Hydra on Unreal Engine – Step-by-Step Guide for Cardano Game

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

Hydra on Unreal Engine – Step-by-Step Guide for Cardano Game

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

49140

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

8

[Proposal Summary] Translation Information

Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated

No

Original Language

en

[Proposal Summary] Problem Statement

What is the problem you want to solve?

Hydra is difficult for newcomers to use with Unreal Engine due to scattered documentation, lack of practical tutorials, and few real-world examples, slowing Cardano game development and adoption.

[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation

Supporting links

• https://cardano2vn.io
,
• https://lms.cardano2vn.io
,
• https://github.com/cardano2vn

[Proposal Summary] Project Dependencies

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

No

Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'

No dependencies

[Proposal Summary] Project Open Source

Will your project's outputs be fully open source?

Yes

Please provide details on the intellectual property (IP) status of your project outputs, including whether they will be released as open source or retained under another licence.

All project outputs will be released under the MIT License. Including:

• Teaching materials (lecture slides, exercises, source code, etc.).
• Source code of the lessons.
• Videos recorded and shared on YouTube. These resources will be publicly available on our GitHub repository. We believe in open source principles and want to empower the community to use and contribute to these resources.

[Theme Selection] Theme

Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal

Education

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

Who you’re targeting, how you’ll reach them, and why this matters for Cardano?

• Who: Vietnamese game developers, IT students, and blockchain enthusiasts seeking practical experience building Hydra-integrated games on Cardano.
• How: Through YouTube tutorials, social media, Telegram/Discord community channels, hands-on workshops, hackathons, webinars, and open-source code/examples on GitHub.
• Why: To increase the number of skilled Hydra game developers, foster high-performance blockchain-enabled games, improve user experience, and strengthen the Cardano gaming ecosystem locally and globally.

Provide a list of key activities of your project:

The main activities are designed to help learners master the knowledge and skills to build practical Hydra-integrated games:

• Course Development: Design Hydra & Cardano courses from basic to advanced, focused on game development.
• Educational Content: Create slides, video tutorials, and open-source game prototypes for hands-on learning.
• Hydra Head Setup: Guide students to set up and operate Hydra Head environments.
• Practical Guidance: Support students to complete Hydra-integrated game prototypes on testnet/mainnet.
• Promotion & Outreach: Share course materials via Cardano community channels, social media, and online events.
• Technical Support & Mentoring: Provide Q&A, troubleshooting, and mentorship through Telegram/Discord.
• Feedback & Improvement: Collect learner feedback and continuously enhance course content and materials.

What are your success metrics?

Success is measured by clear metrics of effectiveness and impact:

• Enrollment: 30+ students completing the course on LMS (https://lms.cardano2vn.io).
• Content Engagement: 100+ views per video on YouTube, with ≥10 comments per video.
• Hands-On Achievement: Percentage of students deploying at least 1 Hydra-integrated game prototype on testnet.
• Open-Source Contribution: Number of Hydra game projects shared publicly after the course.
• Community Engagement: Active participation in Q&A sessions and contributions to open-source code.
• Student Satisfaction: ≥80% positive feedback from course participants.
• Ecosystem Growth: Number of new Hydra game developers joining the Cardano ecosystem.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Current Problems

Hydra, as Cardano’s Layer-2 solution, enables near-instant transactions with minimal fees, but several challenges limit its adoption, especially for game developers and Vietnamese programmers:

• Fragmented and sparse documentation: Official Hydra resources are scattered and lack clear, practical examples, making self-learning difficult.
• Gap between theory and practice: While technical papers and documentation exist, there is little guidance on quickly turning Hydra into usable game applications.
• Lack of structured courses: There is no comprehensive training program that teaches Hydra from foundational concepts to real DApp implementation in games.
• High technical barriers: Setting up a Cardano Node, Hydra Node, operating Hydra Heads, integrating smart contracts, and connecting with game engines requires advanced technical knowledge. Beginners find it challenging to bridge these steps.
• Limited community practice environments: Few workshops, sample projects, or open-source repositories exist for hands-on experimentation and peer collaboration.
• Scarce Hydra talent: The number of programmers experienced with Hydra is very limited, slowing down potential Layer-2 projects.
• High testing costs: Experimenting with Hydra and integrating it with game engines requires significant time, infrastructure, and effort, which is difficult for small teams or individuals.

