AW Insights

Welcome to AW Insights, a character interview series presented by @AW_Research.Today, we have invited Stokarz , CEO of Minters, Created Rhascau

In this segment, we will delve deep into the realms of onchain gaming and the autonomous worlds, engaging in conversations with pioneers who have made significant contributions to these fields.

Our mission is to conduct exclusive interviews with the trailblazers, innovators, and visionaries of the blockchain gaming world. We aim to unveil their unique perspectives, gain profound insights into their innovative projects, and explore the intersection of blockchain technology and gaming.

Exciting Recap

• Stokarz's Journey and Vision

• Rhascau's Game Design and Blockchain Integration

• Challenges and Improvements in On-Chain Game Development

• Autonomous Worlds and Future Plans

• Economic Systems in On-Chain Games

• How onchain gamnes Attracting Broader Player Audiences in On-Chain Games

• VCs and On-Chain Game Development

Host: Kaikai

Guest: Stokasz

Rhascau

Rhascau is a fully onchain, turn-based pod racing game, where you main objective is to be the fastest. Hear the roar of engines and immerse yourself in the eternal race. If you are brave enough, try to compete for the most precious material in the metaverse : Ether.

Minters

Minters is a community of people who are into onchain games & autonomous worlds. If you want to learn, or just hang out and play all the new titles together - it's a place for you.Minters is a 10k skull themed NFT collection, since they believe you need to be reborn to understand autonomous worlds long term vision.Collection have more than 1000+ traits! Minters NFT give you special perks in Minters's games.

About Stokarz

I have consistently gravitated towards engaging in activities that take place on blockchain technology. This journey began during the early stages of my involvement with and substantial utilization of DeFi. I then progressed to exploring NFTs and GameFi. However, I've come to realize that the potential of these ventures has been somewhat restricted by their technical limitations. They have been primarily focused on financial applications or have been confined to representing assets through images (in the case of NFTs) or wrapped DeFi interfaces (in the case of GameFi).

My desire for more expansive possibilities has steered me towards envisioning a new direction: the integration of on-chain multiplayer games. I view these games as pivotal stepping stones towards a greater goal—the eventual creation of fully on-chain digital worlds. These multiplayer games serve as the foundational elements, setting the stage for what I believe will be a transformative evolution in the realm of blockchain technology.

By embracing on-chain multiplayer games, I am venturing into uncharted territory, seeking to push the boundaries of what is achievable within the blockchain space. This progression signifies not only a personal journey but also a broader movement towards unlocking the full potential of blockchain technology in creating immersive and interactive digital experiences.

About Game design

AW Research: The game design of Rhascau can be described as reinventing tabletop games. Can you please explain the design philosophy and inspiration behind the game, as well as why such games are suitable for being on-chain

Stokarz: Before embarking on the design of our inaugural on-chain game, we extensively examined tabletop games. These games stood out due to their streamlined core game mechanics, which inherently require fewer computational resources. This unique characteristic makes it feasible to execute these games directly on the blockchain without incurring excessive memory usage. As a result, we can offer our users the advantage of a cost-effective and efficient gameplay experience.

In the creation of Rhascau, we opted for a blend of the traditional tabletop gaming concept while infusing it with a crypto-centric twist. This innovative approach allows players to engage in competitive interactions with one another while incorporating the use of cryptocurrency, specifically ETH. What sets this experience apart is its permissionless and peer-to-peer nature, enabling participants to challenge each other without any intermediaries or restrictions.

AW Research: What is the reason for choosing to deploy on Arbitrum Nova?

Stokarz: Arbitrum Nova serves as an optimal public blockchain for on-chain games due to its exceptionally low transaction fees. Users can fully enjoy on-chain gaming while benefiting from minimal costs. The platform's fee efficiency aligns with the dynamic nature of gaming, providing an accessible and engaging experience for players.

AW Research: If the blockchain technology elements were removed from Rhascau, would it impact the game's enjoyment and user experience? Additionally, in the game design of Rhascau, which aspects make full use of the features of  blockchain technology?

