Unreal Engine Plugin for Cardano Blockchain Interactions

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Nathaniel Minton

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

Entity (Incorporated)

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

5

[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)

Develop an open-source Unreal Engine plugin to integrate Cardano blockchain functionalities, enabling seamless blockchain interactions in UE5 games and gaining exposure for Cardano gaming innovation.

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

Yes

[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.”

• libcardano: Essential for Cardano C++ blockchain functionalities.
• Unreal Engine: Required for plugin development and integration.
• AWS: For hosting and CI/CD pipelines.

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

Yes

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

Our project will be fully open-source, licensed under the MIT License. All components, including source code, documentation, and example projects, will be available in our GitHub repository: https://github.com/orgs/Flux-Point-Studios/repositories

[METADATA] Horizons

Developer Tools

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

• How do you perceive the problem you are solving?
• Game developers lack tools to easily integrate Cardano blockchain functionalities into Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) games, limiting blockchain-based game mechanics.

• What are your reasons for approaching it in the way that you have?
• By developing a modular Unreal Engine plugin, we can provide a seamless integration of Cardano blockchain functionalities, making it accessible for game developers to incorporate blockchain features.
• Who will your project engage?
• New Developers: Simplifies blockchain integration, lowering the barrier to entry.
• Experienced Developers: Provides advanced tools to enhance game functionalities.
• Cardano Community: Encourages more developers to build on Cardano, enriching the ecosystem.

• How will you demonstrate or prove your impact?
• Usage Metrics: Track the number of active users and plugin downloads.
• User Feedback: Collect feedback to assess satisfaction and areas for improvement.
• Community Growth: Monitor the increase in blockchain-based games and contributions to the Cardano ecosystem.

• Explain what is unique about your solution, who will benefit, and why this is important to Cardano.
• Our solution provides a unique integration of Cardano blockchain functionalities within Unreal Engine, benefiting game developers by simplifying blockchain interactions. This is important for Cardano as it promotes broader adoption and innovation within the ecosystem.

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

• In what way will the success of your project bring value to the Cardano Community?
• Enhanced Accessibility: Simplifies blockchain integration for developers.
• Community Growth: Expands the developer community by making blockchain features more accessible.
• Innovation Acceleration: Speeds up the development of blockchain-based games.

• How will you measure this impact?
• Usage Metrics: Track plugin usage and adoption rates.
• Developer Surveys and Feedback: Collect qualitative feedback from users.
• Contribution Rates: Monitor contributions to the Cardano codebase and third-party applications.

• How will you share the outputs and opportunities that result from your project?
• Open Source Repository: All code and documentation will be available on GitHub.
• Community Updates: Regular updates through our website and social media.
• Workshops and Webinars: Educational sessions to demonstrate the plugin’s capabilities.

[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?

• Please describe your existing capabilities that demonstrate how and why you believe you’re best suited to deliver this project?
• Our team has extensive experience in blockchain development and Unreal Engine. We have successfully delivered similar projects and have a deep understanding of both the technical and practical aspects of integrating blockchain functionalities into game development.
• Validating Feasibility Pilot Testing: Early testing phases with targeted user groups.
• Community Engagement: Regular interaction with the Cardano community.
• Scalability Tests: Comprehensive testing to ensure the plugin can handle anticipated loads.

• Please include the steps or processes that demonstrate that you can be trusted to manage funds properly.
• Transparent Budgeting: Detailed budget plan with earmarked amounts for each phase.
• Regular Reporting: Financial reports and progress updates to the Cardano Community.

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

Milestone Outputs: Establish project infrastructure. Integrate with libcardano and Unreal Engine.

Acceptance Criteria: Successful setup of development environments. Initial integration with libcardano.

Evidence of Milestone Completion: Configuration logs and setup documentation.

Milestone Outputs: Develop C++ wrapper classes. Implement memory management practices.

Acceptance Criteria: Wrapper classes functional and stable.

Evidence of Completion: Source code and API documentation.

Milestone Outputs: Expose C++ functionalities to Blueprint. Create custom Blueprint nodes.

Acceptance Criteria: Blueprint nodes functional and user-friendly.

Evidence of Completion: Example Blueprint scripts and user feedback.

Milestone Outputs: Officially launch the plugin. Implement community feedback mechanisms.

Acceptance Criteria: Plugin live and accessible. Positive initial user feedback.

Evidence of Completion: Public URL and launch announcement. Feedback summary report.

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

Nathaniel (decimalist) Minton - Project Lead & Blockchain, C++ Developer

Yohan Girardin - Unreal Engine Game Developer (Lead Game Developer - TRIB3)

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

Development & Integration: 100,000₳

Description: Costs cover the development of the Unreal Engine plugin, including programming, integration with the libcardano C++ library, and setting up Unreal Engine. This also includes expenses for paying developers and acquiring necessary development tools.

Justification: Essential for creating a robust and functional plugin that can handle complex blockchain interactions effectively.

Knowledge Base Compilation & Updates: 10,000₳

Description: Expenses related to compiling and continuously updating comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and example projects for the plugin.

Justification: Ensures that developers have access to up-to-date and accurate information, enhancing the usability and value of the plugin.

Infrastructure, Maintenance, & Operational Costs: 75,000₳

Description: Costs for maintaining the infrastructure, including server costs, data storage, CI/CD pipelines, and other cloud services over an extended period.

Justification: Supports the long-term sustainability and reliability of the plugin, ensuring it remains operational and effective for the developer community.

Marketing & Community Engagement: 15,000₳

Description: Funds allocated for marketing the plugin and engaging with the Cardano community. This includes promotional activities, community workshops, webinars, and feedback mechanisms.

Justification: Critical for raising awareness about the plugin, driving adoption, and gathering valuable community feedback for further improvements.

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

The budget is structured to ensure cost-effectiveness while delivering a high-quality tool for the Cardano community. By enhancing developer accessibility, boosting community growth, and accelerating innovation, the project provides significant value for the Cardano ecosystem.