Cardano Universe: Blockchain RPG Adventure

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Tran Huy Hiep

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

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

10

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

Yes

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

We'll make "Cardano Universe," a game where players can easily use cryptocurrency. This helps solve the problem by making crypto accessible in gaming.

[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

I don't want users to intervene in the game system because it could negatively affect the game's mechanics.

[METADATA] SDG rating

In crafting our proposal for a 2D top-down game with an integrated payment gateway, we are mindful of the potential implications and alignment with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While the direct connection may not seem evident at first glance, a deeper examination reveals how our project can contribute to various SDGs:

1. Goal 4 - Quality Education: Our game has the potential to incorporate educational elements within its gameplay mechanics. By introducing challenges that require problem-solving skills or embedding historical narratives, we can contribute to fostering a learning environment. Through engaging gameplay, players may acquire new knowledge and skills, thus promoting the goal of quality education.
2. Goal 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth: Integrating a payment gateway into our game creates economic opportunities for game developers, artists, and other content creators. As players engage with in-game purchases, they directly support these individuals, fostering economic growth within the gaming industry. Furthermore, by enabling financial transactions, we facilitate the creation of a sustainable ecosystem where talents are rewarded for their contributions.
3. Goal 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The development of innovative payment solutions within the gaming industry contributes to technological advancement and infrastructure development. By pioneering the integration of the ADA payment gateway in our game, we not only foster innovation but also lay the groundwork for future advancements in financial technology within the gaming sector. This aligns with the broader objective of fostering resilient infrastructure and promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization.
4. Goal 10 - Reduced Inequalities: By providing players with the option to purchase in-game items using ADA, we promote inclusivity within the gaming community. Traditional payment methods may pose barriers for individuals with limited access to banking services or facing currency exchange challenges. By embracing cryptocurrency, we create a more inclusive gaming environment accessible to a diverse range of players, thereby contributing to reduced inequalities.
5. Goal 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Through transparent and secure payment transactions facilitated by the ADA payment gateway, we promote trust and integrity within the gaming community. By prioritizing data security and financial transparency, we mitigate risks associated with fraudulent activities or unfair practices, fostering a safer online environment. This contributes to the broader objective of building strong institutions and promoting peace and justice.

In conclusion, while our project may seem focused on entertainment and technology, its implications extend beyond mere gameplay. Through thoughtful integration of a payment gateway and adherence to principles of transparency and inclusivity, we aim to leverage our game as a platform for positive social impact, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals set forth by the United Nations.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our proposed solution, "Cardano Universe," tackles the challenge of limited cryptocurrency integration in gaming. We see this as a barrier to wider cryptocurrency adoption, as it's not seamlessly integrated into gaming platforms.

We're addressing this by developing a multiplayer RPG adventure game that seamlessly integrates cryptocurrency transactions powered by the ADA payment gateway. This approach allows us to create an engaging gaming experience while promoting the use of cryptocurrency in a practical and accessible way.

"Cardano Universe" will engage a diverse audience of gamers interested in blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, and immersive RPG experiences. Through features like online multiplayer mode, guild formation, and in-game events, our project will foster a vibrant gaming community.

We'll demonstrate our impact through user engagement metrics, player feedback, and adoption rates of ADA payments within the game. Additionally, the growth of our gaming community and its contribution to the Cardano ecosystem will serve as tangible proof of our solution's effectiveness.

What sets "Cardano Universe" apart is its seamless integration of cryptocurrency, diverse gameplay features, and engaging multiplayer experience. Players will benefit from a novel gaming experience while contributing to ADA adoption and showcasing the practical applications of blockchain technology. This is important to Cardano as it aligns with its mission of promoting decentralization and empowering individuals to participate in the global economy.

