[VTC] Building Hydra Game Marketplace with 3 Games (Poker, Rock Paper Scissors & Snake)

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Nguyen Viet Thanh

[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

Yes

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

Develop three games Rock Paper Scissors, Snake, and Poker using Hydra, integrated into a Telegram wallet, aiming to build a decentralized Game Marketplace on Cardano for game developers

[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

During the initial development phase, to ensure the safety of users' assets, we want to have time for thorough development and auditing before making the source code public to the community

[METADATA] Horizons

Gaming (GameFi)

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Currently, the GameFi (Game Finance) ecosystem on Cardano is still relatively new and lacks a centralized platform where traditional game developers can easily access, publish, and monetize their games. Moreover, creating a smooth, secure, and low-cost gaming experience remains a significant challenge due to on-chain transaction congestion and high transaction fees, not only on Cardano but also on other blockchains, which limits the scalability of GameFi applications.

Therefore, we have developed the idea of building a decentralized Game Marketplace (Hydra Game Marketplace) integrated with the Hydra wallet on Telegram to address these weaknesses. Developing three initial sample games Rock Paper Scissors, Snake, and Poker helps demonstrate the feasibility of deploying GameFi on Cardano's Hydra Layer 2, taking advantage of its speed and low transaction cost.

Reason for selecting the three sample games:

Rock Paper Scissors: A simple, easy-to-understand, and quick game, ideal for testing microtransactions. The peer-to-peer betting mechanism allows testing the off-chain transaction processing capability using Hydra Heads.

(Image 01: Rock Paper Scissors game play)

Snake Game: A single-player game that is easy to develop, focusing on testing user interaction and experience on the Hydra wallet. It can incorporate features like score management and the NFT-ization of in-game items or achievements.

(Image 02: Snake game play)

Poker: A more complex multiplayer game that helps test multi-player transaction processing and data synchronization between Hydra Nodes. The betting and card distribution system allows testing data integrity and fairness using smart contracts on Cardano.

(Image 03: Poker game play)

We aim to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of our solution through two main tasks:

1. Successfully deploying the three sample games Rock Paper Scissors, Snake, and Poker to test multi-player interaction and digital asset management using Hydra Heads. The goal is to achieve a certain number of players and receive positive feedback on the user experience.
2. Establishing a low-cost transaction system: We will prove that microtransactions and in-game interactions can be processed with extremely low fees, creating an effective Play-to-Earn model.

(Image 04: Our proposed architectural diagram)

Thus, when Hydra Game Marketplace is deployed, it will not only enhance Cardano's capabilities but also promote the development of GameFi on Cardano, making the ecosystem more diverse and practical. This project will play a crucial role in proving the feasibility of Hydra, laying the foundation for other Layer 2 applications on Cardano, thereby increasing Cardano's value and influence.

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

The Hydra Game Marketplace project will have a significant positive impact on the Cardano community, including developers, players, and investors:

Promote the development of GameFi on Cardano: Currently, the GameFi ecosystem on Cardano is still in its early stages and lacks a prominent game publishing platform. Hydra Game Marketplace will be the pioneering platform, enabling developers to easily publish, integrate, and operate their games, thereby expanding Cardano's ecosystem.

Provide a secure and cost-effective decentralized gaming experience: Players will participate in games on a decentralized platform with high security and low transaction fees, leveraging the outstanding advantages of Hydra Layer 2 technology. This will encourage more new users to join the Cardano community.

Increase Cardano's ecosystem interaction and appeal: With the appearance of integrated games on Cardano, users will have more reasons to interact with the ecosystem through participating in games, trading NFTs, and even staking digital assets for rewards.

Attract game developers and GameFi projects: Once the platform is fully developed, Hydra Game Marketplace will serve as a bridge to attract developers from other blockchains to Cardano, thereby increasing competition and diversifying projects within the ecosystem.

We will measure the project's impact through the following quantitative and qualitative indicators:

1.Number of new users registering and interacting with the Hydra wallet on Telegram:

Short-term target: Increase by at least 500 users after 3 months of testing the three sample games.

