Leveling Up MENA's Web3 Gaming Scene: Insights from Faizy Ahmed, Astra Nova CEO & Co-Founder

Web3 gaming is here to stay and is growing into a significant market within the web3 industry. This emergence is evolving beyond a game into a new ecology and economy in which players are active stakeholders rather than passive participants.

In this exciting time of development, we are honoured to have Faizy Ahmed, a real pioneer and visionary, to share his views and skills. As a seasoned crypto veteran, blockchain thought leader, Web3 VC partner and driving force behind Astra Nova, as well as a Blockchain Game Alliance member, Faizy has played a key role in developing the MENA region's Web3 gaming environment.

Now, let's get started.

Ade: You've had an impressive journey in the blockchain and crypto space since 2015. Can you share some experiences and how they've shaped your approach to Web3 gaming?

Faizy: My journey started in 2015 as a crypto miner, and it didn’t take long for me to see the incredible potential blockchain holds, especially for gaming. I’ve always been a gamer, but the idea that you could actually own your in-game assets and have a say in how the game world evolves fascinated me. Over the years, I moved from mining to trading, participating in ICOs, and contributing to DAOs. This broad exposure to different aspects of blockchain helped shape my approach to Web3 gaming. What excites me about this space is the ability to give players real ownership and build along with the users, which is lacking in traditional games. That’s what we’re bringing to Astra Nova, an ecosystem where players are stakeholders, not just consumers.

Ade: How has blockchain's value proposition in gaming evolved in MENA, and what emerging trends or models show promise?

Faizy: The MENA region is one of the fastest-growing gaming markets in the world. In countries like Saudi Arabia, 8 out of 10 people identify themselves as gamers, and the region as a whole has over 400 million people with a strong mobile-first culture. Blockchain adds immense value here by offering digital ownership and decentralized economies. Gamers in MENA are already spending heavily on in-game purchases, so the transition to owning these digital assets is a natural next step. One of the most promising trends is the play-to-earn model, which is gaining traction as it blends entertainment with financial incentives. Players want to be rewarded for their time, and that’s what we’re doing with Astra Nova by offering real ownership and opportunities to earn from their gameplay.

Ade: Your work with Astra Nova aims to bridge the gap between traditional gamers and Web3 gaming in the MENA region. Can you share insight about your offerings and products?

Faizy: At Astra Nova, we’re not just creating a game; we’re building a Web3 gaming ecosystem that’s designed to bring the benefits of blockchain to traditional gamers. Our game is an action RPG, where players can own in-game assets through NFTs and participate in UGC (User generated content) contests, which actually shape the world they’re playing in. One of our recent milestones was securing Saudi royal family backing from Prince Faisal Turki Al Saud, which has given us a strong foundation to expand. We’ve raised over $2.5M across fundraising rounds, showing that our community has real buying power and investor interest despite challenging market conditions.

We’re also proud of selling out our SuperNova NFT series with OKX in record time and having onboarded 200k+ users through our Black Pass Loyalty & Questing Platform. We’ve also strengthened our team by onboarding top talent, including AAA gaming experienced senior executives for Creative Director, Technical Director, Executive Producer and Art Director roles who’ve worked on renowned blockbuster games. Looking forward, we’re excited to be selected for the NTDP and Outlier Ventures Riyadh Base Camp Acceleration Program, along with launching our Telegram Mini-Game through the NOTCOIN TON Accelerator to a potential audience of 40M+ users. These achievements demonstrate the strong appetite for Web3 gaming in the region.

Ade: As a member of the Blockchain Game Alliance and Forbes Web3 Council, how do you envision the future of blockchain gaming? Will Giant traditional game Leaders take the lead in the blockchain space in the long run?

Faizy: I believe blockchain gaming will be shaped by early innovators before traditional gaming giants fully enter the space. Right now, smaller, more agile projects like Astra Nova are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. While big companies like Ubisoft are starting to experiment with blockchain, the real innovation is happening in projects that are built from the ground up on Web3 principles. The community-driven aspect of blockchain gaming, where players own assets and have a say in governance is something that large traditional companies will struggle to fully integrate. However, as blockchain gaming gains traction, I do expect traditional gaming leaders to adopt some elements of it, but Web3-first projects like ours will be leading the charge.

Ade: What advice would you give to entrepreneurs and developers entering Web3 gaming, and how can they scale up and on?

Faizy: My biggest advice is to build around your community from day one. In Web3, the community isn’t just important; they are your co-creators and investors. Engage them early, listen to their feedback, and let them help shape your project. Secondly, make sure your game has real utility. NFTs and tokens are great, but they need to have value beyond speculation, whether that’s in gameplay or governance. In terms of scaling, partnerships are crucial. At Astra Nova, our growth has been fueled by collaborations with top-tier partners like Aethir, OKX, Gate.io, Base, TON, Google Web3 Accelerator, and Outlier Ventures, which have helped us expand our reach and credibility. Don’t be afraid to network and build strategic alliances early on.

Ade: What factors will drive blockchain gaming's mainstream adoption in MENA, and how might AI and blockchain technologies converge to create new gaming possibilities?

Faizy: The MENA region is ripe for blockchain gaming adoption. With gaming being such a major part of the culture, especially in countries like Saudi Arabia, where 80% of the population identifies as gamers—blockchain gaming’s offer of true ownership and earning potential is incredibly appealing. The region is tech-savvy and hungry for innovative experiences. As for the convergence of AI and blockchain, I see it creating more dynamic, personalized gaming experiences. AI can enhance how games respond to players, while blockchain ensures that these personalized experiences are truly owned by the player. At Astra Nova, we’re already exploring how these technologies can intersect to create a more immersive, player-driven game world.