I recently stumbled upon a market report projecting the blockchain and NFT gaming market to explode to a staggering $2.7 trillion by 2035. Sixty-two point eight percent CAGR! Numbers so big, they almost lose meaning. Here's the thing that stuck in my craw: while the report meticulously slices and dices the market by NFT type, blockchain, game type, and region, Southeast Asia felt like an afterthought, a footnote in a story dominated by the West and China.

I still can’t shake the memory of meeting Anya, a young game developer from Jakarta, at a Web 3.0 conference last year. She was exhibiting her own game, Wayang Warriors, a play-to-earn RPG rooted in Indonesian folklore. The graphics weren’t AAA quality, but you could feel the heart. Through NFTs she was able to tokenize one-of-a-kind characters and exclusive items. This method gave players the opportunity to really own a piece of her world. Anya was building something special, something authentic. Finding funding? Securing partnerships? It’s because we were swimming upstream against a system that only saw the dollar signs in tired Western stereotypes. In the meantime, all the usual Chinese gaming heavyweights ruled the roost.

Is Southeast Asia Just an Afterthought?

This isn’t just Anya’s story, it’s the story of so many creators all over Southeast Asia. As robust as the market report may be, it runs the risk of embedding a very harmful prejudice. It slices and dices regions, examines where the growth opportunity exists, and determines who the principal actors are. Are the datasets truly representative? Are these algorithms capturing the nuance of the region in which they are being deployed? Or at least extrapolating what they’ve already seen, and doubling down on the trends that cede power to legacy markets.

Think about it. Farther south, Southeast Asia is a region full of dynamic cultures, a huge mobile-first population, and an appetite for disruption. Further, it’s a hotbed for digital adoption, leapfrogging traditional infrastructure and processes. When we discuss blockchain gaming, the all-too-familiar discussion always shifts towards Western studios or Chinese conglomerates. We may be standing on a goldmine. Southeast Asia is the one place that seems to have a huge “Here Be Dragons” label on it warning us away.

Empowering Communities, Not Just Extracting Value

The potential of blockchain gaming in Southeast Asia goes beyond major profits and the bottom line. It’s an issue of empowerment. That’s why we support homegrown local developers in the mold of Anya. We give them the creative tools to develop sustainable business models, tell dynamic and authentic stories, and engage their audiences in new and powerful ways. It's about creating economic opportunities for underserved communities, leveraging NFTs to unlock new revenue streams for artists, musicians, and creators.

Imagine the cultural heritage we could preserve with digital collectibles. Picture NFTs that depict traditional batik designs, ancient art, or world-famous places like Borobudur. These aren’t just digital assets—these are cultural ambassadors, ferrying the stories and culture of Southeast Asia to the world. Even better, putting a dollar value to these stories and returning that money directly to the communities that created and owned the stories.

Yet, this transformative potential is being overlooked. As investors pour billions into metaverse projects and AAA titles, grassroots initiatives like Anya’s can hardly find a dime. This is no longer a missed opportunity, this is a moral failure. We’re not imagining a world where the 1% controls the 99% of the wealth. At the same time, the communities that stand to benefit are being left out. Is that really the sort of future we’re aiming toward?

Time For a Course Correction, Now!

This is not a request for hand outs, this is a request for wise investment. Southeast Asia can no longer be thought of merely as a convenient market to exploit. It is a place bursting with talent, creativity and unrealized potential.

The NFT gaming future worth $2.7 trillion is not that far off. To not listen closely to the unusual voices of Southeast Asia would be a misstep. Doing so will only result in more inequity, more unsustainability, and more disinterest in our conversations. Let's build a future where Anya's Wayang Warriors isn't just a passion project, but a thriving ecosystem that empowers her community and captivates the world. The time to act is now. We can’t afford to have this opportunity pass us by. The future of gaming depends on it.

  • Investors: Stop blindly following the West/China narrative. Seek out Southeast Asian blockchain gaming startups. Invest in culturally relevant games and NFTs. Prioritize projects that empower local communities.
  • Developers: Partner with Southeast Asian artists and creators. Build games that resonate with local audiences. Don't just copy and paste Western models; innovate.
  • Policymakers: Create supportive regulatory frameworks that encourage blockchain adoption and innovation. Avoid stifling innovation with overly restrictive regulations.

The $2.7 trillion future of NFT gaming is within reach. But it won't be equitable, it won't be sustainable, and frankly, it won't be as interesting if we continue to ignore the voices of Southeast Asia. Let's build a future where Anya's Wayang Warriors isn't just a passion project, but a thriving ecosystem that empowers her community and captivates the world. The time to act is now. Let's not let this opportunity slip through our fingers. The future of gaming depends on it.