The YGG Play Summit Town Hall wrapped up at Samsung Hall in SM Aura with a strong message. Web3 gaming is shifting from experiment to execution. Speakers highlighted how familiar platforms, smoother onboarding, and real distribution channels are bringing Web3 gaming closer to everyday players.
DICT Sets the Tone for National Digital Growth
DICT MIMAROPA Regional Director Emmy Lou Versoza-Delfin opened the event with a reminder. Digital transformation only works when people are equipped to take advantage of it. She pointed to Web3 gaming as a fast-growing space that can create new jobs and training opportunities for Filipino talent.
Her message was simple. When onboarding becomes easier, more Filipinos can participate. More participation leads to more careers in emerging tech.
Builders Agree: Meet Players Where They Already Are
Much of the Town Hall centered on one idea. Mainstream adoption will come from meeting players on the platforms they already use.
Sky Mavis co-founder Jeffrey “Jihoz” Zirlin described Ronin’s next step as becoming “Ethereum’s Nintendo.” A network built on Ethereum. A library of polished games. A simple onboarding flow. A clear identity that players can recognize and trust.
Gunzilla Games’ Theodore Agranat shared the AAA perspective. Their game Off The Grid is expanding to Steam and PlayStation. The goal is to let players enjoy a solid game first. Web3 features should enhance the fun, not get in the way.
OpenSea’s Oliver Maroney echoed this point. For players to adopt crypto-powered gaming, the blockchain needs to fade into the background. He described the future of Web3 UX as something closer to a one-click purchase. No friction. No confusion.
New Playbook for Game Economies
Pixels founder Luke Barwikowski drew from the success of the PIXEL token launch. He explained that modern game economies need a hybrid approach. Web2 acquisition funnels to bring players in. Web3 incentives to reward loyalty and participation.
He also pointed out that many Web2 play-to-earn models still work today. Web3 builders simply have better tools and more experience running token operations at scale.
Investors Shi Khai Wei of LongHash Ventures and Alessia Baumgartner of DWF Labs also weighed in. They highlighted the rise of sustainable digital economies and the importance of long-term token management. Their presence alone signaled strong institutional confidence in the sector.
Creators Push Web3 Into Wider Audiences
Live podcast recordings added to the energy at the Town Hall. Both LOL Lounge and Gamified captured the voices behind some of the community’s biggest creators and guilds.
LOL Lounge featured YGG co-founder Gabby Dizon, GamingGrid’s YellowPanther, and Gaming Daily’s Iceyyy, hosted by Leah Callon-Butler. They talked about building audiences through consistency and community value.
Gamified brought in a full roster from WolvesDAO, GAM3S.GG, Parallel, OpenSea, Andrometa, WARP, Moku, and GlitterCloud. The panel dove into debates about genre definitions, cross-chain futures, and which new chain or game could break out next.
A Busy Day Across the City of Play
Outside the Town Hall, the City of Play stayed packed.
Players lined up to try games like Pixels, LOL Land, Aurory’s Amiko Legends, GIGACHADBAT, and Last Odyssey.
The Arena stage featured the Might and Magic: Fates Invitational, where YGG Esports player Tyler secured first place. Exhibitions from Spekter Agency, Cambria: Gold Rush, and Aurory followed.
YGG Pilipinas also launched ARC Quests, a set of interactive missions that encouraged visitors to explore the entire Summit floor. Quest finishers redeemed sponsor merchandise at the ARC Booth.
The Summit Continues With Major Esports Events
The energy carries on until November 22.
Two key tournaments are underway:
- the US$100,000 YGG Parallel Showdown
- the Vibes Asian Championship
The GAM3 Awards also return to Manila. Attendees are waiting for the big announcements, including Game of the Year and Creator of the Year.
Read More:
The Biggest Announcements from YGG Play Summit 2025 (So Far) – VRSUS
Manila Turns Into a “City of Play” This Weekend at YGG Play Summit 2025 – VRSUS
YGG Play Summit 2025 Expands “City of Play” with the Skill District – VRSUS
