[BananaClip] - Harnessing Cardano to Transform Casual Games for 25% of Humanity with Seamless Web2 Onboarding

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Maxwell Ward

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Benjamin Barba

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

6

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

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Solution

BananaClip harnesses Cardano to introduce a seamless, global economy to 2B+ gamers, transforming casual gaming and showcasing Cardano's capabilities to a quarter of humanity.

[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?

No

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

BananaClip's asset management backend, encompassing the treasury, limit-knowledge user account asset ownership, and Cardano smart contracts, will be open source. Open sourcing these critical economic functionalities ensures transparency and is fundamental to BananaClip's vision of a next generation economy for casual games and their players.

Non-critical components of the BananaClip platform, such as games and other proprietary features, will remain closed source for the following reasons:

1. Security: Keeping select components of the platform closed-source prevents exposure of vulnerabilities that could be exploited for game manipulation. Redundant security measures will be in place, but any security-bolstering strategies such as the strategic close-sourcing of select components will be employed.
2. Intellectual Property Protection: Open sourcing select components could lead to IP conflicts, especially with games that feature proprietary content from other studios.
3. Competitive Advantage: Retaining proprietary control over select technology maintains BananaClip's unique market position and prevents competitors from replicating key features.
4. Quality Control: A closed source approach facilitates consistent high-quality standards across the platform, aligned with BananaClip’s rigorous performance and user experience criteria.
5. Regulatory Compliance: Proprietary software simplifies adherence to diverse and complex legal regulations in gaming and finance sectors, facilitating easier compliance management.

Conclusion:

BananaClip keeps select components proprietary to safeguard security, competitive edge, performance, and compliance. However, the asset management backend, including the treasury, user account asset ownership, and Cardano smart contracts, will be open source. This ensures transparency and supports BananaClip's vision as a next-generation economy for casual gamers, justifying a selective open-source strategy in this competitive market.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

BananaClip proposes a straightforward yet compelling strategy: Integrate a seamless yet capable Cardano-powered economy that unifies the broader casual game landscape. Although casual gaming might seem trivial, it captures a vast portion of humanity, engaging 25% of the world's population. We believe casual gaming is an ideal bridge for introducing Web2 users to Web3, due to its widespread familiarity, simple mechanics, and regulation-compliant blockchain integration avenues.

To strategically capture a segment of the 2 billion-plus player casual gaming market, BananaClip is integrating a seamless Cardano asset management backend to it's casual-game hosting platform. This backend allows previously confined in-game assets and cash to be liberated and facilitates an exciting global economy where 2 billion casual gamers can, for the first time, interact amongst each other through wagering, trading resources, and more. With casual gamers already acquainted with the concepts of fungible and non-fungible assets, as well as simple economic interactions like wagering and asset trading, this move could bring untapped demographics onto Cardano and showcase its world changing potential as an efficient and sovereign asset management technology vastly superior to legacy systems.

By creating wallets through seamless social sign-ins, BananaClip grants Web2 users access to Web3 assets and economic capabilities. This shift allows Web2 users to engage with NFTs and tokens, previously confined to DeFi spaces, as if they were interacting with a familiar gaming platform. This concept is crucial to the entire Web3 space, as the complexity and regulatory hurdles of DeFi have stalled its mass adoption. BananaClip simplifies this complexity, much like how technologies from Apple to credit cards to automobiles have reached widespread use by simplifying their underlying complexities.

Moreover, focusing on DeFi product enhancements alone on Cardano may not be effective enough to attract substantial users from other chains since most DeFi protocols share similar underlying economic functionality. Instead, casual gaming offers a platform for significant differentiation and can draw both Web2 and Web3 users alike to Cardano.

The casual gaming market, despite its vast potential, has been largely overlooked. However, with games like Candy Crush alone seeing annual expenditures of up to $2 billion on in-game purchases from its users, the opportunity for economic interaction within games and between players is immense. BananaClip's cyclical economy model—based on wagering, resource transactions, and game progression—is a unique proposition in the Web3 space and aims to foster a sustainable future where all casual games and their players, both Web3 and Web2 based, can interact economically without limits.

Imagine wagering on a game of Agar.io, trading land in Clash of Clans, auctioning your Gold from Candy Crush, or purchasing a Super Monkey in Bloons TD – all with a finite supply, economically-unbounded Cardano-based currency ($BANA). Picture Web2 users buying SNEK, HOSKY, or Clay Mates to enjoy special in-game skins and access project-specific perks, without needing to understand tokens or NFTs. The casual gaming sector is massive and ready for a simple economic foundation. These games have low development costs and consistently rank as the most popular gaming sector globally.

