RETROBLOCK: A GameFi platform for engaging on retro games

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

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

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

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

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

RETROBLOCK offers transparency, autonomous reward distribution with secure transactions and smart contracts. Classic games with a Web3 twist, and planned NFT drops, marketplace, and gaming metaverse.

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

[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.”

Our prototype is currently running on Base chain (mainnet). We will migrate the Web3 functionalities first to Cardano testnet.

In this prototype, we are using javascript libs such as ethers.js and Web3-Onboard. We will integrate other libs to support Web3 functionalities on Cardano, including its main wallets.

For rendering support, we are using the Godot Engine.

All of the 3rd-party software dependencies on our prototype have compatible licensing.

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

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

We will make all the smart contracts and external time-based services (e.g., upkeeps) as open source. The platform and its games will not be open source, aiming at protecting the protocols used to track gaming progress.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

How do you perceive the problem you are solving ?

We perceive the problem as twofold: first, the gaming community lacks platforms for organizing competitions and promoting community engagement, with existing solutions often lacking transparency and Web3 support. Secondly, setting up competitions with clear rules and autonomous prize distribution mechanisms remains complex, particularly in the context of retro-style gaming communities, where few GameFi solutions are tailored to their needs. 

What are your reasons for approaching it in the way that you have?

Our approach leverages Web3 technologies to ensure transparency, security, and autonomous reward distribution, addressing the key pain points faced by gaming communities. By integrating blockchain and smart contracts, we envision a platform for organizing tournaments and engaging retro gaming enthusiasts. Additionally, our focus on NFT drops, a marketplace, and a gaming metaverse enriches the user experience.

Who will your project engage?

Our project will engage retro gaming and blockchain enthusiasts, as well as participants interested in GameFi platforms. By providing a space for competitive gameplay, transparent reward distribution, and community interaction, we aim to attract a diverse range of users who value the nostalgia of classic games and the opportunities presented by Web3 technologies.

How will you demonstrate or prove your impact?

We will demonstrate our impact through user engagement metrics, including platform usage, tournament participation rates, and community feedback. Additionally, we will track the adoption of our platform's features, such as NFT usage and marketplace transactions. By monitoring these metrics, we will measure the effectiveness of our solution in addressing the identified problem and meeting the needs of our target audience.

Explain what is unique about your solution, who will benefit, and why this is important to Cardano.

Our solution is unique in its integration of classic retro games with cutting-edge Web3 technologies, providing a transparent gaming experience for users. Retro gaming enthusiasts will benefit from the opportunity to participate in tournaments and earn rewards in a secure and autonomous manner. Moreover, by promoting community engagement and offering features such as NFT drops with in-game utility, and a gaming metaverse, we aim to contribute to the growth of the Cardano ecosystem by attracting new users and expanding its use cases beyond traditional finance.

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

Our project will have a positive impact on the wider Cardano community by introducing a unique GameFi platform tailored to retro gaming enthusiasts. By providing a transparent and engaging environment for organizing tournaments, distributing rewards, and promoting community interaction, we contribute to the ecosystem's diversification and expansion into new domains beyond traditional finance. Additionally, our integration of Web3 technologies and NFTs aligns with Cardano's vision of democratizing access to digital assets and empowering users through decentralized applications. Through increased user engagement and adoption of our platform, we aim to further enrich the Cardano community and showcase its potential for innovative use cases.

[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?

Our capability to deliver the project with trust and accountability stems from our team's experience and expertise in both blockchain technology and game development. With a background in research and development at IBM and other well established institutions, we bring a wealth of knowledge in Web3, AI, distributed systems, and multimedia technologies. Our track record includes successfully delivering projects in the Web3 domain, such as the iCOnto ontology and the Internet Computer Analytics Platform (ICAP), funded by W3F grants and DFINITY Foundation, respectively.

RETROBLOCK prototype is currently live on the Base mainnet, and can be accessed and tested through its website (https://retroblock.gg). 

For the Cardano integration, we will employ a phased process, starting with prototyping and testing on Cardano's testnet to validate technical aspects. Specifically, devising smart contracts for Cardano and testing its scalability, while also gathering feedback from users to ensure alignment with the needs and expectations of the community. We will uphold accountability to the community through transparent communication and regular updates. To demonstrate the impact of the solution, we will publish user engagement metrics, including platform usage, tournament participation rates, and community feedback.

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

Title

Ecosystem technology research

Milestones outputs

Analysis of RETROBLOCK platform codebase for compatibility with Cardano tooling.

Acceptance criteria

Completion of code analysis report outlining necessary modifications for Cardano integration. Documentation of required changes for wallet integration.

Evidence of milestone completion

Code analysis report and documentation shared with the community.

Title

Smart Contract Development and Testing

Milestones outputs

Develop Plutus smart contracts in Haskell. Initial testing on Cardano testnet to ensure functionality and compatibility.

Acceptance criteria

RETROBLOCK smart contracts successfully deployed and functional on Cardano testnet. Test cases executed to validate smart contract behavior and interaction with Cardano network.

Evidence of milestone completion

Deployed smart contracts on Cardano testnet, along with test results and documentation of integration process.

Title

Final Milestone

Milestones outputs

Integration of Cardano-compatible wallets into the RETROBLOCK platform. Use ADA as the RETROBLOCK currency when users select Cardano-compatible wallets. Final testing conducted to ensure seamless interaction between platform features and Cardano network.

Acceptance criteria

RETROBLOCK platform updated with Cardano-compatible wallet functionality. End-to-end testing performed to verify wallet integration and user experience. 

Evidence of milestone completion

RETROBLOCK platform deployed on Cardano mainnet, with Cardano-compatible wallets fully integrated and functional.

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

The team is composed of the two MOBR Systems co-founders, who will manage and develop the project together.

Dr. Moreno LinkedIn profile: https://linkedin.com/in/marcio-moreno-phd-598a459a/ 

Dr. Brandao LinkedIn profile: https://linkedin.com/in/rafaelrmb/ 

For a complete list of peer-reviewed published papers and granted patents, please visit the following google scholar links

• Marcio Moreno, PhD: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=PfdmrPUAAAAJ 
• Rafael Brandao, PhD: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=3ta0InEAAAAJ 

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

We estimate this 3-month project would require 528 human-hour of work executed by the two team members to deliver the project. Assuming 8 hours per day, that means 66 human-days of work. We are considering the average dev daily rate of US$500, resulting in a total of US$ 33,000.

With the current value of ADA around US$0.44, we are asking for 75,000 ADA to execute this proposal. That is, 25,000 ADA for each milestone.

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

The value for money in this project is represented by the required effort to perform the necessary coding tasks. There is an alignment between the proposed costs and the expected deliverables. The proposed budget covers the necessary resources to develop and deploy the RETROBLOCK platform on Cardano's network. The requested funding aligns with the expected impact on the wider Cardano community, as the project aims to diversify and expand the Cardano ecosystem into new domains beyond the traditional use cases.