Proposed Solution

To address these challenges, we propose “Hydra on Unreal Engine – Step-by-Step Guide for Cardano Game”, a comprehensive, practical course designed to train Vietnamese programmers to build Hydra-integrated games on Cardano using Unreal Engine + Cardano-UE-SDK. Course Highlights

• Clear Learning Path: Step-by-step instructions from environment setup, Unreal Engine integration, Hydra Head operation, Cardano Node setup, to smart contract deployment in games. The course guides learners from basic concepts to advanced, real-world implementations.
• Cardano-UE-SDK Integration: Demonstrates how to connect Unreal Engine projects with Cardano blockchain through the Cardano-UE-SDK, enabling in-game wallet interactions, transaction signing, asset minting, state synchronization, and communication with Hydra Heads.
• High-Quality Materials: Includes 24 video tutorials, detailed slides, source code examples, assignments, and exercises. Materials are suitable for self-paced learning or guided instruction.
• Hydra Intensive Training: Provides detailed guidance on operating Hydra Heads, integrating Hydra with smart contracts, and developing high-performance, scalable games. Includes examples connecting in-game events to Layer-2 transactions through Cardano-UE-SDK.
• Practical Hands-On Practice: Students deploy fully functional Hydra-integrated game prototypes, gain experience with real source code, and use Cardano-UE-SDK to interact with Layer-1 and Layer-2 blockchain infrastructure.
• Open Source Repository: All source code and materials are publicly available for experimentation, reuse, and further development.
• Troubleshooting and Best Practices: Comprehensive guidance on common issues, deployment strategies, and performance optimization for Layer-2 game solutions.
• Free and Open Access: All videos, slides, documents, and code are freely accessible, ensuring maximum reach and supporting the emerging Vietnamese blockchain and game development community.

Reason for Building the Course

The goal of building the course is:

• Bridge the gap between research and practical application: Help programmers quickly apply Hydra and Cardano-UE-SDK in real game projects.
• Empower Vietnamese talent: Train professional Cardano game developers who can contribute to global projects.
• Promote Hydra adoption: Provide ready-to-use resources, reducing the learning curve and enabling rapid experimentation.
• Strengthen Cardano’s competitive position: Increase adoption of high-performance Layer-2 solutions in gaming, helping Cardano remain a leading blockchain platform.

Local Impact

The course directly addresses the needs of the Vietnamese blockchain and gaming community by:

• Overcoming the shortage of game developers: Training more programmers skilled in Hydra-integrated Cardano games to support ecosystem growth and adoption.
• Providing practical learning materials: Step-by-step guidance from beginner to advanced game development with blockchain integration.
• Meeting demand for skilled developers: Building a pipeline of capable programmers for the rapidly growing Cardano gaming ecosystem.
• Fostering a local community: Encouraging students to connect via Telegram/Discord, exchange knowledge, collaborate on projects, and create a vibrant Hydra game development community.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

The course “Hydra on Unreal Engine – Step-by-Step Guide for Cardano Game” is designed to create a significant and lasting impact on the Cardano ecosystem, especially within the Vietnamese game developer community.

• Accessibility - All 24 professionally produced video lessons will be publicly available on YouTube and the Cardano 2VN LMS, enabling anyone to learn from anywhere in the world without restrictions on geography or time zones. Supplementary resources, including slides, source code, and assignments, will also be freely accessible online, ensuring inclusive learning opportunities.
• Clear Learning Path - The course provides a structured, step-by-step progression: starting from Unreal Engine setup, Cardano Layer-1 interactions, Hydra Head deployment, to fully building Hydra-integrated games. All content is presented through videos, slides, and open-source code, making it easy for learners to follow, practice, and implement.
• Highly Practical - Students will be guided to deploy fully functional Hydra-integrated game projects using real source code examples. Each lesson is designed for hands-on learning, allowing learners to test, customize, and expand the projects according to their own game development ideas.
• Interaction and Quick Feedback - Although the lessons are pre-recorded, learners will have access to support channels (Telegram/Discord) where they can ask questions, review troubleshooting guides, and receive feedback from instructors or peers.
• Building a Hydra Developer Community - Students are encouraged to join dedicated community groups, share projects, exchange ideas, and collaborate on development. This will lay the foundation for a dynamic and sustainable Hydra game development community in Vietnam, fostering continuous learning and project creation.
• Long-Term Resources - Videos, documents, and source code repositories will be permanently available, enabling learners and community members to continue learning, upgrading, and developing new Hydra-based games after the course ends.
• Promoting Practical Applications of Cardano - By providing knowledge and skills to develop real Hydra-integrated games, the course helps translate ideas into practical applications. This contributes to increasing the number of Layer-2 projects running on the Cardano network and promoting innovation in the ecosystem.