Currently, 2 billion casual gamers, already familiar with digital assets, remain completely economically isolated. They make roughly 10 billion transactions within casual games daily, totaling trillions annually. Facilitating seamless economic interaction among these players could unlock immense value and drive blockchain adoption. Despite its potential and suitability, blockchain has yet to be seamlessly implemented into this space.

Capturing Just 0.1% of the casual game market would 5x the number of active wallets on Cardano. We believe this is possible with the transformative value a Cardano-powered asset management system would provide to this vast, untapped market.

BananaClip Platform Screenshots:

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

BananaClip's integration of a Cardano-based asset management backend into the casual gaming sector offers significant value to the Cardano community. Here's how the impact of this initiative will be assessed and communicated:

Measuring Impact

1.) Quantitative Metrics:

• Increase in Active Wallets: Monitoring the number of active Cardano wallets before and after implementation. Targeting a 5x increase, as capturing just 0.1% of the casual gaming market is projected to achieve this.
• Volume of Transactions: Measuring the volume and value of transactions conducted through the Cardano backend, reflecting user engagement and economic activity.
• User Acquisition Rates: Tracking the rate at which Web2 users convert to Web3 users via the platform, highlighting the effectiveness of casual gaming as an onboarding channel.

2.) Qualitative Metrics:

• User Satisfaction and Engagement: Gathering user feedback through surveys and direct community interactions to gauge satisfaction with the blockchain features and overall gaming experience.
• Ecosystem Growth: Evaluating the increase in apps and services within the Cardano ecosystem that leverage the introduced gaming backend.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities

1.) Community Reporting:

• Regular Updates: Publishing regular progress reports and impact assessments on community platforms such as Twitter, Medium, Discord, as well as various Cardano Communities and Forums.
• Development Milestones: Announcing key development milestones and their impacts through press releases and social media to keep the community informed and engaged.

2.) Collaborations and Partnerships:

• Developer Resources: Releasing documentation and tools for developers to encourage the creation of new applications that utilize the BananaClip platform, fostering a more robust ecosystem.
• Partnership Announcements: Highlighting collaborations with other gaming platforms and technology providers to enhance the capabilities and reach of the BananaClip's Cardano-based asset management technology.

3.) Educational and Promotional Activities:

• Workshops and Interactive Events: Hosting educational sessions to help both existing Cardano users and newcomers understand the benefits and functionalities introduced by BananaClip.
• Promotional Campaigns: Launching targeted campaigns to showcase real-world use cases and success stories from the BananaClip platform to attract more users to the Cardano community.

Value to the Cardano Community

The success of BananaClip's project brings substantial value to the Cardano community by:

• Driving Adoption: Introducing a large, untapped demographic of casual gamers to Cardano, potentially increasing the user base and transaction volume.
• Demonstrating Utility: Showcasing the practical applications of Cardano's technology in everyday activities like gaming, thereby enhancing its reputation and perceived value.
• Stimulating Economic Activity: Facilitating new forms of economic interaction and asset management within the gaming sector, which can lead to increased demand for ADA and growth in the Cardano economy.

Overall, BananaClip aims to leverage the simplicity and widespread appeal of casual gaming to effectively bridge the gap between traditional Web2 users and the more advanced asset management capabilities of Web3 through Cardano, thereby enhancing the entire ecosystem's value and appeal.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Capability to Deliver with Trust and Accountability

The BananaClip team is highly qualified to deliver this project with trust and accountability. Our proven track record includes developing major titles like Axie Infinity, RuneScape, and DOTA within the Web3 and Web2 ecosystems. Our extensive experience in blockchain technology and game development enables us to seamlessly integrate these fields, ensuring a robust platform that transitions Web2 games and players to a Cardano-based limitless economy.

