MESIG-Gaming: Research Paper on Blockchain Gaming
- Sandy Aggarwal
- Aditya Gupta
1. OVERVIEW
1.1 Introduction
This study project aims to analyze and document the best practices, architectural framework and design patterns for applications of blockchain technology in the gaming space. Examples being, use of BaaS (Blockchain as a service), SSI (Self sovereign Identity) and blockchain agnostic frontends and backends. This project will be accomplished in three parts as below:
1) Introduction to Blockchain Gaming
2) Deep Dive into Use Cases of Blockchain Technology in Gaming
3) Best Practices, Architectural Frameworks, Design Patterns and Tokenomics for Blockchain Gaming
1.2 Scope
The scope of this research paper is limited to researching the use cases, design principles and architectural standards of use blockchain technology in gaming space. This paper does NOT delve into details of so called "metaverse", which is still an undefined target state. Also, this paper is not intended to provide the standards or frameworks for games in general.
1.3 Timeline
This research paper was started around Jan 23rd, 2022 and is planned to be completed in 3 parts as below:
Part 1: Introduction to Blockchain Gaming
| Task | Target End Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Define and formalize scope of research paper | Jan 31, 2022 | Completed |
| Finalize list of games to be researched | Jan 31, 2022 | Completed |
| Complete research on selected games | Feb 05, 2022 | Completed |
| Draft research paper | Feb 28, 2022 | Completed |
| Peer review of research paper | Mar 06, 2022 | In Progress |
| Finalize research paper | Apr 23, 2022 | Not Started |
| Publish research paper | Apr 30, 2022 | Not Started |
Part 2: Deep Dive into Use Cases of Blockchain Technology in Gaming
| Task | Target End Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Initiate Draft Paper | Mar 05, 2022 | Not Started |
| Finalize use cases for research | Mar 19, 2022 | Not Started |
| Complete Initial research | May 14, 2022 | Not Started |
| Peer review of research work | May 28, 2022 | Not Started |
| Finalize research paper | June 11, 2022 | Not Started |
| Publish research paper | June 25, 2022 | Not Started |
Part 3: Best Practices, Architectural Frameworks and Design Patterns for Blockchain Gaming
| Task | Target End Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Initiate Draft Paper | Mid Mar | Not Started |
| Finalize Scope of Paper | Mid May | Not Started |
| Complete Initial research | Mid Aug | Not Started |
| Peer review of research work | Mid Sep | Not Started |
| Finalize research paper | End Sep | Not Started |
| Publish research paper | End Sep | Not Started |
2. PROJECT DETAILS
2.1 Draft
Draft format for paper
2.2 Details
In order to conduct this analysis, following aspects of selected games will be considered:
- Overview of game platform / game (includes little bit of history of game if applicable)
- Gameplay
- UX
- User entry point
- Game Economy (Tokenomics)
- NFTs
- DeFi
- Technology stack
- Blockchain (Layer)
- SDK
- Cloud services used
- Game engine
- Mobile/web/PC/console (is the game offline or online?)
- Governance Model
- Roadmap
We’ll choose top 5 (or more) games based on following criteria:
- Game popularity
- Technology stack
- Gameplay
- Tokemomics
- Value of research to open source blockchain
Potential Games / Game Platforms to be Researched
# | Game | Category | Publisher | Blockchain platform | Game Engine | Reason to choose | Misc. Info |
1 | Pay to play | Sky Mavis | Ronin (L2) Ethereum (L1) | One of the most popular blockchain games | https://whitepaper.axieinfinity.com/ | ||
2 | Free to play, freemium | Mythical Games | Mythical Chain (L1 / Permissioned) | Unicorn company, highly anticipated to be a top contender. | https://mythicalgames.com/platform | ||
3 | Pay to play | Harmony + others expected soon | First game on multiple blockchains | https://defikingdoms.com/team.html | |||
| 4 | Ice Poker (Decentraland) | ||||||
5 | Free to play, freemium | Animoca Brands PIXOWL | Ethereum | Unity | Anticipated to be one the key Metaverse players | https://installers.sandbox.game/The_Sandbox_Whitepaper_2020.pdf?_ga=2.59089646.21688530.1643172232-31323037.1640876417 |
3. REFERENCES
3.1 Industry Research to be used
The Block Research is a media research company that provides research to companies (payable) on various topics such as Fintech, Blockchain Gaming, etc. Below is a list of some links that can be referred to be in preparation of our research paper:
https://www.theblockresearch.com/data/nft-non-fungible-tokens/gaming
Some reference links for Tokenomics of The SAND token.
https://medium.com/sandbox-game/land-token-economics-1efe442eb49
https://www.gemini.com/cryptopedia/the-sandbox-sand-crypto-nft-virtual-world