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Is StarDust the future of blockchain gaming? Analysis of the project

Maciej Zieliński

14 Sep 2022
Is StarDust the future of blockchain gaming? Analysis of the project
Table of Contents

Nowadays, every game developer should be able to succeed financially by selling their products. Stardust's mission is to increase the revenue of authors of such productions. Blockchain has created a paradigm shift in the monetization of video games, transforming games from closed-circuit microtransaction revenue to an open-world meta-economy monetized through the community. The Stardust project makes blockchain technology easily accessible to any developer. This is because it is a platform for authors to create blockchain-based games easily. Like PlayFab (a complete platform for live games with managed game services, real-time analytics and LiveOps), Stardust allows developers to easily create and manage NFTs in their games without needing blockchain code. Notably, the platform is available to everyone, from independent developers to AAA (games with the highest budgeting and promotion). Creating fast, secure, and scalable blockchain-based games is time-consuming and expensive for developers. What does this project offer, and why is it worth knowing? We write about it below!

What problems does Stardust solve? 

The most significant advantages cited by developers when building virtual worlds with the help of Stardust are that:

  • Provides developers with a solution without writing code to create and manage NFTs,
  • Stardust optimizes transactions, making blockchain-based games as fast as non-blockchain games.

What does Stardust provide? 

The Stardust project provides players with wallets powered by Fireblocks. It is a platform for storing, transferring, and settling digital assets. It helps guarantee the best gaming experience. Players are supposed to be able to buy NFTs with a credit card or cryptocurrency easily. The Stardust payment widget allows many different options when purchasing NFTs. The Stardust Dashboard makes it easy for any developer to create game snippets without writing code.

StarDust

As part of navigating Stardust, game developers can:

  • Create NFTs for their productions,
  • Observe players and their inventory,
  • Configure their store,
  • Do without creating wallets, buying cryptocurrencies, or smart contracts.

Stardust API

The Stardust API decouples blockchain from game developers, and creating assets is as simple as a few lines of code. In addition, Stardust provides: 

  • No transaction signing. 
  • No private key management. 
  • Response time of 100ms. 
  • The processing engine takes standardized JSON data and converts it into signed blockchain transactions that are processed instantly. 

This is all to provide game developers with the instant response time they need and then send and settle transactions on the blockchain. With this model and serverless architecture, millions of in-game actions can be processed simultaneously, providing big games with the speed and scalability needed to run games at total capacity. The processing engine is also completely independent of the blockchain, making it possible to process many of them simultaneously. With the Stardust API, game developers can provide trust wallets for users to log in based on username/password or social media.

Stardust payments

There are many solutions in this area - Crypto, Wyre, Ramp, etc. However, game developers need a fully integrated product that allows them to sell their NFTs directly to Fiat rather than the indirect path of Fiat -> Crypto -> NFT. With Stardust's payment widget, with just a few lines of code, developers can start accepting credit cards from Circle, Coinbase Commerce, and other currencies.

Why isn't Stardust building a blockchain? 

Stardust is focused on enabling game developers to create games faster and more efficiently using NFT. Unlike authors who focus on blockchain technology - with Stardust, they can focus 100% of their resources on producing virtual entertainment. This has made Stardust an interesting option for adding value to major development studios, both native web2 and web3. Blockchains are like operating systems - each has unique advantages, disadvantages, and costs. Starting with the scalability dilemma and native web3 user interfaces, developers must consider many new factors during the implementation process. Some productions may require faster transaction speeds, while others may require greater security and flexibility regarding data stored on the blockchain. By maintaining a blockchain-independent approach, Stardust can provide game developers with the option to choose the blockchain that best suits their gaming needs. Fantastic blockchain and scaling solutions are available today - fast, flexible, cheap and secure. Stardust's product is aimed specifically at developers. 

What are Stardust's goals? 

In order for Project Stardust to best serve game developers, certain external theses had to be adopted. Stardust's goal is to make it as easy as possible to capture, manage and trade NFTs so that developers can focus on what they do best - making great games. Amazing blockchains and above-average teams are working on some of the world's most challenging issues. Stardust, as you can see, does not intend to compete with them but mainly to cooperate and work together to make their work easier through flexible and intuitive tools.

