I think back to a visit to a tiny arts collective in Yogyakarta, Indonesia a few years ago. Fabulous artists were producing beautiful batik creations, but having a hard time keeping afloat financially and making consistent contributions to their communities. They were stuck in a domestic bubble, their growth hampered by a lack of exposure to international marketplaces. Could Might & Magic: Fates, a Web3 card game, offer a bridge to that wider world? Might it, and games like it, change the game for creators and gamers across Southeast Asia?
Leveling The Playing Field?
Ubisoft's partnership with Immutable to launch Might & Magic: Fates is more than just another Web3 gaming announcement. If so, it would be a most welcome and indeed, seismic shift — especially for Southeast Asian players and creators. Now picture that same young gamer in the Philippines, having a tough time landing a good job, but super talented at strategy games. Fates’ play-to-earn mechanics would deliver a truly realistic income earning avenue. It’s more than a get rich quick scheme. It’s about diversifying your income streams, achieving financial empowerment and independence, and being a competitive player in the emerging global digital economy.
We recognize this isn’t the first time we’ve experienced this kind of hype with NFTs and play-to-earn games. Like all dot coms, many crashed and burned, leaving a trail of broken promises, abandoned start-ups, and disillusioned investors. Yet Fates, through its free-to-play model and Ubisoft’s wider support, offers a radically different and more enticing proposition. This isn’t speculative investment we’re talking about, this is gameplay. It's about skill and tactical decision-making. Justin Hulog’s comment about the ability to acquire cards over time through normal gameplay is an important component to the game’s accessibility. This is no pay-to-win scheme, rather a game where skill plays a major role. That’s what will be the key to drawing and keeping a loyal playerbase in Southeast Asia.
Unlocking Southeast Asian Creative Potential
It’s the digital ownership aspect of Fates where the real potential of the idea lies. Think back to that Yogyakarta art collective. What if those artists could design in-game card art, character skins, or even entire factions based on Southeast Asian mythology and folklore? Fates could become a platform for showcasing their talent to a global audience, earning royalties on every sale and trade.
Building beautiful spaces This isn’t merely a matter of beauty, it’s a matter of culture and representation. Now, picture that same art card, only with a European dragon being attacked by a Naga—a snake mythical creature from Southeast Asian lore. It's about injecting Southeast Asian stories and perspectives into the global gaming landscape. Ubisoft, take note: hackathons and workshops specifically targeted at Southeast Asian artists are essential to making this vision a reality. Provide scholarships, mentorships, and be proactive in soliciting work that draws from local cultural traditions.
Overcoming Hurdles, Building Bridges
Of course, there are significant challenges. Internet connectivity in some areas of Southeast Asia is still lagging behind. Digital literacy is still a barrier. Regulatory uncertainty surrounding Web3 technologies looms large. None of these are insurmountable barriers, but they do take a focused effort to overcome.
To overcome this, Ubisoft should look to collaborate with local developers, businesses, and educational institutions to help train and educate communities on Web3 technologies. To succeed, governments must work to establish clear and consistent regulatory frameworks that support innovation and industry growth. This confirms what we have long believed — investment in broadband infrastructure is key to getting reliable internet access to our underserved communities. It shouldn’t have to be Ubisoft’s burden alone—it’s a shared responsibility among governments, NGOs, and the private sector. Well, Robbie Ferguson’s teased big announcement had damn well better be about addressing these concerns!
The success of Might & Magic: Fates in Southeast Asia hinges on Ubisoft's commitment to inclusivity and collaboration. It's about more than just launching a game; it's about building a community and empowering a new generation of gamers and artists. It’s time to look away from the hype about Web3. To its tremendous credit, though, let’s not overlook its potential to democratize access to the global gaming economy like nothing before it. Let's hope Might & Magic: Fates can be the catalyst for a more equitable and vibrant gaming future for Southeast Asia.
Imagine a future where a young artist in Hanoi can earn a living creating stunning in-game assets for Fates, showcasing Vietnamese culture to millions of players worldwide. Consider the Malaysian esports athlete, winning and placing in their region and around the world, winning championships and money to help their parents pay their mortgage. This is the promise of Web3 gaming, and it’s a promise we should be willing to battle to achieve. Might & Magic: Fates has the potential to be a game-changer. Let’s do our utmost to make sure it lives up to that great potential.
