As the cryptocurrency market picks up in 2024, blockchain games are becoming a vibrant area of ​​the industry. As of 2023, the market is worth over $3 billion and is expected to reach $90 billion by 2030. Part of this growth stems from increased investment and widespread adoption of NFTs. At the same time, “play to earn” (P2E) and “play to own” (P2O) games that combine traditional game elements with blockchain technology are leading this trend. 2024 is expected to be a pivotal year for the GameFi project due to technological innovation, financial investment, community engagement, and the continued development of the gaming economy.

As a leader in the blockchain gaming industry, BigTime has attracted much attention for its development plans in 2024 after just completing the distribution of nearly $300 million in player pre-season rewards. This article will invite Michael Migliero, CMO of BigTime, to share the development and plans of the industry and projects from the perspective of BigTime.

Q: What led you to join the Big Time game?

Michael Migliero：My experience in the mobile gaming industry was from 2011 to 2018, when my previous company was acquired by a major game publisher. Along the way I experienced the ongoing issue of in-game inflation, and as the marketing budgets for these games continued to increase, the urgency to recoup these costs led to an increased emphasis on in-game monetization, ultimately leading to charging from the user end. I realized that this approach was unsustainable. Then we started building the Big Time game, and I was inspired by the potential of the Web3 model to change this dynamic. Web3 gives players the ability to actively participate in the game economy, presenting what I believe is the future of gaming - a sustainable, player-centric ecosystem.

Q: How does the experience of core team members in the traditional game industry help Big Time?

Michael Migliero：The experience of our core team members, especially those who came from Epic Games and contributed to Fortnite, played a key role in shaping the Big Time game. Their experience working on groundbreaking games like Fortnite sets the benchmark for delivering high-quality gaming experiences. Additionally, this gives our team the ability to implement changes quickly, ensuring Big Time not only meets but exceeds the standards expected by players in the current gaming space. This combination of quality focus and flexibility is one of our core strategies for developing Big Time games.

Q: What is the biggest challenge the team encounters during game development? How did you overcome it?

Michael Migliero：Our biggest challenge is finding a balance between development speed and maintaining quality. The Web3 space is growing rapidly, and theres a well-known trend in the traditional games industry where game development can be delayed for years. Timing is of the essence in the crypto market, especially during bull markets when interest in new Web3 games increases dramatically. Our commitment to fast delivery means we have to contend with the occasional bug, bug, or even character reset to patch. However, the challenges are worth it. Our focus on speed has resulted in one of the most complete, timely games on the market today.

Q: Blockchain games can sometimes be financial products disguised as games. In what ways do you think the combination of Crypto and games is important?

Michael Migliero：As the blockchain gaming industry grows, I expect there will be a shift away from gaming being primarily a financial product. The future of Web3 gaming depends on creating experiences that are inherently enjoyable, free of charge, fair and equitable, and avoid pay-to-win mechanics. Successful integration of Crypto into games will depend on strategies to enhance the gaming experience without sacrificing fun or accessibility. For example, in Big Time, players can enjoy the game completely free of charge. However, for those players interested in deeper participation in the game economy, such as collecting tokens or participating in productions, owning or leasing practical NFTs like Spaces, Workshops, and Hourglasses only becomes relevant. This approach ensures that the game remains free while providing an additional way for players interested in the financial aspect to participate, balancing the entertainment value of the game with the financial opportunities.

Q: Big Time’s NFT sales have performed well, but some people question that there are not enough strong asset consumption scenarios. How does the team view this problem?

Michael Migliero：Its been about 140 days since the economic model was launched, 40 of which occurred during the Western holiday season, and its important to recognize that the Big Time economy is still in its early stages and evolving. We are actively working to enhance the overall player economy experience. Additionally, considering that the game is still in its early stages, we are focused on optimizing and improving the economy and the game itself. We believe that as these improvements are implemented, our user base will expand, increase in demand, and diversify into different aspects of the economy. Our approach is how to solve the problem of the current asset consumption scenario, clearly seeing growth and development.

Q: Big Time has always emphasized player-centeredness. What efforts have you made in this regard?

Michael Migliero：At Big Time, putting players first is at the core of everything we do. From the outset, we ensured player engagement was paramount; for example, when introducing the studio via airdrop, we ensured active play was a prerequisite. This approach is reflected in our main leaderboard, which has a heavy focus on gaming. Our strategies and decisions are always made with player experience and engagement in mind, ensuring the game remains enjoyable and rewarding for those who invest their time and energy. There are no token allocations for team members and investors.

Q: In addition to retaining existing users, it is also important to attract new users. The entry cost for ordinary players is high and the payback period is lengthened. What actions will you take to lower the entry threshold for new users?

Michael Migliero：In order to solve the problem of high barriers to entry for new players and make the game more accessible, we implemented a leasing system for in-game assets. Recognizing that a minimum rental period of 30 days may be prohibitive for some, we have recently reduced this minimum period to just 7 days. This change is part of our ongoing efforts to lower barriers to entry, making it easier for new users to participate. In addition, we are actively developing new mechanisms designed to further reduce the cost of entry and ensure our games are affordable and accessible to a wider audience. These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to not only retaining existing players, but also welcoming new players into our community.

Q: Regarding the Asian or Chinese community, is there anything the Big Time team would like to say to everyone?

Michael Migliero：The Chinese community holds a special place in the hearts of the Big Time team. We realize its importance and find ourselves increasingly interacting with players on platforms such as WeChat, spending more time connecting with players every day. We are increasing our efforts in all aspects in China, from improving customer service to strengthening marketing efforts and even organizing giveaways during Chinese holidays. Our commitment to the Chinese community is unwavering and we are excited to continue to build and strengthen this relationship.

Q: What plans does Big Time have for new game content and features? What are the priorities?

Michael Migliero：For 2024, Big Time aims to launch player versus player (PvP) functionality, which is a much-requested feature for our community and a top priority for our team. The addition of this feature aims to bring an exciting new dimension to the game, where players can challenge each other and the environment, staking real assets to win prizes. While the mechanical details of PvP are still under wraps, were committed to ensuring that it enhances the gaming experience without requiring competitive play to be a requirement for success in the games economy or leaderboards. This move is part of our overall strategy to continue to grow and enrich Big Time, keeping our community engaged and excited.

Q: Big Time invitation codes were once scarce. When will it be open to everyone?

Michael Migliero：We hope to remove the invitation code requirement within the year. Before we open access to everyone, we need to strengthen a few areas, including First Time User Experience (FTUE) and our infrastructure expansion. These improvements are critical to ensuring that new players entering the game are smooth and enjoyable, and that our systems can effectively handle the increased player base.

Q: What advice do you have for game enthusiasts and players who want to participate in Web3 game production?

Michael Migliero：For game enthusiasts and players who want to learn more about Web3 game development, my advice is to learn more about existing Web3 games. Engage with the community, talk to other players, and really listen to their experiences. Pay close attention to what makes your current game successful and, just as importantly, understand why it fails and what doesnt work. Learning from industry successes and failures will provide you with a solid foundation to innovate and improve. This personal experience and knowledge will be invaluable to anyone looking to make a meaningful contribution to the growing field of Web3 gaming.