Recently, I noticed an interesting market signal—Roblox founder David Baszucki publicly expressed interest in NFTs during an interview, hoping that limited edition NFTs could be created on the platform and circulated internally and externally. As soon as this news broke, Web3 blockchain game companies like Animoca Brands and Sky Mavis quickly responded on social media, their rapid reactions somewhat surprising.

Speaking of Roblox, this company has actually been laying out plans in the Web3 space for a while. They have supported blockchain-driven games like PlayDapp, and launched a virtual wearable goods marketplace called Limiteds, allowing creators to sell limited virtual items, with buyers able to resell and original creators earning royalties. This model is quite similar to the logic of NFTs, just without using blockchain technology. Baszucki’s statement hints at his expectation for an open ecosystem, which aligns well with Web3 principles.

Why are blockchain game companies so concerned about Roblox’s stance on NFTs? The key lies in what Roblox possesses—not just traffic. According to the latest financial report, in Q3 2023, revenue reached $713.2 million, with over 70 million daily active users. Among American teenagers aged 9 to 12, about 75% visit Roblox regularly. These young users spend an average of 2.5 hours on the platform, and Roblox has accumulated thousands of games and tens of millions of developers.

This is what Web3 blockchain games are truly missing—not just traffic, but a community of creators. What is the core problem facing the current Web3 gaming market? Lack of innovation. Since Axie Infinity popularized the play-to-earn model, gold farming has become the main feature of blockchain games, resulting in games that are not very fun. Once the earning value disappears, players abandon the game. According to Footprint Analytics, in October, the daily active users of Web3 games remained around 1 million, roughly the same as in September. The entire market is stuck at a growth bottleneck.

That’s why Sky Mavis’s co-founder specifically mentioned that David Baszucki has been their investor since 2021, regularly updating them on development plans. They are well aware that if Roblox, a platform with a broad young user base, introduces NFTs, the large community of developers and creators could shift toward Web3 blockchain games, injecting fresh blood into the entire market. This isn’t just about user onboarding; it’s about the transfer of creative talent.

Looking at Roblox’s nearly 20 years of accumulation, they are more likely to support creators in developing NFT-related applications within the platform rather than issuing NFTs themselves. This approach can promote an open ecosystem and open new opportunities for Web3 blockchain games. Interestingly, the quick reactions from blockchain game companies precisely demonstrate how eager they are for this market gap.