How to write a whitepaper for an NFT game?

Maciej Zieliński

10 Jul 2022
How to write a whitepaper for an NFT game?

If you've ever wanted to learn more about how to write a whitepaper for an NFT game, you're in the right place. In our article, we point out the process of creating a whitepaper for NFT games and the elements that play a key role in it. Read our guide and see what you need to keep in mind when creating your whitepaper for an NFT game. Here are some tips to make your NFT game whitepaper stand out from the competition. Here we go! 

Whitepaper for NFT game - basic information 

When creating a whitepaper for your NFT game, keep in mind that you are targeting both professionals and people who are just starting investing and gaming. If you want to make the best possible whitepaper, then put yourself in the customer's shoes and consider what questions come to mind first for the person who is potentially interested in your NFT game. Many years of observation of successful projects indicate that a professionally written whitepaper for an NFT game should answer the following questions:

  1. Introducing the game - in this regard, you should indicate what your game is about, what kind of ecosystem it has, whether it has a storyline, and what it is about. For example - a whitepaper for the game Axie Infinity will indicate that it is about collecting, raising, and selling animals. In contrast, the title "The Sandbox" will be characterized as a game in which you buy, rent, lease, or sell land. To determine what you want your game to be about and describe its outline in the first section of the whitepaper. 
  1. How does the project work? - in this area, it is useful to know the technicalities on which your game is based. Focus on presenting whether the game works based on the ERC-20 standard or ERC-721. In addition, specify in which blockchain technology you are creating your title. The most popular solutions are Flow, Ethereum, and Tezos. We wrote more about it - > here. 
  1. On what basis and in what quantities can you obtain NFT? - For example, the aforementioned Sandbox indicates that you get NFT through rent, lease, and sale of land. Axie Infinity specifies that you gain through breeding and selling animals. What does your NFT game offer? Indicate it here. 
  1. A description of the project's financing - if your NFT game obtained capital through crowdfunding, ICO, STO, or IDO, indicate it here. 
  1. Information about the team behind the NFT project - is an element that adds credibility. Describe who created the project, and what role they played in it. Familiar names attract much more interest. 
  1. Capital storage - specify on which wallets you can store NFT in your platform. This factor is interestingly described in the whitepaper of the game "Decentraland".

These are just the basics that you need to include in your whitepaper for NFT. Below we point out additional elements that will increase its credibility and help it succeed. 

Tokenomics

As one of the main elements of NFT games, it should be described in an extremely precise way. In particular, the whitepaper should state what cryptocurrency the project supports and what type of tokens it uses. At the same time, it should be indicated whether the title was created first or, however, the token - this behavior shows the direction of the NFT game developer's thinking. If it was started with a token, in practice, the main goal is likely to be profit from the game. If, on the other hand, the game was created first and then the token, it means that the person respects his users, because he starts with an offer prepared for them - not under himself.  Another factor related to tokenomics is whether a title works with other games and cryptocurrency platforms. This can make financial assets much more liquid and practical than if they are limited to a single game. Keep in mind whether art assets, skins, tokens, etc. are readily available to third parties. If so - this will enable developers among the community to build their tools and experiences in a given title. As an example, consider the game Axie Infinity, which works this way. Economic openness makes it possible for players to monetize their concepts among other users, which also increases liquidity on a given platform.

If we talk about tokenomics, then we need to point out all the factors related to the monetization of the game in the context of Play to Earn:

  • How can the game be monetized?
  • In what time frame can this be achieved?
  • Are players entitled to rewards? If so, for what and in what amount?
  • How is payment for additional products made?
  • How can skins, NFTs, etc. be sold?

If there is (or was) an ICO, IEO, or IDO organized, indicate any elements related to this and resulting in the implementation of Soft Cup and hard Cup. This is an extremely important factor, as users need to know what we offer as part of the financing organization (if any). In addition, it will be necessary to specify the tokens and the method of their use. In particular, it should be determined whether they will be:

  • NFT tokens
  • Defi tokens
  • Governance Tokens
  • Security tokens
  • and what function they serve. 

