Original Title: "DappRadar Report: This Summer's On-Chain Traffic Dominated by Games and NFTs"

Source: Dappradar

Original Author: Pedro Herrera

Translation: Katie, Odaily Planet Daily Translator

The DappRadar Blockchain User Behavior Report focuses on games this time. In this report, we will analyze global trends, including user statistics and connectivity analysis, all aimed at game DApps (decentralized applications) and their users.

The following report belongs to a new series of blockchain user behavior reports. The purpose is to provide users with different perspectives on the blockchain industry, combining traditional behavioral finance analysis with blockchain metrics and indicators. This document analyzes trends from the perspective of the blockchain industry and identifies patterns in the DeFi, NFT, and gaming sectors.

By analyzing different metrics, we can understand the major patterns and trends that occurred in the blockchain industry last month. Additionally, we try to identify the main user groups of blockchain and encompass the gaming sector.

In this report, we first analyze global trends, including user statistics and correlation analysis. Then, we delve into the gaming sector, showcasing how users from other sectors (such as DeFi) are shifting their attention to game DApps. After that, we will discuss the "play-to-earn" trend, which, while significant in emerging markets, is not exclusive to them. Finally, we will analyze important specific cases in blockchain to further support the narrative used in gaming.

Key Points

• Industry interest is shifting towards games, with the number of Unique Active Wallets connected to game DApps growing by 64% monthly, while unique wallets for DeFi and NFTs grew only by 3% and 6%, respectively, during the same period.
• The United States has the most blockchain users, exceeding 121,000, with strong influence from Asian countries.
• Millennials (ages 25-34) are the largest group of blockchain users, accounting for 37%, followed by Gen Z (ages 18-24) at 27%.
• In August, 75% of DappRadar users were male; however, female users are starting to gain more attention on the platform.
• Games and NFT DApps generated approximately 41% of clicks, while DeFi accounted for only 18%; in June, DeFi accounted for 54%, while games and NFTs combined accounted for 46%.

Content Outline

• Industry Statistics
• Supporting the Development of Games and NFTs
• "Play-to-Earn" is Not Exclusive to Emerging Economies
• Game Cases on Binance Smart Chain and Other Chains
• The Road Ahead

Industry Statistics

The blockchain industry continues to grow every month. In August, there were over 2 million Unique Active Wallets (UAW) interacting with smart contracts on average each day. This number represents an 18% increase compared to July and an 883% increase year-over-year.

By examining user behavior patterns, we analyzed 884,000 users connected to DappRadar from August 1 to September 12. As in previous months, the United States was the primary user, with over 121,000 users, followed by four Asian countries (the Philippines, China, Thailand, and Indonesia). These four Asian regions, along with India and Vietnam, total over 262,000 users. Brazil (+35,000), the UK (28,000), and Russia (27,000) also had significant audiences.

Next, we analyzed the age range of the audience. Undoubtedly, millennials are the primary age group, followed closely by Gen Z. In August, users aged 25-34 accounted for 37.34% of our traffic, while users aged 18-24 accounted for 26.88%.

Interestingly, the number of users aged 45-54 increased by 30% compared to the previous month, while those aged 65 and above increased by 33%. It is exciting to see some users who were previously outsiders quickly integrating into the industry.

Additionally, by analyzing 240,000 users, we found that 75% of users are male, while 25% are female. The number of males attracted to the blockchain industry is three times that of females, although this gap has slightly narrowed since May.

Finally, according to DappRadar's network data from July, 50.8% of users operated via computers, while 48.3% used smartphones. This data differs from last month's figures, which indicated that smartphones were the preferred choice.

While the geographic distribution shown in the charts remains roughly the same, other metrics have changed slightly compared to the previous month. As expected, users aged 18-35 dominate, but the accelerated entry of older users into the space boosts our confidence. It is also noteworthy that the gap between males and females has slightly narrowed over time.

These indices help us understand user behavior in the industry, but the veil behind blockchain still awaits our unveiling.

Supporting the Development of Games and NFTs

When we analyze the three main areas of blockchain in detail, we can again support the argument that games and NFTs are driving usage rates. Since the "play-to-earn" movement and the NFT sector began to heat up in early July, most people's attention has shifted to this side.

To achieve clearer analytical results, we categorize users based on audience behavior to identify trends.

Continuing the trend from July, we observe that interest in blockchain games continues to grow. Additionally, due to the significant attention generated by NFTs, traffic for NFTs has been steadily increasing since July. We can also observe a noticeable decline in the previously dominant position of DeFi.

In May 2021, 55% of DappRadar users interacted with DeFi DApps, while the remaining 45% were involved with NFTs and games. In August, this figure changed dramatically. DeFi DApps accounted for 18% of traffic, while games accounted for 45%, and NFTs were close to 41%.

Games and NFTs are closely linked, as items and even playable characters in blockchain games are represented by these NFTs. Therefore, analyzing the NFT sector adds another layer of analysis from a gaming perspective.

