In this week’s episode of What’s Your Gam3? Gam3 Changers, I had the pleasure of chatting with Tim Jooste, CEO of Koin Games, about their upcoming game, Project O, and the future of Web3 gaming. Tim’s story is as compelling as the game they’re building, and we covered everything from his love of World of Warcraft to how Koin Games is tackling the challenges of blending Web2 and Web3. Here’s a recap of our conversation.
What’s Your Backstory?
When I asked Tim to share his backstory, I wasn’t ready for such an inspiring journey. From shy homeschooler in South Africa to leading a groundbreaking Web3 gaming studio in the US, Tim’s career path is a testament to bold decisions and big dreams. “I was 19, had a degree in theology, and was at a crossroads—go back to school or dive into the workplace,” Tim shared. He took the leap into tech and never looked back.
His moment of clarity came early on while working for a company scaling up music downloads: “I realized if you find product-market fit, have great marketing, and a killer product, you can make incredible money and impact lives.” From there, he honed his skills at companies like Verizon and Vivint, eventually leading a $2 billion revenue team before deciding to pursue his dream of building something truly innovative. Enter blockchain gaming.
What Game Have You Played the Most?
It’s always fun to learn what games resonate with founders, and for Tim, it’s all about World of Warcraft. “I spent about six years playing almost daily,” he admitted, recounting everything from epic raids to his obsession with outfitting lower-level ‘twink’ characters. But what really stuck with him was the sense of achievement. “There was this hat I spent hours fishing for every Sunday—it was rare, unique. That experience inspired how I think about NFTs. Imagine if that hat had real ownership?”
That blend of collection, progression, and social interaction is baked into Project O, which aims to combine those classic MMORPG feelings with blockchain innovation.
What Makes the Right Web3 Game?
We dove into the big question: What makes Web3 gaming special? According to Tim, it’s all about ownership and integration. “The ability to own something and decide what to do with it—keep it, sell it, or even pass it on—is what makes NFTs exciting for games,” he explained.
But not every genre benefits equally. Tim was clear: “Card games and MMORPGs already have collection in their DNA. They fit Web3 better. Other genres? It sometimes feels crowbarred in.” That’s why Koin Games chose a competitive card game as their focus, building on the success of games like Hearthstone and Marvel Snap while weaving in blockchain elements naturally.
How Do You Bring Web2 Players to Web3?
Tim had strong opinions on onboarding players, especially when it comes to making Web3 accessible. “If you build with only Web3 players in mind, you’ll never scale to Web2,” he warned. That’s why Project O operates like a traditional Web2 game on the surface: players can jump in without needing a wallet or even knowing what an NFT is.
“We’ve designed it so Web2 players unlock ownership experiences that feel intuitive—like grading a collectible card with PSA,” he said. This approach lets Web2 players enjoy the game without friction while quietly introducing Web3 concepts as part of the progression.
What’s the Role of Collectors?
Tim is particularly passionate about catering to collectors, and his plans for Project O reflect that. “We want to reward collectors with experiences beyond profit motivations,” he said. Cards in Project O will evolve as they’re used, embedding player stories into their metadata. “Imagine a card with its entire tournament history—who played it, the epic wins it earned. That’s not just an NFT; it’s a piece of history.”
He believes this emotional connection will encourage players to keep their collectibles rather than flipping them for profit. “If Web3 is all about flipping, you create an unsustainable ecosystem. We want people to love their cards for what they represent, not just their price tag.”
Mobile vs. PC: Which Is the Bigger Challenge?
We also talked about the challenges of building Web3 games for different platforms. Tim admitted that “Web3 mechanics are easier on PC. Mobile players want simplicity—they don’t want to deal with wallets or tokens. They want to jump in, play, and get out.”
To address this, Koin Games splits the experience: mobile players focus on gameplay, while collectors and blockchain interactions are handled on a web-based app, often on PC. “It’s about meeting players where they are,” Tim said. Whether someone is a casual gamer, hardcore collector, or competitive player, Project O aims to offer something for everyone.
What’s Next for Project O?
Tim’s excitement for Project O is contagious. He teased a three-phase rollout: “Right now, we’re running a collector campaign where players can claim free pre-alpha cards. Q1 will bring the first competitive tournaments, and by Q3, we’re aiming for an ‘off-the-grid’ style launch with streamers, collectors, and players coming together.”
One of the most exciting features? Competitive card wagering. “Imagine pro players betting their most iconic cards in high-stakes matches. That’s peak entertainment,” Tim said. And yes, those cards will carry their own stories, turning them into unique digital collectibles.
Final Thoughts: A New Standard for Web3 Gaming
Tim Jooste’s vision for Project O is ambitious, blending Web2 accessibility with Web3 innovation. Whether you’re a collector, a gamer, or just someone curious about the future of blockchain, this game promises something for everyone. As Tim put it: “We’re not just building a game; we’re building an ecosystem where everyone—players, collectors, and viewers—can find their place.”
With a focus on ownership, storytelling, and seamless onboarding, Koin Games is setting a high bar for what Web3 gaming can be. Keep an eye on Project O—it’s shaping up to be a game-changer.
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