John Schneider talks ACXYN and AI driven solutions in gaming

We’ve had the chance to sit down with John Schneider and discuss what Acxyn is in great detail, how it will shape the next generation of gaming and how it a unique product.

Blockchain gaming’s timeline has developed drastically from the first release of CryptoKitties back in 2017. We’ve seen immersive experiences, digital ownership and real communities being brought together all in one package through games like The Sandbox and Axie Infinity. Innovation is apart of the game and  of Acxyn is doing just that for both gamers and developers in the new paradigm of gaming.

Tom France: Hi John it’s great to connect. Thanks for taking the time to sit down with us.

Firstly can you introduce yourself and your role with Acxyn?

John Schneider: My name is John Schneider, and as Co-Founder &  Chief Economist at Acxyn, I’m responsible for crafting the comprehensive economic and financial analyses that underpin our decision-making and guide our strategic partnerships.

We’ve achieved remarkable growth in a short period, fueled by our commitment to innovation and forging impactful collaborations. A prime example is our partnership with the Malaysian state government, a bold initiative that underscores our dedication to nurturing the burgeoning GameFi ecosystem in emerging markets.

My passion lies in exploring the intersection of economic principles and technological advancements, particularly within the realms of artificial intelligence and game design. This has brought me to the development of Acxyn’s groundbreaking AI-powered platform, a game-changer in the field of game IP valuations and investment guidance.

Tom France: Your project Acxyn looks to enhance and aid blockchain gaming in a number of way.

Please explain what Acxyn is and the relationship it has with GameFi?

John Schneider: The landscape of GameFi is brimming with potential, but navigating its complexities can be challenging.

Acxyn is bringing transparency and data-driven insights to this dynamic ecosystem. We’ve developed a cutting-edge AI tool capable of meticulously appraising game IPs, offering an invaluable resource for a diverse range of stakeholders, from independent game developers and seasoned studios to strategic investors and passionate players.

By providing a clear picture of the intrinsic value and financial potential of game IPs, Acxyn empowers participants in the GameFi ecosystem to make informed decisions, optimize resource allocation, and ultimately contribute to the creation of sustainable and engaging game economies with financial intelligence.

Imagine Acxyn as a financial microscope, meticulously dissecting the economic DNA of games to unlock their true potential.

Tom France: Play to Earn often doesn’t live up to it’s title due to monotonous gameplay and broken earning mechanics.

How does Acxyn make earning more effective in P2E?

John Schneider: A Play to Earn introduces novel gameplay, design, and transaction mechanisms to the game industry. To date, none of those novel introductions to a game have really been fully classified or assessed.

While the Play-to-Earn concept holds immense promise, its execution has often faltered, with repetitive gameplay mechanics and unbalanced earning systems leading to player frustration and hindering long-term engagement.

So what Acxyn does is help provide players and developers with more insight into the economic momentum of a game IP.  Acxyn addresses these challenges head-on by equipping developers with the data-driven insights they need to craft Play-to-Earn experiences that are both captivating and financially rewarding.

Our AI analyzes vast amounts of player behaviour and in-game economic data, revealing hidden patterns and trends that inform the design of dynamic gameplay loops and equitable earning models. We believe that Play-to-Earn shouldn’t feel like a grind but rather a fulfilling journey where players are actively contributing to the value of the game while reaping the rewards of their engagement.

Through Acxyn’s technology, we aim to improve Play-to-Earn to fulfil its true potential as a paradigm shift in the gaming industry.

Tom France: Crypto gaming has had a rollercoaster of a ride over the past few years and has recently picked up the pace again.

What do you think is being doing differently this run compared to the last?

John Schneider: The past few years have been a rollercoaster ride for crypto gaming, marked by periods of explosive growth and moments of turbulence. However, recent developments indicate a significant shift towards maturity and long-term sustainability.

Technological advancements have fostered a deeper understanding of blockchain integration within game design, and developers are now prioritizing the creation of high-quality experiences before rushing to market. We’re witnessing major studios like Parallel set a new standard by delivering fully-fledged games prioritising immersive gameplay and engaging narratives over pure monetization tactics. Additionally, a significant trend is the integration of Web 2.5 elements, making these games more accessible to a wider audience and bridging the gap between traditional and blockchain gaming.

Innovative approaches to monetization are emerging, moving beyond token-gated access and exploring alternative models that cater to diverse player preferences and minimize upfront investment barriers. This shift signifies a collective focus on building robust and sustainable ecosystems that benefit both players and developers in the long term, laying the foundation for a future where crypto gaming flourishes not as a speculative experiment but as a thriving segment of the global gaming industry.

Web3 and GameFi are fairly new industries and concepts respectively. What first drew you to them?

John Schneider: As a lifelong gamer, I’ve always been captivated by the power of game IPs to transport players to immersive worlds and forge memorable experiences. The emergence of Web3 ignited a spark within me, revealing its potential to transform our relationship with these IPs fundamentally. Web3 itself first came onto my radar when I was exploring new ways in which my previous company could raise funds. What drew me to Web3 and Gamefi is that the underlying blockchain technology is super exciting, the perfect marriage of gamification and decentralized finance.

The potential for deeper engagement, shared ownership, and community-driven game evolution truly drew me towards these transformative industries. Web3 and GameFi represent a paradigm shift in the gaming landscape, empowering players to become active participants in shaping the future of their favourite virtual worlds. We could create an environment where there would be a source of truth, and the digital assets could take on a more tangible presence.

