What if you could transform the gaming industry and boost mainstream crypto adoption simultaneously? In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Zirlin, co-founder of Sky Mavis, to uncover the story behind Ronin's development and its massive impact on Web3 gaming.
Jeff AKA "Jihoz", is a co-founder of Sky Mavis, the creators of Axie Infinity and the Ronin Blockchain. Axie is the #1 NFT game by DAU, NFT volume (as verified by the Guiness Book of world records), and cultural impact
Jeff shares the trials and triumphs of creating Axie Infinity and how these experiences led to the birth of the Ronin blockchain—an infrastructure designed specifically for gamers and game developers. We discuss the "Ronin effect" and how this tailored platform is propelling game growth at an unprecedented pace, making blockchain technology more accessible and attractive to gamers who are already familiar with digital currencies.
We also explore the booming success of games like Pixels, Pyram, and Kaidro on the Ronin network, breaking down the strategies that have led to their impressive user engagement and growth. Discover the significance of community involvement, maintaining digital economy balance, and the importance of developing games transparently for achieving success in the Web3 space.
Jeff provides insights into the future of gaming with blockchain, AI, and the metaverse, emphasizing Ronin's vital role in driving consumer adoption of Web3 technologies. Join us as we highlight how active community engagement on platforms like Discord and Facebook is fueling the ongoing success of the Ronin ecosystem.
Jeff AKA "Jihoz", is a co-founder of Sky Mavis, the creators of Axie Infinity and the Ronin Blockchain. Axie is the #1 NFT game by DAU, NFT volume (as verified by the Guiness Book of world records), and cultural impact
Jeff shares the trials and triumphs of creating Axie Infinity and how these experiences led to the birth of the Ronin blockchain—an infrastructure designed specifically for gamers and game developers. We discuss the "Ronin effect" and how this tailored platform is propelling game growth at an unprecedented pace, making blockchain technology more accessible and attractive to gamers who are already familiar with digital currencies.
We also explore the booming success of games like Pixels, Pyram, and Kaidro on the Ronin network, breaking down the strategies that have led to their impressive user engagement and growth. Discover the significance of community involvement, maintaining digital economy balance, and the importance of developing games transparently for achieving success in the Web3 space.
Jeff provides insights into the future of gaming with blockchain, AI, and the metaverse, emphasizing Ronin's vital role in driving consumer adoption of Web3 technologies. Join us as we highlight how active community engagement on platforms like Discord and Facebook is fueling the ongoing success of the Ronin ecosystem.
The Future of Gaming: Insights from Jeff Zirlin on Web3 CMO Stories
Introduction
Welcome to an enlightening edition of the Web3 CMO Stories podcast, hosted by Joeri Billast. In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Jeff Zirlin, also known as Jihoz, the co-founder of Sky Mavis—the creators of Axie Infinity and the Ronin blockchain. This engaging conversation divulges how Web3 technology is revolutionizing the gaming industry and beyond.
Onboarding Millions to Web3
Jeff Zirlin begins by discussing Sky Mavis's monumental achievement of onboarding millions into Web3. The pandemic accelerated this growth, particularly in the Philippines, where Axie Infinity went viral. This rapid adoption highlights Web3’s undeniable future potential.
The Inception of Axie Infinity and Ronin
Joeri introduces Jeff, highlighting his childhood passion for video games and insect catching, before delving into the journey of Axie Infinity and the development of the Ronin blockchain. Jeff elaborates on the difficulties they faced building Axie, such as scalability and user experience issues, which led them to create their own blockchain infrastructure tailored specifically for gaming.
The Ronin Effect
Jeff introduces "the Ronin effect," detailing how games that launch or migrate to the Ronin network experience high growth levels. He emphasizes that the success is attributed to their deep understanding of Web3 gaming users and the robust infrastructure they have developed.
Why Gaming and Blockchain are Inseparable
Jeff passionately explains why gaming is a prime candidate for blockchain technology. Gamers have been familiar with digital currencies and in-game asset trading for years. Blockchain technology, particularly via Web3, provides real property rights for digital items, mitigating the risks of gray markets and sketchy third-party websites. This is a game-changer for gamers who want to profit from their time spent in-game.