Stokarz: In Rhascau, our game design fully capitalizes on blockchain technology, with a notable emphasis on our ETH pooling system. By incorporating this system, we've drastically minimized the costs typically associated with monetary transactions in games. This reduction is achieved by eliminating intermediaries and middlemen. The game's mechanics allow players to seamlessly join matches, determine their desired stake in ETH, and if all participants consent, the match commences.

Furthermore, the input_winner is utilized to allocate ETH to the winner, with distribution executed through on-chain actions. This level of functionality wouldn't be viable within a centralized architecture while maintaining the rapidity, cost-effectiveness, and cryptographic security that our on-chain setup ensures. The integration of blockchain technology in Rhascau isn't merely an ancillary feature; it's a foundational aspect that underpins the game's distinctiveness and interactive dynamics.

About Community Feedback

AW Research: What is the most meaningful feedback the team has received from players? Will the project plan be adjusted based on community feedback? (What are some adjustments that have been made based on community feedback?)

Stokarz: From the very inception of the alpha version, we have consistently placed a significant emphasis on valuing and incorporating feedback from our players. A considerable portion of our design choices and updates, as reflected in our patch notes, are rooted in the preferences and requirements expressed by our player community. Our approach is straightforward: we observe, engage in dialogue, attentively listen, and subsequently integrate the features and adjustments that resonate with our user base. This process aligns seamlessly with our overarching mission, which centers around creating on-chain games tailored to their preferences and desires. After all, our primary focus remains on delivering an on-chain gaming experience that caters directly to the needs and aspirations of our dedicated community.

About Autonomous Worlds

AW Research: How do you personally understand the concept of the Autonomous Worlds? What do you think is the relationship between On-chain games and the Autonomous Worlds? And how is the concept of the Autonomous Worlds developing and being implemented?

Stokarz: Autonomous Worlds (AW) represents the tangible realization of a crypto-infused metaverse, grounded in the realm of technical feasibility. It embodies a perpetually vibrant and boundless digital space, intimately intertwined with the Ethereum blockchain. AW captivates through its interactive, immersive, and captivating nature, underpinned by the distinctiveness enabled by cryptographic principles.

The symbiotic relationship between on-chain games and Autonomous Worlds is lucid: onchain games lead us to AWs They furnish us with practical insights, forged through hands-on experience, guiding us toward the future realization of a genuine AW. This iterative process informs our understanding of how to architect a fully-fledged AW in due time.

Internally, we have meticulously devised a comprehensive long-term strategy, meticulously detailing the technical trajectory leading to the fulfillment of AW. Philosophical takes on Twitter are great, but after all, someone needs to build it. Our internal roadmap is methodically focused on the pragmatic progression towards achieving this milestone. We're dedicated to attaining the moment where we have the adeptness to construct an AW from the ground up. We plan to be one of the first teams to launch AW.

AW Research: Could you share some technical strategies and objectives? When building the AW, what key technological challenges are you focusing on solving? Additionally, could you describe the first AW that your team is aiming to build?

Stokarz: While we currently lack the finalized technical specifications for the implementation of Autonomous Worlds (AW), we are striving to approach its envisioned framework, as outlined in the article available at https://0xparc.org/blog/autonomous-worlds. To embark on this journey, our team is leveraging the development of our second on-chain game, "Battle for Blockchain: MMO Auto Battler."

Our highly technical strategy revolves around achieving specific goals. First and foremost, we aim to enable a vast game map accommodating 1,000 to 10,000 active players, all while maintaining cost-effectiveness for deployment on a public blockchain. Simultaneously, we're dedicated to achieving client synchronization among this significant number of concurrent players. Addressing the "hook" problem is another core facet, involving the meticulous design of gameplay mechanics that resonate with the crypto audience and make AW engaging.

Further technical initiatives include devising a protocol for programmable and adjustable token distribution based on on-chain data and inputs. We intend to extend this protocol to facilitate AW's capacity to reward players for their emergent behaviors. A pivotal challenge involves refining our approach to game upgrades, drawing lessons from properly updating live on-chain games without resorting to administrative tools. This process is integral to ensuring the immutability of AW on the smart contract level while maintaining its permissionless nature.