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

The positive impact of our project on the wider Cardano community lies in several key aspects:

1. Increased Adoption of ADA: By integrating the ADA payment gateway into our game, we provide a real-world use case for ADA, encouraging its adoption among gamers and beyond
2. Showcasing Cardano's Capabilities: Our project demonstrates the practical applications of Cardano's blockchain technology in the gaming industry, showcasing its scalability, security, and efficiency
3. Community Growth: "Cardano Universe" will attract a diverse community of gamers and cryptocurrency enthusiasts, expanding the Cardano community and fostering collaboration and engagement

To measure these impacts, we'll track several metrics:

• ADA Transaction Volume: We'll monitor the volume of ADA transactions within the game, indicating the level of adoption and usage of ADA as a payment method.
• Community Engagement: We'll measure the growth of our gaming community, including the number of active players, guilds formed, and participation in in-game events.
• Feedback and Sentiment Analysis: We'll collect feedback from players through surveys, forums, and social media to gauge their satisfaction and sentiment towards the game and ADA integration.

To share our outputs and opportunities resulting from the project, we'll employ various channels:

• Community Updates: We'll regularly update the Cardano community through blog posts, newsletters, and social media platforms, sharing progress updates, key milestones, and insights gained from the project.
• Developer Documentation: We'll provide comprehensive documentation and tutorials for developers interested in integrating ADA payments into their own gaming projects, promoting further adoption and innovation within the Cardano ecosystem.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: We'll seek partnerships with gaming industry influencers, cryptocurrency exchanges, and gaming communities to amplify our project's reach and impact, fostering collaboration and synergy within the wider Cardano community.

[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 team comprises two experienced instructors in the Blockchain field, who have successfully raised capital in rounds 10 and 11 of Cardano. We also have three team members with extensive knowledge of Blockchain through various courses and hands-on experience in building Cardano-based systems. Our diverse skillset includes proficiency in programming languages such as Haskell, Python, Java, .Net, React, and expertise in developing a range of applications including web, and mobile games.

With this project, we achieved first prize in the school-level scientific research competition.

Therefore, we understand the business, the technology to develop the website, how the Cardano blockchain works, how to create NFT... as well as the collaboration between the members. The next stage is to develop more features and optimize the website, so we are completely confident that we will bring the project to the goal.

As proof of knowledge and research skills, some of our current proposals funded are attached:

• Proposal funded 1: “Tamper-proof Certificate System”
• Proposal funded 2: "Study guide for Marlow"
• Proposal funded 3:CareBlock: Empowering secure healthcare transactions by Cardano
• Article 1: "Hà nội - Cardano Summit 2023"
• Article 2: "Hà nội - Cardano Summit 2022"
• Article 3: "Sinh viên Nghiên cứu khoa học với Blockchain Cardano"

To ensure effective money management, we implement the following strategies:

• Budget planning: We carefully allocate funds to different project areas, considering development, operations, and marketing expenses.
• Transparent expense tracking: We maintain a clear record of all expenditures, promoting accountability and providing visibility into our financial transactions.
• Periodic reports: We generate regular reports to evaluate our financial performance and make informed decisions.

These practices help us maintain financial stability, optimize resource allocation, and enhance overall financial management.

Transparency and communication are key principles of our project. We prioritize open and honest communication with all stakeholders, providing regular updates and fostering a collaborative environment. This ensures that everyone is well-informed and actively engaged in the project's progress and decision-making process.

To validate the feasibility of our method, we will use both quantitative and qualitative measures.

Quantitative validation:

• Number of upgraded and added modules via GitHub.
• Report the number of users on the system.

Identity verification:

• Conduct user satisfaction surveys.
• The level of excitement when introducing the project to users.

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

Milestone 1: Game Design and Conceptualization

Outputs:

• Detailed game design document outlining game mechanics, features, and storyline.
• Concept art and visual design mockups illustrate the game's aesthetic and atmosphere.
• An initial prototype demonstrating core gameplay mechanics and ADA payment integration.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Comprehensive game design document covering all essential aspects of gameplay, including ADA payment integration.
• Concept art and visual design mockups align with the intended theme and tone of the game.
• The prototype demonstrates smooth gameplay mechanics and seamless ADA payment transactions.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• The game design document was reviewed and approved by the development team and stakeholders.
• Concept art and visual design mockups were presented to stakeholders for feedback and approval.
• Prototype tested internally for functionality and ADA payment integration.

