Introduction:

In recent years, the internet has revolutionized the way we consume and produce information. Gone are the days when big media outlets held a monopoly on reaching mass audiences. Today, even a 10-year-old YouTuber can have more visibility than a national television network. Blockchain technology is taking this transformation a step further, enabling people to not only consume content from companies but also produce, own, contribute, and earn through their creative endeavors. This blog post will explore the future of blockchain, focusing on co-creation and the democratization of content.

The Power of Co-Creation in the Blockchain Era:

Blockchain allows for co-creation, empowering individuals to actively participate in and contribute to the development of various projects. This collaborative approach can be seen in games, which are increasingly being built through multiple contributions, such as sound, design, game rules, and 3D modeling.

Co-creation has several powerful implications for the future of content production:

Democratization of Creativity: The co-creation model puts creative power into the hands of individuals, breaking down traditional barriers and democratizing the creative process. This enables anyone with a unique idea, skill, or talent to contribute to a project and potentially profit from it.

Decentralized Ownership and Earnings: Blockchain technology enables decentralized ownership of digital assets, allowing contributors to maintain control over their creations and share in the profits. This promotes a more equitable distribution of wealth and encourages further participation in the creative process.

Enhanced Collaboration and Innovation: Co-creation fosters a collaborative environment, bringing together diverse perspectives and skill sets. This can result in more innovative and dynamic projects, as various contributors work together to develop new ideas and push the boundaries of what is possible.

Real-World Examples of Co-Creation in Blockchain:

Decentraland: Decentraland is a virtual world built on the Ethereum blockchain, where users can create, experience, and monetize content and applications. It enables individuals to buy land, build structures, and create experiences, allowing for co-creation and collaboration in a decentralized environment.

The Sandbox: The Sandbox is a blockchain-based gaming platform that allows users to create, own, and monetize digital assets and experiences. Players can design and build their own games, experiences, and virtual worlds, fostering co-creation and collaboration within the ecosystem.

Axie Infinity: Axie Infinity is a blockchain-based game centered around fantasy creatures called Axies. Players can collect, breed, and battle these creatures, as well as earn cryptocurrency through gameplay. The game encourages co-creation by allowing players to shape the development of the game world and its economy through their actions and decisions.

My Own Experience Spells of Genesis:

Ever since my early ventures into tokenizing game assets on the blockchain back in 2015, I've been convinced that this technology is a game changer. The true potential of Web3 (internet powered by blockchain) compared to Web2 (where everyone can express themselves on social media) lies in the transformation of consumers into consume-creators. During the token sale for Spells of Genesis in the summer of 2015, one of last milestones was to enable players to create their own levels, characters as digital assets (editor note NFTs), and trade them.

Despite incorporating numerous features into the initial roadmap, the guild system and user-generated content (UGC) were not added to Spells of Genesis. While a basic guild structure was implemented, it didn't make the final cut, as it required further development. Ironically, the aspect I consider most important, transforming players into co-creators, has not been realized even in 2023.

What could be the reasons for this? One possibility is that the gaming experts hired for Spells of Genesis, while highly experienced in their field, had no background in designing Web3 games (as there were no other Web3 games to reference). They naturally relied on established, successful formulas. Additionally, managing UGC can be complex and potentially disrupt the original creative process. In retrospect, there were several wise decisions made for Spells of Genesis, which will be discussed in a future blog post. However, I should have placed more emphasis on UGC. As a lesson learned, user-generated content will be a key component of the 2023-2024 roadmap for the game.

Conclusion:

As we look towards the future of blockchain, it's clear that co-creation and the democratization of content will play a significant role. By enabling individuals to actively participate in and profit from the creative process, blockchain technology is disrupting traditional content production models and paving the way for a more inclusive, collaborative, and innovative digital landscape. While there is no single killer project that has fully embraced this concept at its core, the true game-changers will be those projects that genuinely understand and implement co-creation as a fundamental principle.