A "Plug-and-play" solution for Gaming, to SEAMLESSLY harness Cardano's power

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

David Rudowski

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

wolves.cardano@gmail.com

Additional applicants

N/A

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

9

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

Project will be fully open source.

[METADATA] Category of proposal

Gaming

[METADATA] SDG rating

Below are listed the potential SDG areas addressed through execution of this project:

(SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 10, and SDG 17)

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

By creating a new avenue for revenue generation for game developers and potentially players (through the trading of in-game assets), this project could contribute to economic growth in the digital and creative industries.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

This project is at the forefront of technological innovation, integrating blockchain technology into gaming platforms. It could contribute to building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation in the gaming industry.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

By integrating blockchain technology into gaming, this project can democratize access to digital assets and opportunities within the gaming industry. The project empowers players by giving them true ownership of their in-game assets, regardless of their geographical location or socioeconomic status. This could potentially level the playing field in the gaming industry, reducing inequalities by ensuring that all players, not just those in certain regions or income brackets, can fully participate in and benefit from the gaming economy.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The project's strategy to form partnerships aligns with this goal of revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development. By seeking collaboration with entities like NMKR and the Catalyst Fund, the project aims to pool resources, expertise, and knowledge to drive the project forward. These partnerships not only provide the project with necessary support but also foster a sense of community and shared purpose, demonstrating the power of partnerships in achieving innovative and sustainable solutions.

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Our proposed solution addresses the gap between the untapped potential of blockchain technology in gaming and the difficulty (or even aversion/disinterest) developers face when trying to utilize it. There are currently very few tools in the gaming industry that facilitate easy integration of blockchain features and NFT functionalities - in fact, we could find only one such tool, that is being developed. We are coming in to help push more attention in this vital area by creating a tool of our own with novel, seamless functionality, to eventually normalise the idea of blockchain technology begin used in gaming.

As such, we aim to create a user-friendly, easy-to-integrate plugin that allows game developers to introduce NFT-based character and/or account creation directly into their games and websites. This will enable players to have full custody of their game accounts, digital characters and potentially any other in-game assets, opening up the possibility of trading and selling these assets on secondary markets and promoting a thriving player-powered economy.

Our approach to this solution is influenced by the recognition that the gaming industry, a frontrunner in digital innovation, is an ideal sphere to foster wider blockchain adoption. We have chosen to use a plugin to maximize accessibility for game developers, irrespective of their familiarity with blockchain. We are tentatively calling it the "Character / Account Identity Creator" (CAIC).

The project team will engage directly with game developers, encouraging them to embrace the use of NFTs within their games, addressing the stigma around NFT's in the broader community, and emphasising the overwhelming benefits when the technology is employed responsibly and correctly. We believe that CAIC, once adopted, will demonstrate the potential of blockchain technology in enhancing user experiences and adding value to digital products. It will measure impact through the number of game developers utilising our plugin, the volume of NFTs minted, and the feedback from developers and users regarding the usability and functionality of the tool. 

The solution we are proposing specifically targets game developers, aiming to bridge the knowledge gap in blockchain technology and empower them to add value to their products via NFTs. The primary beneficiaries will be both game developers, who can provide added value to their products, and gamers, who gain ownership and potential financial benefits from their digital characters and other digital game assets.

As mentioned in the opening paragraph, we are currently aware of only one other project that is working on a similar tool, which looks very promising. While it is exciting to see others also taking the initiative in expanding into this territory, we also recognise that there needs to be more such tools available for healthy competition and for the potential for future collaboration. Our tool will be fully open-source, meaning that other programmers and developers will be allowed to use any aspects of our tool to create or improve their own tools.

The importance to Cardano lies in the potential for increased usage and adoption of its blockchain, showcasing its versatility, high security and reliability, and capacity for innovation. It will also contribute to the Cardano's vision of democratizing finance and digital ownership by making NFTs and blockchain more accessible within the gaming industry.

We want to encourage overall growth for everybody - the Cardano ecosystem, but also for the entire gaming industry.

