GameFi has indeed cooled down quite a bit in the past two years. Looking at the funding data for 2025—quarter-over-quarter plummeting over 55%, many projects that once boasted loudly have become unfit for the market after launching, and market enthusiasm has clearly declined.
But the issue isn't that simple. Another path is quietly maturing: some "Web2.5 games" are emerging. They treat blockchain as infrastructure, and some even don't issue tokens at all, relying solely on genuine game revenue and user experience to compete. Comparatively, some native Web3 games last year achieved six- or even seven-figure revenues, which sounds impressive. However, when you look closer— the user base is painfully small, and there are a lot of bots. When incentives retreat, retention rates start to drop.
Interestingly, the widespread adoption of stablecoins could change this situation. Nanosecond-level micro-payments, cross-border payment channels, and dynamic reward mechanisms based on user engagement—these previously difficult-to-implement features now have the opportunity to truly take off.
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GasFeeCrying
· 10h ago
GameFi really cooled down, a 55% plunge is a fact. What’s happening to those projects that were hyped every day?
Web2.5 sounds good, but I’m still a bit skeptical; it depends on the actual implementation.
The widespread adoption of stablecoins indeed has potential, but the key is to have real users.
The old tactic of filling with bots has long been annoying, and retention rates are disastrous.
Whether this wave can turn around depends on whether stablecoin payments can succeed.
Funding has been cut by more than 50%, is GameFi really at the end of the line?
Web2.5 games without tokens are actually more interesting; finally someone understands that.
If micro-payments really take off, the earning model for games might need to be redefined.
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CounterIndicator
· 10h ago
55% of the plunge isn't a big deal; the real issue is that those projects claiming to have a million daily active users are all robots, which makes it awkward when you dig deeper.
Genuine gaming is the real way forward, but it requires real users.
If stablecoins can truly be implemented for micro-payments, GameFi will have a chance. But well, here comes another new story.
Machine users are as numerous as locusts; what's there to talk about retention rates?
Web2.5 sounds appealing, but it's just repeating the old tune of "no tokens but we still make money."
Ultimately, it's a common problem in the crypto space—once the hype fades, everything falls apart.
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AirdropAutomaton
· 10h ago
Wait, can Web2.5 games really save this situation? It still feels like a change of packaging without changing the substance.
The micro-payments system with stablecoins sounds promising, but I haven't seen any projects that can truly stick around.
With funding plunges and robots happening again, whether GameFi can turn things around depends on how they perform from here on out.
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ser_we_are_early
· 10h ago
There are too many bots, and all the data is fake. What are you still bragging about seven-figure income for?
Stablecoins can indeed make a difference, but only if there are real users.
Another round of shakeout, Web2.5 is just a shell change.
Funding has plummeted by 55%. It's time for everyone to wake up.
Let's talk when stablecoins are truly in use. Right now, it's all just armchair strategizing.
In the crypto world, stories are always the most valuable, while products are the least valuable.
GameFi has indeed cooled down quite a bit in the past two years. Looking at the funding data for 2025—quarter-over-quarter plummeting over 55%, many projects that once boasted loudly have become unfit for the market after launching, and market enthusiasm has clearly declined.
But the issue isn't that simple. Another path is quietly maturing: some "Web2.5 games" are emerging. They treat blockchain as infrastructure, and some even don't issue tokens at all, relying solely on genuine game revenue and user experience to compete. Comparatively, some native Web3 games last year achieved six- or even seven-figure revenues, which sounds impressive. However, when you look closer— the user base is painfully small, and there are a lot of bots. When incentives retreat, retention rates start to drop.
Interestingly, the widespread adoption of stablecoins could change this situation. Nanosecond-level micro-payments, cross-border payment channels, and dynamic reward mechanisms based on user engagement—these previously difficult-to-implement features now have the opportunity to truly take off.