Dark Taverns - the first Stardust game 

Dark Taverns is a free-to-play open-world MMORPG set in a fantasy environment. Players can explore the deep forest and discover mysterious creatures and items, form guilds with friends needed to fight new threats, or explore the world alone. Gamers embark on an unforgettable journey in a new virtual world they can now explore like never before. Backed by a growing 39-person development team of former Ubisoft and NCSoft employees with extensive experience in AAA games, the developer has set itself a challenging task. With the increased emphasis on player ownership, people began to look for answers to what players want to own. In the case of Dark Taverns, the game's titular tavern is the focal point of the world. Players enter the world, meet, rest, and regenerate. The team began to think about how they could create more usability for players. With the development of Web3, the concept of a virtual property went from an idea to reality. Dark Taverns is exploring what this means not only for players but also for that outside of it. There are 10,000 taverns in this virtual world, all of which are available for purchase by interested parties. Players who own a Tavern can customize its appearance, rent rooms, and hold meetings and events. The boss determines changes in tavern settings. They can have public areas that anyone can enter or be pretty private. The latter can be not only a ticket to an event but also an invitation for people outside that game area to log in and enter a private room. A tavern is a virtual space that is not only a central point of entertainment but also a place for various virtual experiences. Owners can plan concerts, comedian appearances, or gatherings for both in-game and out-of-game guests.

First good game with full Web3 functionality

With the popularity of Web3, the Dark Taverns team immediately began exploring the possibilities of the technology. Today, the team can program all the elements of Web3 on its own. Co-founder, architect, and game developer Tony Hobda said: "We knew how to do it, but finding the best way to program Web3 made it a lot less effort. Dark Taverns wants to let players experience the benefits of blockchain-based gameplay without making it mandatory or the game's focus. Players can acquire or buy items they have the right to resell in the ecosystem or mint an item and sell it on the market. Stardust is a new Web3 platform focused on the Metaverse, specifically creating solutions that integrate blockchain services, such as NFT, with video games. Its latest collaboration is "Tilting Point," an independent developer's production for mobile devices. "Tilting Point," which previously created gameplay with a free-to-play model with transactions inside, is now moving to a play-to-pay model in which players can win NFTs by entering into a virtual world competition.

Stardust WEB 2 and WEB 3 

Web2 refers to the version of the Internet that most of us are familiar with today. The Internet is dominated by companies that provide services in exchange for personal information. In the context of Ethereum, Web3 refers to decentralized applications running on the blockchain. These allow anyone to participate without making money from their data.

The benefits of WEB 3 are as follows:

  • Everyone on the network has permission to use the service - in other words, no licenses are required,
  • No one can take away a user's right to participate in web3,
  • ETH tokens as forms of payment - an additional benefit is the flexibility of this solution, which allows for expansion and programming of further functionality.

WEB 3 disadvantages: 

Web3 now has some limitations. First, scalability - transactions in web3 are slower because they are decentralized. State changes, such as payments, must be processed by "miners" and distributed across the network. 

Second, UX -interaction with web3 applications may require additional steps, software, and education. This can present some obstacles. And third, cost - most successful applications place tiny pieces of code in the blockchain because it is expensive.

The future of blockchain-based gaming

The gaming sector itself is growing faster than the film industry. So it's no surprise that NFT and blockchain are being used to improve the industry. As of today, there are more than 1,450 games that have been developed on blockchain technology. The success of significant titles, e.g., Axie Infinity, shows that the cryptocurrency and gaming industries complement each other well. Unfortunately, larger gaming studios are holding back on investing in and producing such titles due to cryptocurrency laws and regulations. Let's hope that the situation will change to a more liberal one in time. 

Tagi

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What is Account Abstraction?

Karolina

10 Nov 2023
What is Account Abstraction?

Account abstraction is a new way of thinking about how users interact with blockchains. Instead of using traditional externally owned accounts (EOAs), account abstraction allows users to create and manage their accounts using smart contracts. This has a number of potential benefits, including improved security, enhanced privacy, and increased flexibility.