Immediate Quantitative Impact

• 30+ students enrolled via LMS (https://lms.cardano2vn.io)
• Video Views: Each of the 24 videos has at least 100 views
• Engagement: 10+ comments per video for questions and feedback
• Viewer Retention: 75–80% watch full videos
• Likes: 500+ likes across all videos
• Average View Duration: 15 minutes/video, reflecting high engagement
• Hydra Game Deployment: 50–70% of students successfully deploy at least one Hydra game prototype on testnet
• Community Engagement: Active participation in Q&A, code contributions, and discussions
• Student Feedback: ≥ 80% satisfaction, 90% confident in deploying Hydra games independently

Benefits for Cardano

• Increase Layer-2 Developers -The course creates a pool of developers proficient in Hydra and Cardano game integration.
• Diversify Applications - Students will develop new game projects, contributing to the diversity of the Cardano ecosystem.
• Strengthen Competitive Position - Supports Cardano’s advantage in Layer-2 solutions for real-time gaming, maintaining a strong position against other blockchain platforms.
• Build a Sustainable Community - Fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous project development within the Vietnamese Hydra developer community.
• Promote Open-Source Knowledge - All source code, instructions, and best practices are openly shared, encouraging contribution and reuse across the Cardano ecosystem.

Project Results and Achievements Sharing Plan

• Public Disclosure - All 24 videos, slides, and source code will be posted on YouTube, GitHub, and Cardano2VN for public access.
• Transparent Reporting - Milestone progress and achievement reports will be submitted to the Catalyst community for verification.
• Community Sharing - Updates, success stories, technical guides, and best practices will be shared on Cardano Forum, Telegram, Twitter, and YouTube.
• Permanent Resource Repository - All content is archived for ongoing use, enabling future learners to exploit, improve, and develop new Hydra-based games.
• Encourage Collaboration - Open-source contributions and community-driven project enhancements will be promoted, ensuring a strong, sustainable Hydra game development community in Vietnam.

[Your Project and Solution] Capabilities & 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 Skills and Experience

• Our team is composed of experienced blockchain and game development professionals, including top pool operators and developers, with a proven record in delivering high-quality projects on Cardano.
• We have successfully secured multiple rounds of Catalyst funding and consistently delivered innovative projects that strengthen the Cardano ecosystem.
• We have built educational initiatives for the blockchain community, including in-depth courses and a learning portal: https://lms.cardano2vn.io.

Projects funded

We have successfully delivered five fully implemented projects, each receiving positive feedback and approval from the community:

1. Vietnam Cardano Catalyst - NFT Exchange testing and development environment helps young people approach with the Web3.0 platform
2. Dualtarget for ADA-Holders (Staking and increasing assets) with a decentralized automated trading bot
3. Open source dynamic assets (Token/NFT) generator (CIP68)
4. The Complete Aiken Course Cardano: From Zero to Expert!

Products and Tools

• Cardano Tool: https://cardano-tool.vercel.app
• Demarket: https://demarket-frontend.vercel.app
• Dualtarget: https://dualtarget.duckdns.org
• CIP68Generator: https://cip68.cardano2vn.io
• Hydra Tipjar: https://hydra-tipjar.vercel.app
• Hydra Pact: https://hydra-pact.vercel.app

Project Management Skills

We ensure effective execution through:

1. Strategic Planning and Monitoring: Milestones, KPIs, and deliverables are clearly defined.
2. Budget & Timeline Management: Resources are allocated efficiently and progress is tracked.
3. Risk Mitigation: Technical and operational risks are identified early with contingency plans.
4. Stakeholder Communication: Transparent and consistent updates throughout the project.
5. Financial Accountability: All spending is documented and auditable, ensuring transparency.