Milestone 2: Game Expansion and Multiplayer Integration

Outputs:

• Expansion of the game with a mechanism allowing multiple players.
• Enlargement of the map.

Picture 1: Home map

Picture 2: World map

Picture 3: Dungeon map

• Addition of new items such as pants, shirts, shoes, etc.

Picture 4: Iventory

Acceptance Criteria:

• The game expansion includes a robust multiplayer feature, enabling multiple players to interact simultaneously.
• The map is expanded to accommodate multiplayer interactions and exploration.
• New items, including pants, shirts, shoes, etc., are seamlessly integrated into the game world.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Successful implementation of multiplayer functionality, tested with multiple simultaneous players.
• Enlarged map area tested for smooth navigation and interactions.
• New items were added to the game environment and tested for compatibility and functionality.

Milestone 3: Integration of ADA Payment Gateway

Outputs:

Picture: Ada payment Gateway workflow

• Implementation of an online payment gateway using ADA.
• Addition of the ability for players to purchase in-game items, equipment, clothing, and weapons using ADA.

Acceptance Criteria:

• The ADA payment gateway is successfully integrated into the game, allowing for secure and reliable transactions.
• Players can browse and purchase various in-game items, equipment, clothing, and weapons using ADA.
• The payment process is user-friendly and efficient, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Successful testing of the ADA payment gateway, ensuring the accuracy and security of transactions.
• Players can make purchases within the game using ADA, with transactions recorded and processed correctly.
• Positive feedback from players regarding the convenience and functionality of the payment system.

Milestone 4: Testing, Quality Assurance, and Bug Fixing

Outputs:

• Comprehensive testing of all game features, mechanics, and functionalities.
• Identification and documentation of bugs, glitches, and issues.
• Implementation of fixes and patches to resolve identified issues.

Acceptance Criteria:

• All game features undergo rigorous testing to ensure functionality and stability.
• Bugs and issues are systematically documented, categorized, and prioritized for resolution.
• Fixes and patches are implemented promptly to address identified bugs and improve overall game performance.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Test reports detailing the results of testing procedures, including bug reports and issue logs.
• Verification of bug fixes and patches through retesting and validation procedures.
• Confirmation from the QA team and stakeholders that the game is ready for release based on testing outcomes and bug resolution.

Milestone 5: Deployment and Release

Outputs:

• Deployment of the finalized version of the game to the designated platforms.
• Official release of the game to the public.

Acceptance Criteria:

• The game is successfully deployed to the intended platforms, such as epic game, stream, gaming consoles, or online platforms.
• The release version of the game is stable, free of critical bugs, and meets all quality standards.
• Marketing and promotional materials are prepared and distributed to support the game release.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Confirmation of successful deployment on all targeted platforms.
• Positive feedback and reviews from early players and testers.
• Monitoring of game performance metrics, including download numbers, player engagement, and user feedback.
• Completion of marketing and promotional activities to generate awareness and drive downloads.

Final Milestone: Project Close-out and Video

Outputs:

• Project close-out report documenting project achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Final promotional video showcasing gameplay highlights and features.
• Final budget reconciliation and fund utilization report.

Acceptance Criteria:

• The project close-out report provides a comprehensive overview of project outcomes, including achievements and challenges.
• Promotional video effectively highlights key gameplay features and encourages player engagement.
• The budget reconciliation report accurately reflects fund utilization and expenses incurred during the project.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Project close-out report reviewed and approved by project stakeholders.
• Promotional video shared with the Cardano community through official channels.
• The budget reconciliation report was submitted along with supporting documentation for verification.

