WARGRUM - Play-to-Earn NFT Trading Card Game on Cardano

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

WARGRUM - Play-to-Earn NFT Trading Card Game on Cardano

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

200000

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

12

[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?

Cardano needs more consumer-level applications that generate consistent on-chain activity, as most current usage is low-frequency or speculative.

[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?

No

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.

We currently own the IP as we've made significant personal investments into building the current MVP with global real-time multiplayer

[Theme Selection] Theme

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

Games

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

Describe what makes your idea innovative compared to what has been previously launched in the market (whether by you or others).

Wargrum is innovative because it brings together three systems that have not been combined in a single Cardano game before: competitive trading card gameplay, real NFT ownership, and a land control strategy with resource production. Many Web3 games offer NFTs but no meaningful gameplay, while traditional card games offer deep strategy but no true asset ownership. Wargrum solves this gap by making every playable card a Cardano NFT and tying gameplay directly to ownership.

The second innovation is the Land Wars system. Land is also represented as NFTs, and each parcel generates in-game resources that players can use to craft items, upgrade cards, or trade with others. This creates an economy that is influenced by both player skill and territory control, similar to a real-time strategy game layered on top of a trading card battle system.

The third innovative aspect is the GRUM token economy, which provides rewards for skillful play. GRUM can be earned in ranked matches, daily missions, and tournaments. It can be used for buying card packs, cosmetics, and entering special events. This creates a closed-loop economy where gameplay activity drives on-chain utility.

Together, these systems introduce a deeper level of interactivity, ownership, and player-driven value creation than what currently exists in the Cardano gaming landscape.

Describe what your prototype or MVP will demonstrate, and where it can be accessed.

The MVP will demonstrate the core Wargrum card battle system, basic deck-building, wallet-connected gameplay, and an initial set of playable NFT cards. The MVP also includes early GRUM token rewards and an accessible matchmaking loop so users can experience the core play-to-earn structure.

We are also including a simplified early version of the Land Wars map. This version will show how land parcels function as NFTs and how resource generation works. Players will be able to view land ownership, inspect the resources produced by each parcel, and preview how land challenges will work in the full launch.

The MVP will show Cardano-native asset ownership live inside gameplay. Users will connect using a Cardano wallet, load their NFT cards, and use those NFTs directly in online battles. This demonstrates the technical foundation that separates Wargrum from standard card games.

The prototype will be accessible through a browser at wargrum.io. No installation is required. Anyone with a Cardano wallet will be able to participate once invited to the beta.

Describe realistic measures of success, ideally with on-chain metrics.

Success for Wargrum can be measured through a set of practical and transparent metrics that reflect both gameplay engagement and Cardano network activity.

On-chain success metrics include:

Number of unique wallets holding Wargrum NFTs

Number of NFT card mints during set releases

Daily GRUM token transactions

Marketplace activity for Wargrum assets

Land ownership distribution and resource claim transactions

Volume of player-to-player trades for cards and crafted items

Gameplay and community metrics include:

Daily active players and match completions

Growth of the waitlist and Discord membership

Tournament participation rates

Retention rates between seasons

Number of community-created decks and strategies

Growth of partnerships with other Cardano projects

Development milestones that represent success include:

Completing the public beta in Q1 2026

Launching the full 240-card NFT set in Q2 2026

Releasing the land resource system in Q3 2026

Launching Wargrum version 1.0 in Q4 2026

By tracking both on-chain and in-game activity, Wargrum can measure real user adoption, long-term engagement, and direct contribution to Cardano network usage.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Wargrum solves the problem of limited NFT utility on Cardano by turning NFTs into fully functional game assets. Every card, land parcel, and crafted item is a Cardano NFT that the player owns and can use directly in gameplay. Wargrum combines competitive trading card mechanics with a real land control system and a play-to-earn token economy. Players build 60-card decks, compete in ranked battles, and fight for land that generates in-game resources. Skilled players earn GRUM tokens that can be used to buy packs, cosmetics, and tournament entries.