Economic sustainability is another factor that should be included in the NFT. We need to indicate how the financing and trading of NFT data in the title will be kept alive. For example - in Ax Infinity it was indicated that battles between players will be updated regularly, there will be new objectives in the universe, and the value of the game is to be based on community and progression. An interesting idea is to indicate additional sources of funding that are not strictly related to the metaverse. In this case, you can refer to the implementation of additional sources of capital to the project by:

  • starting advertising,
  • finding sponsors,
  • selling physical goods related to the title,
  • organizing offline live events and building a community. 

Tokenomics must identify the flow of capital, its origin, present the value behind the title, and how it will continue to expand. If these factors are properly presented, we have half the success. 

NFT Whitepaper, and Infographics

There are many reasons to use infographics in an NFT whitepaper. Remember, NFTs are growing in popularity and offer endless business opportunities that not everyone understands after reading dry written text. To help explain why NFTs are important, you can use the following three types of infographics: 

  • Ecosystem, 
  • Sales, 
  • Risk

Infographics can help readers understand the complexity of NFTs and how they work. They also help inform how to sell them and make the best use of their financial resources. The most striking ones are those that visually present a lot of data. This makes them easier to understand. Below is a sample infographic from the Zeedz.io game whitepaper.

whitepaper

It identifies information on the NFT supply of the game. You can find more information in this regard - > here. Another infographic describing the NFT breakdown of the game deals with the detailed settlement and is as follows: 

whitepaper

Infographics are more readable for people who are visual and do not analyze text. It is worth having them in your NFT game whitepaper. In addition, they can be easily shared, so your content reaches a large audience. It's a good idea to hire a designer with design skills to ensure your content looks professional and gets the right results. A good graphic designer should have a portfolio of his work, as well as a quality workshop. Also, pictograms have long been a popular and useful way to describe digital assets. You can use them to store everything from digital art to tweets. The idea behind NFT is to allow users to create and store such collections. The benefits of this technology and the solutions indicated above are obvious. 

Basic structural elements of a whitepaper for the NFT game 

To be successful, an NFT whitepaper must include the following features: 

  • Cover: A well-designed whitepaper should be easy to read. An interesting wrapper is meant to inspire confidence in potential contributors and showcase the team. Make sure your photos are high quality and have a consistent style throughout the document. You can use company photos to introduce the team.
  • To help subscribers find and buy NFT, the whitepaper should be made available through a secure platform. It should also include videos that can encourage subscribers to watch and learn more about the project. For example - Anxie Infinity has a video, which can be found here -> link.
  • While NFTs have many advantages, the biggest challenge facing this technology is fluidity. While the NFT whitepaper highlights the benefits of smart contracts, it should be noted that this market is still in its infancy, but is large enough to provide a good experience for developers and consumers. In addition, NFTs are more secure than digital disks, making them a better choice for cryptocurrencies and other non-physical assets.
  • Formatting: NFT documentation should be properly formatted. The reader must be able to easily understand the technical details. To this end, it is a good idea to add graphics and photos to make the document more attractive. Make sure that the visual and textual elements complement each other and do not distract from the message. As for charts, photos and dashboards, try to make them as easy to read as possible. 
  • Roadmap - with it you will present a vision for the development of your title. It will help to show, in a simplified way, where the project is going and answer basic questions about the timing of its implementation. The roadmap helps you identify the strategy of the game and coordinate the progress of its implementation. 
  • Team - presenting an official team of people shows that there are professionals behind a project who are not afraid to sign off on it. This is important because it builds trust among the community for a given NFT game. The more well-known names in the crypto industry and respected - the better type. 

Top 5 whitepapers for NFT games 

Currently, the most popular titles that make gaming NFT have great whitepapers. Check out the list below to see what a well-constructed whitepaper should look like in practice

Anxie Inifity

Anxie Inifity - > check out the whitepaper. This Whitepaper has in practice everything that a professionally drafted document must have. In it we can find: 

-thoroughly described gameplay, 

-methods of earning money from playing, 

-indication of the time we need to obtain capital, 

-in addition, the whole tokenomics of the game in the present and future time is brilliantly shown,

-The flow of capital is described, as well as the methods of securing it and the direction of business development. 

Zeedz.io

Zeedz.io -> check out the whitepaper. First of all, this document is made extremely aesthetically pleasing. In addition, it coolly compares the NFT project to the traditional version of computer games. Another interesting concept is the indication that 1% of the commissions from transactions are donated to the expansion of the system and the game, which shows that the developers constantly want to develop it!

