible and enjoyable while leveraging the unique benefits of blockchain.
10. What strategies are you employing to foster a strong, engaged community around BLOCKLORDS?
Answer: To foster a strong community around BLOCKLORDS, we are focusing on regular engagement through various platforms, seeking and incorporating player feedback, and creating a sense of ownership and investment among our players. Building a robust support system and recognizing community contributions are also key to our community-building efforts.
11. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs or developers interested in creating web3 games?
Answer: Aspiring entrepreneurs and developers should focus on bootstrapping as much as possible, seeking grants instead of investments in the early stages. It's also crucial to find a good co-founder to share the load, as being an entrepreneur can be challenging. Identifying a unique niche, staying committed through difficulties, and understanding the intricacies of both game development and web3 technology are essential for success in this field.