This approach solves several problems. It gives existing NFT collectors a real use case. It gives new players a reason to join Cardano because gameplay is fun and rewards skill. It also increases on-chain activity by linking every action, reward, and asset to Cardano’s native capabilities. The result is a complete gaming ecosystem that shows how Cardano can power interactive entertainment, not only financial tools.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

Wargrum will have several positive impacts on the Cardano community. It will drive more transactions on Cardano through NFT mints, trading activity, token usage, and marketplace interactions. It will attract gamers who are new to Cardano by offering a high-quality game that uses the network’s strengths. It will support builders by demonstrating a real example of using native assets for gameplay and proving that Cardano can power competitive online games.

The project also benefits the NFT ecosystem by increasing liquidity and visibility for Cardano-based assets. Wargrum’s tournaments, events, and seasonal expansions will keep players engaged long term, which supports ongoing network usage and community growth. As a fully on-chain economy, Wargrum helps strengthen the perception of Cardano as a platform capable of supporting complex, interactive Web3 applications.

[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?

The Wargrum team has the capability to deliver this project with high accountability and clear milestones. The team includes:

• Jason “Crypto Crow” Appleton, a long-time Cardano educator and project lead

• Eli Skenandore, with experience building large-scale gaming platforms such as NFL Fantasy Football 2.0

• JP Steinmetz, a veteran developer with contributions to XCOM 2, The Evil Within, Lost Planet 3, and Hawken

• Crypto Face, who supports economic design and outreach

• Additional engineers and artists who have already contributed to the current alpha

A working alpha build already exists, which validates the feasibility of the core gameplay and NFT integration. The upcoming public beta in Q1 2026 will further validate the technical approach and user demand.

We will validate feasibility through:

• Public testing milestones with transparent reports

• On-chain metrics such as wallet connections, NFT usage, GRUM transactions, and marketplace activity

• Community feedback from Discord and social channels

• Regular progress updates and development checkpoints

• Audits for smart contracts and infrastructure

The team has the technical expertise, community reach, and development experience to deliver the full game on schedule and within budget.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Alpha Upgrade and Technical Preparation

Milestone Outputs

This milestone delivers an upgraded alpha build that represents the first stable foundation of Wargrum. The user interface will be cleaned up for clarity and ease of use, matchmaking will be improved to avoid dropped sessions, and the card battle flow will be polished so early testers can play without interruptions. A key part of this milestone is the integration of Cardano wallet login, which allows players to authenticate and load early test NFTs directly into matches. The team will mint a small batch of internal test NFTs to confirm that asset loading, verification, and usage in gameplay function correctly. By completing this milestone, the game will be ready for structured internal testing before the public beta.

Acceptance Criteria

The alpha must allow authenticated players to start and complete full matches without crashes or broken states. Wallet login must work across at least two commonly used Cardano wallets, and the system must load test NFT cards into the player’s deck consistently. UI elements such as health bars, card actions, resource counters, and turn order indicators must function clearly and reliably. Internal testers must verify that the matchmaking system places two players into a match within reasonable time and enables them to play a full game. All basic testing scenarios must pass without blocking bugs.

Evidence of Completion

Evidence will include a playable alpha link accessible to Catalyst reviewers, a screen capture video showing a full match using NFT cards, and on-chain records demonstrating the minting of internal test NFTs. The team will provide QA logs detailing the scenarios tested, as well as commit history showing the alpha updates. A short report will summarize improvements made, issues resolved, and readiness for public beta.

Delivery Month

1

Cost

63830

Progress

10 %

Milestone Title

Public Beta Release

Milestone Outputs

The public beta will introduce Wargrum to the broader community. It will include starter decks for new players, stable matchmaking, and access to core gameplay. The marketplace will launch with essential features that allow players to list, buy, and sell NFT cards. A partial version of the GRUM token reward system will activate so players can earn tokens from matches and limited tasks. The beta will also gather performance data, identify bottlenecks under load, and collect player feedback. This milestone is designed to validate the overall user experience, gameplay accessibility, and early on-chain activity patterns.

