Ubisoft’s move into Web3 with Might & Magic: Fates isn’t just another corporate land grab. It could be something far more interesting: a chance to level the playing field in a gaming world often dominated by pay-to-win mechanics and corporate control. Hear me out.

True Ownership: A Real Game Changer?

After 10 years and thousands of manhours and dollars invested into gaming, we… We’ve amassed digital property that can disappear at the publisher’s whim. Servers are taken offline, accounts are banned, and poof – years of work gone in an instant. As the original promise of NFTs goes, the real value lies in true digital ownership. Imagine being able to sell that rare sword you painstakingly earned in Might & Magic: Fates, or trade it with another player. All of a sudden, your time and effort start to have real financial value.

This isn't just about making money. It's about control. It’s about being able to truly claim the fruits of your labor in an increasingly digital environment. It's about saying, "This is mine, and I can do what I want with it." Think of it like owning a physical trading card versus having a digital image that can be revoked at any time. The difference is night and day. Until now, the traditional gaming industry has largely fought against this change. What would be revolutionary is if Ubisoft’s embrace of Web3 served as the catalyst for an industry-wide revolution.

Leveling Up: Skill, Not Just Wallets

The most concern with NFT games is about the much maligned “pay-to-win” genre. Now the deepest pockets are free to simply pay off the competition. This approach leaves everyone else in the dust. Might & Magic: Fates, with its emphasis on skill-based progression, offers a different vision.

Although Ubisoft wants everyone to play the game, they still want it to be fair and accessible. Players earn collectible cards and in-game currency just for playing! This is crucial. When executed properly, a Web3 game can provide real benefits and rewards based on skill and dedication, not just wallet strength. Imagine a system where the best players, regardless of their financial resources, can earn valuable NFTs and rise to the top of the leaderboards.

This change can dramatically upend the conventional gaming economy. It’s a huge opportunity for players, especially the talented ones and creates new avenues for making a career through gaming. It’s not about building the next unicorn. Whatever Silicon Valley has you convinced of, this isn’t a get rich quick scheme. This model fits seamlessly with the fundamental values of the gaming community. It has the audacity to stand up for equity, competitiveness, and the endless march towards perfection. Nope, this game is all about proving that cash doesn’t rule all. If you’re good, you can always outplay luck!

Web3 for All? Access and Equity

The beauty of Might & Magic: Fates being on mobile is its accessibility. That’s because the majority of people across the globe don’t have any other form of broadband access…except for a smartphone.

Accessible doesn't always mean equitable. We need to make sure that these opportunities are equitable—that they’re not just reserved for the wealthiest, most-educated people in the highest-concentrated areas. This starts with bridging the digital divide, fostering digital literacy and developing digitally inclusive communities where all individuals are involved and empowered.

Web3 thus opens up myriad new economic opportunities for communities that have often been marginalized and excluded. It gives them a chance to succeed in the digital economy and create generational wealth. NFT Games Making $$$ Gamers and game developers in developing countries have already started earning a living through NFT games. That change would result in a much fairer distribution of wealth across the gaming ecosystem.

I'm not saying Might & Magic: Fates is a perfect solution. There remain quite a few hurdles, questions about environmental impact and the complexity of blockchain technology itself, for starters, that still need to be addressed. But the potential is there. And therein lies the question: can Ubisoft truly deliver on its promises and create a gaming experience that’s as democratized as it sounds.

Explore. Engage. Ask questions. Don’t write off Web3 gaming as another passing trend. See what Might & Magic: Fates and other similar projects have to offer. Your voice is important and your participation can help ensure that the future of gaming goes in the right direction. This goes beyond just gaming for fun. It’s about building a more inclusive, equitable future where game creators and players alike feel empowered to tackle today’s toughest challenges.