Unmasking Web3 Player Engagement: Authenticity Amidst the Bot Menace

four bots, three are normal sized humanoid robots, one is a massive four legged robbot — Bots as a means to fake user engagement and pump metrics

In the burgeoning realm of Web3 gaming, where decentralization and player ownership take center stage, the promise of immersive player engagement is alluring and precarious.

However, amidst the genuine excitement lies a shadowy undercurrent — the menace of fake engagement fueled by bots and artificial means. Understanding the nuances of authentic player engagement becomes paramount for Web3 investors and businesses seeking to navigate this complex landscape.

A. Web Player Engagement: A Paradigm Shift

Decentralization and Ownership:

Web3 gaming has ushered in a new era, emphasizing decentralized ownership of in-game assets. This paradigm shift empowers players, fostering a deeper connection with virtual economies and the games.

Play-to-Earn Dynamics:

The introduction of play-to-earn models further enhances player engagement by providing tangible incentives. Players can earn cryptocurrency or valuable in-game assets, reshaping the dynamics of participation and reward.

B. The Menace of Fake Engagement

The Bot Economy:

In the quest for perceived success, some game developers resort to bot farms—networks of automated accounts designed to simulate player activity. This practice artificially inflates engagement metrics, creating a façade of popularity and success.

Motivations Behind Bot Usage:

The motivations behind deploying bot farms are varied, but they are often rooted in a desire to attract genuine players by presenting a false image of thriving engagement. Additionally, inflated numbers may attract potential investors and partnerships.

C. Signs of Fake Engagement

Unusual Patterns:

Identifying fake engagement involves recognizing irregularities in player behaviour. Bots often exhibit repetitive patterns and lack the nuanced decision-making characteristic of genuine players.

Sudden Surges:

Suspicious spikes in user engagement, especially when not aligned with the release of significant updates or events, can indicate bot-driven activity.

D. Consequences for Genuine Players

Distorted Economies:

Fake engagement disrupts in-game economies, leading to distorted market values and a skewed distribution of resources, negatively impacting the overall gaming experience for authentic players.

Dilution of Community:

The presence of bot-fueled engagement dilutes the sense of community within gaming ecosystems. Genuine players may find it challenging to connect with others when a significant portion of the player base is artificial.

E. Fighting the Bot Menace

Technological Solutions:

Efforts to combat the bot menace include developing and implementing technological solutions for bot detection and prevention. These measures are crucial for maintaining fair play and authentic engagement.

Community Vigilance:

Vigilant players play a pivotal role in exposing and addressing fake engagement. Community-led initiatives and reporting mechanisms can contribute to maintaining the integrity of gaming environments.

F. Nurturing Authentic Engagement

Building Trust:

For long-term success, developers must prioritize building trust with their player base. Transparent communication, fair play policies, and community engagement contribute to authentic player experiences.

Community-Centric Development:

Developers should adopt strategies that prioritize the community, valuing player input and feedback. Community-centric development ensures that games evolve in tandem with the expectations and desires of the genuine player base.

G. Industry Reflections

Responsibility of Platforms:

Gaming platforms bear the responsibility of ensuring fair play and authentic engagement. Implementing robust measures and policies is essential to maintain the integrity of the gaming ecosystem.

Regulatory Considerations:

As the industry evolves, regulatory frameworks addressing the use of bots in gaming may become necessary. Establishing industry-wide standards can help deter unethical practices.

H. The Metrics Game

Three key metrics often used to gauge DApp engagement are active users, community engagement, and liquidity. Unfortunately, these metrics can be manipulated, leading to inflated numbers that misrepresent actual user participation.

I. Active Users: Real or Fake?

Most proof-of-stake (PoS) networks allow free or minimal registration fees, resulting in a flood of "fake" active addresses interacting with DApps. Developers and investors have incentives to boost their numbers artificially. A closer look at DApps rankings reveals staggering data—some claim more active users than industry leaders like OpenSea or Uniswap.

Levan Kvirkvelia, co-founder of Jugger—a Web3 bot prevention service—analyzed over 60 games and DApps. His findings were eye-opening: "40% of active users are actually automated bots or single entities controlling multiple accounts". In extreme cases like AnRKey X on the Polygon network, the bot-to-holder ratio reached a staggering 84%.

J. Detecting Bots

There are several tools and metrics that investors and businesses can use to detect inflated activity and distinguish genuine Web3 player engagement and bots:

Comparing Registered Users to Active Users: Scrutinize the ratio of registered users to genuinely active ones. High discrepancies may signal bot activity.
Community Engagement: Look beyond raw numbers and evaluate the quality of interactions within the community.
Liquidity: Assess liquidity pools; genuine engagement should correlate with liquidity.

K. Conclusion

Striking a delicate balance in the realm of Web3 player engagement is imperative. While the promise of decentralized ownership and play-to-earn dynamics propels the industry forward, the lurking threat of fake engagement demands attention. Investors and businesses seeking to engage with Web3 games must exercise due diligence, relying on technological solutions, community vigilance, and a discerning approach to navigate this evolving landscape.

As the industry evolves, transparency and authenticity will separate successful projects from those built on deception.