Steps to Validate Feasibility

1. Research and Development: We will launch comprehensive research and development efforts, focusing on the fundamental and proprietary aspects of the BananaClip platform. This includes examining the economics of gaming, details of wagering, and the infrastructure needed for complex Player vs. Area (PvA) wagering. Additionally, we'll conduct risk assessments, implement extensive user testing, and establish robust security measures, both threshold and time-based.
2. Community Collaboration: Engaging with the Cardano community is essential for our success. We plan to work closely with Cardano members and communities to ensure that our platform is fully compatible with Cardano-based assets and supports features that benefit the community, thereby enhancing the overall ecosystem. The Cardano community is rich with innovative products, intelligent contributors, and enthusiastic members. Our community involvement has already shown promising growth, with a tenfold increase in Discord members in just a few weeks and new members joining daily who are excited about our vision.
3. Technical Prototyping and Testing: BananaClip prototypes will undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet the highest standards of performance, security, and usability. This phase will also include pilot testing with selected users to collect early feedback and make necessary adjustments. This iterative process will help us refine our approach and ensure the final product is well-aligned with user needs and expectations.

Managing Funds with Integrity

1. Transparent Fund Management Processes: We will establish transparent processes for managing funds, which will include detailed budget planning and regular financial reporting. These reports will be made accessible to all stakeholders to maintain transparency.
2. Regular Auditing: Implementing regular auditing by an independent third party will ensure that all funds are accounted for and spent in accordance with the project’s goals. This will help in maintaining high levels of financial integrity and accountability.
3. Strict Financial Controls: We will enforce strict financial controls to prevent any misuse of funds. This includes setting clear guidelines for expenditure, requiring multiple approvals for significant expenses, and conducting frequent reviews of financial activities.
4. Experienced Project Management: Our team’s capability in managing complex projects and substantial budgets provides a solid foundation for proper fund management. We will use proven project management methodologies to track progress, manage resources efficiently, and ensure that project milestones are met within budget constraints.

Conclusion

Our expertise in game development and blockchain technology, combined with a structured approach to project management and fund handling, positions us uniquely to deliver this project successfully. Through rigorous testing, community collaboration, and transparent financial practices, we aim to exceed community expectations and drive the integration of casual gaming with the Cardano blockchain.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Community Testing with tBANA

A: Milestone Outputs

The BananaClip platform is operational, but not yet connected on chain to Cardano. Players are able to access and play our first in house games. Players can use basic economic functionalities: PVP wagering, game advancement.

B: Milstone Criteria

• Platform Availability: The platform is operational without any major downtime or bugs.
• Game Access: Players can successfully access and play at least 1 game.
• Economy: Players can basic wager and advance in a game.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Feedback from community testing
• Documentation in the forms of videos, interviews, documents, and confirming the acceptance criteria.

Testing Advanced Economic Functionality and More Games (Using tBANA)

A: Milestone Outputs

The BananaClip platform is operational, but not yet connected on chain to Cardano. Players are able to access and play a larger selection of games. Players can use advanced economic functionalities: PVA Wagering, test asset discovery.

B: Milstone Criteria

• Platform Availability: The platform is highly operational without minimal bugs.
• Game Access: Players can successfully access and play at least 4 games.
• Economy: Players can advanced wager ie. PVA and collect non-tBANA assets

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Feedback from community testing
• Documentation in the forms of videos, interviews, documents, and confirming the acceptance criteria.

Mainnet Integration with Basic Economics

A: Milestone Outputs

The BananaClip platform is operational, and connected on chain to Cardano. Players are able to access and play our first in house games. Players can use basic economic functionalities: PVP wagering, game advancement.

B: Milstone Criteria

• Mainnet: Platform is connected to mainnet, running on live Cardano tokens
• Platform Availability: The platform is operational without any major downtime or bugs.
• Game Access: Players can successfully access and play at least 1 game.
• Economy: Players can basic wager and advance in a game with real BANA.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Feedback from community testing
• Documentation in the forms of videos, interviews, documents, and confirming the acceptance criteria.

Mainnet Integration with Advanced Economics

A: Milestone Outputs

The BananaClip platform is operational and connected to Cardano's mainnet. Players are able to access and play a larger selection of games. Players can use advanced economic functionalities: PVA Wagering, Asset discovery, PVP wagering, game advancement.

B: Milstone Criteria

• Mainnet: Platform is connected to mainnet, running on live Cardano tokens
• Platform Availability: The platform is highly operational without minimal bugs.
• Game Access: Players can successfully access and play at least 4 games.
• Economy: Players can advanced wager ie. PVA and collect non-BANA on-chain assets.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Feedback from community testing
• Documentation in the forms of videos, interviews, documents, and confirming the acceptance criteria.

