The Path to Web3 Popularization: The Role and Challenges of Casual Games

The Web3 industry has been seeking to achieve mass adoption, but substantial user growth has yet to materialize. Although there have been technological advancements, such as account abstraction and transaction speed improvements, these enhancements have not significantly increased the number of active users.

Recently, the surge represented by certain Meme coins has briefly activated public interest, but data shows that most investors suffered losses in the short term and exited. This pattern of speculative entry and rapid exit contributes limited value to long-term growth and may even harm the public's perception of Web3. To achieve true mainstream adoption, the industry's focus must shift towards creating a sustained sense of value for users, going beyond short-term financial gains, and establishing a stable user base.

Games have always been the pioneers of new technology adoption. From MUD games in the PC era, to casual games like "Fruit Ninja" in the smartphone era, and to the popularization of AR technology with "Pokémon Go", the simple and intuitive gaming experience has been an effective way to guide users in adapting to new technologies. This principle also applies to the Web3 domain. Casual games provide users with a low-threshold ecological entry point, allowing them to explore the Web3 world with minimal risk. In contrast, pure Meme coin trading, while simple, is overly speculative; and hardcore Web3 games are limited in mass appeal due to their complex onboarding processes. Casual games precisely fill this gap, combining accessibility with sustained engagement.

Gomble Games is dedicated to merging Web3 with casual gaming. The company originates from a successful Korean game studio and adheres to the core principle of delivering fun, seamlessly integrating Web3 features into gameplay. Its flagship game Eggdrop attracted 300,000 users within two days of launch, with monthly active users quickly surpassing 3 million, demonstrating its ability to design highly engaging games in the Web3 ecosystem.

Gomble's strategy goes beyond game development to include building a complete Web3 ecosystem. The company operates the social gaming hub GOMBLE SQUAD, the developer platform GOMBLE BUILDERS, and a native token system, aiming to transform short-term gaming behavior into long-term ecological participation. GOMBLE SQUAD introduces a squad mechanism to strengthen social attributes; GOMBLE BUILDERS allows users to participate in game development and earn rewards; the token economy connects players, developers, and the community, creating a positive incentive loop.

However, Gomble still faces challenges. Although casual games have a low entry barrier, they often encounter issues such as short lifecycles and high user churn rates. Gomble needs to continuously produce "interesting games" to support its ecosystem. Unlike the traditional model that relies on a single product, Gomble adopts a strategy of collaborating with external developers and projects to enhance the probability of success.

Casual games remain the most pragmatic way to achieve mass adoption of Web3. Gomble is positioned at the intersection of gaming and Web3, and if it can successfully break through, it may initiate a new wave of popularization driven by the enjoyment of games rather than speculation. This attempt is worth close attention from the industry.