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

Our proposed solution directly addresses the challenge of empowering projects to advance the Cardano NFT ecosystem by developing a tool that integrates the NMKR Studio API. We propose to create a user-friendly plugin for game developers, allowing them to easily integrate NFT account creation and asset ownership within their games, thereby utilising the capabilities of the NMKR Studio API.

This solution addresses the challenge by providing an integration tool that makes the Cardano NFT ecosystem more accessible and more enticing for game developers. Our plugin will be a standalone tool that allows developers, even those not deeply familiar with blockchain technology, to implement NFTs in their games with ease. 

The impact and benefits to the Cardano ecosystem are significant. Firstly, our solution will likely attract more developers to the Cardano platform. The ability to utilize NFTs in their games in a simple and accessible way could motivate game developers to use Cardano as their preferred blockchain. 

Secondly, the creation and trading of NFTs within games could significantly increase the transaction volume on the Cardano network. This increased activity will not only bring more value to ADA but also demonstrate the scalability and efficiency of the Cardano blockchain.

Thirdly, our solution will further strengthen the Cardano ecosystem by showcasing its versatility. By enabling the use of blockchain technology in gaming, a leading digital industry, we are positioning Cardano at the forefront of blockchain innovation.

In terms of impact metrics, we anticipate a significant increase in the number of developers using our plugin, the number of games implementing NFT functionalities, and the volume of NFTs minted using our tool. We aim to achieve these outcomes within six months of receiving funding, and will track our progress against these metrics throughout the project timeline.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

The success of our project will be gauged through a combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics. 

• Number of Game Developers Adopting Our Plugin: This is a critical indicator of our project's acceptance within the gaming industry. We will track the number of developers who integrate our plugin into their games.

• Increased Use of NMKR's infrastructure: The level of growth should be reflected in the growth of the NMKR brand and interactions with its platform/infrastructure. Reports on the growth in activity and engagement (or lack-there-of) will indicate the success of deployment, marketing, functionality, ease of access, and other factors.

• Volume of NFTs Minted: Another concrete measure of success would be the number of NFTs minted using our plugin. This would reflect both the usage of our tool and the integration of NFT technology within games, as well as trading volume within notable marketplaces, such as JPG.store.

• User Feedback: We will actively seek feedback from both game developers and players regarding the ease of use, functionality, and overall experience of our plugin. This feedback will not only measure satisfaction but also help us identify areas for improvement.

• Increase in Cardano Transactions: An increase in the number of transactions on the Cardano network resulting from the usage of our plugin will indicate the project's contribution to Cardano's growth.

• Adoption Rate of Player-Owned NFT Characters: We will monitor how many players take advantage of owning their game characters as NFTs. This will demonstrate the acceptance and potential of blockchain in the gaming community.

In the short term, our project can boost the adoption of Cardano's blockchain within the gaming industry and increase transaction volume on the network. It will also promote NMKR as a leader in infrastructure development for mass adoption. In the long term, the success of our project could pave the way for further innovation and adoption of blockchain technology in various sectors, strengthening Cardano's position as a leading blockchain platform.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

Upon completion of each project milestone, we plan to share updates and results with our stakeholders and the broader Cardano community. We believe in maintaining transparency and openness, to fosters trust, but more so to enable us to gather feedback for continuous improvement.

Note that the following mentioned mediums and channels have not yet been established.

• Updates: We plan to regularly publish updates about our project on our website, Twitter, Medium, and within our Discord Server. These will include progress reports, technical updates, and milestones achieved. Additionally, we plan to write comprehensive blog posts about our work, the challenges we've faced, and how we've overcome them - being completely open through all stages of development. These mediums, starting with a Twitter and Medium page, will be coming soon. A community Discord server for updates and a dedicated website will follow.
• Twitter Spaces: We intend to host and participate in various Twitter Spaces explaining, and talking about the use of our plugin. This will not only demonstrate the functionality of our tool but also educate game developers about the benefits of integrating NFTs in their games. We will dedicate much time to these Spaces to continue to raise awareness and intrigue for this innovation.
• YouTube Vlog: We plan to possibly record periodic YouTube videos pertaining progress of development, as well as tutorials on how to integrate, set up, and use and customize our tool for each individual project / game.
• Collaborations with Indie Game Studios and Developers: We aim to partner with game studios for them to implement our tool in their games. This would not only serve as a case study but also increase visibility and credibility of our plugin. Once we have a core team for this project the project director will begin an outreach initiative to many indie game studios with our product.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