August was the strongest month ever for the NFT sector. The United States is the country most interested in NFTs, and the number of NFT users is also growing. The U.S. is one of the world's most important markets, with huge demand for sports, collectibles, and memorabilia. Thailand, India, and the UK also made the list. The Philippines is included as well, with most of the traffic coming from Axie Infinity.

On the other hand, Russia, as a very important market, seems to be shifting its interest from NFTs to games while maintaining a strong interest in DeFi applications. Blockchain games are achieving mass adoption.

Furthermore, by connecting to each type of DApp program, we conducted an analysis of Unique Active Wallets (UAW). This analysis shows an unusual growth in gaming projects. Compared to July, the number of users attracted to game DApps increased by 63% in August, with an average of over 747,000 Unique Active Wallets daily. From this perspective, DeFi's Unique Active Wallets grew by 3%, while NFTs' Unique Active Wallets only grew by 6% during the same period.

In summary, focusing on global trends helps us understand the big picture. In this context, blockchain games and NFTs have gained tremendous attention. As game DApps continue to improve their respective projects, we may see other types of economies and regions getting involved, flourishing together.

Axie Infinity is Not Just a Game for Filipinos

Axie Infinity has achieved tremendous success in the Philippines. The DApp that allows players to earn income through gaming has become a hot topic in the country.

Interestingly, the Philippines is not the country with the highest click rate for the Axie Infinity website; that title goes to Thailand. It is likely that Axie Infinity has gained such high loyalty in the Philippines that some Filipinos are only interested in playing the game directly without engaging in the earning aspect.

Besides Thailand, the United States, China, and Brazil are also among the countries with the highest click rates for Axie Infinity.

Additionally, when analyzing regions where game DApps dominate, we made an interesting discovery. On one hand, emerging economies are closely related to "play-to-earn," as the earnings from in-game currencies exceed those from earning local currency.

For example, in Latin American and Caribbean countries like Venezuela and Cuba, about 60% of users focus on gaming. In African countries like Nigeria, Gambia, and Western Sahara, this proportion exceeds 57%. In the Middle East, countries like Iran, Jordan, and Palestine saw the number of gaming users more than double in August compared to July.

On the other hand, it is interesting to note that European and North American countries are beginning to turn their attention to blockchain-based gaming. Nearly half of Austrian users are participating in DApp games that allow them to earn income through gaming, while 40% of Spanish users are also closely following suit.

The number of gamers in countries like Iceland, Sweden, Canada, and Andorra has more than doubled, while the number of gaming enthusiasts in Germany, Italy, and Norway has increased by at least 67%.

The trend of earning through gaming is not limited to a specific region. During the recent surge, this approach remains widespread. In the path toward mass adoption, involving as many countries as possible will be key.

Game Cases on Binance Smart Chain and Other Chains

In our August industry report, we highlighted that Binance Smart Chain (BSC) is the most commonly used blockchain. Last month, the Binance-branded network attracted nearly 1 million Unique Active Wallets, with nearly 40% coming from a game DApp.

Further examining the classification of BSC, we found that DeFi wallets still dominate, with about 425,000 unique wallets connected to DeFi DApps, while only 279,000 wallets interacted with BSC games. However, analyzing monthly trends supplements the narrative of gaming.

In August, DeFi users on BSC (including leading PancakeSwap DApp and several other interesting projects) saw usage increase by only 10.1% compared to July. On the other hand, Unique Active Wallets (UAW) for BSC games grew by 152.8% during the same period.

The situation for Ethereum is no different. In terms of Total Value Locked (TVL), DeFi usage on the leading blockchain decreased by 17%. In August, there were 59,000 unique wallets connected to Ethereum DeFi DApps, down from 71,000 in July. Meanwhile, Ethereum-based games saw a 17% increase in usage during the same period.

Blockchain games are undoubtedly attracting more users. The trading card game "Splinterlands," running on the Hive network, is another example of user stickiness. The game DApp attracted an average of over 183,000 Unique Active Wallets daily in August, an increase of 544% compared to July. This engagement is supported by click measurements. In August, "Splinterlands" had nearly 10,000 clicks, a figure that represents a 174% increase from the previous month.

While "play-to-earn" is associated with specific blockchains, we are beginning to see positive trends in some DApps, regardless of where users are connecting from around the world.

The Road Ahead

Behavioral analysis helps identify potential patterns in consumer behavior, allowing for a better understanding of their rational decisions. Analyzing the sources of DappRadar's traffic reaffirms that the U.S. remains the largest market in the industry. Meanwhile, some Asian countries continue to commit to the development of the industry.

As expected, millennials and Gen Z are leading the blockchain trend, although recent survey results among older demographics indeed encourage broader adoption of blockchain. It is also encouraging to see an increase in female user participation this month.

August marked a record-breaking month for NFTs. However, recent analyses confirm that "play-to-earn" games are driving user growth. This summer's DeFi feels like a distant memory, as traffic is dominated by games and NFTs.

Regarding "play-to-earn," skeptics are still participating. Nevertheless, observing the interest in gaming from European and American countries, such as the Nordics, Germany, and Canada, is undoubtedly good news for this field, especially in the narrative of mass adoption.

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