The Sandbox

The Sandbox -> check out the whitepaper. This is a heavily expanded whitepaper that has all the necessary elements in it. It includes a description of the gameplay, extremely detailed tokenomics, widely explained use of other technologies, and security of capital storage. In addition, several infographics are presented here, which simply describe the project. 

Decentraland

Decetraland -> check out the whitepaper. This whitepaper differs from the others in its simplicity of information. It conveys, in brief, the form of gameplay, settlement and tokenomics, and technology. It can be said that Decentraland is a summary of any well-written whitepaper of other, larger titles. 

Blankos Block

Blankos Block - > check out the whitepaper. This is a title that stands out from other games in terms of technology and documentation. Instead of a classic whitepaper, it has a separate blog that answers all the questions that a whitepaper should answer. You could say that it is a whitepaper in the form of a blog entry. The entry itself describes the technology of the game and even the hardware requirements to run it. There is also a description of tokenomics and answers to the most popular questions from players. It's a different look at the NFT Game market, as it departs from a fully formalized whitepaper, but presents the most important information about the project. 

Summary 

Analyzing the above information, it can be concluded that the whitepaper is one of several key elements that are responsible for the success of the NFT project. For this reason, it is worth knowing its structure and understanding how to use the documentation in question. A properly drafted whitepaper has the tokenomics of the game well dissected. Users need to be fully aware of how to earn money playing a given title, how to sell the NFTs they acquire, and whether they can be used on different platforms. We point out at this point that our company has a team of specialists who have years of experience in creating whitepapers and will be happy to help you create a professional document. 

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Token Engineering Process

Kajetan Olas

13 Apr 2024
Token Engineering Process

Token Engineering is an emerging field that addresses the systematic design and engineering of blockchain-based tokens. It applies rigorous mathematical methods from the Complex Systems Engineering discipline to tokenomics design.

In this article, we will walk through the Token Engineering Process and break it down into three key stages. Discovery Phase, Design Phase, and Deployment Phase.

Discovery Phase of Token Engineering Process

The first stage of the token engineering process is the Discovery Phase. It focuses on constructing high-level business plans, defining objectives, and identifying problems to be solved. That phase is also the time when token engineers first define key stakeholders in the project.

Defining the Problem

This may seem counterintuitive. Why would we start with the problem when designing tokenomics? Shouldn’t we start with more down-to-earth matters like token supply? The answer is No. Tokens are a medium for creating and exchanging value within a project’s ecosystem. Since crypto projects draw their value from solving problems that can’t be solved through TradFi mechanisms, their tokenomics should reflect that. 

The industry standard, developed by McKinsey & Co. and adapted to token engineering purposes by Outlier Ventures, is structuring the problem through a logic tree, following MECE.
MECE stands for Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive. Mutually Exclusive means that problems in the tree should not overlap. Collectively Exhaustive means that the tree should cover all issues.

In practice, the “Problem” should be replaced by a whole problem statement worksheet. The same will hold for some of the boxes.
A commonly used tool for designing these kinds of diagrams is the Miro whiteboard.

Identifying Stakeholders and Value Flows in Token Engineering

This part is about identifying all relevant actors in the ecosystem and how value flows between them. To illustrate what we mean let’s consider an example of NFT marketplace. In its case, relevant actors might be sellers, buyers, NFT creators, and a marketplace owner. Possible value flow when conducting a transaction might be: buyer gets rid of his tokens, seller gets some of them, marketplace owner gets some of them as fees, and NFT creators get some of them as royalties.

Incentive Mechanisms Canvas

The last part of what we consider to be in the Discovery Phase is filling the Incentive Mechanisms Canvas. After successfully identifying value flows in the previous stage, token engineers search for frictions to desired behaviors and point out the undesired behaviors. For example, friction to activity on an NFT marketplace might be respecting royalty fees by marketplace owners since it reduces value flowing to the seller.

source: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFDTNKsIJs/8Ky9EoJJI7p98qKLIu2XNw/view#7

Design Phase of Token Engineering Process

The second stage of the Token Engineering Process is the Design Phase in which you make use of high-level descriptions from the previous step to come up with a specific design of the project. This will include everything that can be usually found in crypto whitepapers (e.g. governance mechanisms, incentive mechanisms, token supply, etc). After finishing the design, token engineers should represent the whole value flow and transactional logic on detailed visual diagrams. These diagrams will be a basis for creating mathematical models in the Deployment Phase. 