Long-term target: Reach 5,000 users after 1 year when expanding with more games.

2.Number of transactions processed through Hydra Game Marketplace:

Measure the number of transactions related to in-game features (e.g., item trading, betting, payments) and compare transaction costs with other blockchain solutions.

Goal: At least 1,000 transactions in the testing phase, aiming for 10,000 transactions when expanding with more games.

3.Number of games released and content diversity:

Measure the diversity of game genres and creativity of developers when integrating into the marketplace.

Goal: At least 10 games on Hydra Game Marketplace after 1 year of operation.

To ensure transparency and optimize community engagement, we will share project results and opportunities through the following methods:

Publish monthly reports on official communication channels such as Catalyst forums, the project's website, and social media channels (Twitter, Telegram). Share testing results, user metrics, and development progress through blogs or periodic newsletters.

Share documentation, open-source code, and support tools so that external developers can easily integrate their games into Hydra Game Marketplace. Create a dedicated Discord or Telegram community for developers to discuss and solve technical issues together.

When successful, Hydra Game Marketplace will become a platform that demonstrates how Hydra technology can be practically applied to optimize GameFi projects. This will increase Cardano's applicability in the GameFi field, creating opportunities for new and existing projects to leverage Cardano and Hydra technology to build engaging games and generate economic value.

[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?

Team Capability and Experience

The project team consists of specialized members with direct experience working on the Cardano platform and deep understanding of technical infrastructure, accumulated over nearly 10 years of software outsourcing. Our team is confident in our ability to build and successfully implement this project.

We have successfully built and are currently testing a Hydra wallet on Telegram, supporting the integration of multiple games within a single interface. This is a clear demonstration of our ability to execute complex integration projects and serves as a foundation for deploying sample games in the next phase: https://projectcatalyst.io/funds/12/f12-cardano-open-developers/open-source-for-hydra-wallet-integrated-into-telegram.

https://youtu.be/vOFOejvAQpI?si=u7a-qEY0zAfyncqG

(Our Hydra Wallet Demo Video on Telegram, we are finalizing it)

We are committed to transparent and responsible financial management. We have planned a clear budget for each category, ensuring efficient and reasonable use of resources. Transparent financial reports are provided to stakeholders, demonstrating our commitment to responsible fund management. We have successfully managed funds from previous projects without any financial issues.

Approach and How We Will Implement the Project

1.Develop three sample games "Rock Paper Scissors," "Snake," and "Poker" integrated directly into the Hydra wallet:

The games will be developed with high-quality standards, adhering to software development principles, including user interface (UI) design, user experience (UX), and security.

Conduct internal testing to ensure all functions work smoothly and no security vulnerabilities are present.

2.Testing in a real environment with a selected group of users:

Release a trial version to a selected group of users, collect data on user experience, transaction performance, and feedback to improve features before a wide release.

3.Measure performance indicators and feasibility:

Evaluate the number of transactions conducted on Hydra, processing time, and transaction costs to ensure the project can operate stably when scaling up.

4.Implement security measures and risk assessments:

Conduct penetration testing and load testing to ensure the safety and security of digital asset transactions for users.

5.Regular updates and adjustments:

We will perform regular updates and deploy new versions based on feedback from users and the developer community to improve the experience and increase the flexibility of the platform.

With an experienced team in software and blockchain development, along with a deep understanding of the Cardano ecosystem, we believe the Hydra Game Marketplace project can be deployed effectively and reliably. With a strict and transparent management process, we are committed to implementing this project with the highest level of responsibility, bringing value and positive impact to the Cardano community in the long term.

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

Research, Planning, and Resource Preparation (4 Weeks)

A. Milestone Outputs:

• Establish the overall project plan:

Analyze detailed requirements for developing the three sample games: Rock Paper Scissors, Snake, and Poker.

Develop a detailed plan for each phase, including technical requirements, timeline, and required resources.

• Prepare resources and the project team:

Assemble the development team, including developers, designers, and blockchain experts.

