TAGUIG, Philippines (November 29, 2023) — In a digital era where innovation is the driving force behind economic growth, the Philippines stands at the forefront of the Web3 gaming revolution. According to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, gaming is the second-largest sector contributing to the country’s booming digital economy, highlighting the robust and vibrant gaming industry.
The inaugural YGG Web3 Games Summit, organized by Yield Guild Games and supported by Hyperplay, Aura, Globe, and others, recently took place in Bonifacio Global City from November 18 to 25. This unprecedented event gathered over 90 local and international Web3 game developers, content creators, esports athletes, Web3 venture capitalists, and government officials for a week-long celebration of Web3 gaming, reinforcing the Philippines’ role as a global hub for Web3 gaming adoption.
Mench Dizon, YGG Pilipinas Country Lead, described the summit as the “Web3 games event to watch out for,” positioning it as the Game Developers Conference equivalent for Web3 games. Underlying the importance of the summit, Batapa-Sigue issued a rallying cry to the Filipino startup generation: “We need to create the future that we want.” She emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting experimentation and creativity, urging the community to design for the future, particularly in the realm of Web3.
Philippines: The Beating Heart of Web3 Gaming
The summit showcased the Philippines’ pivotal role in the global Web3 gaming landscape, with Sky Mavis co-founder Jeffrey “Jihoz” Zirlin announcing the return of Axie Classic. Zirlin acknowledged the significant contribution of Filipinos to the success of Axie Infinity and the Ronin blockchain, positioning the Philippines as the beating heart of Web3 gaming.
Sebastien Borget, The Sandbox Co-Founder, highlighted the advanced understanding of Web3, blockchain, and user-generated content in Asian countries, particularly in the Philippines. The summit served as a platform for global developers to launch new Web3 games in the country, including Ragnarok Landverse, PROJECT XENO, Parallel, Star Atlas, Nine Chronicles M, MetaCene, Riftstorm, Cryptopia, Mighty Action Heroes, and more.
Bringing Global Opportunities to Filipino Web3 Gamers
The summit emphasized the role of local guilds in nurturing the vibrant Web3 gaming community. With the launch of quality Web3 games at the summit, Mench Dizon anticipates a surge in interest from Filipino gamers, introducing them to the benefits of Web3 gaming. Some Web3 games offer free-to-play elements, allowing gamers to own in-game non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and participate in the virtual economy.
Games like Anito Legends, inspired by Filipino mythology, aim to connect with Filipino gamers globally. YGG has structured programs such as the Guild Advancement Program (GAP) and Superquests to build skills and reward the community through education and achievement initiatives.
Celebrity Support and Future Outlook
The YGG Web3 Games Summit also featured cosplay competitions, esports tournaments, and celebrity support from boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, who awarded $100,000 in cash prizes to winners of the PROJECT XENO Pro Tour Manila esports tournament. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel players Jared Dillinger and Tony Bishop showcased the co-op top-down action shooter Riftstorm, emphasizing the potential of Web3 gaming as a tool for technological education and career building.
Dillinger stated, “Filipinos dominate Web3 gaming today, and the whole world knows it,” expressing optimism about the future of Web3 gaming in the Philippines. As the country continues to build on its success in the global Web3 gaming ecosystem, education and support for the industry are seen as key factors that will propel the Philippines even further into the forefront of the Web3 revolution.
