The panel included speakers from QGlobe Games, Plai Labs, and Open Meta DAO where ownership and storytelling is made possible by unique technology that drives demand for the best in class games.

How can developers and studios collaborate more effectively to reduce the silos between games and platforms, and what incentives can encourage such collaboration?

Collaboration between developers and studios is critical to reducing silos between games and platforms, and to promote interoperability in the gaming industry. Here are some ways that developers and studios can collaborate more effectively:

  1. Open-source development: Open-source development can help reduce silos by allowing developers to share code and collaborate on projects more easily. By working on shared codebases, developers can reduce the amount of duplicated effort and increase the pace of development.
  2. Standardisation: Developers and studios can work together to establish and adopt standards for interoperability, such as open APIs and data formats. By using common standards, games and platforms can communicate more effectively, and assets and data can be transferred more easily.
  3. Cross-platform development: Developers can build games that are designed to run on multiple platforms, rather than targeting a single platform. This can make it easier to transfer assets and data between different games and platforms.
  4. Collaborative partnerships: Developers and studios can form partnerships to collaborate on specific projects or to share resources. Collaborative partnerships can help reduce silos by allowing developers to leverage each other’s strengths and expertise.

Incentives can also play a crucial role in encouraging collaboration between developers and studios. Some possible incentives include:

  1. Revenue sharing: Developers and studios can agree to share revenue generated by interoperable games and platforms. This can provide a financial incentive for collaboration and can help offset the costs of development.
  2. Increased visibility: Interoperable games and platforms can generate increased visibility and exposure for developers and studios. This can help attract new players and increase engagement, providing an incentive for collaboration.
  3. Innovation: Collaborating on interoperable games and platforms can lead to new ideas and innovation. Developers and studios can use these opportunities to experiment with new concepts and technologies, providing a creative incentive for collaboration.

Overall, collaboration between developers and studios is essential to reducing silos between games and platforms and promoting interoperability in the gaming industry. By working together and adopting common standards, developers can create more seamless experiences for players and new opportunities for growth and innovation.

What is the role of indie developers and smaller studios in pushing the boundaries of interoperability, and how can they contribute to breaking down barriers in the gaming industry?

Indie developers and smaller studios play a crucial role in pushing the boundaries of interoperability in the gaming industry. They often have more flexibility and agility than larger studios, allowing them to experiment with new ideas and technologies and take risks that larger studios may be hesitant to take.

Here are some ways in which indie developers and smaller studios can contribute to breaking down barriers in the gaming industry:

  1. Innovation: Indie developers and smaller studios are often at the forefront of innovation in the gaming industry, experimenting with new concepts and technologies. By pushing the boundaries of what is possible, they can inspire larger studios and help drive the adoption of interoperability standards.
  2. Collaboration: Indie developers and smaller studios are often more willing to collaborate with each other and with larger studios than larger studios may be with each other. These collaborations can lead to new ideas and technologies that help break down barriers in the gaming industry.
  3. Creative solutions: Indie developers and smaller studios can sometimes find creative solutions to interoperability challenges that larger studios may not have considered. Their smaller scale and tighter budgets can sometimes force them to think outside the box and find more efficient and effective ways of achieving interoperability.
  4. Community building: Indie developers and smaller studios often have a closer relationship with their players and fans, which can help them build communities around their games. These communities can be instrumental in promoting interoperability and breaking down barriers in the gaming industry.

Overall, indie developers and smaller studios have an important role to play in pushing the boundaries of interoperability in the gaming industry. By experimenting with new ideas and technologies, collaborating with others, finding creative solutions, and building communities around their games, they can contribute to breaking down barriers and creating a more open and interconnected gaming ecosystem.

How can the gaming community, including players and content creators, contribute to the push for greater interoperability across game worlds and platforms?

The gaming community, including players and content creators, can play a vital role in pushing for greater interoperability across game worlds and platforms. Here are some ways in which they can contribute:

  1. Demand interoperability: Players and content creators can demand interoperability from game developers and studios. By expressing a desire for more seamless experiences across games and platforms, they can create pressure for developers to adopt interoperability standards.
  2. Advocate for open standards: Players and content creators can advocate for the adoption of open standards for interoperability, such as open APIs and data formats. By supporting these standards, they can help create a more open and interconnected gaming ecosystem.
  3. Support interoperable games and platforms: Players and content creators can support games and platforms that prioritize interoperability. By playing these games and using these platforms, they can help demonstrate the value of interoperability and encourage others to adopt it.
  4. Collaborate with other players and content creators: Players and content creators can collaborate with each other across games and platforms, creating cross-game content and experiences. By doing so, they can help break down barriers and show the potential of interoperability.
  5. Share feedback and ideas: Players and content creators can share feedback and ideas with game developers and studios, encouraging them to prioritise interoperability and suggesting ways to achieve it. By providing this feedback, they can help shape the future of gaming and create a more open and interconnected gaming ecosystem.

Overall, the gaming community, including players and content creators, can contribute significantly to the push for greater interoperability across game worlds and platforms. By demanding interoperability, advocating for open standards, supporting interoperable games and platforms, collaborating with each other, and sharing feedback and ideas, they can help create a more seamless and interconnected gaming experience for everyone.

As game developers continue to break down barriers, how can they ensure that they are prioritising inclusivity, accessibility, and diverse representation in their interconnected worlds?

As game developers continue to break down barriers and create more interconnected worlds, it is essential that they prioritise inclusivity, accessibility, and diverse representation. Here are some ways in which they can do so:

  1. Conduct research: Game developers should conduct research to understand the needs and perspectives of diverse communities. This can include focus groups, surveys, and other forms of engagement to gather feedback and insights.
  2. Incorporate accessibility features: Developers should incorporate accessibility features into their games to ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can enjoy the game. This can include features such as customisable controls, text-to-speech options, and colorblind modes.
  3. Prioritise diversity and representation: Developers should prioritise diversity and representation in their games by creating characters and worlds that reflect a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. This can include hiring diverse teams and consulting with experts to ensure accurate and respectful representation.
  4. Consider cultural sensitivity: Developers should consider cultural sensitivity when creating their games, ensuring that they do not perpetuate harmful stereotypes or offend any communities. This can involve consulting with cultural experts and sensitivity readers to ensure that the game is respectful and inclusive.
  5. Engage with the community: Developers should engage with the community to gather feedback, address concerns, and build relationships. This can include hosting events, responding to social media, and creating forums for players to discuss the game and provide feedback.

Overall, prioritizing inclusivity, accessibility, and diverse representation is essential as game developers continue to break down barriers and create more interconnected worlds. By conducting research, incorporating accessibility features, prioritizing diversity and representation, considering cultural sensitivity, and engaging with the community, developers can ensure that their games are inclusive and welcoming to all.