The explosive fusion of Gaming × Short Drama × X to Earn is here.

Introduction

Driven by the wave of Web3 technology, the entertainment industry is undergoing unprecedented transformation. The integration of gaming, short dramas, and social interaction has given rise to entirely new “play-to-earn” and “watch-to-earn” models, where user engagement and ownership economy have become the core of industry exploration. Recently, Golden Finance held a Twitter Space discussion themed “Web3 Entertainment New Species: When Gaming Meets Short Dramas,” inviting Wang Rui from the Asia Web3 Association, Barry COO of Bombie Foundation, Chev from Anichess Game, and Kiki, the marketing head of Twinkle, to jointly explore innovative paths and future trends in the Web3 entertainment sector.

Part One: Successful Experiences in the Web3 Entertainment Sector

1.1 User Transformation: A Smooth Transition from Web2 to Web3

Barry shared the practical experience of the Bombie Foundation in user conversion. As a dual-chain game based on the Telegram and Line platforms, the Bombie Foundation has accumulated 12 million users, and its core strategy is to “first create good content, then add Web3 elements.”

Open platform cooperation: By collaborating with platforms with a large user base such as Telegram and Line, reduce customer acquisition costs and utilize existing traffic pools for user diversion.

Simplified user education: For example, integrating a lightweight wallet function in Telegram, where users can earn rewards just by checking in daily, gradually guiding them to engage with Web3 concepts instead of forcefully indoctrinating complex terminology.

Economic model progressive design: Initially attract users with game content, and later deepen Web3 attributes through mechanisms such as token staking and airdrops, avoiding user churn due to overly complex economic models.

Chev further emphasized that Web3 should exist as a backend technology rather than a marketing gimmick: “Users are not attracted by labels like ‘blockchain’ or ‘NFT’; they only care about whether the product is fun.” The chess game Anichess developed by his team attracts traditional chess enthusiasts by partnering with the world’s largest chess platform, Chess.com, and incorporates magical elements into the game, allowing users to complete the Web3 transformation without being aware of it.

1.2 Content is King: The Underlying Logic of Retention and Engagement

Wang Rui pointed out that the success of Web3 entertainment relies on drawing from traditional entertainment experiences: “Whether it’s games or short dramas, content quality is always the core of user retention.” He cited Bombie Foundation and Animoca as examples, illustrating that mature IP collaboration and community operations are key to a project’s breakout.

IP Empowerment: Animoca has over 500 subsidiaries, enhancing the professionalism of games through collaboration with chess masters, while leveraging well-known IPs to expand the user base.

Community Co-construction: The Bombie Foundation deeply interacts with users through community tasks and airdrop activities, such as comparing the number of “treasure box openings” with McDonald’s hamburger sales to enhance user engagement in a fun way.

Kiki added that the short drama sector also needs to follow the content-first principle. The first short drama launched on the Twinkle platform, “Black Amber of the Hidden Reefs in the Coin Sea,” centers around a suspenseful narrative, supplemented by interactive gameplay such as voting and lotteries, attempting to find a balance between content and Web3 mechanisms: “If the plot itself lacks appeal, no economic model can keep users engaged for the long term.”

Part Two: Economic Model Design and Token Closed Loop

2.1 Staking and Consumption: How to Avoid Inflation Traps

Barry takes the token model of the Bombie Foundation as an example to propose the “progressive closed-loop” strategy:

Phased Design: Initially attract users through airdrops, gradually introduce staking features, allowing users to obtain rare items or skins by staking tokens.

Practical value binding: Token consumption must be linked to scarce resources within the game. For example, in the co-branded game version, staking tokens can unlock exclusive storyline or character interaction permissions.

Chev emphasizes the sustainability of the economic model: “If users come only for the airdrop, the project is doomed to fail. We must make users truly fall in love with the product and willingly invest tokens into the game.” For example, the upcoming model of Anichess Game allows players to stake tokens for matches, with the winner taking all the prize money, deeply integrating traditional chess games with token economics.

2.2 Exploration of the Economic Model for Short Drama Tracks

Kiki revealed that Twinkle is trying to incorporate gamification mechanisms into short dramas:

Achievement System: Viewers accumulate points by watching episodes and participating in votes to unlock hidden storylines or exclusive NFTs.

Cross-ecosystem interaction: Collaborate with GameFi projects, for example, completing game tasks can unlock short drama easter eggs, and holding specific tokens can trigger character darkening storylines.

Part Three: Secrets to Going Viral and Ecological Cooperation

3.1 Hidden Skills of Hot Games

Barry summarizes the outreach experience of the Bombie Foundation:

Localized operations: Transform complex concepts into familiar scenarios for users, such as packaging “airdrop” as “opening a treasure chest” and comparing it with McDonald’s hamburger sales to lower the understanding threshold.

Community Co-Creation: Enhance the sense of belonging through user-centric operational strategies (such as interesting data statistics and character interactions).

Chev pointed out the potential of the vertical track: “Chess has 650 million enthusiasts worldwide, and many regions have a high acceptance of Crypto. Targeting niche areas with high-quality products + Web3 elements has a much better chance of breaking through than a generic approach.”

3.2 The Dream Collaboration Between Short Plays and Games

Kiki envisioned the possibility of the integration of short dramas and GameFi:

Plot Branching Co-Creation: Users decide character fates through voting and can even invite community users to participate in the series.

NFT Narrative Expansion: Transforming characters from the storyline into cross-game IPs, such as bounty hunter characters appearing in both short dramas and games, enhancing user immersion.

Points Interoperability: The points earned by watching short dramas on Twinkle can be exchanged for exclusive items in partner games, and vice versa.

Wang Rui expressed high expectations for this: “The fragmented communication characteristics of short dramas naturally align with the user co-creation gene of Web3, and may become the core carrier for Web3 to break boundaries in the future.”

Part Four: Future Outlook and Industry Challenges

4.1 Technical Bottlenecks and User Experience

Chev pointed out that the biggest challenge facing Web3 entertainment today is how to hide the technical complexity: “Users should not perceive the existence of blockchain, just as they do not need to understand the TCP/IP protocol when using the Internet.”

Barry added that cross-chain compatibility and transaction speed still need optimization, otherwise high concurrency scenarios can easily lead to a crash in experience.

4.2 Regulatory and Compliance Risks

Wang Rui reminded that the regulatory policies of various countries regarding Crypto and NFTs vary greatly. Project teams need to proactively establish a compliance framework to avoid disruptions in the ecosystem due to policy changes.

4.3 Content Innovation and Ecological Synergy

Kiki stated that the industry should strengthen cooperation: “Web3 entertainment is not a zero-sum game; short dramas, games, and social projects should share traffic and resources to jointly build an open ecosystem.”

Conclusion

From “play-to-earn” to “watch-to-earn”, Web3 entertainment is reshaping traditional content consumption models in a disruptive manner. In this dialogue, the guests not only shared practical experiences but also envisioned a future where users are deeply engaged and cross-ecosystem interactions flourish. Despite the challenges that remain. The consensus of Web3 is openness and co-creation; only by breaking down boundaries can the true potential of the entertainment industry be unleashed.

Live replay link:

Note: This article is based on the live discussion of the guests and does not constitute investment advice. The market has risks, and decisions should be made with caution.