Video games have often faced criticism for being a mere pastime, accused of being time-wasting, addictive, and socially isolating. However, with over 3 billion gamers worldwide, it’s clear that gaming is a significant part of modern culture. But how can the gaming industry leverage its influence for social good? This blog explores the emergence of Web3 games with a social impact, highlighting various initiatives that demonstrate how gaming can be a powerful tool for raising awareness, supporting charitable causes, and driving positive change.

Raising Awareness through Entertainment

One of the most significant trends in gaming today is the development of games that raise awareness about pressing social issues. From bullying and eating disorders to the horrors of war and child abuse, these thematic games aim to instill empathy in a new generation of gamers. In the United States, GamesForChange.org has long championed awareness-raising games, even before the rise of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) measures in various industries. In China, tech giant Tencent is also actively involved in creating social value through gaming. The sector making the most impact, however, is blockchain gaming, introducing the concept of Play-to-Earn (P2E) and Play-and-Earn (P&E). Games like Axie Infinity have empowered players to turn their in-game time into a valuable resource. Even during a market downturn, P2E gaming is thriving in Southeast Asia, with many individuals supporting their families through gaming alone. Web3 gaming, particularly GameFi, is making a substantial social impact, especially in regions with economic challenges.

GameFi-for-Good

Combining Gaming and Social Impact Singapore-based Digital Entertainment Asset (DEA) is at the forefront of combining gaming and social good through GameFi. Beyond hosting casual P2E games on their PlayMining GameFi platform, DEA actively supports various charitable causes across Southeast Asia. Their initiatives extend to aiding single mothers, disabled individuals, and struggling farming communities. DEA is even working on a social contribution game that employs NFTs to address challenges faced by governments and infrastructure companies, replacing inspection and patrol work with community-driven solutions. Another project, Oasys, is embracing social impact by partnering with DEA to develop content focused on addressing societal issues through games. Oasys, known for its fee-less and environmentally friendly blockchain, is establishing itself as a trailblazer in the traditional gaming industry, with partnerships including SEGA, Square Enix, Ubisoft, and Bandai Namco. The mainstream gaming industry is increasingly embracing blockchain technology and NFTs, making it clear that Web3-powered gaming is on the horizon, providing game developers with tools to create genuine societal impacts.

The World’s First Impact NFT

DEA has introduced the world’s first “Impact NFT” on the PlayMining GameFi platform, allowing players of Play-to-Earn (P2E) games to donate a portion of their crypto earnings to charities or individuals in need. DEA’s Co-founder and Co-CEO, Kozo Yamada, emphasizes the goal of making donations more accessible for younger generations, enabling them to contribute to social impact initiatives by merely playing games. The first Impact NFT available on the platform supports a banana farm community in the Philippines, where a portion of players’ earnings goes directly to the farm owner, creating a positive impact on local communities.

Championing Cleaner Waterways

Matchingham Games, a leading game company based in Leicester, is showcasing its commitment to environmental stewardship. In collaboration with the Leicester City Council, Matchingham Games organized a successful clean-up along the River Soar, revitalizing the waterside and transforming it into a pristine, inviting space. This clean-up event underlines the positive change that can occur when communities unite for a common environmental cause. Matchingham Games’ founder and CEO Fatih Haltas said: “At Matchingham Games, we believe that our responsibility extends beyond the gaming world, and we are deeply committed to making a meaningful impact in our communities.”

Democratizing Web3 Gaming

GAM3S.GG, an Abu Dhabi-based Web3 gaming company, is on a mission to democratize the Web3 gaming industry. With over 215 games listed across 15 chains and 80,000 registered gamers, GAM3S.GG offers a comprehensive gaming hub. Their vision is to make Web3 gaming more accessible by eliminating barriers to entry, providing users with a seamless gaming experience, and offering educational content to capture the attention of traditional gamers.

Omar Ghanem, co-founder and chief executive of GAM3S.GG said “I am on a mission to democratise the game industry and bridge the gap between the users and the technology.”

Funding Scholarships and Charitable Initiatives

Binance Charity Fund, the philanthropic arm of Binance Global Inc., the world’s largest crypto exchange, is stepping up its support for the Web3 field. In 2023, Binance Charity Fund is set to fund over 30,000 Web3 scholarships. The Binance Charity Scholar Program aims to break down financial barriers that can deter new students from entering the burgeoning Web3 field. By providing scholarships, it hopes to diversify the talent in this growing industry.

Web3, often associated with blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, and NFTs, is reshaping the internet. In the last six months, Binance Charity has donated more than $2.2 million in BUSD (a dollar-pegged stablecoin) and offered 36,500 scholarship placements across the globe. Beyond scholarships, they’re supporting individuals affected by the Russian invasion in Ukraine and collaborating with Women in Tech to provide training to women in South Africa and Brazil.

Binance Charity’s initiative aligns with the growing demand for software engineers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 25% increase in software engineering positions over the next decade, underlining the significance of funding and scholarships in this evolving sector.

Teddy DAO: Merging NFTs with Charity

Another example of NFTs and Web3’s impact on charitable causes comes from Teddy DAO. This Web3 software company has partnered with fundraising platform JustGiving to hold daily auctions of teddy bear NFTs. Auction winners can donate the proceeds to a charity of their choice from the 400 supported by JustGiving. Teddy DAO’s goal is to tap into the world of cryptocurrency to make a global social impact.

The project was inspired by a previous NFT sale that raised $15,000 for humanitarian aid organization UNICEF. This new approach, featuring daily auctions, provides a continuous stream of revenue for charities and encourages broader community participation.

Despite ongoing market fluctuations, the power of NFTs for charitable donations is gaining momentum. Crypto-based charity donations provide an innovative way to utilize blockchain-based currencies and NFTs for real-world social impact. From healthcare initiatives to educational scholarships, these initiatives showcase the potential of Web3 and NFTs to support various charitable causes.

As technology continues to advance, we can expect more creative ways to harness the power of Web3 and NFTs for the greater good. These developments highlight the transformative potential of gaming and digital innovations in making a positive impact on society.

With projects like Binance Charity Fund, community-driven NFT initiatives, and innovative NFT charities like Teddy DAO, it’s evident that the gaming and blockchain industries are leveraging Web3 for social good. The potential for positive change through these technologies is substantial, and we can anticipate even more innovative approaches to charitable giving in the future. As the world becomes more digital, we are witnessing the rise of groundbreaking technologies that have the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with our surroundings. Two of these technologies, Web3 and NFTs, are opening exciting new possibilities for charitable organizations to raise funds and support their causes.

As blockchain gaming and NFTs gain traction, it’s only a matter of time before Web3-powered gaming becomes a mainstream phenomenon. By supporting these initiatives and embracing the potential of Web3 technology, gamers and game developers alike can contribute to a brighter future for society.

In an age where gaming is no longer just a pastime, but a platform for change, the potential to use Web3 games for social good is limitless.

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