Acceptance Criteria

Players must be able to connect their wallets, receive starter decks, and complete matches consistently. Marketplace transactions must function correctly from listing to purchase. GRUM rewards must be issued reliably after matches and display correctly in the player’s wallet. The beta needs to remain stable with active users and demonstrate successful load handling for multiple concurrent games. The feedback loop must be open, with community channels available for reporting bugs and suggestions. All core systems must be functional enough for public playtesting.

Evidence of Completion

Evidence will include the live beta URL, publicly verifiable wallet login logs, marketplace transactions on Cardano, and visible GRUM token movements on-chain. A community announcement will document the launch and instructions for participation. A performance summary will be provided, including user counts, match completions, and marketplace activity during the beta period.

Delivery Month

3

Cost

74468

Progress

30 %

Milestone Title

Full 240-Card Set Release and Contract Audits

Milestone Outputs

This milestone delivers the complete 240-card NFT set, which forms the full roster of cards for the official launch season. Each card will be minted as a Cardano NFT with its own metadata and rarity. The GRUM token contract, marketplace scripts, and land system contracts will undergo an external audit by a reputable firm to confirm security and reliability. Marketplace upgrades will improve performance, filtering, and search features. Visual improvements will be added to cards, animations, and UI elements. This milestone finalizes the backbone of the on-chain economy.

Acceptance Criteria

All 240 cards must mint correctly, display their metadata, and load into decks without errors. Audit results must show that the smart contracts meet security standards and pass all required checks. Marketplace actions must operate smoothly even at high volume. Visual improvements must appear correctly in the game client. Internal tests must confirm that the full card set integrates with gameplay without breaking balance or causing technical issues.

Evidence of Completion

Evidence will include a published audit report, on-chain minting records for the 240 cards, marketplace access logs, and a gameplay demonstration video showing the full card set in action. Internal QA reports and community feedback from early access testers will support completion verification.

Delivery Month

6

Cost

95745

Progress

50 %

Milestone Title

Land NFT and Resource System Launch

Milestone Outputs

This milestone activates the Land Wars economy. All land NFTs will be minted and distributed to early holders. Each land parcel generates resources at a predictable rate, and the crafting system will allow players to convert these resources into items and upgrades. The land map interface will show ownership, production rates, and challenge opportunities. This milestone expands the game into a deeper strategic layer that connects deck building, resource management, and competition.

Acceptance Criteria

Land NFTs must appear in connected wallets, load into the map view, and update ownership in real time. Resource generation must produce on-chain outputs that users can claim, track, and spend. The crafting system must allow resource inputs to create items and verify ownership of required materials. Land interactions must function correctly across all supported browsers. All systems tied to land and resources must operate smoothly and predictably.

Evidence of Completion

Evidence will include on-chain transactions showing resource generation and claims, land NFT minting records, a demonstration video walking through land ownership and crafting, and internal QA results confirming correct operation. The team will also provide a report summarizing the first wave of land activity.

Delivery Month

9

Cost

85106

Progress

70 %

Milestone Title

Wargrum Version 1.0 Launch

Milestone Outputs

Version 1.0 will launch with the complete gameplay system, full GRUM integration, polished UI, improved animations, and optimized servers. The onboarding system will be refined to help new players join Cardano and the game easily. A global tournament will introduce competitive play and mark the official launch of Wargrum as a live product. This milestone finalizes the transition from beta to a full release.

Acceptance Criteria

Version 1.0 must remain stable under load and support seamless matchmaking. GRUM must function across all sinks, including pack purchases, crafting fees, tournament entries, and cosmetic upgrades. Tournament tools must support large turnouts and handle rewards correctly. The onboarding tutorial must let new users complete their first match without confusion. All launch features must meet performance expectations.

Evidence of Completion

Evidence includes the public release announcement, tournament results and participation logs, on-chain GRUM activity, and a full gameplay showcase video. A launch report will detail performance, user feedback, and stability metrics.