Table of Contents

What is account abstraction?

Account abstraction is a concept that, at its core, aims to simplify the user's interaction with blockchain networks. It is a transformative approach that seeks to mask the technicalities of blockchain operations from end-users. It is making transactions as straightforward as sending an email. Account Abstr. allows users to interact with the blockchain without worrying about the underlying technical details.

How does account abstraction differ from the traditional model?

In the traditional account model, each user has an EOA. EOAs are controlled by private keys, which must be kept secret in order to protect the user's funds. Acc. abstraction allows users to create and manage their accounts using smart contracts.

Historical Context

The journey towards acc. abstraction began with the first generation of blockchain technologies, characterized by their "one-size-fits-all" approach to account management. Bitcoin, for instance, introduced the concept of accounts and transactions in a form that was accessible to tech-savvy individuals but remained perplexing to the layperson. Ethereum expanded on this by introducing smart contracts, which opened the door to programmable transactions but did not alter the fundamental account structure. The idea of acc. abstraction has been discussed in the Ethereum community for several years as a part of various Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), particularly as a feature to be potentially implemented in Ethereum 2.0. It is a direct response to the need for a more versatile and user-centric design that can cater to a broader audience and spur the widespread adoption of blockchain technology.

The Technicalities of Account Abstraction

Account abstraction is not merely a theoretical construct but a technical innovation with specific mechanisms underpinning its operation. In essence, it alters the way transactions are initiated and executed within a blockchain network.

How Account Abstraction Works

Under traditional blockchain models, initiating a transaction involves an externally owned account (EOA) signing a transaction with a private key. This transaction is then broadcast to the network for validation and inclusion in the blockchain. Account abstraction, however, replaces this process with a more flexible one. Here, every account is a smart contract, and transactions are messages sent through these contracts. These smart contracts can encode complex rules for transaction validation, beyond what EOAs can do, such as multi-signature requirements or conditional transactions based on certain triggers.

The technical crux of account abstraction lies in the smart contract’s ability to define its own conditions for transaction execution. This means that user accounts can have unique security protocols or automated operations without the user needing to understand the underlying smart contract code.

Hey! Are you interested in the latest technologies in the blockchain area? be sure to read the article 'Top Zero-Knowledge Proof Projects to watch in 2023'

The Benefits of Account Abstraction

The implications of account abstraction are profound, offering a range of benefits that can enhance the blockchain experience for users and developers alike.

Improved User Experience

One of the most significant advantages of account abstraction is the improvement it brings to user experience. By abstracting away the complexities of key management and transaction rules, it presents a more intuitive interface for users.

Enhanced Security Features

Account abstraction also allows for the implementation of advanced security measures. Since each account can define its own logic, users can tailor their security settings to their specific needs. For instance, one might set up an account that requires additional verification for transactions exceeding a certain value or restricts withdrawals to certain addresses.

Future Implications

The future implications of account abstraction are vast. As the technology matures, it could become a standard feature of blockchain networks, potentially making the current distinction between user accounts and smart contracts obsolete. This could lead to a new wave of blockchain applications that are both powerful and accessible, bringing us closer to the vision of blockchain technology as a seamless part of everyday life.

Challenges and Considerations

Technical Limitations

One of the primary technical challenges of Acc. abstraction lies in its integration with existing blockchain protocols. Current networks are optimized for the EOA model, and introducing a new account structure necessitates significant changes to the core protocol. This includes modifications to the way transactions are propagated in the network, how gas fees are calculated, and how the state of the blockchain is managed. Ensuring that these changes do not compromise the network's performance or security requires careful planning and extensive testing.

Compatibility with Current Systems

Another consideration is the compatibility of account abstr. with the vast ecosystem of existing blockchain applications and services. Wallets, exchanges, and other services have been built around the traditional account model. Transitioning to an acc. abstraction model will require these services to update their infrastructure, which may be a complex and resource-intensive process. Furthermore, there is a need for standardization across the industry to ensure that different implementations of account abstr. can work seamlessly together.

