Web3 and Mobile Gaming: An Interview with Justin Hulog

The topic of Web3 has gained significant interest in the gaming industry, with more companies exploring its potential. One such company is Immutable Games, which is working to bring Web3 technology to mobile gaming. In an interview with Justin Hulog, the Chief Studio Officer at Immutable Games, he discusses his role at the company and the potential of Web3 on mobile devices.

About Immutable Games

Justin Hulog is the Chief Studio Officer at Immutable Games, where he focuses on building high-quality Web3 titles that offer true digital ownership to gamers. Some of the games he has worked on include Gods Unchained, a trading card game, and the upcoming mobile RPG Guild of Guardians. Hulog collaborates with development teams to ensure the best gameplay mechanics, tokenomics, and asset management in all games developed by Immutable Games.

Prior to joining Immutable Games, Hulog worked at Riot Games as the General Manager for South East Asia. During his time there, he helped launch League of Legends: Wild Rift, a mobile game, as well as other popular titles like Valorant and Legends of Runeterra.

The Benefits of Web3 Gaming

In the interview, Hulog explains the benefits of Web3 gaming compared to traditional Web2 gaming. He states that Web3 gaming allows players to truly own in-game items and have the ability to trade them outside of the game platform. This provides a new level of valuation to the time spent in a game, as players can choose to retain the value of their time and money by trading their in-game items. In contrast, Web2 gaming only offers in-game items as licenses that are lost when an account is banned or when the game server shuts down.

Hulog emphasizes that Web3 gaming is not about making people rich, but rather about allowing them to retain the value of their time and money.

Transitioning from Web2 to Web3

Hulog suggests that Web2 gaming companies can effectively transition to Web3 by partnering with experts who can provide them with the necessary strategies and support. He emphasizes the importance of having a product suite that includes ready-to-use solutions optimized for usability and security. Web2 developers need guidance and live support tailored around their unique projects to ensure a successful transition to Web3.

The Impact of Streaming Giants on Gaming

When asked about the entrance of streaming giants like Netflix and TikTok into the gaming space, Hulog does not view it as a threat. He believes that there are different demographics with varying preferences, and developers should focus on creating quality games and experiences. Hulog suggests that there is plenty of space for innovation and a wide variety of products, as not all web2 experiences directly compete with web3 gaming.

The Growth of Web3 and Blockchain Gaming

Hulog acknowledges that the initial excitement for games like Axie Infinity may have subdued, but he states that web3 gaming continues to attract significant investment. He compares the current stage of web3 gaming to the early days of mobile gaming and expects a similar trajectory. As more teams understand the models that work for web3 and develop high-quality titles, the passion and enthusiasm for blockchain and web3 gaming will continue to grow.

The Long-Term Implications of Web3 Gaming on Mobile Gaming

According to Hulog, web3 gaming will have significant implications for the mobile gaming industry. He sees web3 as an evolution of the existing “free to play” model, making it more equitable and allowing players to retain and generate value. Web3 gaming will seamlessly incorporate blockchain technology into the design, providing a better gaming experience while offering players the opportunity to own their in-game assets.

The Future of Mobile Gaming

In the next five years, Hulog predicts that web3 will play a major role in the mobile gaming space. As more players and developers embrace web3, the quality of games will continue to improve. These games will have subtle web3 elements integrated into their design, providing a seamless gameplay experience without players needing to understand the complex blockchain technology behind it.