Financial Management & Transparency

Our approach guarantees accountability:

1. Detailed Budget Planning: Clear allocation across content creation, development, marketing, and community engagement.
2. Transparent Cost Tracking: Complete audit records for all expenditures.
3. Regular Reporting: Updates provided to assess performance and guide decisions.

Feasibility Validation

We ensure the project is feasible through:

1. Proven Track Record: Prior projects show technical and managerial competence.
2. Structured Milestones: Each phase has clear deliverables, including 24 high-quality videos, slides, source code, and practical exercises integrating Hydra and Unreal Engine with the Cardano-UE-SDK.
3. Community Feedback Metrics: Engagement, deployment of Hydra-based game projects, and student feedback provide measurable success indicators.
4. Open-Source Approach: Code, slides, and tutorials are publicly accessible, enabling community testing and real-world validation.
5. Technical Readiness: All SDKs, Hydra Nodes, and Unreal Engine integrations have been pre-tested, minimizing operational risks.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Curriculum Design and Material Preparation

Milestone Outputs

• Develop detailed lesson outlines for all modules of the course.
• Create the overall course plan including structure, flow, and learning objectives.
• Conduct internal review and assessment of the course content for quality and completeness.
• Event Marketing and communications.
• Manage the project to ensure timelines and resources are on track.

Acceptance Criteria

• Lesson outlines fully cover all topics from beginner blockchain concepts to advanced Hydra integration for Unreal Engine game development.
• Course plan includes schedule, duration, topic sequencing, and learning outcomes.
• All slides and instructional documents are complete, accurate, and clearly understandable.
• Internal review completed, with feedback documented and revisions applied.
• Marketing activity files (announcements, communication plans) stored and accessible on Google Drive.
• Project timelines and milestones are tracked and reported with sufficient clarity.

Evidence of Completion

• Course outline, slides, and lesson plans stored and accessible on Google Docs.
• GitHub repository initialized with the course structure and supporting files.
• Internal assessment reports and feedback logs available on Google Docs, showing updates after review.
• Folder of marketing and communication materials (Google Drive) showcasing completed promotion assets.
• Project management report documenting progress, completed tasks, and milestone tracking.

Delivery Month

1

Cost

8260

Progress

20 %

Milestone Title

Unreal Engine & Cardano Layer-1 with Cardano-UE-SDK

Milestone Outputs

• Create content for lessons 1–8 (including slides, documents, archives, assignments).
• Video 1 – Introduction to Cardano for Game Developers.
• Video 2 – Setting Up the Unreal Engine Development Environment.
• Video 3 – Introduction to Cardano-UE-SDK.
• Video 4 – Building Wallet Interactions in Unreal Engine.
• Video 5 – On-Chain Game Logic Architecture.
• Video 6 – Implementing Smart Contract (Plutus) Interactions.
• Video 7 – Working With In-Game Assets (NFTs/CIP-68).
• Video 8 – Performance Considerations on Layer-1 & When to Use Hydra.
• Event Marketing and Communications.
• Project Management.

Acceptance Criteria

• Videos 1–8 cover the full set of topics: Cardano for Games, Unreal Engine Setup, Cardano-UE-SDK setup, Wallet interactions, On-chain logic, Plutus integration, CIP-68 assets, and performance considerations on L1.
• Slides: Each of the 8 lessons must include a complete slide deck with clear, accurate, and concise information.
• Create 8 lesson archives containing: session descriptions, sample code, technical documents, exercises and assignments, properly organized and easy to navigate.
• Event marketing and communication activities carried out on selected channels (Telegram, Forum, Facebook). All marketing activity files must be stored on Google Drive.
• Video production, material preparation, and communication progress must be tracked and reported. Milestone 2 must be completed on time with correct resource allocation.

Evidence of Completion

• Lesson videos 1–8 have been produced, edited, and uploaded (YouTube or equivalent platform).
• Course slides available on Google Docs in a structured folder.
• Documentation, code examples, and exercises available on Google Drive and/or GitHub repository.
• Compilation of event marketing and communication activities stored in Google Docs (screenshots, links, descriptions).
• Milestone 2 Progress Report available on Google Sheets, including: completed tasks, staff allocation, timeline tracking.

