We chat with P12 on the importance of UGC, differences in UGC in web2 and web3, Linea’s contribution to promoting online gaming in web3, and the future of web3 and gaming.

User-generated content (UGC) in gaming is a revolutionary concept since it transforms players from passive consumers into active creators of the gaming worlds they inhabit. By allowing players to create quests, invent new characters, and make new levels in a game, UGC gives them control and ownership, which thus far has been concentrated in the hands of game publishers.

By transferring ownership from publishers to players, UGC creates a gaming environment that promotes a sense of community, and increases a players’ engagement with the game. Add to this mix web3, and you have for yourself a winning strategy for ownership of digital assets.

The centralized models in web2 gaming ensure that even though UGC is a result of a player’s creativity, it is still owned by a centralized authority such as a game publisher. Even in the case where users may be able to monetize their creations, a large part of those earnings goes to the gaming platforms. In addition, most web2 gaming platforms do not allow for interoperability. Therefore, any assets or avatars created on one gaming platform are limited to that platform and cannot be transferred to another.

Web3 does away with all of the above restrictions in UGC. Web3 ensures that the creators are the actual owners of the assets they create, and are thus also able to monetize them. For example, players can charge for the new avatars or characters they create in a game, or for new features in a gaming environment. By tying the ownership of the asset to the creator and not the platform, web3 also enables creators to transfer assets from one platform to another.

To promote more gaming solutions in web3, and particularly on layer 2 networks, Linea is running a month-long social celebration called the Linea Entertainment Festival. The Festival began on September 4, 2023 and is divided into three sub-campaigns. You can read all about the Festival and how you can participate here.

To deliver the exciting tasks in the Entertainment Festival, Linea partnered with leading players in the gaming sector, one of whom is Project 12 (P12), a reputable web3 gaming infrastructure and ecosystem. Linea’s sub-campaign with P12 is called the P12 Arcana: Linea Editorium, which is aimed at promoting enriching content related to entertainment and gaming within the L2 ecosystem.

This sub-campaign is currently running until October 5, 2023. You can find detailed information here and join P12 Arcana: Linea Editorium here.

We chatted with P12 on the importance of UGC, differences in UGC in web2 and web3, Linea’s contribution to promoting online gaming in web3, and the future of web3 and gaming. Read on for an insightful conversation!

P12 emphasizes user-generated content (UGC). Can you explain how this empowers gamers and creators within your platform and ecosystem?

We believe that game creation is undergoing a shift from professional developers to individual creators. We have witnessed a similar transformation in video content, with platforms like YouTube and TikTok enabling anyone to distribute videos, and smartphones making low-cost video production possible. We are convinced that the best ideas do not always come from AAA game companies. Everyone, at some point, has had the notion of creating their own game, but not everyone has had access to tools that are simple and user-friendly enough. The P12 game editor fills this gap, offering an accessible entry point into game development without steep learning curves. This will unlock the creative potential of countless individuals and, empowered by web3, reshape the future of the gaming industry. We believe that everyone can be a game creator.

Do you think UGC will explode faster in web3 than in web2? Why should content creators accustomed to the web2 landscape consider exploring web3 platforms like P12?

We believe that web3 has the potential to bring more value to game creators, thus increasing their motivation to create. What sets web3 apart is its mechanism to reward exceptional developers, weed out mediocre ones, while also safeguarding players' permanent ownership of in-game assets. By utilizing P12's SDK/API, game developers do not need to delve into blockchain development such as smart contracts. They can generate income through the issuance of tokens or NFTs, provided that the game is engaging and enjoyable. We aim to identify creative developers and assist them in maximizing their value, transforming P12 into a creativity-driven platform. Ultimately, we want both gamers and developers to benefit from it.

How does your platform differ from others in the web3 UGC gaming space?

To be frank, we have not come across any tool in the web3 gaming space that surpasses the P12 game editor. We have put in lots of effort because we did not want the P12 editor to have a steep learning curve. We did not want new users to spend hundreds of hours learning basic operations, as that would go against our vision of "everyone can be a game creator." So, the P12 editor provides thousands of readily available resources, such as 3D models and effects. It offers many functional modules that can be easily invoked, like shooting and driving, along with robust character editing and animation capabilities. These are remarkably user-friendly, often requiring just a simple drag and drop. This is a rarity for users and it produces stunning results. The P12 game editor will serve as the cornerstone of the P12 ecosystem. A powerful and user-friendly editor makes P12 truly exceptional.

Web3 often enables better ownership and monetization for creators. How does P12 support creators in terms of ownership rights and income generation?

Web3 technology, on a technical level, enables asset ownership and monetization, addressing some of the drawbacks of web2 games. In web2 games, when the servers shut down, players often lose the characters and all in-game assets they spent thousands of hours building. This reminds us that true asset ownership doesn't exist in centrally operated games. In web2 games, developers can profit from game sales or in-game purchases, and a small percentage of players may earn money by providing services to other players, but this doesn't form a complete and harmonious system.

P12, by transforming in-game assets into on-chain assets, safeguards the ownership of game players. It is crucial to ensure that the achievements accomplished with time and money belong to you. This way, even if the centralized project party can't bear the original responsibility, the community can still find a way to continue the game. For the first time, web3 monetization puts creators and gamers in the same revenue system, making income distribution balanced and fair. Outstanding creators can be appropriately rewarded, and value-creating players can also receive returns. There is still much exploration needed on this path, and daring to try is a starting point.

What was the vision for P12 Arcana? How do you see UGC playing a role in the Entertainment Festival collaboration with Linea, and what opportunities does this present for festival participants?

The goal of P12 Arcana is to introduce the P12 game editor to users for the first time. After hands-on experience, our community will have a better understanding of our mission. In fact, we have seen many creative works, further solidifying our confidence in UGC becoming the future of the web3 gaming industry. And this is just the beginning.Simultaneously, we have launched P12 Power Level, allowing users to upgrade their P12 Genesis NFT for the first time. This binds identity with user-created value, marking a significant update in the P12 ecosystem. It will help us better reward our core supporters after the future issuance of P12 tokens.Linea boasts a thriving user ecosystem and strong performance. We view the Linea Entertainment Festival as an excellent showcase opportunity. We believe Linea users have more than enough creativity to unleash potential even they might not anticipate.Additionally, we have provided ample incentives for participants, including cash rewards, P12 Power Level, Linea Gas Pass, and rewards from our partners. We hope P12 Arcana will bring Linea users an unforgettable journey of discovering their creative potential.

Community is vital in the web3 space. How does P12 foster a sense of community among its users and creators, and why is this important in the web3 gaming ecosystem? How is P12 engaging with the Linea community and festival participants to create a memorable and interactive experience?

A mature and active community is one of the most crucial factors for the success of a web3 project, as "consensus" always remains a decisive force in our industry. We have a deep understanding of this. To make the P12 community united and strong, it is essential that it consists of people who are passionate about gaming. That is why we launched P12 Genesis NFTs for Steam users in 2022. The love for games brings us together, and within this community, the future game creators and gamers of P12 will emerge.At the same time, we must always ask ourselves, what value are we bringing to the community? We firmly believe that players yearn to have their own games, to let others explore their worlds. We can help them achieve this, and through fair value distribution, keep the entire system operating healthily and sustainably, entering a positive cycle.In this event, we have specially designed templates for Linea. Linea users can unleash their creativity on these templates. Many works feature Linea's architectural designs, where users pose in various outfits they have designed themselves, presenting in various appearances, composing different pieces. I believe this strengthens the sense of belonging within the Linea community, showcasing to us how robust the Linea community truly is.

From P12's perspective, how does the Entertainment Festival contribute to the growth and development of the broader web3 ecosystem, particularly in the context of gaming and entertainment?

From various perspectives, Linea is undoubtedly the leader in the current Layer 2 landscape. Therefore, a thriving gaming ecosystem on Linea holds significant importance for the entire industry. It enhances Linea's ecosystem, showcasing the remarkable synergy of a large user base, robust blockchain performance, and a flourishing environment.We believe that the Entertainment Festival represents a significant stride in this direction. Linea hosts numerous outstanding web3 gaming projects, and the festival offers us the opportunity to introduce ourselves to Linea users. This is precisely what we need. We are confident in our ability to provide Linea users with the best gaming experience. The opportunities provided by the Entertainment Festival serve as an excellent example for the entire blockchain ecosystem and attract more web2/web3 users interested in gaming to join.

What are your visions for the future of web3 and gaming?

The most crucial vision remains that UGC will reshape the future of the gaming industry; this forms the core of all our efforts. We believe the gaming industry needs a transformation. Players are growing weary of the same old $59.99 releases from major franchises like 2K and Call of Duty. Ubisoft's cookie-cutter games no longer pique our interest because these big corporations are more focused on stock prices and sales figures than on the player experience. We find ourselves increasingly hopeful after watching trailers, only to be disappointed upon the game's release.We need individuals who are genuinely passionate about games to become creators, infusing their love and creativity into their work. They might not necessarily be producing large-scale games developed by hundreds of people; small-budget productions from independent teams can also be among the best games. Thus, we believe that providing everyone with the tools to create games will unleash boundless creativity and, empowered by web3, generate more value for both creators and players. Ultimately, we are poised to usher in the most prosperous era in the gaming industry.