Though this will be my inaugural venture into building a blockchain-based project, my commitment to its success is resolute. I am deeply passionate about Cardano's mission and potential, and strongly believe in its capacity to effectuate positive global change. It's also worth mentioning that my engagement extends beyond professional interests: I am concurrently developing a personal game project that is reliant on the tool this proposal seeks to create. This dual investment assures my dedication and drive to make this project a reality.

Additionally, as a crypto investor and enthusiast, I keep myself well-informed about the developments within the Cardano ecosystem and I am eager to contribute to it. My career has afforded me various roles through which I have fostered my creativity and developed effective leadership skills, and I am confident in applying these to ensure the successful execution of this project.

The funds obtained from this grant will be utilized exclusively for the development of the project. My roles will include team recruitment, creative direction, leadership, and marketing. I acknowledge that my lack of technical expertise in programming requires me to recruit skilled and passionate individuals to form a capable team. 

In terms of financial management, I understand the importance of accountability and transparency, especially when dealing with public funds. Thus, we will set up a rigorous process for fund allocation and tracking:

• Detailed Budgeting: A comprehensive and itemized budget will be prepared, outlining how the funds will be allocated among various project requirements.
• Regular Financial Reporting: Regular financial reports will be provided to all stakeholders. These reports will detail the utilization of funds, compare actual spending with the budget, and explain any significant variances (should any occur).
• Milestone-based Fund Release: Funds will be released based on the achievement of specified milestones, ensuring that the project progresses as planned and further funds are not wasted.
• Unspent Funds: In the event that funds are left unspent upon completion of the project, these funds will remain stored in the projects treasury for use on future development and improvement of the tool.
• Return of Funds: In the event that this project fails to progress into the active development phase, all unspent funds will be returned.

Being my first blockchain project, I can only offer you assurance that my enthusiasm, commitment, creativity, and leadership skills, combined with responsible and overt financial management practices, will drive the successful execution of this project. I am excited to bring my vision to life and contribute to the Cardano ecosystem.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

The project's primary objectives are:

• Develop a user-friendly and customizable plugin for seamless user account creation, character creation, and minting on the Cardano blockchain, making it accessible to game developers of varying familiarity with blockchain technology.
• Enhance blockchain adoption among game developers by simplifying the integration process.
• Foster an environment where players have genuine ownership of their in-game assets, increasing the value proposition of games using our system.
• Give game development companies added value to their products and added revenue streams through things like royalties obtained from secondary market resales.

Once again, the feasibility of our approach will be validated through several indicators:

• User Feedback & Adoption: We will directly engage with game developers and users to get their feedback. High adoption rates by developers and positive responses will indicate we're meeting our goal of simplifying blockchain integration and its acceptance into the mainstream gaming industry.
• NFT Creations & Transactions: We will monitor the number of NFTs created and transactions facilitated through our system. An increase over time would suggest that we're successfully encouraging player ownership of in-game assets.
• Engagement and Partnerships: We will seek partnerships with game studios. If our solution is solving a genuine problem or at least creating a framework that noticeably enhances the gaming industry, it should generate interest from developers, leading to partnerships and collaborations.

For implementation, we will adopt a development methodology focused on continuous testing and improvement. The team will develop the initial model of the plugin, release it for testing, gather feedback, and refine it based on the responses. This iterative process will continue until we have a product that meets the needs and expectations of our target audience.