And as a child, I always remember playing games and collecting, whether it was Pokemon cards or any other trends, Collecting and IPs were a big part of it. So when I first entered the industry, naturally, I felt drawn and saw the potential for this engaging behaviour and these personal interests to take on a more global scale. And a lot of people would find similar benefits in utilizing this technology.

Tom France: Artificial Intelligence has also been on the rise this year and Acxyn has just integrated into your product.

How exactly is it utilized and what do you feel it brings to the table for the GameFi?

John Schneider: While some leverage AI for generating new digital assets, Acxyn takes a more sophisticated approach. We harness the power of AI to analyze the vast ocean of data generated by players and game economies. This data, like a hidden language, contains insights into player behavior, engagement patterns, and economic trends. Our AI deciphers this language, revealing hidden patterns and correlations invisible to the human eye. This empowers us to provide developers with invaluable insights into their game’s strengths and weaknesses, optimize monetization strategies, and predict future trends. Imagine Acxyn’s AI as a financial intelligence, peering into the economic future of games and guiding developers towards success.

And by doing so, what we hope to bring to the table is facilitate the acceleration of a very exciting industry, with the outcome being that we’re going to be able to finance and support more innovative gameplay designs which ultimately lead to the user having more choices, more ability to play fun games. Because as the industry stands right now, it is a very high-risk business.

AAA games take five to eight years to develop. They take hundreds of millions of dollars. So the most AAA studios, they’re not very willing to take risks in terms of creating new types of gameplay experiences, for the user and they are adopting very similar monetization techniques which in the past have been extractive and not necessarily in favor of the end user, the gamer. So the investor and the life cycle of game IP development make it very difficult for this industry to innovate and move forward.

Ultimately, Acxyn’s AI integration aims to create a frictionless environment where game developers can focus on their creative vision, confident in the knowledge that their financial viability is being assessed and optimized. This leads to a more diverse and flourishing gamescape, where players can enjoy captivating experiences and investors can participate in the growth of a revolutionary industry.

Furthermore, Acxyn’s AI empowers investors by creating a framework for assessing the financial potential of emerging game IPs. By analyzing data on player engagement, tokenomics, and in-game economies, our AI generates risk assessments and potential return forecasts, equipping investors with the knowledge to make informed decisions and drive capital towards promising projects. This fosters a healthier and more sustainable GameFi ecosystem where funding flows efficiently towards innovative and engaging games.

Tom France: Asian countries such as Thailand and Malaysia have proven to be hotspots for blockchain gaming.

Did you have this in mind when teaming up with MDEC back in September?

The rapid ascent of Asian countries like Thailand and Malaysia as hotspots for blockchain gaming is undeniable. Their vibrant gaming communities, tech-savvy populations, and supportive government policies create fertile ground for innovation. Acxyn recognized this potential early on, and our partnership with MDEC in September 2023 reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of these regional hubs.

Malaysia is still in it’s growth stage of becoming a hotspot but last year in august 2023 we saw Malaysia secured a substantial US$1.1 billion in digital economy investments from China and Singapore, Our “plug-and-play” solution empowers game creators in these regions to leverage the immense potential of Web3 and maximize their revenue potential. Through Acxyn’s AI-powered tools and financial guidance, independent studios and developers can access insights and resources traditionally reserved for larger companies. This democratizes the playing field and fosters a more inclusive GameFi ecosystem.

Tom France: Esports within P2E and blockchain gaming is becoming somewhat of a norm as we have seen already with the likes of EV.io on Solana and Axie Infinity on Ronin/Ethereum.

In what ways can Acxyn help to bolster a crypto games competitive nature

Picture an eSports landscape where pro players, beyond earning prize pools, also gain a percentage ownership stake in the IP they compete for. This empowers every participant to contribute to the value of the IP itself, fostering a deeper level of engagement and strategic play. Acxyn’s technology has the potential to make this vision a reality.

Through our AI-powered platform, we can assess the financial potential of eSports tournaments and individual players to create innovative revenue-sharing models where players earn not just from prize pools but also from the overall success of the game IP. Imagine a system where a player’s performance directly impacts the value of their virtual assets, creating a dynamic and exciting experience for both players and spectators.

Furthermore, Acxyn’s technology can be used to develop competitive P2E experiences that go beyond simple grinding and repetitive tasks. We can design tournaments and challenges that reward skill, strategy, and teamwork by analysing player data and in-game economies. This fosters a more engaging and competitive environment, attracting top talent and driving the overall growth of the P2E sector.

Tom France: On your website it states there are some Products that are coming soon.

What can developers and gamers be expecting from Acxyn in 2024?

After a year of intensive development and successful pilots, we’re preparing for the release of its first product in 2024, which will be AI-driven financial intelligence for game IPs.

And that core product will come with its own set of unique and exciting features around the support and enhancement of monetizing game intellectual properties as a whole. So what I want developers and gamers to look out for this year from us is really a new way to engage with the games that they love, a new way to understand the value of what they are building for themselves and for others as well.

To end with, are there any Web3 and/or Web2 games you are particularly fond?

This question is actually quite difficult to answer. Throughout my life, I’ve become very fond of quite a few game IPs. Most recently, the game that personally I’ve been playing a lot is within the ecosystem, League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics. Other than that, I think Pokemon is really just a prime example of an enduring game IP that has brought joy over many years.