Allocate roles and responsibilities for each team member.

• Research and set up the development environment:

Set up development and testing environments, including Hydra Heads and Cardano Nodes.

Evaluate and select suitable development tools, frameworks, and technologies for each game.

B. Acceptance Criteria:

• Detailed project plan: Complete the project plan document (PDF) with all work items, timeline, and resource requirements.
• Role allocation: The project team is clearly assigned with specific roles and responsibilities.
• Development environment readiness: Development environment and tools are installed and ready for the design and coding phase.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Detailed project plan report (PDF), including schedule, resource allocation, and technical requirements.
• Meeting minutes on the allocation of roles and responsibilities among team members.
• Screenshots and documents describing the prepared development environment.

System Architecture Analysis and Design, UI/UX Design, and GDD for 3 Games (4 Weeks)

A. Milestone Outputs:

• System architecture analysis and design:

Build the system architecture and design the infrastructure for integrating the three sample games into the Hydra wallet.

Create a data model and identify interaction points between players, transactions, and processing mechanisms through Hydra Heads.

• Player interface (UI/UX) design for the three games:

Develop UI/UX prototypes (Wireframe and Mockup) for the three sample games.

Design a user-friendly, intuitive, and optimized UI/UX for the Telegram-based platform.

• Complete Game Design Document (GDD):

Create a detailed Game Design Document (GDD) for each game, including: gameplay mechanics, rules, features, and player scenarios.

Analyze interactions and test scenarios to ensure each game has a stable and engaging gameplay mechanism.

B. Acceptance Criteria:

• Complete system architecture document: Includes architecture diagrams, data models, and key interaction descriptions.
• UI/UX prototypes: Detailed UI/UX mockups created for each game and receive positive feedback from the internal testing team.
• Completed GDD: GDD for each game is detailed and clear, containing all the necessary elements for the development phase.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• System architecture document (PDF) and interaction diagrams.
• UI/UX prototypes (Wireframe and Mockup) shared as images or reference links.
• GDD documents for the three sample games (Rock Paper Scissors, Snake, and Poker) detailing the game mechanics and features.

Complete Development and Integration of 3 Sample Games (6 Weeks)

A. Milestone Outputs:

• Complete coding and integration of three sample games into the Hydra wallet:

Rock Paper Scissors: Implement betting features, room creation, result processing, and reward distribution.

Snake Game: Develop control mechanics, scoring features, and integrate NFT achievement mechanisms.

Poker: Build card dealing, turn management, multi-player betting features, and data synchronization.

• Integration of the authentication and transaction system via Hydra Heads:

Deploy and optimize Hydra Heads to ensure fast transaction processing with minimal fees.

Integrate with Telegram.

• Testing and optimization of the games:

Conduct performance and security testing for all three games.

Optimize the user experience and fix any issues.

B. Acceptance Criteria:

• Three fully functional games: Each game includes all basic features as described in the GDD and interacts smoothly on the Hydra wallet within Telegram.
• Fast transaction processing capability: Transactions are processed through Hydra with minimal delay.
• No critical bugs: Security and performance testing ensures no critical bugs that would affect the user experience or lead to the loss of digital assets.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Video demo of the three sample games running on the Hydra wallet within Telegram.
• Testing report (PDF) detailing the results of feature testing.
• Screenshots showing transaction results and key in-game interactions.

Project Completion Report and Expansion Plan Preparation (2 Weeks)

A. Milestone Outputs:

• Project Completion Report: Summarizes all achieved results, details of each phase, and evaluates effectiveness compared to the initial plan. Assesses successes and challenges during implementation.
• Project Summary Video: Produce a video introducing the completed features and describing future expansion opportunities.

B. Acceptance Criteria:

• Comprehensive and transparent report: Includes complete details of the progress, results, and cost utilization for each phase.
• Clear and concise introduction video: The video illustrates the achieved results and features of the three games.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• PDF report and presentation materials detailing the entire project implementation.
• Introduction video (YouTube or direct link) for the Hydra Game Marketplace project.
• Access link to the project on Telegram.