Token Engineering Artonomous Design Diagram
Artonomous design diagram, source: Artonomous GitHub

Objective Function

Every crypto project has some objective. The objective can consist of many goals, such as decentralization or token price. The objective function is a mathematical function assigning weights to different factors that influence the main objective in the order of their importance. This function will be a reference for machine learning algorithms in the next steps. They will try to find quantitative parameters (e.g. network fees) that maximize the output of this function.
Modified Metcalfe’s Law can serve as an inspiration during that step. It’s a framework for valuing crypto projects, but we believe that after adjustments it can also be used in this context.

Deployment Phase of Token Engineering Process

The Deployment Phase is final, but also the most demanding step in the process. It involves the implementation of machine learning algorithms that test our assumptions and optimize quantitative parameters. Token Engineering draws from Nassim Taleb’s concept of Antifragility and extensively uses feedback loops to make a system that gains from arising shocks.

Agent-based Modelling 

In agent-based modeling, we describe a set of behaviors and goals displayed by each agent participating in the system (this is why previous steps focused so much on describing stakeholders). Each agent is controlled by an autonomous AI and continuously optimizes his strategy. He learns from his experience and can mimic the behavior of other agents if he finds it effective (Reinforced Learning). This approach allows for mimicking real users, who adapt their strategies with time. An example adaptive agent would be a cryptocurrency trader, who changes his trading strategy in response to experiencing a loss of money.

Monte Carlo Simulations

Token Engineers use the Monte Carlo method to simulate the consequences of various possible interactions while taking into account the probability of their occurrence. By running a large number of simulations it’s possible to stress-test the project in multiple scenarios and identify emergent risks.

Testnet Deployment

If possible, it's highly beneficial for projects to extend the testing phase even further by letting real users use the network. Idea is the same as in agent-based testing - continuous optimization based on provided metrics. Furthermore, in case the project considers airdropping its tokens, giving them to early users is a great strategy. Even though part of the activity will be disingenuine and airdrop-oriented, such strategy still works better than most.

Time Duration

Token engineering process may take from as little as 2 weeks to as much as 5 months. It depends on the project category (Layer 1 protocol will require more time, than a simple DApp), and security requirements. For example, a bank issuing its digital token will have a very low risk tolerance.

Required Skills for Token Engineering

Token engineering is a multidisciplinary field and requires a great amount of specialized knowledge. Key knowledge areas are:

  • Systems Engineering
  • Machine Learning
  • Market Research
  • Capital Markets
  • Current trends in Web3
  • Blockchain Engineering
  • Statistics

Summary

The token engineering process consists of 3 steps: Discovery Phase, Design Phase, and Deployment Phase. It’s utilized mostly by established blockchain projects, and financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund. Even though it’s a very resource-consuming process, we believe it’s worth it. Projects that went through scrupulous design and testing before launch are much more likely to receive VC funding and be in the 10% of crypto projects that survive the bear market. Going through that process also has a symbolic meaning - it shows that the project is long-term oriented.

If you're looking to create a robust tokenomics model and go through institutional-grade testing please reach out to contact@nextrope.com. Our team is ready to help you with the token engineering process and ensure your project’s resilience in the long term.

FAQ

What does token engineering process look like?

  • Token engineering process is conducted in a 3-step methodical fashion. This includes Discovery Phase, Design Phase, and Deployment Phase. Each of these stages should be tailored to the specific needs of a project.

Is token engineering meant only for big projects?

  • We recommend that even small projects go through a simplified design and optimization process. This increases community's trust and makes sure that the tokenomics doesn't have any obvious flaws.

How long does the token engineering process take?

  • It depends on the project and may range from 2 weeks to 5 months.

What is Berachain? 🐻 ⛓️ + Proof-of-Liquidity Explained

Karolina

18 Mar 2024
What is Berachain? 🐻 ⛓️ + Proof-of-Liquidity Explained

Enter Berachain: a high-performance, EVM-compatible blockchain that is set to redefine the landscape of decentralized applications (dApps) and blockchain services. Built on the innovative Proof-of-Liquidity consensus and leveraging the robust Polaris framework alongside the CometBFT consensus engine, Berachain is poised to offer an unprecedented blend of efficiency, security, and user-centric benefits. Let's dive into what makes it a groundbreaking development in the blockchain ecosystem.

