genun | Cardano Clash eSports Event featuring Ascent: Rivals

[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)

Cardano Clash enables collections to form teams for holders to compete in a professionally produced and marketed eSports event, with prizes at stake.

[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.”

No dependencies.

[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

All content and coverage will be allowed for all parties.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

We are thrilled to present an online event featuring Cardano collections and projects in Ascent: Rivals, a competitive game built on Cardano. NFT holders can join teams based on their NFTs, while Cardano projects can sponsor the prize pool, gaining visibility with branding around the track. This flagship event aims to unite NFT holders, project teams, and spectators, showcasing the vibrant competition and community spirit of the Cardano ecosystem.

Cardano Clash is a competitive eSports event with professional coverage, featuring popular collections registering teams for their holders. Brand integrations include billboards and spectator placements, showcasing your favorite Cardano ecosystem builders and projects.

All money collected from sponsors and portion of grant will be going back to Cardano holders as there will be verification of having an NFT of a players respective team (ex: must hold House of Titan to join team). As such, we'll be able to spend the funds to distribute funds to active communities, influencers in Cardano, with a portion of the budget described below for marketing and operations.

To reach the widest audience, we will reach out to media production and coverage. https://decrypt.co/gg has also organically discovered the game and offered free media coverage which will help promote the tournament and visibility.

Offering custom jerseys with teams, sponsors, brands will help grow teams and raise hype into the tournament.

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

• Community Engagement: Cardano Clash encourages active participation from Cardano holders and enthusiasts by integrating NFT verification, incentivizing engagement through gameplay, and distributing prize money back to the community.
• Brand Visibility: Cardano Clash integrates brands directly into the mix by integrating them into the game via replay cameras, billboards, and logos on ships.
• Ecosystem Growth: By showcasing Cardano-based projects and collections in a competitive gaming environment, Cardano Clash drives interest and adoption of Cardano technology, contributing to the overall growth and development of the ecosystem.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: The event facilitates partnerships and collaborations among Cardano projects, sponsors, influencers, and community members, fostering a collaborative and interconnected ecosystem.

[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?

Experience in eSports, game development, merchandising.

Relevant experience from Michael Yagi

• Principal Strategist at Epic Games as advisor
• Mainstage panel, GameExpoDubai – onboarding into Web3 by Web2 with VP of Com2US (1BN revenue)
• Mainstage, Google campus — presented on data storage & integrity and esports & betting for web3 games
• Paw Larssenn, VP of Product at Blizzard Entertainment – influencer/brand tooling and monetization in esports & betting
• Kevin Katona, Head of Global Management & Riot Games – alternate strategies for esports and brand growth

Relevant Experience from David

• Thousands of fulfilments of custom merchandising globally
• Rank 1 globally for 2v2 Starcraft 2
• Creator of one of largest amateur teams in Starcraft 2

Relevant Experience from Chris

• CEO yellowhouse
• Former Director PR @ESL

We showcased the game at PAX West (130k attendees) winning players choice award.

Showcasing at PDX

The team was just invited (booth fee waived!) to showcase game at Dreamhack Dallas.

We were also invited speakers at Google's Web3 Gaming Week and Dubai main panelists.

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

Announce Cardano Clash

25% cost | 2 weeks | 25% completion

Deliverables:

• Promotional Materials made
• Tournament design, schedule, format completed
• Announcement trailer
• Develop site with details and registration

Acceptance criteria:

• Site with details and registration is live
• Announcement trailer is posted on socials

Acquire Sponsors, Team Registrations, and Partners

25% cost | 1 month | 50% completion

Deliverables:

• Sponsorship tiers are at least 50% filled
• At least minimum (6) teams are registered
• Engage partner networks

Acceptance criteria:

• Event team requirement met and prize pool met

Kick Off Event 1

25% cost | 6 weeks | 75% completion

Deliverables:

• Weekly Matches for Circuit Points
• 3+ Featured Rivals Matches
• Post game interviews

Acceptance criteria:

• Live coverage and VODs covering events

Event Finals and Closeout

25% cost | 2 weeks | 100% completion

Deliverables:

• Host finals with cash prizes and live coverage
• Interviews with winners and runner ups

Acceptance criteria:

• Prize pool money distributed

Kick Off Event 2

25% cost | 6 weeks | 75% completion

Deliverables:

• Weekly Matches for Circuit Points
• 3+ Featured Rivals Matches
• Post game interviews

Acceptance criteria:

• Live coverage and VODs covering events

Event Finals and Closeout 2

25% cost | 2 weeks | 100% completion

Deliverables:

• Host finals with cash prizes and live coverage
• Interviews with winners and runner ups

Acceptance criteria:

• Prize pool money distributed

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

Michael Yagi (genun games) as Delivery Manager

David Yagi (cryptochips) as Project Manager and Merch Sponsor

Chris Flato (yellowhouse) as Director of PR

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

Marketing = $4,500 / ₳12,162.16

• Digital Advertising
• Content Creation
• Community Engagement
• PR and Media Outreach
• Bringing KOL and active streamers into covering event

Event Coverage = $4,500 / ₳12,162.16

• Media companies, outlets, PR agencies

Prize Pool = $10,000 / ₳27,027.02

• prize pool for multiple tournaments (chain wars, influencer or streamer wars)
• Matching NFT Sweep for projects participating in Rivals Matches
• Matching player or sponsorship contributions to the prize pool

Development, Designs, & Merchandise = $4,000 / 10,810.81

• Website
• Jerseys at wholesale rates w/partnership with Cryptochips

Floating Budget = $1,000 / ₳2,702.70

TOTAL AMOUNT

• $24,000 / ₳64,864.86

We apply a 0.37 USD/ADA exchange rate, which is the average rate over the past few months conservatively adjusted downward to ensure that the project will remain viable despite moderate price shocks that may occur before or during the project timeline.

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

• Prize Money Distribution: Sponsors' contributions and grant allocations will be redistributed to Cardano holders through NFT verification, incentivizing active participation and community involvement.
• Targeted Marketing: Funds allocated for marketing will be used strategically to reach and engage specific communities within Cardano, including active holders, influencers, and enthusiasts interested in gaming and blockchain.
• Community Engagement: Investing in community-focused initiatives, such as distributing funds to active communities and influencers, strengthens relationships and fosters loyalty within the Cardano ecosystem.