NFTs in Gaming
Joeri and Jeff discuss the revolutionary impact of NFTs in gaming. Unlike traditional collectibles, NFTs in games possess verifiable scarcity and can be used for various in-game activities like breeding and evolving. This dynamic nature makes NFTs far more engaging compared to static physical collectibles such as Pokémon cards.
Successful Games on Ronin
The discussion moves to successful games on Ronin, such as Pixels and Kydro. Jeff shares insights about onboarding teams that understand Web3 and possess strong IPs. These teams, like those behind Pixels and Ragnarok Online, are successfully leveraging Ronin’s infrastructure to reach and engage massive user bases.
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Community Building in Web3Community is crucial in Web3, and Sky Mavis excels in this area. Jeff highlights their expansive reach across Discord, Facebook, and Twitter, underscoring how they build and empower their community to drive the adoption of new games and products.
Future of Blockchain Gaming
Looking ahead, Jeff believes that gaming will shape the future of Web3, AI, and the metaverse. While not delving deep into AI, he emphasizes that gaming is often the most approachable early use case for new technologies, which will pave the way for broader adoption.
Jeff's Excitement for the Future
Joeri wraps up by asking Jeff what excites him the most about the future. Jeff is thrilled about scaling Ronin to onboard more games and game studios, driving consumer adoption of crypto and Web3, and seeing the industry shift focus from meme coins to more substantial, engaging content.
Conclusion
The episode concludes with Joeri encouraging listeners to follow Jeff and Sky Mavis on social media and to explore the extensive content available on their platforms. He invites feedback and reviews for the podcast and emphasizes the importance of community in driving the Web3 revolution.
Key Takeaways
- Web3’s Potential: Rapid adoption of Web3, especially during the pandemic, underscores its future significance.
- Gaming and Blockchain Synergy: Gaming is a natural fit for blockchain technology due to existing familiarity with digital currencies and asset trading.
- *The Ronin Effect: Games that launch on the Ronin network experience significant growth due to its gamer-focused infrastructure.
- Importance of Community: Building a strong community is essential for the success of Web3 initiatives.
- Future of Gaming: Gaming is expected to lead the charge in adopting and shaping new technologies like Web3, AI, and the metaverse.Stay tuned for more exciting insights as we continue to explore the world of Web3 gaming!
Feel free to share this post with anyone intrigued by the intertwining futures of gaming and blockchain technology. If you enjoyed this content, consider following our podcast and leaving a review to help us reach even more enthusiasts in the Web3 space. Take care!
Jeff "Jihoz" Zirlin
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
[01:10] How did Ronin's development journey contribute to the mainstream adoption of crypto?
[04:23] What factors are driving the rapid growth of Ronin, and how does it differentiate itself in the gaming industry?
[05:13] Can you elaborate on the "Ronin effect" that accelerates games to popularity and growth on the Ronin blockchain, starting with Axie Infinity?
[06:11] Why do you personally believe gaming is a top use case for blockchain technology, and how does Ronin improve the gaming experience?
[09:11] How does Sky Mavis select games to bring to Ronin, and how do they ensure a seamless transition to the blockchain?
[10:50] How does Ronin leverage NFTs in games, and what impact does this integration have on player engagement?
[12:34] Can you discuss the strategies used by games like Pixels and Pyram to achieve significant growth in daily active users on Ronin?
[14:34] Can you talk about how Kaidro intersects storytelling with blockchain and gaming, and the unique opportunities it offers?
[16:09] How do you think blockchain, AI, and Metaverse technologies will shape the future of gaming?
[17:20] What are you most excited about for your business or the market in general?
[18:36] Where does community building for the Ronin community happen?
NOTABLE QUOTES
"We onboard millions of people into Web3. It went absolutely viral in the pandemic in the Philippines. It's becoming undeniable that Web3 is a future."
"Hard times create strong people."
"We differentiate ourselves by being a blockchain that's specifically focused on games and gamers."
"Gamers are great candidates for being introduced to cryptocurrencies."
"It's becoming undeniable that Web3 is the future."
MENTIONED RESOURCES
SkyMavis: https://skymavis.com/
Ronin Blockchain: https://roninchain.com/
Twitter: @Jihoz_Axie @SkyMavisHQ @axieinfinity @Ronin_Network
Axie Infiniy: https://x.com/axieinfinity
CONNECT
Twitter: https://x.com/Jihoz_Axie