What is Berachain?

Overview

Berachain is an EVM-compatible Layer 1 (L1) blockchain that stands out through its adoption of the Proof-of-Liquidity (PoL) consensus mechanism. Designed to address the critical challenges faced by decentralized networks. It introduces a cutting-edge approach to blockchain governance and operations.

Key Features

  • High-performance Capabilities. Berachain is engineered for speed and scalability, catering to the growing demand for efficient blockchain solutions.
  • EVM Compatibility. It supports all Ethereum tooling, operations, and smart contract languages, making it a seamless transition for developers and projects from the Ethereum ecosystem.
  • Proof-of-Liquidity.This novel consensus mechanism focuses on building liquidity, decentralizing stake, and aligning the interests of validators and protocol developers.

MUST READ: Docs

EVM-Compatible vs EVM-Equivalent

EVM-Compatible

EVM compatibility means a blockchain can interact with Ethereum's ecosystem to some extent. It can interact supporting its smart contracts and tools but not replicating the entire EVM environment.

EVM-Equivalent

An EVM-equivalent blockchain, on the other hand, aims to fully replicate Ethereum's environment. It ensures complete compatibility and a smooth transition for developers and users alike.

Berachain's Position

Berachain can be considered an "EVM-equivalent-plus" blockchain. It supports all Ethereum operations, tooling, and additional functionalities that optimize for its unique Proof-of-Liquidity and abstracted use cases.

Berachain Modular First Approach

At the heart of Berachain's development philosophy is the Polaris EVM framework. It's a testament to the blockchain's commitment to modularity and flexibility. This approach allows for the easy separation of the EVM runtime layer, ensuring that Berachain can adapt and evolve without compromising on performance or security.

Proof Of Liquidity Overview

High-Level Model Objectives

  • Systemically Build Liquidity. By enhancing trading efficiency, price stability, and network growth, Berachain aims to foster a thriving ecosystem of decentralized applications.
  • Solve Stake Centralization. The PoL consensus works to distribute stake more evenly across the network, preventing monopolization and ensuring a decentralized, secure blockchain.
  • Align Protocols and Validators. Berachain encourages a symbiotic relationship between validators and the broader protocol ecosystem.

Proof-of-Liquidity vs Proof-of-Stake

Unlike traditional Proof of Stake (PoS), which often leads to stake centralization and reduced liquidity, Proof of Liquidity (PoL) introduces mechanisms to incentivize liquidity provision and ensure a fairer, more decentralized network. Berachain separates the governance token (BGT) from the chain's gas token (BERA) and incentives liquidity through BEX pools. Berachain's PoL aims to overcome the limitations of PoS, fostering a more secure and user-centric blockchain.

Berachain EVM and Modular Approach

Polaris EVM

Polaris EVM is the cornerstone of Berachain's EVM compatibility, offering developers an enhanced environment for smart contract execution that includes stateful precompiles and custom modules. This framework ensures that Berachain not only meets but exceeds the capabilities of the traditional Ethereum Virtual Machine.

CometBFT

The CometBFT consensus engine underpins Berachain's network, providing a secure and efficient mechanism for transaction verification and block production. By leveraging the principles of Byzantine fault tolerance (BFT), CometBFT ensures the integrity and resilience of the Berachain blockchain.

Conclusion

Berachain represents a significant leap forward in blockchain technology, combining the best of Ethereum's ecosystem with innovative consensus mechanisms and a modular development approach. As the blockchain landscape continues to evolve, Berachain stands out as a promising platform for developers, users, and validators alike, offering a scalable, efficient, and inclusive environment for decentralized applications and services.

Resources

For those interested in exploring further, a wealth of resources is available, including the Berachain documentation, GitHub repository, and community forums. It offers a compelling vision for the future of blockchain technology, marked by efficiency, security, and community-driven innovation.

FAQ

How is Berachain different?

  • It integrates Proof-of-Liquidity to address stake centralization and enhance liquidity, setting it apart from other blockchains.

Is Berachain EVM-compatible?

  • Yes, it supports Ethereum's tooling and smart contract languages, facilitating easy migration of dApps.

Can it handle high transaction volumes?

  • Yes, thanks to the Polaris framework and CometBFT consensus engine, it's built for scalability and high throughput.