It’s the most wonderful time of the year, the time to look back and consider what we learned during 2025 and how to make the most of that knowledge in 2026.
In this article we catch up with Christina Macedo the CEO of Play Network
What was the most significant trend for blockchain games in 2025?
Christina Macedo: The most meaningful trend has been a return to the fundamentals of great game design: proven mechanics, strong FTUEs that fully abstract away the “blockchain” layer, and experiences that let players immediately grasp what the game is truly about.
Above all, teams are refocusing on the core principle that matters most, making games that are fun and built for players first.
How did your business adapt to these changes?
PLAY’s vision has always been aligned and has been built with this philosophy. There’s been no need for us to pivot, our focus has consistently been on empowering developers, whether they come from traditional gaming or are native to blockchain, who recognize that the industry must evolve with new technology for a new generation of players – GenA.
In short: use blockchain and AI to make games better, faster, and more engaging, without ever abandoning the fundamentals that make games great.
How do you think this will change in 2026?
As higher-quality games are built onchain and more players realize that blockchain is far more than just “crypto”, and that AI can genuinely elevate gameplay, we’ll finally be able to showcase the real value of game tokens. Having a stake in a game, an ecosystem, or a community where you invest time, energy, and money is incredibly powerful.
The industry may have started backwards with games, but now, as we effectively reverse-engineer “blockchain gaming,” we’re creating the right conditions to prove why some game and ecosystem tokens truly matter.
What was your favourite blockchain game during 2025?
MapleStory N is a perfect example of how a beloved IP can genuinely shine when enhanced with blockchain. Millions of players already adore the MapleStory Universe, giving them the chance to truly own a piece of it is a game-changer. The Nexpace (NXPC) token lets fans deepen their stake in a world they already invest their time, energy, and money into.
What makes MapleStory N stand out is its game-first approach. It keeps the core MapleStory fundamentals intact : the nostalgia, the side-scrolling charm, the MMORPG depth and layers blockchain on top in a way that elevates the experience rather than distracting from it. The result is a thoughtful balance of fun, ownership, and long-term economic sustainability.
If anything, MapleStory N shows how legacy IP can lead the way. It demonstrates not just why blockchain can make games better, but how beloved franchises can become the bridge that finally brings millions of players onchain.
What’s your New Year’s resolution and what resolution would you enforce on the industry?
Stay true to the fundamentals. Whether it’s a console title, a mobile hit, or even a board game, everything starts with building for the player in mind. The game has to be fun, sticky, and worth coming back to – no amount of tech can substitute for that.
As the industry matures, I hope it doesn’t lose sight of the core truths that made people fall in love with games in the first place. Great games are great because they respect the player, deliver joy, and stand the test of time.
If we keep that front and center, everything else – blockchain, AI, whatever the future brings – becomes an enhancer, not a distraction.
Read all our End of Year features via the EOY 2025 tag.
Powered by WPeMatico