Delivery Month

2

Cost

10640

Progress

40 %

Milestone Title

Hydra Node Mastery & Head Management

Milestone Outputs

• Create content for lessons (including creating slides, documents and archives, assignments).
• Video 9 – Introduction to Hydra Protocol.
• Video 10 – Hydra Architecture Overview.
• Video 11 – Preparing the Development Environment for Hydra.
• Video 12 – Installing and Configuring Cardano Node.
• Video 13 – Installing and Configuring Hydra Node.
• Video 14 – Running Your First Hydra Head.
• Video 15 – Troubleshooting common issues.
• Video 16 – Review the important points in milestone 3 and prepare for milestone 4.
• Event Marketing and communications.
• Project Management.

Acceptance Criteria

• Videos 9–16 cover the full range of topics: Hydra Protocol Introduction, Hydra Architecture, Development Environment Setup, Cardano Node Installation, Hydra Node Installation, Hydra Head Operation, Troubleshooting, Milestone 3 Summary.
• Slide: Each lesson (9–16) must have eight corresponding slides, containing clear and concise information.
• Create 8 archives, containing all session descriptions, samples, and resources discussed in each video, properly organized and documented.
• Event marketing and communication on social channels (Telegram, Forum, Facebook). Marketing activity description files must be available on Google Drive.
• Video production, materials preparation and marketing progress were monitored and reported regularly. Milestone 3 was completed on time and resources were allocated appropriately.

Evidence of Completion

• Lesson videos 9–16 have been produced, edited and published on YouTube.
• The course slides will be available on Google Docs.
• Documentation, code examples and exercises are available on Google Drive/GitHub.
• Evidence of compiled event marketing and communications activities will be available on Google Docs.
• Milestone 3 progress report on Google Sheet. List of completed tasks and staff allocation.

Delivery Month

2

Cost

10640

Progress

60 %

Milestone Title

Building Game with Hydra & Unreal Engine

Milestone Outputs

• Create content for lessons (including creating slides, documents and archives, assignments).
• Video 17 – Game Architecture for Games Using Hydra.
• Video 18 – Setting up Unreal Engine for Blockchain Integration.
• Video 19 – Deploying In-Game Actions with Hydra.
• Video 20 – Game Economics on Cardano (Hydra + L1).
• Video 21 – Multiplayer Systems with Hydra.
• Video 22 – Stress Testing the Hydra-Game Pipeline.
• Video 23 – Deploying Hydra Nodes for Game Production.
• Video 24 – Publishing a Hydra Game Prototype.
• Event Marketing and communications.
• Project Management.

Acceptance Criteria

• Videos 17–24 cover the full range of topics: game architecture with Hydra, Unreal Engine blockchain integration, in-game action deployment, game economics, multiplayer systems, stress testing, production Hydra nodes, and publishing the game prototype.
• Slide: Each lesson (17–24) must have eight corresponding slides, containing clear and concise information.
• Create 8 archives, containing all session descriptions, samples, and resources discussed in each video, properly organized and documented.
• Event marketing and communication on social channels (Telegram, Forum, Facebook). Marketing activity description files must be available on Google Drive.
• Video production, materials preparation and marketing progress were monitored and reported regularly. Milestone 4 was completed on time and resources were allocated appropriately.

Evidence of Completion

• Lesson videos 17–24 have been produced, edited and published on YouTube.
• The course slides will be available on Google Docs.
• Documentation, code examples and exercises are available on Google Drive/GitHub.
• Evidence of compiled event marketing and communications activities will be available on Google Docs.
• Milestone 4 progress report on Google Sheet. List of completed tasks and staff allocation.

Delivery Month

2

Cost

11760

Progress

80 %

Milestone Title

Community Engagement and Final Reporting

Milestone Outputs

• Create a Project Close-Out Report and Project Close-Out Video.
• Conduct a survey for students upon completion of the course to collect feedback.
• Organize an AMA session to answer questions and evaluate student projects.
• Event Marketing and communications.
• Project Management.

Acceptance Criteria

• Project Close-Out Report and Video summarize course progress, milestones, student participation, and key lessons learned.
• Survey is completed by students, and results are documented for evaluation and improvement.
• AMA session is held, questions answered, and student projects are reviewed.
• Event marketing and communication are conducted on social channels (Telegram, Forum, Facebook), with documentation stored on Google Drive.
• Milestone 5 activities are tracked and reported, ensuring completion on time and appropriate resource allocation.

