UGC and AI Meet in Telegram Games

I love the GameMakers podcast and their content, so when they had talked about UGC this week I decided to jot down my thoughts around UGC and AI. Shoutout to the GameMakers team!

In the ever-evolving world of gaming, few platforms have matched the explosive growth and community-driven engagement of Telegram. With over 700 million active users and a rapid expansion in its games ecosystem, Telegram is more than just a messaging app; it’s a social gaming hub with vast potential for creativity and innovation. And now, a new era is dawning as User-Generated Content (UGC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) combine to push the boundaries of what’s possible in Telegram games.

One upcoming game that captures this blend of UGC and AI is Skinlab for DFUSE. Here, players can design and share their own weapon cosmetics using powerful AI tools. Imagine being able to craft unique textures, colors, and patterns for in-game weapons, then share them with other players who can vote on the best designs, creating an endless loop of creativity and engagement. As someone who’s spent years building assets for games like GTA Roleplay and Minecraft, I’ve seen how powerful UGC can be in enhancing both gameplay and community, and how AI now adds a new layer to this creative process.

AI and UGC: Enhancing, Not Replacing, the Creator’s Touch

In many discussions, there’s a question of whether AI might replace human creators, but in reality, AI is emerging as a valuable partner to creators. It doesn’t take away from UGC’s essence; instead, it adds a new dimension. Here’s how:

1. AI as a Creation Tool: AI can support creators by handling the finer details or last 5% of polish, helping to align assets with the game’s art style. This is especially useful in games like Skinlab for DFUSE, where consistent visual appeal is key.

2. Enhanced Storytelling Through UGC: Even though AI can generate countless variations, human creators bring narrative, intention, and personality. Much like in traditional art, it’s the story behind each user-generated asset that holds value and draws players in.

3. Moderation and Quality Control: AI also helps with automated moderation and quality checks, ensuring that community creations meet certain standards and stay appropriate, which is crucial for a social platform like Telegram.

The Cold Start Challenge: Building a Creator Community from Day One

Launching a new UGC-based game can be tough, particularly when it comes to attracting early creators. For Skinlab for DFUSE, we’re addressing this by offering several incentives to kickstart the community:

• Early Content Partnerships: Starting with curated, high-quality content from professional creators helps set the tone and gives players a baseline of quality and creativity.

• Contests with Tangible Rewards: Competitions with real prizes (think $5,000+ prize pools) can draw in talent and give early adopters a chance to showcase their skills and get rewarded.

• Community Spotlights and Recognition: Recognizing creators is essential in a social platform. We’re planning featured creator programs and community spotlights, rewarding those who go the extra mile to contribute outstanding work.

These steps help attract players from existing communities and make them feel at home, which is essential for any UGC-driven game.

The Economics of UGC: More Than Just Lower Costs

The financial impact of UGC goes far beyond saving on production costs. A study from Harvard found that community-created content has a 30% higher conversion rate compared to traditional developer-made assets. Why? Because UGC is inherently social and generates goodwill among players. Each creator brings their own network, amplifying the game’s reach organically.

• Built-in Marketing: When creators share their work, they’re also promoting the game, which leads to organic growth.

• Resource Efficiency: The scalability of UGC allows games like Skinlab for DFUSE to offer endless customization options without an exponential increase in production costs.

Building the Infrastructure for UGC

To support a vibrant creator community, the right infrastructure is crucial. This means:

• Flexible Content Pipelines: Creating a system that can easily handle a large influx of community-generated content is essential for maintaining a seamless experience.

• Clear Guidelines and Support: Providing resources, tutorials, and even direct communication channels with the dev team helps empower creators.

• Conflict Resolution: As UGC grows, disputes will naturally arise. Having processes in place for feedback and conflict resolution maintains a healthy community.

Multi-Game UGC Ecosystems: The Next Evolution

One of the most exciting trends in UGC is the potential for multi-game ecosystems where creators can contribute to several games on a single platform. This setup benefits everyone:

• For Creators: The ability to build assets that can be used across multiple games expands creative opportunities and makes their work more valuable.

• For Developers: Access to a pre-established creator community lowers the barriers to quality content and enhances community loyalty.

The Future of UGC on Telegram: AI-Assisted Creation, Cross-Game Marketplaces, and More

With AI as an enabler rather than a replacement, the future of UGC in Telegram games looks promising. Here’s where things might be headed:

1. AI-Assisted Creation Tools: Players are already using AI in games like Skinlab for DFUSE, and as these tools become more refined, they’ll enable even more diverse and polished content.

2. Cross-Game Marketplaces: Imagine a Telegram marketplace where creators can sell or trade assets they’ve crafted, giving players the freedom to use them in different games.

3. New Monetization Models: Revenue-sharing systems for creators could turn UGC into a sustainable income source, driving even more talent into the ecosystem.

New monetization with blockchain?

As UGC evolves in Telegram games, monetization is expanding beyond traditional methods, opening up new revenue streams for both players and creators. Here’s what the future might hold:

1. Revenue-Sharing Systems for Creators: With revenue-sharing, players can earn from their contributions, making UGC a sustainable income source. This model incentivizes high-quality content, as creators get a direct cut from the success of their creations.

2. Blockchain and NFTs for Ownership and Trade: Blockchain offers a new way to establish ownership and authenticity for UGC. By tokenizing assets as NFTs, players can buy, sell, or trade their unique creations within or across games, giving real value to their digital assets.

3. Monetizable Mods and Forking Games: Imagine a game modding system where creators can not only enhance existing games but also monetize their mods or even fork a complete game to build an entirely new experience. This model opens up endless possibilities, allowing creators to remix gameplay and create unique variants that can be monetized or even become popular stand-alone titles.

4. Cross-Game Marketplaces and Asset Portability: A Telegram marketplace where creators can sell or trade assets across multiple games could further expand the ecosystem. With portable assets, a player’s UGC can find value beyond a single game, creating a more interconnected gaming experience.

These new models showcase the potential of UGC to offer not only creative expression but also economic opportunity, transforming gaming on Telegram into a platform for community-driven innovation and sustainable experiences.

Key Takeaway

The combination of AI and UGC in Telegram games isn’t just about adding features; it’s about creating a sustainable ecosystem where players, developers, and creators can thrive. The platforms that master this balance between technology and human creativity will set the standard for the next generation of social gaming.

As games like Skinlab for DFUSE show, the future of UGC on Telegram is more than just cosmetic — it’s a thriving creative ecosystem that players want to be part of, and we’re just getting started.