Additionally, we are keen on addressing the trajectory of AW's evolution, allowing both players and creators to shape its development. We aim to elucidate the rationale behind how and why AW should evolve, all while collaborating with our community. These multifaceted technical endeavors constitute our focus as we strive to surmount these challenges and make substantial progress by the end of the upcoming year.

AW Research: Can rhascau and other games currently built be considered Autonomous Worlds? If not, have you considered building an Autonomous Worlds through continuous iterations?

Stokarz: No, games like Rhascau and others currently in existence cannot be classified as Autonomous Worlds. These games are essentially on-chain games, distinct from the concept of AW. However, they serve a vital purpose in our journey by imparting valuable insights on how to construct a genuine AW. Through continuous iterations and learning from these on-chain games, we are actively pursuing the goal of creating the first Autonomous World.

About Economic Systems in On-Chain Games

AW Research: What do you think of the economic system of the on chain game? And what aspects have been carefully considered during the design process?

Stokarz: The economic system within on-chain games holds a unique position, prompting careful consideration during the design process. There is a prevalent notion that a game's economic system should mirror those seen in traditional MMORPGs like WoW, fueled by the fact that crypto embodies a form of currency. However, the landscape has evolved, and contemporary successful MMOs often exhibit user-driven economies or simpler systems centered around cosmetic items. In the context of fully on-chain games existing in a hyper-financialized environment, the strategy of intricately optimizing economic systems might not yield the best results. This approach could potentially consume significant time, stretching into months or even years. In contrast, a minimal and straightforward economic model can be devised and tested in a shorter span, typically within a week.

The emergence of on-chain games offers an exceptional opportunity to significantly reduce costs associated with monetary transactions, reducing them by up to 90% compared to centralized alternatives. This exemplifies the optimal application of blockchain technology—disintermediation. This prospect has garnered enthusiasm from both myself and the entire team. On-chain games embody a fascinating dichotomy: they are among the most publicly accessible games due to open-sourced code, while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of digital scarcity. These intriguing dynamics define the current landscape of on-chain games and offer a glimpse into the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.

About Future plan

AW Research: How is the progress of Rhascau so far? What are the next steps in the plan? Will you be improving the gameplay depth of on-chain games and adding more diversity in gameplay?

Stokarz: The progress of Rhascau has been fantastic. Within a month of its launch, the game has seen over 700 matches (with 4 players in each match). While I won't disclose specific upcoming plans, one thing is certain: our passion lies in game development. Our commitment extends to both creating games and heeding the feedback of our users. With these principles in mind, we will continue crafting developments and enhancements that stem from our passion for game creation and our dedication to addressing user feedback.

AW Research: Regarding future plans, can you share any details about the new games you are preparing to launch and how the preparations are going? Are there any specific designs for interactivity or connections between different games?

Stokarz: Currently, we're in the initial phases of crafting our second game: an on-chain MMO Auto Battler titled "Battle for Blockchain." This game is situated in a medieval fantasy realm, where an everlasting conflict rages between two empires. Players must choose their allegiance in this war and devise strategic maneuvers to triumph over their adversaries, reaping the rewards and treasures of the ongoing battle. Notably, we're constructing this game using the MUD on-chain game engine.

As for the broader scope of interactivity and connections between our games, our focus lies in creating an ecosystem that promotes player engagement across different titles. While specific details might not be disclosed at this time, we are indeed exploring ways to establish connections and enhance interactivity between our various on-chain games. Our goal is to provide players with a cohesive and immersive experience that extends beyond individual games, fostering a sense of continuity and shared involvement within the larger game universe.

Challenges and Solutions in On-Chain Game Development

AW Research: Currently, the on-chain game field is in its early stages, facing various technical challenges and uncertainties regarding product-market fit. In your opinion, what are these challenges?  and what improvements are worth considering?

