HELLO FINTECHTALKERS!
In this episode, I sat down with Sebastien Borget, the visionary co-founder and COO of The Sandbox, a platform that has redefined gaming by turning players into creators, users into owners, and digital assets into economies.
Sebastien shares his journey from a teenage gamer to a serial entrepreneur who pioneered one of the most active decentralized gaming platforms in Web 3 — now with over 6 million wallets, major brand partnerships like Jurassic World, Snoop Dogg, Warner Music, and Deepak Chopra, and a creator economy powered by NFTs, AI tools, and player-owned virtual real estate.
We also explore the evolution of the gaming industry, from console and mobile to play-to-earn and to how AI in changing game development. Plus: a behind-the-scenes look at Alpha Season 5, The Sandbox’s most immersive launch yet, featuring flying avatars, virtual dino parks, and over $1M in prizes.
By some estimates, gaming is a $500 billion global market and continues to grow. Blockchain and NFTs have already reshaped the industry's business model, shifting control from developers to players. AI is now poised to drive the next wave of change through hyper-personalization. Sebastian talks about this trend, and we also explored it in our own article on how AI will personalize entertainment here at 6.1.
Timestamp Table
0:00 – 1:15 – Welcome + Meet Sebastien Borget
Paddy introduces Sebastien, co-founder of The Sandbox and a key figure in Web3 gaming.
1:16 – 5:00 – How Sandbox Was Born
From building pixel games on mobile to creating one of the first user-powered metaverse economies.
5:01 – 9:00 – Why Blockchain and NFTs Were a Gamechanger
The turning point: solving monetization for creators using Web 3, starting with CryptoKitties.
9:01 – 12:00 – Sandbox by the Numbers
Over 6M wallets, 50% new to Web3, and collaborations with Jurassic World, Warner Music, Ubisoft, and more.
12:01 – 17:00 – The Evolution of Gaming (and What Comes Next)
Console ➝ Mobile ➝ Free-to-Play ➝ Web3. Why play-to-earn was just the beginning, and why 2024 was a turning point.
17:01 – 22:00 – What AI Is Unlocking in Gaming
Smart NPCs, player-generated games, 3D worlds from prompts — and how AI is opening a new frontier of gameplay.
22:01 – 28:30 – Alpha Season 5 and the Future of the Metaverse
Jurassic World, Snoop Dogg, Steve Aoki, and K-pop icons collide in 44 sandbox experiences. Includes flying avatars and dino breeding.
28:31 – 33:00 – DAOs, Digital Nations, and the Future of Governance
Every game is a digital country. Here’s how The Sandbox is letting players shape its future through real voting rights.
33:01 – 36:30 – How to Get Involved in The Sandbox (Even If You’re Not a Gamer)
From fintech firms like DBS to first-time creators — anyone can start building in the metaverse with free tools and community support.
36:31 – 37:39 – Final Thoughts
Gaming, governance, and financial literacy — why the next frontier is interactive, immersive, and community-owned.
FINTECHTALK: A Top 10% Global Podcast Shaping the Future of Fintech, AI, and Crypto and was recently ranked in the Best 100 Future Tech Podcasts by Million Podcasts.
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Enjoy and always be in the know,
Paddy Ramanathan
Founder of iValley and Host of the FINTECHTALK™ Show (on Substack, Apple Podcast, YouTube, and Spotify)
Interested in sponsorship opportunities and be associated with sculpting the future? Please reach out to fintechtalk@substack.com.
Thanks to ChatGPT for suggestions.
(Violin piece in podcast, courtesy of my daughter Ilina)
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