Unreal Engine - Cardano API / SDK development

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Ramus

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

HHMCgame@pm.me

Additional applicants

N/A

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

11

[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 after final testing and integration. This may take addition 6 months after completion of proposal tasks.

[METADATA] Category of Proposal

Dev Tools, API or Library

[METADATA] SDG rating

N/A

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Blockchain development and utility have become complex given the pace of its progress. Fortunately relevant tools have been developed to help to reduce this complexity, both for users and for developers – namely APIs and SDKs. While the latter is utilized by blockchain developers, the former may be used by novice users and by technically-minded end-users.

Common use of API

An Application Programming Interface (API) is a software that acts as a liaison between two or more data sources. Commonly, APIs provide an interface you can use to carry out transactions by connecting to a number of external sources, such as data sources, websites in order to obtain and or to deliver information.

Blockchain use of APIs

In cryptocurrency domain APIs are usually used by programmers as integral part of software solution they develop. The use of APIs provide considerable time savings on developing a blockchain project.

Some crypto APIs could also be used by knowledgeable users who do not necessarily have software development skills. Commonly, these are APIs that are designed to be as user-friendly as possible.

As a rule of thumb, the richer the functionality of crypto API, the harder it is for general public to use. Before making use of any API, it is recommended to carefully study its documentation.

How does an SDK work?

A Software Development Kit (SDK) is a bundle of software tools, similar to a programming language compiler and an API, integrated into one easily deployable software package.

An SDK provides an integrated software tool box to create complete plug & play solution. It helps to cut down on the development efforts significantly by providing all the necessary tools in one package.

Blockchain Gaming SDKs are software bundles used to develop and to integrate apps and games on to the relevant blockchain, network. Unlike off the shelf APIs, SDKs are hardly suitable for use by individuals with no programming skills. In order to properly deploy and use an SDK, one must have sufficient programming skills.

Depending on what one needs to achieve on blockchain and game engine integration either an API or a relevant SDK might be needed.

• API is sufficient if the main goal is simply to gather data from different sources or to enable basic transactions on a blockchain.
• If the main goals are of a more complicated nature, an integration of an SDK may be necessary. For example, linking a game development programming language such as Unreal Engine (Blueprint or C++) onto a blockchain such as Cardano would require a complete development task, where an SDK would be an effective tool to make use of.

Simply put, an SDK is not an absolute requirement. However, using a good SDK will help save on the time and cost of development considerably. Therefore blockchain programmers are increasingly opting to use SDKs instead of APIs.

As creators and projects evolve within the ecosystem of Cardano they will continue to explore blockchain gaming opportunities more often, for which they need the right tools to be able to deploy their game in an efficient manner with satisfying results.

 

Why Blockchain Gaming API and SDKs are important

 

There are ample reasons why traditional game developers in addition to existing ecosystem projects may want to explore opportunities for Web3 gaming. A blockchain game can strengthen its long-term potential and viability by offering players the freedom to create and own in game assets, and other fungible and non fungible items.

 

Crucially most blockchain gaming API and SDKs enable traditional game developers unfamiliar with blockchains to deploy games using their customary and familiar programming language. However blockchain technology often requires learning a new language which is not always the case with blockchain game API and SDKs. It is an important bridge, as it helps to attract more mainstream WEB2 game developers who might want to venture into blockchain and WEB3 specifically but realise the hurdles of this adventure which might prohibit them in doing so.

 

Numerous ecosystems such as public blockchains and centralised networks have put together similar blockchain gaming API and SDKs for developers to make use of. Currently there is a lack of gaming API and SDKs on Cardano when other EVM compatible blockchains are already utilizing various such tools developed by ecosystem enthusiasts and blockchain native projects for their own use at first which then adapted to general public use thereafter within the said ecosystem. 

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

The main aim of this proposal for Cardano community is to have an API and SDK for Unreal Engine using Blueprint and C++ shared programming utilized in a number of game development. It is a tool to support projects small and large, as well as traditional gaming studios to use Cardano as their preferred blockchain of choice due to availability of such tools and sufficiently decentralised manner of the network. 