Stokarz: Technical challenges in the on-chain gaming domain have undergone a transformation. A year ago, these challenges seemed more formidable, but the current scenario is different. A specific subset of on-chain games can now be developed and launched on the mainnet, potentially yielding significant eight-figure revenues with proper execution.

Interestingly, the progress in these games doesn't solely rely on infrastructure advancements; viable options already exist. However, this doesn't imply that development efforts will stall; each on-chain game team indirectly contributes to infrastructure improvement.

At present, the primary hurdle lies in achieving seamless client-side synchronization. This aspect has gained prominence, as ensuring coordinated player experiences across the decentralized landscape remains a critical challenge to overcome.

AW Research: Could you further elaborate on the specific challenges of client-side synchronization in on-chain game development? How does this challenge impact players' gaming experiences and overall gameplay performance? Has your team implemented any strategies to address this issue, or do you see any promising avenues for improvement? Looking ahead, how do you anticipate making greater strides in client-side synchronization to enhance the quality and playability of on-chain games?

Stokarz: We managed to address this issue partially within Rhascau, witnessing over 800 matches without any performance degradation. The challenge, however, lies in achieving client synchronization when faced with a scenario of 1,000 concurrent players or more. Testing our client under such immense pressure was not feasible. Now, as we transition to the MUD infrastructure stack, we are collaborating closely with the Lattice team to ensure that our client can effectively synchronize even when faced with a substantial player load.

The question arises: why does this synchronization problem exist in the first place? The need for rapid and precise client synchronization with the blockchain arises specifically in the context of on-chain games. In applications like DeFi or GameFi, such rapid synchronization isn't necessarily imperative. Hence, this challenge remained unaddressed until the emergence of on-chain games.

When players use burner addresses and session keys, engaging with various frontend elements within the game, and when all these interactions need swift confirmation on the blockchain and subsequent feedback to the client in milliseconds, ensuring an immersive experience akin to traditional games becomes complex. The intricacies of achieving extremely swift client synchronization with the blockchain become evident in this context.

AW Research: The entry barrier and complexity of on-chain games are not very suitable for ordinary players, as the audience tends to be technical personnel and engineers. As on-chain games develop, how can they appeal to a broader audience of ordinary players?

Stokarz: Upon launching our fully on-chain game, I've come to a different perspective. We received feedback from players stating that it's a positive aspect that there are no visible transactions during gameplay in Rhascau. In reality, every in-game action necessitates a transaction, although this is cleverly concealed using session keys—a user experience improvement not widely recognized in the crypto dapp space.

In the context of attracting a larger player base, the approach should entail first appealing to crypto-savvy users and then gradually expanding to traditional players. The key challenge for on-chain games in capturing the interest of traditional players is whether they can offer a unique and captivating experience that cannot be replicated in traditional games. In my view, the answer to this lies in the affirmative.

Successfully appealing to traditional players will be contingent on the game's ability to provide an engaging "hook" that sets it apart and delivers an experience unavailable in conventional gaming. This aspect forms the crux of bridging the gap and drawing ordinary players into the realm of on-chain games.

VC Shift to On-Chain Game Development

AW Research: Many on-chain games are passion projects of people who care about crypto, or they are community-owned and built. Magical VCs almost exclusively fund on-chain gaming engines and infrastructure. What are your thoughts on this?

Stokarz: Venture capitalists (VCs) will pivot towards becoming game creators, beyond just engine developers, once the initial on-chain games achieve revenue in the seven-figure range. The inherent design of on-chain games naturally triggers substantial on-chain activity, positioning them to swiftly become the most utilized decentralized applications (dapps) on-chain. This transformation holds significant value for both the public crypto markets and VCs.

Advice for On-Chain Game Developers

AW Research: Do you have any suggestions for developers or those who are currently building on-chain games?

Stokarz: I recommend developers to prioritize launching on the mainnet at the earliest opportunity. The transition from testnets and private chains to a fully on-chain game in a live public chain production environment is substantial. Valuable insights and knowledge are gained through the process of optimizing for a mainnet launch.

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