Web3 Gaming Moves Closer to Mainstream as Major Titles Gear Up for 2025

Web3 gaming is steadily gaining ground as developers push to bring blockchain-integrated titles into the mainstream. With a slate of upcoming console releases, studios are aiming to challenge the traditional gaming industry by offering players true ownership of their in-game assets through blockchain technology.

While some upcoming titles lean more heavily into Web3 elements than others, the increasing frequency of GameFi projects signals clear momentum heading into 2025.

According to Precedence Research, the global Web3 gaming market is projected to surge from $31.49 billion in 2024 to approximately $182.98 billion by 2034. This growth is expected to be fueled by a growing number of mainstream titles, including Gunzilla Games’ Off The Grid launching on PlayStation 5, and the global FIFA franchise venturing into Web3 versions. Unlike traditional games where assets remain locked within corporate ecosystems, Web3 gaming offers players the ability to buy, sell, and trade items with real-world value, adding a financial layer to gameplay that traditional titles have historically lacked.

Still, skepticism within the traditional gaming community remains strong, particularly regarding the use of NFTs and cryptocurrencies.

Theo Agranat, Director of Web3 at Gunzilla Games, acknowledged the wariness, telling CCN:

“Skepticism will always exist and for good reason. It holds game developers accountable and encourages them to be as transparent as possible in order to prove themselves.”

Despite resistance and setbacks, such as Valve’s 2021 decision to remove blockchain-based games from Steam, Web3 developers continue to build active, loyal communities. By offering players economic participation and digital ownership, studios hope to emulate the success of games like Fortnite, which turned its player-driven economy into a billion-dollar ecosystem.

Among the titles leading the 2025 Web3 wave is Off The Grid, a multiplayer battle royale from Gunzilla Games, currently in early access for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox. With narrative direction from District 9 filmmaker Neill Blomkamp, the game aims to blend traditional gameplay with blockchain-based asset ownership.

Meanwhile, Moonray from Moonray Studios is preparing for its console debut later this year. The Ethereum-based multiplayer battle arena game has already attracted over 400,000 unique wallet connections since its PC release in 2023, offering NFTs for skins, weapons, and other assets. Co-founder Hans Andersson described the upcoming release as “a monumental step” for Web3 gaming.

Neon Machine’s first-person shooter Shrapnel has also made headlines, recently securing approval to operate on China’s state-backed RWA Copyright Chain, making it the first foreign blockchain title to do so. Though development challenges and reports of financial troubles circulated, Neon Machine’s CEO Kenneth Rosman reportedly stated that the company is now in the “best shape” it has ever been.

Looking further ahead, 2026 will bring even bigger projects, including an AAA Peaky Blinders Web3 game developed by Banijay and Anonymous Labs. While details are still limited, the project promises digital collectibles, action-driven gameplay, and a tokenized economy, reflecting broader ambitions to redefine digital entertainment through blockchain integration.