The esports industry is in a state of flux. While traditional gaming tournaments continue to thrive, Web3 gaming—once hailed as the future of digital competition—has struggled to find its footing.
2024 was supposed to be the year blockchain gaming went mainstream. Instead, the industry saw mixed adoption, player skepticism, and a lack of sustainable gaming economies. While a few projects like Parallel and Shrapnel gained traction, many others failed to retain users beyond their token rewards.
Amid this uncertainty, some companies are taking a different approach—focusing on infrastructure, transparency, and real competitive gameplay rather than just financial incentives. One of those companies is Coliseum, a competitive gaming platform backed by Kraken Ventures, The Chenin Group, and NBA star Kevin Durant’s 35V.
Unlike many play-to-earn experiments that peaked and faded, Coliseum is doubling down on tournament-based gaming—a model that has already proven successful in esports. Instead of forcing blockchain into the mix where it doesn’t belong, the company is building a competitive gaming ecosystem first and introducing Web3 elements where they add real value.
To understand how Coliseum is navigating this evolving space, we sat down with Thomas Zaepffel, CEO of Coliseum, to discuss their strategy, the challenges Web3 gaming faces, and what’s next for competitive gaming in 2025.
The Competitive Gaming Shift: Why Southeast Asia is Key
It’s no secret that Southeast Asia has become the global epicenter for esports growth. While North America and Europe have long dominated the professional scene, SEA has emerged as a hotbed for grassroots competitive gaming—especially in mobile esports.
Major publishers like Tencent and Garena have aggressively pushed mobile esports in SEA, with games like PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends, and Free Fire drawing millions of daily players. The region’s affordable internet access, mobile-first culture, and hyper-engaged gaming community have made it the perfect launchpad for esports innovation.
Coliseum is well aware of this shift. The company has already hosted high-profile tournaments in the region, including events with Blacklist International and Shatterline FPS, drawing thousands of competitors. Now, it’s doubling down on expansion efforts in Malaysia and Singapore, recognizing these markets as the next frontier for esports and Web3 gaming innovation.
“We see Southeast Asia as a core hub for competitive gaming,” says Thomas Zaepffel. “Our long-term strategy involves deepening our partnerships and expanding tournament offerings to create more opportunities for players, studios, and brands to engage with the evolving esports landscape.”
Unlike many Web3 gaming platforms that struggle with retention, Coliseum’s approach leans into existing gaming culture—focusing on real competition, skill-based rewards, and community-driven tournaments rather than speculative assets.
Coliseum’s $2M Investment Fund: A Different Approach to Web3 Gaming
While most blockchain gaming projects are focused on launching their own tokens, Coliseum is investing in the broader infrastructure that will make Web3 gaming more viable.
The company recently launched a $2 million Investment Fund, aimed at supporting early-stage Web3 gaming projects, infrastructure solutions, and initiatives focused on transparency and scalability.
“Web3 adoption in gaming won’t happen in isolation—it requires strategic partnerships and a strong ecosystem approach,” Zaepffel explains. “Our investment fund is designed to foster the next generation of Web3 gaming infrastructure, ensuring that both developers and players benefit from fair and transparent digital economies.”
While gaming giants like Epic Games and Valve remain hesitant to fully embrace Web3, Coliseum’s fund focuses on practical applications—investing in projects that bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3 without alienating traditional gamers.
Investments range from $50,000 to $250,000 per project, with a focus on real gameplay, infrastructure, and community-building rather than speculative hype.
Why Transparency is the Next Big Issue in Web3 Gaming
One of the biggest challenges Web3 gaming still faces is a trust deficit. In 2024, several high-profile rug pulls, manipulative tokenomics, and insider trading scandals rocked the industry.
Projects like Pixelmon and Fableborne launched with ambitious promises but failed to deliver meaningful gameplay experiences, while on-chain manipulation in meme coin and NFT projects continued to fuel skepticism.
This is precisely why Coliseum has made transparency a cornerstone of its investment strategy. One of the company’s first major investments under its fund is BubbleMaps, a leading blockchain analytics platform designed to enhance on-chain transparency.
“Transparency is critical for the future of Web3 gaming,” Zaepffel says. “BubbleMaps is solving one of the biggest challenges in blockchain adoption—ensuring users have clear and verifiable insights into project credibility. Our investment reinforces our commitment to building a more transparent and trustworthy gaming environment.”
BubbleMaps provides interactive, color-coded visualizations that help users track wallet connections, identify suspicious transactions, and detect potential market manipulation—a much-needed tool in an industry that still struggles with accountability.
In the wake of the TRUMP/LIBRA insider trading allegations, where wallets linked to political meme coins exhibited suspicious trading activity, the demand for better on-chain tracking tools has surged.
Coliseum’s investment in BubbleMaps is part of a broader push to ensure that Web3 gaming ecosystems don’t repeat the mistakes of the past.
What’s Next for Coliseum?
With major investments, tournament expansions, and a thriving gaming community, Coliseum is emerging as a leader in the competitive gaming space—one that understands both Web2 and Web3 gamers and is finding practical ways to bring them together.
As gaming and esports continue to evolve, Coliseum’s focus remains on delivering a fair, transparent, and rewarding experience for players, game developers, and ecosystem partners.
“We’re at an inflection point where gaming, blockchain, and digital ownership are converging,” Zaepffel concludes. “Our goal is to be at the forefront of this transformation—building not just a gaming platform, but an entire ecosystem that redefines how players and developers interact in the competitive gaming space.”
For more updates on Coliseum’s tournaments, partnerships, and Web3 gaming initiatives, visit Coliseum.org.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.