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

Mr. Tran Huy Hiep - Project Manager/Blockchain Developer

Experiences: 

• Developer at Samsung R&D
• Frontend: HTML, CSS, Javascript, Ajax, ReactJS, Angular.
• Backend: Java Spring Boot.
• DevOps: Aws, Docker, Azure, Nginx
• Blockchain & Sustainability Researcher.

Contact:

Email: tranhuyhiep0710@gmail.com

Github: https://github.com/TranHuyHiep

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

Mr. Bach Trinh - Full-stack Developer/Blockchain Developer

Experiences: 

• Software Engineer at GrapeCity
• Frontend: ReactJS, VueJS.
• Backend: .NET Core, Dapper, EF Core, SQL, Redis…
• DevOps: Docker, Kubernetes, Azure, Nginx…
• Blockchain & Sustainability Researcher.

Contact:

Email: txbach.11@gmail.com

Github: https://github.com/Bachhsunkid

Mr. Minh Le - Unity Developer/Blockchain Developer

Experiences:

• Frontend: ReactJS, VueJS.
• Game: Unity, Unreal Engine.
• Backend: .NET Core, SQL, Redis…
• DevOps: Docker, Kubernetes.
• Blockchain & Sustainability Researcher.

Contact:

Email: minhld.dev@gmail.com

Github: https://github.com/dinhminhlh

Mr. Hao Nguyen - Unity Developer

Experiences:

• Has 4 years of experience in Unity game development
• Working at VNG Corporation

Contact:

Email: haothe121202@gmail.com

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

Project details are linked here, and below will be a general description of the budget

Milestone 1: (2 months) Game Design and Conceptualization - 20,000 Ada

• Concept artist fees for creating visual design mockups: 5,000 Ada
• Prototype development expenses: 10,000 Ada
• Documentation and project management: 5,000 Ada

Milestone 2: (3 months) Game Expansion and Multiplayer Integration - 25,000 Ada

• Developer fees for implementing core gameplay features: 15,000 Ada
• Additional artist fees for creating new items: 5,000 Ada
• Software tools and licenses for multiplayer development: 5,000 Ada

Milestone 3: (2 months) Integration of ADA Payment Gateway - 20,000 Ada

• Development team salaries for integrating the payment gateway: 15,000 Ada
• Potential fees associated with using ADA payment services: 5,000 Ada

Milestone 4: (1 month) Testing, Quality Assurance, and Bug Fixing - 15,000 Ada

• QA team salaries for testing procedures: 10,000 Ada
• Bug tracking and management software: 5,000 Ada

Milestone 5: (1 month) Deployment and Release - 10,000 Ada

• Marketing and promotional expenses for launch: 10,000 Ada

Final Milestone: (1 month) Project Close-out and Video - 10,000 Ada

• Preparation and production of project close-out report: 4,000 Ada
• Creation of promotional video: 6,000 Ada

Total Budget: 100,000 Ada

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

The cost of the "Cardano Universe" project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem through several key factors:

1. Quality and Expertise: The costs listed for each milestone reflect the expertise and quality of work that our team brings to the project
2. Competitive Rates: The costs are justified based on competitive rates within the industry for similar services and expertise
3. Proportional Budget Allocation: The budget allocation for each milestone is proportional to the scope and complexity of the tasks involved
4. Value of Deliverables: The deliverables outlined in each milestone provide tangible value for the Cardano ecosystem, including the development of a high-quality multiplayer RPG game with seamless ADA integration, community engagement opportunities, and promotional materials to showcase the project's success
5. Long-term Impact: Investing in the "Cardano Universe" project not only benefits the Cardano ecosystem in the short term but also has the potential for long-term impact

Overall, the costs associated with the project are justified by the expertise of the team, competitive rates within the industry, proportional budget allocation, the value of deliverables, and the potential long-term impact on the Cardano ecosystem. This ensures that the project represents value for money and is a worthwhile investment for the Cardano community.