ChainSafe Gaming: Open Source Web3 Tooling for Game Studios

Project Description:

ChainSafe Gaming is a comprehensive, open-source solution that enables video game developers to add a wide variety of blockchain-enabled features to their games. The project includes Web.Unity, an open-source library, and several open and extensible smart contract toolkits that provide features such as an in-game NFT marketplace and decentralized, verifiable loot drop functionality. ChainSafe Gaming operates on all EVM-based chains and is free and open-source.

Relevant Links:

Budget Breakdown

Milestone 1: ABI to C+ contract converter

  • Expected Outcome: A significant increase in speed and usability when connecting to blockchain.

Milestone 2: SDK event subscription support

  • Expected Outcome: Enhanced developer capabilities with native Mud support, allowing fully on-chain games to be built natively with the SDK.

Milestone 3: Simplified blockchain access

  • Expected Outcome: Simplified blockchain access with a single line of code.

Milestone 4: NFT Marketplace and Loot Drop Enhancements

  • Expected Outcome: Introduction of NFT swaps, indexer optimizations, and in-game loot boxes.

Funding Requested:
The annual cost for ChainSafe to operate this program is approximately USD $3.6 million, or around USD 300,000 per month. The majority of these expenses are attributed to salaries and operational overhead. While we do not expect Octant funding to cover these costs, any amount donated will help!

Impact Measurement and Reporting

Short-term Outcomes (0-3 months):

  • Completion of ABI to C+ contract converter, SDK event subscription support, and blockchain access simplification.

Mid-term Outcomes (3-6+ months):

  • Increased adoption of the ChainSafe Gaming tools, particularly among indie developers and small studios. Anticipated growth in SDK downloads and project usage.

Long-term Impact (5+ years):

  • Establish ChainSafe Gaming as a cornerstone in the web3 gaming space, enabling widespread blockchain adoption in the gaming industry through open-source tools.

Outcomes Measurement:

  • Metrics: User engagement, SDK downloads, number of projects using the tools, feedback from developers.
  • Tools: Analytics from GitHub, user surveys, and blockchain transaction data.

Interim Reporting

Regular Updates:

  • Updates will be provided upon each Octant Epoch.

Milestone Verification:

  • Progress will be verified through deliverables and reports. Should the project receive funding, a Karma GAP project page will be set up.

Sustainability Plan

ChainSafe Gaming’s path to financial sustainability involves the exploration of strategic partnerships with gaming studios and offering premium support services, as well as seeking additional grant funding to sustain and expand its operations.

Case Studies and Testimonials

Gathering Feedback:

  • Feedback will be collected through surveys, GitHub issues, and direct communication with users.

Showcasing Success:

  • ChainSafe Gaming has been used for free by hundreds of indie game studios and is also leveraged by some of the biggest studios in web3 gaming including Parallel (Echelon Prime) and Fabwelt.

Advancing Values of Freedom and Privacy

ChainSafe Gaming advances freedom and privacy by ensuring that all its tools are open-source, with no vendor lock-in. The project does not track or surveil users, upholding the principles of decentralization.

Supporting Decentralization

The project supports decentralization by providing tools that can be used on any EVM-compatible chain, allowing developers to build games that are not tied to any specific ecosystem.

Team Information

ChainSafe Gaming is developed by a dedicated team of seven senior engineers, four junior engineers, three technical product managers, and a developer relations specialist. Additional support comes from a part-time junior engineer, a designer, a business development manager, and two marketing professionals.

Social Proof

ChainSafe Gaming is recognized in the web3 gaming community and is used by both indie studios and major players like Parallel. The project has completed several milestones, as detailed in their GitHub repository.

Transparency

The funding received will be used primarily for salaries, operational overhead, and further development of the ChainSafe Gaming tools. The team is committed to full transparency in the use of funds.

Other funding

Currently, the project is entirely funded by ChainSafe, with no external grants or investments.