Pixels CEO on bot prevention and the comeback of play-to-earn

As we’re about to shut the chapter of 2024 and look in the direction of the daybreak of a brand new yr, we’ve been asking a number of the key members of the blockchain gaming sector about their ideas on the previous yr and what they count on in 2025.

Luke Barwikowski is the founder and CEO of Pixels.

What was essentially the most important development for the sector of 2024?

In 2024, one of many largest traits in web3 gaming was the shift towards consumer insights and segmentation. At Pixels, we’ve been on the forefront of this, determining not simply the best way to spot bots, however the best way to establish and reward essentially the most useful and engaged gamers in our ecosystem, which makes the financial system extra sustainable in the long run. 

Bot detection is one thing we’ve gotten actually good at. We’ve invested in each conventional and AI-driven methods to catch bots early and refine our detection over time. But it surely goes past simply beating bots. We’re additionally fine-tuning our reward methods and status instruments to encourage real participant conduct. As an alternative of slowing issues down with KYC, we’re utilizing information science to ensure rewards go to gamers who're more likely to reinvest within the sport. This method not solely will increase income – which we consider is one of the best signal of consumer high quality – but in addition makes the expertise higher for actual gamers.

How did the main focus of your enterprise change this yr?

2024 was an enormous yr for us. Early on, Pixels grew to become the most important web3 sport by every day energetic gamers. However our sturdy income numbers had been much more impactful than participant development, with over $2 million generated previously month alone.

Whereas making a enjoyable and interesting sport has all the time been on the coronary heart of what we do, this yr we expanded our focus to constructing the tech infrastructure wanted to scale to tens of millions extra customers. One of the vital thrilling developments has been our work on sensible rewards. We’re utilizing information science and predictive modelling to fine-tune how we distribute in-game rewards. The concept is straightforward: focus rewards on the gamers most probably to reinvest them again into the sport. This not solely makes the expertise extra partaking for our most devoted gamers but in addition helps drive every day energetic customers and in-game spending.

One other massive focus has been our status system. We’ve performed the exhausting work of figuring out high quality customers in web3 gaming and constructing a holistic status rating. It combines in-game actions, on-chain holdings, and even on-chain exercise to measure how devoted a participant is. Quickly, different builders will have the ability to faucet into this technique with a easy widget for his or her dapps.

We’ve additionally been leveraging two years of dwell sport information to refine our understanding of consumer conduct. By analyzing how completely different segments work together with PIXEL – whether or not they’re reinvesting, buying and selling, or sybil farming – we’re making a clearer image of what drives participant engagement and loyalty.

We additionally shifted our focus to ecosystem growth efforts like our Telegram sport Pixels Faucet Monitor and the upcoming launch of a brand new title.  

What do you expect might be a very powerful traits in 2025?

Sustainable and worthwhile web3 gaming will take middle stage. I do know I hold beating this drum, however play-to-earn (P2E) will make a comeback. I’m extra assured than ever that Pixels goes to redefine P2E fundamentals. On the time of penning this, gamers spent 10.65 million PIXEL in-game – over $2 million – within the final 30 days and I don’t see that momentum slowing down anytime quickly as we've got a few giant catalysts coming over the subsequent three months.

What was your favourite blockchain sport of the yr?

It’s exhausting to select only one, however once I’m not busy taking part in Pixels, I get pleasure from exploring different video games within the Ronin ecosystem. My favourite must be Axie Infinity although. None of us could be right here with out Axie. I've a lot respect for the Sky Mavis workforce and the unimaginable contributions they’ve made to web3 gaming.

What’s your New Yr’s decision, and what decision would you implement on the trade?

My New Yr’s decision is to shine Pixels and put together it for mainstream adoption. For the trade, my decision could be to deal with elevated collaboration throughout the web3 gaming house. We have to work collectively to convey web3 into the mainstream and attain its full potential.

At Pixels, we’re dedicated to sharing our insights and instruments to assist different video games scale and develop, as a result of collective progress helps us all within the long-term.

Take a look at all of the 2024 Finish-of-Yr interviews right here >>

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