Evidence of Completion

• Project Close-Out Report and Close-Out Video are available on Google Docs/Drive.
• Survey results compiled and documented on Google Sheets/Docs.
• AMA session summary and evaluation of student projects are recorded and stored.
• Event marketing and communications documentation available on Google Docs.
• Milestone 5 progress report on Google Sheet, showing completed tasks and staff allocation.

Delivery Month

1

Cost

7840

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

1- Project Overview

• Total Budget: 49,140 ₳
• Duration: 8 months – 5 milestones

2- Milestone-by-milestone Cost Analysis

Milestone 1: Curriculum Design and Material Preparation

• Cost: 8,260 ₳ (16.81% of budget)
• Duration: 1 month
• Team: 5 peoples
• Key Deliverables: Finalize detailed lesson outlines and overall course plan. Conduct internal review and assessment of course content. Execute event marketing and communications. Set up and operate project management systems.

Milestone 2: Unreal Engine & Cardano Layer-1 with Cardano-UE-SDK

• Cost: 10,640 ₳ (21.65% of budget)
• Duration: 2 months
• Team: 5 people
• Key Deliverables: Produce content for the first 8 video lessons (1–8), covering (Introduction to Cardano for game developers. Setting up Unreal Engine development environment. Introduction to Cardano-UE-SDK. Building wallet interactions in UE. On-chain game logic architecture. Implementing smart contract interactions. Working with in-game assets (NFTs/CIP-68). Performance considerations on Layer-1). Continue event marketing and project management efforts.

Milestone 3: Hydra Node Mastery & Head Management

• Cost: 10,640 ₳ (21.65% of budget)
• Duration: 2 months
• Team: 5 people
• Key Deliverables: Produce content for the next 8 video lessons (9–16), covering (Hydra protocol introduction and use cases. Hydra architecture and L2↔L1 integration. Preparing development environment for Hydra. Installing and configuring Cardano Node and Hydra Node. Running Hydra Heads and opening multiplayer channel. Troubleshooting and handling errors. Summary and preparation for building Hydra-based games. Provide step-by-step examples for Hydra Head workflows in game scenarios). Continue event marketing and project management activities.

Milestone 4: Building Game with Hydra & Unreal Engine

• Cost: 11,760 ₳ (23.93% of budget)
• Duration: 2 months
• Team: 5 people
• Key Deliverables: Produce content for video lessons 17–24, covering (Game architecture using Hydra, Setting up UE for blockchain integration, Deploying in-game actions through Hydra, Game economics on Cardano (Hydra + L1), Multiplayer systems and state replication, Stress testing Hydra-game pipeline, Deploying Hydra nodes for production, Publishing a Hydra game prototype). Continue project management and event marketing efforts.

Milestone 5: Community Engagement And Final Reporting

• Cost: 7,840 ₳ (15.95% of budget)
• Duration: 1 month
• Team: 5 people
• Key Deliverables: Complete Project Close-Out Report and final video. Conduct student surveys to gather feedback. Organize an AMA session for Q&A and project evaluation. Continue event marketing and project management activities.

3- Resource Allocation by Category

Video Production (24 videos) – 22,440 ₳ (45.7%)

Full production: scripting, slides, live recording, screen capture, editing, and subtitles. Ensures learners have accessible, reusable, and high-quality material for self-study and guided learning.

Curriculum & Content Design – 10,648 ₳ (21.7%)

Complete lesson outlines, technical documentation, exercises, and internal reviews to ensure clarity and technical accuracy.

Marketing & Communication – 5,544 ₳ (11.3%)

Community outreach, event promotion, social media campaigns, and coordination with Cardano ecosystem channels.

Documentation & Reporting – 1,584 ₳ (3.2%)

Project Close-Out Report, event photos/videos, Catalyst submission, and survey summaries.

Community Engagement Activities – 4,224 ₳ (8.6%)

AMA sessions, project showcases, post-course surveys, discussion facilitation, and ongoing support.

Project Management – 4,700 ₳ (9.5%)

Managing timelines, coordinating team roles, allocating resources, and ensuring quality control across all deliverables.

4- Project budget details here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1q-fEBaHJLcWf3FFrIrDNZhviu4vdpNfOooRZa6P9MLs/edit?gid=0#gid=0

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?