To ensure transparency and trust, we plan to set up a public release of the development roadmap; social media (Twitter) presence, a Medium page, and Discord Server for regular updates, progress, challenges, and changes; and a dedicated website with extensive comprehensive information about the team, the vision, direction, and outcomes. This will keep everyone updated on our progress and demonstrate our commitment to achieving our project goals.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

Milestones and Budget Plan:

• Milestone 1: Project Kick-off and Team Formation (Month 1) - Cost: $0

Tasks: Define roles and responsibilities; recruit talented and passionate individuals to form the project team. Create a Medium page, Twitter account, and Discord server.

Success Criteria: A multi-disciplinary team (such as front-end and back-end blockchain developers, voluntary community managers and administrators, experienced community engagement advisors, and advisors of game development) is formed and roles are clearly defined. Establishing engagement and attracting followers on the social media channels.

• Milestone 2: Project Planning and Design (Month 1 - 3) - Cost: $9,000

Tasks: Develop a project plan including a detailed roadmap; design the initial concept of the plugin based on the project's vision; gather feedback from developers and gamers to refine the design. 8 hours per week paid to two developers each over three months.

Success Criteria: A comprehensive project plan with a detailed roadmap is in place; a well-received initial design of the plugin is ready.

• Milestone 3: Proof-of-Concept Development (Month 3 - 6) - Cost: $11,500

Tasks: Implement the initial version of the plugin for character creation and minting; conduct internal testing and debugging. 10 hours per week paid to two developers each over three months.

Success Criteria: A working proof-of-concept that includes basic functionalities such as character creation, NFT minting, and blockchain interaction is available.

• Milestone 4: Testing and Feedback (Month 6 - 7) - Cost: $0

Tasks: Share the proof-of-concept with a select group of developers and gamers for testing; collect feedback and use it to improve the plugin.

Success Criteria: Positive feedback from the test group and identified areas for improvement.

• Milestone 5: Refinement and Improvement (Month 6 - 9) - Cost: $18,500

Tasks: Actively refine the plugin based on the feedback received; add new features as required. 16 hours per week paid to two developers each over three months.

Success Criteria: An improved version of the plugin that addresses feedback from the testing phase is ready.

• Milestone 6: Legal & Accounting (Throughout the Project) - Cost: Up to $4,000

Tasks: Consult with legal and accounting professionals to ensure the project adheres to all regulations and policies.

Success Criteria: Compliance with legal requirements and maintenance of accurate financial records.

• Milestone 7: Contingency (Throughout the Project) - Cost: $2,000

Tasks: To be used as needed to cover unexpected costs that may arise during the project.

Success Criteria: The ability to cover unexpected costs without disrupting the project's progress.

This funding will primarily be used for the development of the proof-of-concept, testing, and refinement. Our approach involves a blend of agile and waterfall methodologies for a balance of structure and flexibility. The main focus of this fund is to kickstart the project and develop a working proof-of-concept that paves the way for the future stages of this project.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Milestone 1: Project Kick-off and Team Formation

• Deliverables: A project charter that outlines the goals, scope, and timeline of the project. A roster of the project team along with their roles and responsibilities.
• Intended Outcomes: A fully established project framework and a team ready to execute the outlined tasks. Clear understanding of the project's goals, expected deliverables, and timeline.
• Progress Tracking: The completion of the project charter and successful formation of the team will be the key indicators of this milestone's achievement.

Milestone 2: Project Planning and Design

• Deliverables: A detailed project plan and preliminary designs of the game plugin.
• Intended Outcomes: A road map to guide the team throughout the project. An initial design ready for review and feedback.
• Progress Tracking: The completion and approval of the project plan and preliminary designs will signify the achievement of this milestone.

Milestone 3: Proof-of-Concept Development

• Deliverables: A functional prototype of the game plugin along with testing and debugging reports.
• Intended Outcomes: A working proof-of-concept demonstrating the plugin's capabilities. Identification of potential issues and areas for improvement.
• Progress Tracking: The successful creation and internal testing of the prototype will mark the completion of this milestone.

Milestone 4: Testing and Feedback

• Deliverables: Comprehensive feedback reports and a list of proposed improvements and new features.
• Intended Outcomes: Valuable feedback collected from a diverse group of testers. Identification of enhancements for the plugin.
• Progress Tracking: The collection of substantial feedback and the creation of a comprehensive list of improvements will signal the accomplishment of this milestone.

