Blockchain Games And The Clash Of Cultures

As blockchain games try to become an established, respected genre of gaming, I decided I needed to investigate the subject more thoroughly. Not knowing much, I've used the AI program Copilot to guide my path. So far I've looked into what a blockchain game is and some examples of current blockchain games. Now I need to investigate a subject I think negatively affects the acceptance of Web3 technology into video games. How so-called "crypto bros" and video game hobbyists fundamentally have different world views.

When I started writing this series, all I knew about crypto bros is that the term itself was derogatory and depicted people way, way too obsessed with obtaining real world riches through technological means. Of course, I need a better understanding of crypto bros if I want to write about the subject, so I naturally turned to my AI assistant to answer the question, "What is a crypto bro?"

A crypto bro is a term often used to describe individuals who are deeply immersed in the world of cryptocurrency. Let’s explore some common traits associated with crypto bros:

1. Trading Obsession: Crypto bros are passionate about trading digital currencies. They can’t help but talk about it incessantly. Whether it’s during meals or social gatherings, they’ll discuss which coins are the best, upcoming hype stocks, and market trends. Their Instagram bios might even reflect their crypto enthusiasm, and their Instastories are filled with crypto content.

2. Perpetually Glued to Their Phones: These individuals are never truly “off.” Their phones are their lifelines, allowing them to check their crypto investments, engage in discussions with other crypto enthusiasts, and stay updated on market movements. Social interactions may take a back seat to their screens, except when the conversation revolves around crypto.

3. Recruitment Drive: Crypto bros are like evangelists for their newfound interest. They’ll try to recruit others into the crypto world, often using tactics like sharing screenshots of their profits, creating FOMO (fear of missing out) in their Instastories, and bombarding social media with crypto-related content.

4. Crypto Lingo: After diving into crypto trading, these bros expand their vocabulary with crypto-specific terms. You’ll hear them drop phrases like “HODL” (hold on for dear life), which means holding onto investments even during market dips, and references to going “to the moon” (optimistic predictions of huge future returns) .

5. Rocket Emoji Overload: If you see an excessive use of rocket emojis in their messages, chances are you’re dealing with a crypto bro. Rockets symbolize the hope for explosive price increases in crypto assets.

Remember, the term “crypto bro” can be both endearing and slightly derogatory, depending on context. It’s all part of the colorful crypto culture! 🚀🌙

I'm going to admit, when I read the answer to my first question, I was reminded of hardcore video game players talking about their favorite video game. For example, are World of Warcraft guild masters, Final Fantasy free company masters, or EVE Online alliance leaders ever really off-line? I had to dig deeper because Copilot has a habit of putting a positive spin on topics. In my opinion the description became worse.

Certainly! The term “crypto bro” has become a cultural phenomenon, and it’s worth exploring further. Here’s a deeper dive into the world of crypto bros:

1. Financial Dominance: Crypto bros often exhibit a sense of financial superiority, believing they have mastered the art of making money in the digital age. They may come across as dismissive of traditional investment methods or those who haven’t embraced cryptocurrency.

2. Exclusivity and Masculinity: The culture surrounding crypto bros can sometimes be exclusionary, particularly towards women. It’s been noted that despite more women becoming financially literate and involved in finance, conversations around cryptocurrency tend to remain cliquey and male-dominated.

3. Influence and Hype: Crypto bros are known for their influence, especially on social media. They can create significant hype around certain cryptocurrencies, which can lead to market fluctuations. This influence is not always based on expertise, and sometimes it can contribute to misinformation and unrealistic expectations.

4. Celebrity Endorsements: High-profile figures like Elon Musk have been associated with the crypto bro culture. Their comments and endorsements can have a large impact on the value of cryptocurrencies, for better or worse.

5. Challenging Stereotypes: While the stereotype of the crypto bro is pervasive, recent research suggests that the actual demographic of cryptocurrency owners is more diverse than the stereotype suggests. This indicates that the culture is evolving and becoming more inclusive.

6. Web3 and Ethics: The crypto bro culture has also been criticized for its lack of diversity and disregard for ethics and social responsibility, particularly in the Web3 industry. There’s a growing call for more inclusivity and responsible promotion within the crypto community.

The crypto bro culture is complex and multifaceted, with both positive and negative aspects. It’s important to approach it with a critical eye and recognize that, like any subculture, it is subject to change and evolution. If you’re interested in cryptocurrency, it’s beneficial to stay informed and critically evaluate the information you come across, especially when it comes from sources deeply embedded in the crypto bro culture. 📈🔍

I want to go over the final point about ethics. Just reading Copilot's explanation one would get the feeling, along with points 2 and 5, that ethics involves the need to incorporate DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) into crypto bro culture. But the final warning about trusting the information coming from sources deeply involved in the crypto community leads to a different sort of ethics concern.

Why should people not trust information coming from crypto bros? I asked Copilot about examples of ethics issues. I was expecting a list of incidents, not the lengthy list of categories of reasons my AI assistant provided. I wound up picking the top four items.

The crypto bro culture has faced criticism for several ethical issues. Here are some examples that highlight the lack of ethics among certain individuals within this culture:

1. Hype and Misinformation:

   • The promotion of cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin and various meme coins often involves excessive hype and unrealistic expectations. This can mislead potential investors, especially when driven by influential figures without financial expertise.