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

Project Human Resources List

1.Project Manager

• Name: Nguyen Viet Thanh
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nguyenvietthanh/
• Role: Oversees the entire project, manages timelines, controls costs, and allocates resources effectively. Ensures that all project components are completed on schedule and meet quality standards.
• Experience: CEO of Vtechcom (https://vtechcom.org/), an IT engineer, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in E-commerce in Vietnam. Over 10+ years of experience in software outsourcing project management. Proficient in using project management methodologies such as Agile/Scrum and Waterfall. Skilled in requirement analysis, planning, team management, financial management, and change management within software projects.
• Successful Catalyst Projects:

Bamboo App: https://projectcatalyst.io/funds/11/cardano-use-cases-concept/bamboo-smart-support-app-for-cardano-ecosystem-users

Hydra Wallet (In progress): https://projectcatalyst.io/funds/12/f12-cardano-open-developers/open-source-for-hydra-wallet-integrated-into-telegram

2.Blockchain Developer

• Name: Do Trung Nhan
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nhantd292/
• Role: Develops and deploys smart contracts on Cardano using Plutus and Aiken. Integrates asset transaction features and in-game reward systems.
• Experience: An IT engineer with over 8+ years of experience in implementing complex software projects, especially those with a large user base. Proficient in Plutus, Aiken, Haskell programming, building and testing smart contracts, and integrating transactions on the Cardano blockchain.

3.Backend Developer

• Name: Nguyen Van Thang
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thang-nguyen-b396171a9/
• Role: Designs and builds the user management system, manages the database, integrates external services, and develops and maintains APIs to connect the Hydra wallet’s frontend.
• Experience: Software development expert with 5 years of experience in Node.js backend development and mobile app development. He has worked as a full-time Mobile Developer at Viettel Post and at BnK Solution and Heligate. Strong skills in JavaScript, React Native, Node.js, C#, and DevOps.

4.Game Designer

• Name: Cong Nghia Khiem
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/congnghiakhiem/
• Role: Develops Game Design Documents (GDD), creates game ideas and storylines, and shapes gameplay and reward systems.
• Experience: An IT professional with over 15 years of experience in roles such as Technical Manager, Project Director, and Technology Leader. Has 4 years of experience in game design, working on indie and blockchain game projects. Skilled in game ideation, GDD creation, building reward systems, and user interaction design.

5.Game Developer

• Name: Le Van Tu
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tu-le-9778a6210/
• Role: Develops games, builds features, and creates interfaces for the three sample games (Rock Paper Scissors, Snake, and Poker).
• Experience: As a Unity Developer with over 8 years of experience in 2D game development, Tu has worked at multiple studios and contributed to developing various types of games such as puzzle, endless runner, and defense games. Although he doesn’t have extensive experience in 3D projects, Tu is always willing to learn and research if needed. His prominent skills include building databases, organizing data flow, optimizing code and graphic rendering, as well as designing programming patterns such as object pooling and singleton.

6.UX/UI Designer

• Name: Dang Xuan Hoang
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dangxuanhoang/
• Role: Builds user interfaces, optimizes user experience, and ensures game features are easy to use and user-friendly.
• Experience: 3+ years of experience in UX/UI design for mobile apps and games, specializing in user experience design for dApps. Skilled in UX/UI design, creating prototypes, user experience research, and building interactive interfaces.

7.Backend, Hydra Developer

• Name: Pham Van Hai
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phamhai99/
• Role: Designs and builds the user management system, manages the database, integrates external services, and develops and maintains APIs to connect the Hydra wallet’s frontend.
• Experience: Phạm Văn Hải is a developer with over 3 years of in-depth experience in Vue.js, Nuxt 3, TypeScript, and JavaScript. He has worked with backend frameworks such as NestJS and ExpressJS, and has experience developing user interfaces with Tailwind CSS and other front-end technologies. Currently, Hải is serving as a Frontend Web Developer at tabtab.me, an AI-integrated real estate platform. Hải graduated in Thermal Engineering from Hanoi University of Science and Technology and has acquired numerous skills in software development.

