Crypto gaming isn’t slowing down. After a transformative 2024, 2025 is already shaping up to be another big year—just with a slightly different vibe. The hype cycles are quieter, but the actual games? They’re better than ever.
Developers are thinking long-term now. Instead of rushing out tokens and barely working alphas, we’re seeing polished experiences and thoughtful releases. Web2 interest is growing, blockchain migrations are happening more often, and AI is starting to sneak into gameplay. And that’s just scratching the surface.
Let’s get into what’s really going on in Web3 gaming right now—and where it’s headed next.
Web2 First, Web3 Later
Gone are the days when a token dropped before a game even had a trailer. These days, if your game doesn’t have solid gameplay first, you’re not going anywhere. Most teams are now launching their games without blockchain elements, or delaying them until the experience feels complete.
Just look at Off the Grid. The early access version dropped on Xbox last year—with no Web3 mechanics—and that helped it get mainstream attention without the usual Web3 baggage.
It’s clear that the new approach is working. GameFi studios are realizing that crypto alone won’t keep players around. Instead, they’re putting gameplay first and using Web3 as an optional layer rather than the foundation.
This shift could be key to bringing traditional gamers into the space. If the games are fun, they’ll play. Web3 can come later.
Chain-Hopping Is the New Normal
Loyalty to a single blockchain?
Web3 games are more willing than ever to jump chains if it means lower gas fees, better tools, or a more active gaming ecosystem. We’ve already seen it with Pixels, which moved to Ronin and brought games like Nifty Island and Fishing Frenzy with it.
This movement is turning blockchain platforms into active competitors. Networks are rolling out grants and support programs to convince games to stay. And from a game dev perspective, that’s great news. It means better deals, more support, and more opportunities to scale.
Don’t be surprised if more high-profile projects make the switch this year.
More Collabs, Bigger Names
One surprising effect of the crypto winter? It brought the community closer.
Web3 games started teaming up for co-branded events, shared NFT drops, and joint tournaments. It wasn’t about fighting for attention—it was about growing the space together.
At the same time, traditional giants are starting to get involved. Sony quietly entered the space with its L2 project, Soneium, which just went live on mainnet. What’s interesting is that they’re not launching a game—they’re building infrastructure.
That’s a huge move. If Soneium ends up connecting the PlayStation ecosystem to Web3 in any meaningful way, it could be one of the biggest bridges between mainstream and crypto gaming we’ve ever seen.
AI-Driven Gameplay Enters the Chat
AI is everywhere, and Web3 gaming is starting to experiment with it in interesting ways.
Take Illuvium, which partnered with Virtuals to introduce AI-powered agents into Overworld. These agents are designed to make every player’s experience feel more personal and dynamic—something that traditional static NPCs can’t really offer.
But it doesn’t stop there. AI could be used to manage in-game events, run smarter storylines, or even become fully autonomous game masters.
We’re just getting started, but it’s clear that AI and blockchain will be working together a lot more in the near future.
Telegram Games: Still Around, But Losing Steam?
Let’s wrap this up with something a little more speculative: Telegram games.
These mini-games exploded in 2024. Clickers like Hamster Kombat brought millions of players into Web3 with nothing more than a chat interface. But once those token launches happened—and Bitcoin started dominating the market again—the hype cooled off fast.
While some teams are still pushing forward (Hamster’s got three more games on the way), it’s clear that the Telegram format is limiting. Most of these games rely on simple mechanics and viral loops—they’re easy to start, but hard to sustain.
If this category wants to stay relevant, it’ll need to evolve. Mixing Telegram’s accessibility with full games outside the app might be the only way forward.
Final Thoughts
2025 is shaping up to be a foundational year for crypto gaming. We’re finally moving past the hype and into a phase where good games lead the way. More studios are focusing on fun before tokens. More blockchains are competing to support the best titles. And more players are showing up because the games are actually worth playing.
There’s still a long way to go, but one thing’s for sure—Web3 gaming is no longer just an experiment. It’s becoming a genre of its own.