2. Pump-and-Dump Schemes:

   • Some crypto bros have been involved in pump-and-dump schemes, where they artificially inflate the price of a cryptocurrency before selling off their holdings to make a profit, leaving other investors with devalued assets.

3. Lack of Financial Expertise:

   • Influencers and celebrities within the crypto bro culture sometimes endorse cryptocurrencies without a deep understanding of the market, contributing to an environment of misinformation and speculative investment.

4. Legal Troubles:

   • High-profile figures like John McAfee and Jake Paul have faced legal issues related to their promotion of cryptocurrencies. McAfee’s bold predictions and controversial lifestyle, along with Paul’s fines for illegally promoting crypto projects, have cast a shadow over the industry’s ethical standards.

Trusting a crypto bro does not sound like a wise decision. If a crypto bro is touting something, I can see why people would believe that automatically taking the opposite view is probably in the long run is a smart decision. The odds seem stacked in the critics' favor.

Although crypto bros may disagree, I don't think Copilot painted a pretty picture of the group. The next step is to examine how the group will get along with video game hobbyists, otherwise known as gamers. Copilot spelled out six areas in which crypto bro culture and video gamer culture clashes. I personally think the AI stretched to get to six and reduced the list down to what I think are the three most significant differences.

Community and Purpose:

1. Crypto Bro Culture:
   • Crypto bros are known for their snarky attitude and excessive enthusiasm about digital currencies. They often flaunt their wealth and obsess over potential profits.
   • Their focus is primarily on financial gains, trading, and investment opportunities within the crypto space.
2. Video Gamer Culture:
• Video gamers value community, shared experiences, and the enjoyment of gameplay.
• Their purpose revolves around exploring virtual worlds, completing quests, and immersing themselves in interactive narratives.

While Copilot makes gamers sound pure and innocent, perhaps they are compared to crypto bros. But I do know one thing crypto bros probably will do that will absolutely drive gamers away from blockchain games: try to buy the win button. If a blockchain game is a chance to flaunt their out-of-game wealth by purchasing in-game advantage, most gamers will give the game a hard pass. The video game term for the practice is pay-to-win. 

Gamers also have a term for those who spend a lot of real world wealth on a game: whales. I think having a genre in which whales are loud and proud may sound natural to crypto bros but will weird out gamers. 

Technology Adoption:

1. Crypto Bro Culture:
   • Crypto enthusiasts embrace cutting-edge technology, including blockchain, decentralized finance (DeFi), and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
   • They actively participate in the evolution of digital currencies and Web3 platforms.
2. Video Gamer Culture:
• Gamers adopt technology related to gaming, such as consoles, PCs, and virtual reality (VR).
• Their focus is on gameplay mechanics and immersive experiences rather than financial innovations.

I see the technology question as one that will divide crypto bros and gamers. The crypto bro will look at all this marvelous new technology and figure the mere inclusion into a video game makes the game ten times better. Gamers, on the other hand, look at the technology and ask, "How does the inclusion of the technology make the gaming experience better?" If the answer involves the thought, "Because I can make money," then gamers will run away and tell all their friends to avoid the game or entire genre as well.

Narrative vs. Speculation:

1. Crypto Bro Culture:
   • The crypto narrative revolves around financial revolution, decentralization, and disrupting traditional finance.
   • Speculation drives much of the conversation, with a focus on price movements and investment opportunities.
2. Video Gamer Culture:
• Gamers appreciate well-crafted narratives, character development, and immersive storytelling.
• Their discussions often center around game lore, quests, and memorable moments.

Here I think is the biggest point of contention. When crypto bros hear the phrase "blockchain game", they focus on the adjective and want to bring their world view and the outside world itself into the game. They consider out-of-game wealth accumulation fun in its own right. When gamers hear the term, they focus on the noun. The enjoyment gamers receive is found in a virtual world separated from the real world. Many just want to come home from work and relax. They don't want to come home to a second job. 

The crypto bros love of systems like play-to-earn would turn video games into just that: a second job. Throughout the years I've heard gamers complain about MMORPGs which felt like a second job. Whether the discussion involves the effort to stay relevant in the World of Warcraft raiding scene or grinding to earn enough ISK to pay for game time in EVE Online, fun turning into work is a major complaint. The crypto bros focus on wealth turns a game into one gamers complain about.

I want to give Copilot the opportunity to give some final thoughts before I give my own.

In summary, while both cultures exist within the digital realm, they differ significantly in their values, communication styles, and priorities. Crypto bros emphasize financial gains, while video gamers prioritize enjoyment and community. As these worlds intersect, understanding these differences can foster better dialogue and collaboration. 🎮🚀

I'm a bit more skeptical than my AI assistant. Theoretically, I know the two worlds can co-exist. But does enough of an overlap exist to make blockchain games more than a extremely niche market if the genre can exist at all? The more I dig, the more I start comparing crypto bros to video game whales. Sure, they can buy all the advantages to win. But if the non-whales don't stick around for the whales to lord their superior over, then the whales won't stick around either. And once that happens, a video game dies. The question is, can the game developers overcome something I think is a basic fact of video games?