As a result, an API and SDK will become an on ramp for other blockchain games more importantly, in an ever increasing competition amongst chains to attract developers and users as adoption levels grow. Cardano have already become one of the most decentralised blockchains at the time of writing and decentralization is one of the key pillars of blockchain adoption and success. A functional API and SDK will ensure that Cardano remains a go to solution for developers from different blockchains.

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

The project is considered to be successful if it provides utility and usability to its users projects selected to test for trial and analysis. The proposed project will be successful if by both qualitative and quantative measures we have been able to help to onboard new developers onto Cardano ecosystem and ease of use with developers unfamiliar with Unreal Engine are able to deploy and to implement the said API and SDK measured over medium to longer period of time around 2 years after proposal completion.

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

1) Periodic engagement with Cardano community over multiple channels of communication Twitter Spaces, and discord channels .

2) Real time implementation feedback and loop available on the website https://hhmc.io

3 Timely and on schedule delivery within the set deadlines

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

Our original core team have been working on our live Cardano powered games “Outlaws Brawl” and “Southern Chapter” for over 20 months and their knowledge and skillset are represented in our live public games available today.

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

This proposal also lays the foundation for wider Cardano ecosystem adoption beyond blockchain users. This will potentially enrich the ecosystem with active participants such as traditional WEB2 game studios wishing to utilize a blockchain and their loyal followers as a consequence. By developing the solution we reduce the entry point to a novice, established and experienced traditional gaming studios with large user base.

We have live already game developed using Unreal Engine and powered by Cardano for the community.

[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.

First Milestone

• Research and Development. Achieved in six month:

1.      This stage requires the in depth analysis and research into robust working API and SDK solutions existing for other networks and chains and technical application solutions we can implement stemming from our own game development experience specifically for Cardano.

2.      Gathering preliminary API and SDK assembly components utilizing our existing experience in development of Unreal Engine games and their integration onto Cardano blockchain. We have the necessary foundation and tools as well as working experience in tackling this gained during our existing multiplayer game development and their integration. Example of our Cardano powered games are below.

https://hhmc.io/download

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.web3studios.southernchapter

3.      Hiring a team of additional 2 new developers, Cardano and Unreal Engine devs, making a dedicated team to the solution of 4 individuals made up of two unreal engine developers and two Cardano developers to review existing solutions obtained over a period of time to deliver a working API and SDK solution.

Budget: 175,700 ADA

Second Milestone

• Technical test and preliminary implantation. Achieved in month eight:

1.      Preliminary concept test using combination of Blueprint, C++, Blockfrost, Plutus implementation to an existing Cardano powered game. We, at HHMC, have currently one of the first Unreal Engine multiplayer PvP game available to everyone free to play.

2.      Implementation of proof-of-concept and combined use of API for SDK to bridge Unreal Engine onto Cardano network.

3.      Implementation of test alpha solution with an existing and upcoming Cardano game projects running on Unreal Engine to evidence the useability of an SDK before wider public use within the ecosystem.

Budget 58,575 ADA

Third Milestone

• Tool set launch & application. Achieved in month eleven

1.      Alpha API and SDK launch tested

2.      Product testing, fields research and users feedback loop

3.      An outline of DIY documentation content with easy to access tool box for selected UE game development teams to use.

Budget 57,525 ADA

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

First Milestone Deliverable:

Comprehensive write up technical chart analysis following our in depth research into existing solutions and their examples This stage will also include:

-         theoretical integrations and their results

-         Issues and problems found during our R&D Cardano specific

-         Solutions found to address the challenges Cardano specific

Second Milestone Deliverable:

Proposed solutions for test API, number of examples and set of tools utilized to test integrate Unreal Engine onto Cardano blockchain. This stage will most probably will provide raw set of codes which then can be used for partial integration. This stage most probably will lack fully working API tool set. 

Third Milestone Deliverable:

Example of one successful integration of Cardano blockchain game with Unreal Engine using our finalized and working set of API and SDK.

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

Please see above

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

As a result, an API and SDK will become an on ramp for other blockchain games more importantly, in an ever increasing competition amongst chains to attract developers and users as adoption levels grow. Cardano have already become one of the most decentralised blockchains at the time of writing and decentralization is one of the key pillars of blockchain adoption and success. A functional API and SDK will ensure that Cardano remains a go to solution for developers from different blockchains and for traditional game studios. 

[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