The Dark Side of Web3 Gaming

Web3 gaming is a unique and fun aspect of the development of a new version of the World Wide Web. But unfortunately, the use of these games isn’t always fun and friendly.

Before you dive into the world of Web3 gaming, read this article to discover the dark side of this new technology. That way, you can be aware and make safe choices while playing.

What is Web3 Gaming?

Web3 is the third iteration of the web. Currently, we are enjoying the second iteration, but development on the third is well underway. As such, you can currently enjoy gaming on Web3, but it is important to note that this is still a new technology, and as such, there is still much to learn before diving in.

Web3 gaming is based on cryptocurrency and NFTs. You must own one or the other (typically) to be able to enjoy Web3 gaming. Additionally, Web3 gaming is frequently decentralized and open-source, meaning players can make mods or further develop their favorite games.

One thing that is cool about games on Web3 is that players can actually own various NFTs. This is much different from traditional gaming, in which, while you can purchase mods, you don’t own the rights to them. In Web3, you do.

Unfortunately, all these awesome benefits also come with several dark sides, which we will explain in the section below.

The Dangers of Web3 Gaming

1. Cheaters

Because Web3 games are often developed by players with very little administrative oversight, cheating runs rampant. This recently came to light in the Web3 game Off the Grid.

According to Gunzilla Games, the developers behind the project, they have received numerous reports of individuals using “god-mode” and “unapproved super mods” to beat others in the game.

As a result of the large number of cheaters, the game has been labeled as unplayable. Of course, Gunzilla Games has since upgraded their anti-cheating software, and they are also offering a $500 reward when players report other cheaters. Whether or not this will make the game playable again, we can’t say for sure.

2. People Playing for the Wrong Reasons

A Reddit thread about the aforementioned game, Off The Grid, speculates as to why cheating is so rampant in that game. Ultimately, while people are just jerks, it also comes down to the fact that many Web3 games give players cryptocurrency—and the lure of money is just too much for some players.

Rather than treating this earned crypto like play money (as most people do in traditional games) some individuals are taking things way too seriously—creating god mods and cheating in order to earn more crypto they believe will be worth something someday.

The cryptocurrency associated with Off the Grid is GUN, and while it isn’t worth something yet, some people seem to think it’s worth cheating for.

This brings us to this dark aspect of Web3 gaming—people playing just for money, not because they love and enjoy the game. No matter what blockchain platform you play on, whether Off the Grid or another game, this will likely always be the case, meaning cheating will likely always run rampant.

3. Malicious Actors

Other than people playing for the wrong reason, Web3 also opens a windows for individuals who like to hack, steal, and just generally be bad people. Because most Web3 games are open source, individuals are able to create similar games for the purchase of scamming people, or build malicious code that can be injected into the game.

One example of this occurred recently when malicious actors injected malicious code into several crypto websites in the customer-facing portions of the websites. The result of this was pop-ups, advertising to individuals as well as attempting to scam them.

Research into these pop-ups revealed that the malicious code was put into these websites via an animation library—something which is also used by Web3 gaming platforms—revealing just another way malicious actors can leverage these technologies in their favor.

Related: Tank NFT Game Actually Malware

Should You Play Web3 Games?

For all of the bad things we listed above, it’s important to know that the vast majority of the Web3 gaming community are great people who just love to game. Therefore, if you want to game on a Web3 game, we highly suggest it, especially if you love said game.

That being said, if you want to play Web3 games, we recommend thoroughly researching any project before putting money on the site. We also recommend taking the following precautions:

1. Never Click on Any Links or Pop-Ups

When you start playing a Web3 game, you will quickly become familiar with how the game works and looks. If you notice anything out of place or pop-ups start showing up, never click on them.

All it takes is one confused individual clicking on a malicious link, and the game could be compromised for everyone.

2. Test a Game with a Small Amount of Crypto

On that note, if you are new to a particular Web3 game, don’t immediately dump all your money into it. We recommend testing the game with a small amount of crypto you plan to lose before doing anything drastic.

For example, if you can spare $10, then just upload $10 to the game and play for a bit and see what happens. If, after several weeks or months, you feel comfortable with the game, that’s when you upload more.

3. Report Abnormalities

Although Web3 games are often player-driven and led, there is usually an administration team where you can report bugs or abnormalities. Even if something seems insignificant, report it. You never know when something may be a malicious actor who is just finding a door into the code.

4. Don’t Trust Anyone

The vast majority of malicious actors are able to scam people because of social engineering scams. This is where they become your friend, talk to you for several months, and then eventually leave with all your money or upgrades in the game.

While it is fine to chat with other players as you play or outside the community on forum platforms, never click a link sent to you by another player or send anyone money that you don’t intend to lose. Even if you are okay with losing money, be cautious about what information you are revealing if you send money—as your accounts could be compromised (mostly the case with fiat money, but just be careful!)

Overall, Web3 gaming is a great step forward for the gaming world, just proceed with caution, as there are many hidden dark sides to this technology.

You May Also Enjoy: 10 Essential Security Tips for Safeguarding Your Cryptocurrency