How much can you rely on your community for your game's success?
Today we deep dive into Oh Baby Game.
Oh Baby Game is a Singaporean company that has recently caught our attention. They've raised a $6M seed round and are working on two games. One is called Oh Baby Kart (OBK), which will be our focus, and they’ve just launched a new title called Shogun Curse. We initially heard about them because some of our clients mentioned OBB as one of their favorite independent Web3 projects out there.
The Web3 Studio That Has Nothing on the Front End
OBB stands out as one of the few Web3 gaming studios that keeps Web3 elements away from the front end. Players don’t see any blockchain bells and whistles while they play and it’s not clear if they are using any web3 tech under hood in their game. Their marketplace, for instance, revolves around earning Battle Points (BP) instead of trading NFTs or discussing tokenomics. In fact, the community manager has actively asked normal players to avoid mentioning airdrops, unless it’s a dedicated channel—a rare move in this industry.
This strategy makes OBK welcoming to players who want to enjoy a game without feeling bombarded by crypto talk. By focusing on gameplay first and leaving the blockchain complexity in the background, OBB attracts genuine gamers interested in a solid racing experience rather than just the potential for quick profit from token drops.
Top-Notch Community Building
The strength of OBB lies in its outstanding Discord community team. They’ve implemented numerous creative tactics that work for both Web2 and Web3 communities. A glance at their Discord server shows consistent, lively activity. Here are a few cool things they do:
- Oh Baby Awards: A community event where members nominate their favorite players and recognize outstanding in-game achievements. This not only engages players but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and healthy competition.
- Meaningful Giveaways: When OBB does giveaways, they give away their games or in-game equipment that you can actually use. Back in the early days, instead of promising vague airdrops, they airdropped items that players could utilize in the game right away. This practical approach builds trust and satisfaction among users.
- Genuine Community: The community itself is really friendly and helpful. After playing the game, when you leave feedback, many people are eager to assist and share their experiences, creating a supportive environment.
- No Token Price Talk: This might be the only Web3 gaming studio where no one talks about token prices or airdrops. Everyone is there because they genuinely care about the games, not because they're chasing the next crypto windfall.
- Authentic Updates: Unlike many Web3 projects that make grand announcements about partnerships or wins, OBB’s updates are straightforward and authentic. Most updates are about test plays or real gameplay experiences, much like a true gaming server. Their Discord frequently hosts tournaments, further cementing the gaming-first ethos.
The OBB Client: A Brilliant Strategic Move
One of the key innovations from OBB is their proprietary OBB client, which functions similarly to Steam. You can download Oh Baby Kart either through Steam or via the OBB client. This client isn’t just a downloader; it’s a hub for their games. The interface is beautifully designed, and the idea behind it is strategic.
As OBK grows in popularity, more people will likely choose to play through the OBB client. This centralizes their community and game library, making it easier for players to discover other titles like Shogun Curse. The client creates a platform where gamers can comment on games, share tips, and interact—almost like a mini Twitter for OBK fans. This approach not only streamlines the experience for current players but also lays the groundwork for OBB to evolve into a broader platform for future titles.
OBB is one of the best executed web3 gaming project.
The OBB team is clearly passionate about what they’re doing. Oh Baby Kart feels like a new spin on Mario Kart, complete with imaginative tracks and quirky characters—imagine having Spongebob as one of the racers. The team believes in bringing Web3 to a broad audience without pushing the typical airdrop gimmicks. Their focus is on creating an enjoyable game first and foremost.
So far, so good. However, one wrinkle is that it doesn’t seem like a lot of people are playing OBK on Steam. It’s hard to tell the actual numbers because a lot of gameplay might be happening through the OBB client. Nevertheless, the steady buzz on Discord and the enthusiastic community suggest that OBK is making a mark, even if traditional metrics like Steam player counts don’t yet reflect growth.
Challenges in the Racing Game Genre
Since this blog is about building community rather than critiquing game design, we won’t dive too deep into what might be “wrong” with OBK from a gameplay standpoint. However, there are some observations worth noting:
- The Difficulty of Racing Games: The racing genre is notoriously challenging. Looking at Steam data, even well-known titles like Nickelodeon Kart Racers have struggled. Similarly, storied franchises like Need for Speed have seen declines, especially with newer releases. The genre faces a tough uphill battle, and social racing adds another layer of complexity.
- Social Gaming Hurdles: Racing games are particularly hard as PvP (player versus player) experiences because they shine most when played in person with friends. Translating that excitement into an online social environment requires exceptional community building and game design.
- The Expectation Bar: A great racing game isn’t just about good mechanics or beautiful tracks—it’s about delivering a 120% great experience. With Mario Kart as a benchmark, expectations are high. While OBK offers cool tracks and mechanics, a small group from our internal testing felt the experience wasn’t quite there yet. To truly stand out, OBK needs to not only match but exceed that baseline set by iconic racers.
So can a strong community save a game?
When considering the impact of a community on making a game great, it’s clear that a strong foundation is essential. In many cases, if a game’s fundamentals are weak, neither marketing nor community support can salvage it. In Part 2 of this blog, we will further argue why integrating Web3 elements and offering airdrops are not effective solutions for such issues. However, this does not apply to all games. Titles like Roblox, Minecraft, and Banana prioritize their communities, allowing initial rough drafts to evolve through continuous content updates and deep community investment. These games demonstrate that when a community is placed at the center, even a basic version can improve significantly over time, driven by the passion and feedback of its players.
Looking for scenarios where OBB could achieve great success with community support, one inspiration is the game Starfox, where characters react to every bump and disaster at the bottom of the screen. Implementing a similar feature, OBB could incorporate live streaming where players’ reactions are visible via camera when their cars are bumped off the road. This would enhance the social aspect of the game, making interactions more engaging and entertaining. By fostering a more interactive and responsive environment, OBB can leverage its community to create a vibrant and dynamic gaming experience, ultimately leading to greater success.
In part 2 of the blog, we ask the question: what if OBB had taken the traditional web3 marketing route?