Matt Zahab, host of the Cryptonews Podcast, interviewed Tomer Pascal, CEO and co-founder of OwnPlay, a Web3 mobile gaming ecosystem and developer of CityVerse Tycoon. Pascal discussed the advantages of Web3 gaming over Web2, avoiding Apple and Google for their game, and upcoming launches.

Key Points from the Interview:

1. Web3 Gaming Advantages:
- Pascal reached out to Boaz Levin in 2022 to start OwnPlay, seeing an opportunity in Web3 gaming.
- Web3 gaming allows players potential financial benefits from gameplay, enhancing excitement and continuing the Web3 narrative.

2. Avoiding Apple and Google:
- OwnPlay faced challenges with Apple and Google due to their unfriendly stance towards crypto-related games.
- They bypassed traditional app stores by developing CityVerse Tycoon as a Progressive Web Application (PWA), providing an app-like experience without app store approval.

3. Success with PWA:
- The team successfully marketed the PWA through Facebook and Instagram, achieving over 100,000 installs.
- The PWA's performance and monetization rates were on par or better than native apps.

4. Upcoming Launches:
- The public launch of the game’s new version, incorporating Web3 elements, is set for May.
- Features include purchasing and selling buildings as NFTs, with each building having different game powers and value.
- Users will have non-custodial embedded wallets, and buildings can be bought with fiat or crypto.

5. Additional Elements:
- A new coin will be introduced with utility revealed later.
- The team plans to mint a small NFT collection called the Piggy Club, enhancing in-game earnings.

6. Challenges and Benefits:
- Pascal highlighted the struggle between crypto apps and centralized app stores.
- He emphasized the unparalleled accessibility and opportunity mobile offers for Web3 gaming.

### About Tomer Pascal:
Tomer Pascal has extensive experience in delivering products to market and working with early-stage and well-established companies. He has held positions such as Chief Revenue Officer at Mohawk Group, Inc., CEO at OMG Studios, and General Manager of Perion’s Lightspeed Division.

For the full interview, the podcast episode can be watched in the youtube link attached