GDC 2025 Session Viewer

Blockchain isn't here to replace your game engine, reinvent your genre, or slap NFTs on everything. It's a tool—just like databases or cloud services—offering new ways to tackle familiar challenges in game development. This session goes beyond the usual token talk to explore practical applications that empower developers and enhance player engagement.

We'll examine experiments like managing infrastructure costs for free-to-play games, enabling cross-game player progression without centralized oversight, and allowing players to host canonical game servers. Along the way, we'll discuss the trade-offs and why experimenting with these ideas could open new doors for game development.

If you're curious about how blockchain might fit into your development toolkit, this talk will highlight both the potential and trade-offs, helping you identify opportunities and spark ideas worth exploring in your own projects.

Takeaway

Attendees will discover how blockchain transcends coins, NFTs, and financial tools, offering a powerful alternative infrastructure for game design. They will leave equipped to create experiences that foster dynamic, symbiotic relationships between players and developers, unlocking new possibilities for collaboration, engagement, and shared ownership in evolving game ecosystems.

Intended Audience

This session is designed for game developers, technical directors, and infrastructure engineers interested in exploring blockchain beyond financial applications. Whether you're blockchain-curious or a skeptic, if you're looking to experiment with new infrastructure models, reduce operational costs, or enhance player engagement, this talk offers practical insights and real-world use cases.