Conclusion

Acc. abstraction represents a significant leap forward in the quest for a more user-friendly blockchain experience. By streamlining the transaction process and offering enhanced security features, acc abstraction has the potential to make blockchain technology more accessible to a broader audience. However, the path to widespread adoption is not without its obstacles. Technical challenges and compatibility issues must be carefully navigated to integrate it into the existing blockchain landscape.

Key Takeaways

Tagi

How to Add Gnosis Chain to MetaMask: A Simple Tutorial

Karolina

03 Nov 2023
How to Add Gnosis Chain to MetaMask: A Simple Tutorial

As the cryptocurrency ecosystem expands, there is an increasing need for various blockchains with distinct capabilities. Gnosis Chain enters the scene, offering a selection of unique characteristics. By integrating Gnosis Chain with MetaMask, users can access a more comprehensive array of decentralized services. We will walk you through the steps to add Gnosis Chain to your MetaMask wallet in this tutorial.

Table of Contents

Prerequisites

Setting up MetaMask

Before exploring the integration of Gnosis Chain, it is crucial to have MetaMask installed and operational:

  • Download and Install: If you have not done so already, visit the official website to download and install the MetaMask browser extension.
  • Setup Account: After completing the installation, create your account and make sure to remember the provided seed phrase. This phrase serves as your primary means for account recovery, so keep it secure.
  • Secure Your Account: Protecting your MetaMask account is of utmost importance. Use a robust password and never disclose your seed phrase to anyone.

Gnosis Chain

It is always helpful to have a basic understanding before incorporating any new blockchain into your wallet:

  • Gnosis Chain Overview: Gnosis Chain, a rising star in the blockchain world, brings a range of decentralized solutions to the table, such as prediction markets and decentralized trading platforms.
  • Benefits & Features: Among Gnosis Chain's main selling points are its accelerated transaction speeds and potentially lower fees when compared to congested networks.

Tutorial: How to Add Gnosis Chain to MetaMask

In the top right-hand corner of your browser, you'll find the wallet. If pinned, click on the MetaMask fox icon; if not, click the three dots in the top-right corner. The following screen will appear:

An option to expand the wallet to a new browser page is available by clicking "Expand view:"

This action will launch MetaMask in a new tab:

By clicking on the ‘Ethereum mainnet’ in the top left corner, you can add another network. Click ‘Add Network’

Choose option ‘Add a network manually’

Then, input the information below:

Network Name: Gnosis Chain formerly xDai

RPC URL: https://rpc.gnosischain.com

ChainID: 100

Symbol: XDAI

Block Explorer URL: https://gnosisscan.io

After saving the settings, Gnosis Chain will be added to your network.

The Benefits of Adding Gnosis Chain to MetaMask

With multiple blockchains becoming more common, integrating Gnosis Chain with MetaMask offers numerous advantages:

Expanded Capabilities: Accessing Gnosis Chain through MetaMask opens up a collection of exclusive applications and features inherent to this particular blockchain, which may include unique dapps or cutting-edge financial products.

Diversification: The crypto domain is extensive and constantly growing. By incorporating various chains like Gnosis into MetaMask, you broaden your potential investment opportunities and decentralized application experiences, ensuring no opportunities are missed.

Speed & Cost-Effectiveness: Network congestion and high gas fees on established platforms like Ethereum can discourage many users. Gnosis Chain's architecture has the potential to provide relief through quicker transaction times and more affordable fees.

In summary, as the possibilities within the crypto sphere continue to evolve, tools like MetaMask grant users access to this expanding world. By adding chains like Gnosis, users can stay ahead in this decentralized revolution.

Conclusion

By bridging platforms like Gnosis Chain with accessible tools like MetaMask, individuals not only amplify their engagement with decentralized applications but also fortify their position in this expansive realm. The integration of Gnosis Chain to MetaMask epitomizes the evolution of the crypto landscape – a testament to its ever-growing diversity and potential. As we continue to delve deeper into the decentralized future, tools and integrations like these will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping our digital experiences and opportunities. Whether you're seeking more efficient transactions, diverse dapp interactions, or simply a broader understanding of the crypto ecosystem, this guide's steps open doors to a new horizon. 

Tagi