Strong Investment in Game-Focused Cardano & Hydra Talent

The project delivers strong value by training high-quality game developers capable of building interactive, real-time Hydra-enabled games using Unreal Engine. With a fair compensation model (~66 ADA/hour), the budget attracts skilled instructors and committed learners. Every ADA invested directly contributes to creating developers who can integrate Cardano Layer-1 and Hydra Layer-2 into modern game workflows, addressing the significant talent shortage in Vietnam and Southeast Asia’s fast-growing game industry.

High-Quality Learning Experience With Practical Hydra Game Implementation

A major portion of the cost is dedicated to producing premium learning materials: video tutorials, technical documents, demo assets, and mini-projects. Students are guided step-by-step to deploy Hydra Heads, connect Unreal Engine to Cardano, and create gameplay systems powered by Hydra’s real-time state synchronization. This project-based learning ensures deep understanding and immediate ability to build Cardano-enabled game prototypes, maximizing the educational value per ADA.

Tangible, Reusable Outputs for the Cardano Game Ecosystem

Beyond training learners, the project generates lasting outputs for Cardano’s ecosystem, including:

• A complete Hydra-enabled Unreal Engine game sample.
• A reusable Cardano–Unreal integration module,
• Open-source templates and development tools,
• A full structured learning pathway for future developers.

These deliverables provide long-term value that can be used by future learners, studios, educators, and Cardano developer communities.

Cost Efficiency Compared to Global Market Standards

Training programs that combine blockchain engineering and Unreal Engine game development typically cost $1,500–$3,000 per student. By leveraging ADA payments, local production efficiencies, and open-source Cardano tooling, this project provides equal or greater educational quality at a fraction of that cost. The result is a highly cost-effective training pipeline with strong return on investment for the Cardano treasury.

Multiplier Effect Through Ecosystem Expansion

Each trained developer will not only build Cardano-integrated games but also support new learners, contribute tools, create content, and help establish Hydra adoption in the gaming sector. This multiplier effect ensures that the impact of the initial investment compounds over time, producing long-term ecosystem value far greater than the cost of the program.

Strategic Alignment With Cardano’s Long-Term Vision

The project aligns directly with Cardano’s roadmap: expanding real-world utility, accelerating Hydra adoption, and supporting decentralized content creation. Integrating Hydra with Unreal Engine a leading AAA game engine positions Cardano as a competitive platform for Web3 and blockchain-enhanced games. Few blockchains offer mature Unreal Engine workflows, giving Cardano a unique strategic advantage.

Sustainable and Scalable Training Model

The course is designed for long-term scalability. After the first cohort, alumni can become mentors or contribute new content, enabling continuous expansion at low cost. All produced materials and game templates are open-source, ensuring ongoing community benefit and supporting the future growth of a Cardano-based game development talent pipeline.

Transparent, Efficient, and ADA-Aligned Budget Use

Using ADA for payments ensures transparency, reduces conversion overhead, and aligns financial incentives with the Cardano ecosystem. Administrative costs are intentionally minimized—most of the budget directly funds content creation, developer training, game integration tools, and Hydra technical work. This guarantees efficient use of community funding and maximizes ecosystem impact.

[Self-Assessment] Self-Assessment Checklist

I confirm that the proposal is a non-technical initiative, with ≤20% of the budget for tech support.

Yes

I confirm that the proposal provides verifiable evidence (portfolio, links, reports) of the team's ability to deliver the project.

Yes

I confirm that the proposer and all team members are in good standing with prior Catalyst projects.

Yes

I confirm that the proposal includes clear objectives with both Output Metrics (what proposal did) and Adoption-Focused Metrics (what effect proposal had).

Yes

I confirm that the proposal clearly explains the user journey and provides a credible plan for how the project will equip and motivate users for future on-chain activity.

Yes

I confirm that the initiative clearly demonstrates how it will grow the Cardano ecosystem or onboard users.

Yes

I confirm that the project plan and timeline (≤ 12 months) are realistic and well-defined.

Yes

I confirm that the proposal commits to public outputs and justifies any exceptions.

Yes

I confirm that the budget adheres to all policies: it is for future work, follows the merchandise rule, and excludes establishing local treasuries, incentives/giveaways, re-grants.

Yes

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

I Agree

Yes