After a turbulent few years, the blockchain gaming industry is showing signs of renewed vigor in 2025. Yat Siu, executive chairman of Animoca Brands, a leading investor in Web3 gaming startups, believes this resurgence is fueled by several factors, including Bitcoin’s recent surge to an all-time high and the anticipated crypto-friendly policies of the incoming Trump administration.
“I think 2025 is going to be a massive year for Web3 gaming,” Siu stated in an exclusive interview with VentureBeat. “Bigger than this year, which has seen quite a strong recovery.”
Siu acknowledges the skepticism that many Western gamers hold towards Web3 games, often dismissing them as scams or lacking in entertainment value. However, he points to the emergence of high-quality titles like “Off the Grid,” a Web3 battle royale shooter that has attracted mainstream attention, as evidence that the industry is maturing.
“If there’s one thing that there’s hope behind,” Siu remarked, “it’s to say, ‘This is how we finally bring in the Call of Duty guy.'”
Another significant development, according to Siu, is the rise of the TON blockchain on the Telegram messaging platform. TON has become a hub for hypercasual minigames, attracting millions of users from Telegram’s vast user base. Siu believes this model, where platforms utilize blockchain to provide open access to their user base, could revolutionize game distribution and development.
“TON has become the open API gateway for the Telegram base,” Siu explained. “That’s an interesting model. It extends beyond just, ‘Here’s a distribution channel.'”
Siu predicts that 2025 will see a convergence of Web2 and Web3 gamers, with each group expanding the overall gaming market. He envisions Web3 games attracting a new generation of gamers who value ownership and in-game assets, while Web2 gamers will be drawn to high-quality Web3 titles that offer compelling gameplay experiences.
Addressing the resistance to Web3 games among some Western gamers, Siu believes it stems from a cultural aversion to the integration of money and gaming. He contrasts this with the more open attitude towards monetization in Asian gaming culture.
“The Asian gamer is much more open toward it,” Siu observed, “because capitalism has been positive. Asian people generally are much more open to talking about money.”
Siu remains optimistic that the upcoming shift in the political landscape will create a more favorable environment for blockchain gaming in the West. He believes that clear regulations and positive rhetoric from the new administration will encourage more gamers to embrace Web3 games.
Looking ahead, Siu anticipates a surge in funding for Web3 gaming startups, driven by both traditional venture capital and a new class of investors who have amassed wealth through cryptocurrencies. He also predicts that Web3 game companies will begin to explore IPOs in the near future.
Animoca Brands itself is actively involved in several projects that reflect Siu’s vision for the future of Web3 gaming. Their Mocaverse and Moca ID initiatives aim to create a decentralized platform for user identity and reputation, fostering a more secure and trustworthy ecosystem for gamers and developers.
Siu concluded the interview with a strong sense of optimism for the future of blockchain gaming.
“We’re going to add hundreds of millions of new users into Web3 in 2025 because of all the games that are launching,” he predicted. “I think we’ll see record high on-chain activity.”
As the blockchain gaming industry continues to evolve, Siu’s insights and Animoca Brands’ investments are likely to play a significant role in shaping its future.
Editorial Note: This news article has been written with assistance from AI. Edited & fact-checked by Harshajit Sarmah.