SDK for Web2 Game Integration into Cardano Powered Economy

A: Milestone Outputs

SDK Development: The SDK is developed and available for developers to integrate their games with the platform.

B: Milstone Criteria

• User Interface: The user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, allowing developers to navigate and use the platform efficiently.
• SDK: The SDK is developed and available for developers to integrate their games with the platform.
• Documentation: Comprehensive documentation is provided, explaining how developers can use the user interface and SDK to upload their games.
• Mainnet: Platform is connected to mainnet, running on live Cardano tokens
• Platform Availability: The platform is highly operational without minimal bugs.
• Economy: Players can advanced wager ie. PVA and collect non-tBANA assets

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Screenshots or videos of the user interface for developers.
• Access to the SDK for testing and integration.
• Documentation outlining the process of uploading games to the platform.

Seamless Game Upload, Marketplace, Seamless Web2 Access

A: Milestone Outputs

Studios and Indie Developers can be quickly onboarded onto BananaClips platform and economy. web2 users can use and trade Web3 assets. Marketplace is live for asset trading. Advanced economic features are fully functional.

B: Milstone Criteria

• Mainnet: Platform is connected to Mainnet, running on live Cardano tokens
• Marketplace: Users can list/sell/purchase Web3 assets in the marketplace
• Web2 Compatibility: Platform is fully Web2 compatible via social sign in.
• Platform Availability: The platform is highly operational without minimal bugs.
• Game Access: Players can successfully access and play at least 20 games.
• Economy: Players can advanced wager ie. PVA and collect non-tBANA assets

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Feedback, Press, Documentation in many forms, Revenue, Chain Activity.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

BananaClip Leadership Team

Max Ward - Director of Product Design and Development  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxwell-ward-a669ab238/

Max is tasked with overseeing the aesthetic and functional dimensions of our projects, focusing on delivering a user interface and experience that are not only innovative but also seamlessly engaging.

Ben Barba - Product Director  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-barba/

Ben strategically manages the development and deployment of the BananaClip platform, ensuring alignment with our strategic objectives while being delivered on schedule and within budget.

Terry Jin - Chief Platform Development Officer  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tzj/

Terry spearheads our our platform development initiatives, applying his extensive experience with some of history's most popular games.

Emanuele - Platform Development Director  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emanuele-alessandri-16b891173/

Emanuele combines his extensive expertise in software and hardware to guide the BananaClip development teams, ensuring integration and innovation at every level.

Sideline - Community Director  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/zogmorphia

As the community's primary liaison, Sideline champions community engagement and interaction, promoting continuous enhancement and innovation.

Dap - Director of Marketing and Business Development  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DappingUp

Dap leads the marketing initiatives for BananaClip, crafting strategies that not only resonate across diverse channels but also amplify our presence within the burgeoning web3 gaming sector.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Platform Development - 200,000 ADA

• Development of the BananaClip platform, including user interface, backend infrastructure, testing, security measures, economic research, and integration with the Cardano ecosystem.

Licenses and SDK - 20,000 ADA

• Licenses for various IP, brands, assets
• Development of the user interface, SDK, and documentation for developers to upload their games to the platform.

Studio Onboarding - 80,000 ADA

• Creating an environment where established studios are comfortable and thrilled to integrate their games into a revolutionary, globally connected casual game economy.
• Marketing, promotion, and community engagement efforts to raise awareness and attract developers and players to the platform.

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

Value for Money Justification for the BananaClip Project

BananaClip’s cost structure ensures value for money for the Cardano ecosystem, justified by several factors:

1. Industry Standards Alignment: Our development team's salaries align with the best market rates for blockchain and game development, attracting top talent while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
2. Benchmarking Against Similar Projects: We've benchmarked our project costs against similar Web3 and gaming initiatives to ensure competitive and reasonable pricing. Our product can be much better than competitors at a much lower cost to our ecosystem.
3. Technological Efficiency: Streamlined development practices and the simplicity of casual games reduce operational expenses, making our platform more cost-effective compared to traditional Web3 gaming infrastructures.
4. Scalability and Impact: Targeting the extensive casual gaming market with over 2 billion players, even modest market penetration could significantly increase active wallets and transactions on the Cardano network, enhancing ROI.
5. Transparency and Accountability: Regular financial audits, detailed stakeholder reporting, and public disclosure of milestones ensure effective and efficient use of funds.

These factors collectively demonstrate BananaClip's commitment to delivering high value for the investment within the Cardano ecosystem.