FEB 13, 2025
Gamegroove Capital at WEF 2025: Insights from our gaming panel
At this year’s World Economic Forum, discussions ranged from global finance to sustainability—but gaming had its moment, too. As part of the UnDavos Summit, Gamegroove Capital hosted a panel titled "Imaginary Reality, Real-World Consequences", bringing together industry pioneers to explore the intersection of gaming, AI, and Web3. The conversation was lively, sometimes contentious, and filled with insights into how these technologies are reshaping digital experiences.
Full Discussion
Full Discussion
The panel, moderated by Mike Butcher, Editor-at-large at TechCrunch, featured a diverse lineup of speakers. Kicking off the discussion, Alina Nilsson, Managing Partner at Gamegroove Capital, highlighted the momentum behind Web3 adoption in gaming:
“Our portfolio company, Gunzilla Games, launched the first AAA Web3-integrated game in October. Since then, players have created over 12 million wallets—a clear signal that gamers are ready for true digital ownership.”
The Rise of Digital Ownership
One of the most debated topics was the shift from traditional in-game assets to player-owned digital economies. Sebastien Borget, Co-founder & COO at The Sandbox Game, shared his perspective on the Metaverse’s evolution:
But the discussion went beyond the excitement of ownership. Ignat Bobrovich, CEO of Vavlur.GG, Esports.NGO raised a key concern: while players now have more control over their assets, what happens when those assets are stolen?
This sparked further debate on whether Web3’s promise of decentralization truly benefits all players—or if it introduces new vulnerabilities that have yet to be solved. The panelists agreed that while blockchain offers transparency, cybersecurity in gaming remains a weak spot, and there is still much to be done to protect users from fraud and hacks.
“The Metaverse is alive and thriving. Our latest event brought in 580,000 unique players, generating over 1 million blockchain transactions and 350,000 NFT sales.”
But the discussion went beyond the excitement of ownership. Ignat Bobrovich, CEO of Vavlur.GG, Esports.NGO raised a key concern: while players now have more control over their assets, what happens when those assets are stolen?
“We talk a lot about ownership, but what happens when assets are stolen? The industry lacks clear security solutions, and that’s a major risk.”
This sparked further debate on whether Web3’s promise of decentralization truly benefits all players—or if it introduces new vulnerabilities that have yet to be solved. The panelists agreed that while blockchain offers transparency, cybersecurity in gaming remains a weak spot, and there is still much to be done to protect users from fraud and hacks.
AI’s Expanding Role in Game Development
AI is transforming not only gameplay but the very way games are built. Alan Lau, Chief Business Officer at Animoca Brands, emphasized AI’s impact on game development:
“AI is making content creation cheaper and faster. NPCs are now truly interactive, and players can even hand over control to AI when they need a break.”
The ability to automate game design, create hyper-personalized experiences, and generate dynamic storytelling is already redefining the industry. But while AI is empowering developers, it is also raising ethical concerns. Mihaela Ulieru, Chief AI Alchemist at SingularityNET, pointed out a critical issue:
“Games shape values. If AI-driven incentives push pure accumulation of digital assets, we risk exacerbating gaming addiction.”
This highlighted a fundamental tension—is AI making games more immersive and engaging, or is it amplifying existing risks like over-monetization and behavioral manipulation?
Another major theme was AI’s role in gaming regulation and content moderation. With AI-driven personalization, games can adapt to each player’s behavior, but this raises questions about data privacy and ethical game design. Will future AI-driven NPCs be designed to enhance user well-being, or will they be optimized purely for engagement at any cost?
“AI is making content creation cheaper and faster. NPCs are now truly interactive, and players can even hand over control to AI when they need a break.”
The ability to automate game design, create hyper-personalized experiences, and generate dynamic storytelling is already redefining the industry. But while AI is empowering developers, it is also raising ethical concerns. Mihaela Ulieru, Chief AI Alchemist at SingularityNET, pointed out a critical issue:
“Games shape values. If AI-driven incentives push pure accumulation of digital assets, we risk exacerbating gaming addiction.”
This highlighted a fundamental tension—is AI making games more immersive and engaging, or is it amplifying existing risks like over-monetization and behavioral manipulation?
Another major theme was AI’s role in gaming regulation and content moderation. With AI-driven personalization, games can adapt to each player’s behavior, but this raises questions about data privacy and ethical game design. Will future AI-driven NPCs be designed to enhance user well-being, or will they be optimized purely for engagement at any cost?
The Road Ahead: What Will Gaming Look Like in 5 Years?
The panelists shared bold predictions for the future of gaming. Mete, Founder of ICB Verse, envisioned a fully integrated digital world:
“In the near future, we’ll start our days in the Metaverse and return there in the evening.”
For some, this vision is exciting—an evolution of work, entertainment, and social interaction into digital-first environments. But others were more cautious. While AI and Web3 unlock new opportunities, questions remain about regulation, security, and ethics.
The panel left the audience with a sense of both excitement and urgency. The convergence of AI and Web3 is inevitable, but its long-term impact—whether utopian or dystopian—will depend on the choices industry leaders make today.
“In the near future, we’ll start our days in the Metaverse and return there in the evening.”
For some, this vision is exciting—an evolution of work, entertainment, and social interaction into digital-first environments. But others were more cautious. While AI and Web3 unlock new opportunities, questions remain about regulation, security, and ethics.
The panel left the audience with a sense of both excitement and urgency. The convergence of AI and Web3 is inevitable, but its long-term impact—whether utopian or dystopian—will depend on the choices industry leaders make today.