We will develop a detailed plan to recruit additional personnel for specific positions as the project progresses.

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

To implement the project, below is the detailed cost estimate table by category and phase, ensuring that all factors in the plan are reflected in the budget. We will mobilize a professional team consisting of:

1 Project Manager

1 Backend Developer

1 Game Designer

1 Graphic Designer (2D Artist)

2 Game Developers

1 Blockchain Engineer

1 UI/UX Designer

1 QA Specialist

The current global average hourly salary ranges from $75 to $200 USD/hour or higher, depending on the level of expertise and reputation (based on statistics from reputable job websites such as LinkedIn Salary, Glassdoor, and Payscale). Our company is fortunate to operate in Vietnam, where the cost of living is lower compared to other countries. Therefore, we apply the average salary in the blockchain industry in Vietnam, which is around $40 - $100/hour, equivalent to 115 ADA - 285 ADA/hour , depending on different job positions, while still ensuring high-quality work. The expected time allocation and cost for each position are as follows:

I. Personnel Costs (exchange rate of 1 ADA = $0.35)

• Project Manager

Working hours: 100 hours

Cost: 150 hours x 150 ADA/hour = 15,000 ADA

• Backend Developer

Working hours per person: 150 hours

Total hours: 150 hours

Cost: 150 hours x 150 ADA/hour = 22,500 ADA

• Game Designer

Working hours per person: 100 hours

Total hours: 100 hours

Cost: 100 hours x 150 ADA/hour = 15,000 ADA

• Blockchain Engineer

Working hours per person: 150 hours

Total hours: 150 hours

Cost: 150 hours x 200 ADA/hour = 30,000 ADA

• UI/UX Designer and System Architect

Working hours: 100 hours

Cost: 100 hours x 95 ADA/hour = 9,500 ADA

• QA Specialist

Working hours per person: 100 hours

Total hours: 100 hours

Cost: 100 hours x 150 ADA/hour = 15,000 ADA

• Game Developers

Working hours per person: 100 hours

Total hours: 200 hours

Cost: 200 hours x 150 ADA/hour = 30,000 ADA

• Total Personnel Costs: 137,000 ADA

II. Server Infrastructure Costs

• Hydra Node and Cardano Node (Primary): 12 months = 6,000 ADA
• Test and Development Server (DevOps): 1,800 ADA
• Total Server Infrastructure Costs: 7,800 ADA

III. Third-Party Service Costs and Other Expenses

• Software Licenses and Development Tools: 2,000 ADA
• Data Storage Service (IPFS): 1,500 ADA
• Total Third-Party Service Costs: 3,500 ADA

IV. Total Estimated Project Cost

• Total Cost = ∑ Personnel + ∑ Server Infrastructure + ∑ Third-Party Services
• Total Cost = 137,000 + 7,800 + 3,500 = 148,300 ADA

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

The project costs are reasonably allocated for key roles such as blockchain developers, backend developers, game developers, UI/UX designers, and quality assurance testers. These costs are aligned with the average salaries for engineers with similar skills in the field and their respective roles, compared to the general salary levels in the market. When compared to the cost of hiring international freelancers or through platforms like Upwork, these expenses are relatively reasonable and below the current standard rate for Cardano-specialized developers, which ranges from $40 - $100/hour.

With the funding invested, the project will bring significant value to the Cardano ecosystem, such as:

Promoting the development of GameFi on Cardano: Hydra Game Marketplace will create a new space for game developers to publish their products, generating income opportunities and engaging with the community. This will help expand the Cardano ecosystem, attracting more projects and developers from other ecosystems.

Enhancing the utility and scalability of Hydra technology: The project will demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of using Hydra Layer 2 to reduce transaction costs, improve speed, and expand Cardano's capabilities in the GameFi sector. The success of this project will instill confidence in other projects to apply Hydra to other decentralized applications.