Milestone 5: Refinement and Improvement

• Deliverables: A refined version of the game plugin and a final project report.
• Intended Outcomes: An improved and efficient game plugin ready for final deployment. A report documenting the entire project journey, including challenges and solutions.
• Progress Tracking: The successful refinement of the plugin and completion of the final project report will indicate the attainment of this milestone.

For tracking progress, we'll use project management tools (GitHub and Microsoft Teams) and regular team meetings to ensure we are on schedule and meeting the set targets. Feedback from team members and testers will be a crucial component of our progress tracking strategy.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Budget Breakdown:

• Back-End Developer with Blockchain Experience: $24,500 - This role will handle the server-side operations, database interactions, implementation of the server logic, and managing the implementation of blockchain and integrating NMKR Studio API into our solution.

• Front-End Developer: $14,500 - This role will be responsible for creating a user-friendly interface that engages game developers and ensures an optimal user experience.

• Legal & Accounting Services: $4,000 - This will cover the cost of legal consultation and accounting services to ensure the project aligns with all relevant regulations.

• Contingency Fund: $2,000 - This fund will be allocated to cover any unforeseen costs that may arise during the course of the project.

Total Budget: $45,000

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Additional Note:

As the Project Director, I intend to take a proactive and hands-on approach to this project, volunteering my time and skills to ensure its success. My approach is to minimize costs wherever possible and direct the majority of the funding towards development, the heart of the project.

For publicity/marketing/promotion, I believe that the unique value proposition of our project and the interest it will generate within the Cardano and game development communities can significantly reduce our marketing costs. I plan to leverage existing community channels, forums, and social media platforms to generate awareness and excitement about our project. I will also reach out to my network within the blockchain and gaming communities to help spread the word. In essence, our marketing strategy will largely revolve around organic growth and community engagement.

When it comes to project management, I plan on using free software tools like GitHub and Microsoft Teams to manage the project and facilitate communication among the team members. These tools are robust, widely-used in the industry, and require no additional funding.

For documentation, I will personally take on the responsibility of documenting our progress, challenges, and victories throughout the development process. This will be shared on public forums and through our communication channels to ensure transparency and foster trust within our community.

Finally, for reporting back to the community, I believe in maintaining open lines of communication with our supporters and the broader Cardano community. Regular updates on our progress, including milestone achievements and any challenges faced, will be shared through community forums, social media, and other available channels. As with other aspects, this will require time and dedication, but not additional funding.

All in all, the hands-on and community-centric approach I intend to take in managing this project will ensure that we efficiently use the funds for key areas while maintaining transparency, engagement, and communication with our supporters and the broader Cardano community, all without necessitating additional funding.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

In assessing the value for money for the Cardano ecosystem, our project stands out due to our lean approach. The budget has been estimated (based on average hourly rates) to cover only the essential costs, providing an effective solution with minimal financial overhead.

Primarily, the project's budget is geared towards recruiting highly competent technical personnel. The wages proposed are competitive and in line with the global average for similar roles in the blockchain industry. We have also taken into account the rates for a blockchain legal consultant, which can vary depending on the complexity of the project.

While I am assuming the roles of Project Director, Creative Director, and Team Leader, I won't draw a salary for my services. I bring to the table years of leadership experience spanning multiple industries. My roles in managing retail operations, leading recreation programs, and guiding a disability support team have all equipped me with the skills to lead this project efficiently and effectively. I am contributing my time and effort purely because of my commitment to the Cardano ecosystem and the vision of the project.

As stated earlier, our plan to use open-source software for project management and communication, like GitHub and Microsoft Teams, will further reduce operational costs.

I believe that the most important note to end on, though, is that value for money is not just about cost but also about the quality and impact of the outcomes. Our project will provide a working proof-of-concept that can serve as a stepping stone to more advanced developments on the Cardano blockchain, potentially leading to increased adoption and more significant innovations.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept