Integrating new technologies into established industries is a daunting task, especially for big players in the gaming world.

As blockchain and NFTs become more prevalent, traditional gaming studios face significant challenges in adapting to these innovations. During a recent conversation, Roundtable anchor, Rob Nelson, and Michael Wagner, CEO of ATMTA, discussed the complexities of this transition.

Nelson opened the discussion by highlighting the struggles that large gaming companies face when attempting to integrate new technologies. He compared this challenge to the efforts of social media giants like Mark Zuckerberg, who rebranded Facebook as Meta in an attempt to pivot the company’s direction. Nelson pointed out that while established companies may find it harder to adapt, new ventures, like those led by Wagner, are at the forefront of innovation.

Michael Wagner acknowledged these difficulties, emphasizing that mainstream studios are risk-averse, particularly when it comes to introducing NFTs and crypto into their games. He noted that these studios have a solid, monetizable audience and fear backlash from gamers who are skeptical of these new technologies. However, Wagner believes this hesitation is temporary, as the value proposition of blockchain integration offers significant long-term benefits.

Wagner further elaborated on the technical challenges, explaining that most traditional games weren't designed to incorporate blockchain technology from the start. This makes adding new tech to existing platforms more complicated than building from scratch. By designing with integration in mind from the beginning, new ventures like ATMTA can navigate these challenges more effectively and lead the way in the future of gaming.