Delivery Month

11

Cost

74468

Progress

90 %

Milestone Title

Post-Launch Expansion and Community Growth

Milestone Outputs

This milestone focuses on sustaining growth beyond launch. It includes seasonal content updates, rotating tournaments, community events, improved onboarding resources, and previews of upcoming card sets. This phase strengthens long-term retention, boosts on-chain activity, and maintains a stable user base. Continuous monitoring of community feedback and performance metrics ensures the game remains responsive to player needs.

Acceptance Criteria

Seasonal updates must be delivered consistently and documented. Community events must show measurable participation, while retention metrics must indicate ongoing engagement. On-chain activity must demonstrate continued GRUM usage and NFT trading. The onboarding updates must improve clarity and reduce friction for new users. Performance improvements must be based on logged metrics.

Evidence of Completion

Evidence will include event participation logs, seasonal patch notes, community engagement reports, and on-chain activity summaries. A final milestone report will show retention levels, user activity, and system improvements made since launch.

Delivery Month

12

Cost

31915

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

The total funding request is 200,000 USD, converted to ADA at the live market rate. The budget is divided across development, auditing, infrastructure, marketing, and compensation for core contributors. Development receives 60,000 USD to complete the game systems, integrate smart contracts, finalize UI, polish animations, and support engineering needs. Security and audits receive 15,000 USD to cover external review of the GRUM token, marketplace scripts, and land resource logic. Infrastructure receives 25,000 USD for servers, hosting, analytics, wallet services, monitoring, and stability tools.

Marketing and community growth account for 40,000 USD, supporting influencer campaigns, tournament prizes, community events, and growth efforts across social channels. Key contributor compensation includes 30,000 USD for Jason Appleton for leadership, content, and community engagement, and 30,000 USD for Eli Skenandore for technical leadership, game system design, and delivery oversight. A contingency of 10,000 USD covers unexpected engineering, scaling, or operational needs. All costs together support the full development, testing, launch, and initial growth of Wargrum.

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

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

Wargrum provides strong value for the Cardano ecosystem because it directly increases on-chain activity and demonstrates real utility for NFTs and native tokens. Each card, land parcel, crafted resource, and GRUM transaction drives verifiable on-chain usage. The project introduces new users to Cardano through gameplay rather than speculation, which increases wallet adoption and marketplace volume. Wargrum’s design creates a recurring loop of transactions as players earn, trade, craft, battle, and participate in tournaments. This supports long-term activity rather than one-time engagement.

The budget supports delivery of a fully built, audited, and publicly launched game, not a prototype. This includes a complete card set, fully integrated GRUM token economy, land resource system, and live marketplace. The marketing portion ensures that players and collectors discover the game, and the compensation budget secures long-term commitment from the core leaders. Because Wargrum becomes self-sustaining through NFT sales, trading activity, and seasonal expansions, the Catalyst investment creates a lasting product that will continue driving Cardano activity without ongoing funding needs. The result is a high-impact project at a competitive cost per feature delivered.

[Self-Assessment] Self-Assessment Checklist

I confirm that evidence of prior research, whitepaper, design, or proof-of-concept is provided.

Yes

I confirm that the proposal includes ecosystem research and uses the findings to either (a) justify its uniqueness over existing solutions or (b) demonstrate the value of its novel approach.

Yes

I confirm that the proposal demonstrates technical capability via verifiable in-house talent or a confirmed development partner (GitHub, LinkedIn, portfolio, etc.)

Yes

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

Yes

I confirm that the proposal clearly defines the problem and the value of the on-chain utility.

Yes

I confirm that the primary goal of the proposal is a working prototype deployed on at least a Cardano testnet.

Yes

I confirm that the proposal outlines a credible and clear technical plan and architecture.

Yes

I confirm that the budget and timeline (≤ 12 months) are realistic for the proposed work.

Yes

I confirm that the proposal includes a community engagement and feedback plan to amplify prototype adoption with the Cardano ecosystem.

Yes

I confirm that the budget is for future development only; excludes retroactive funding, incentives, giveaways, re-granting, or sub-treasuries.

Yes

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

I Agree

Yes