- Daniel Finley
- August 10, 2023
- 3:27 pm
- 0 comments
Enders Gate will be the first partner to launch on Findora’s GSC featuring 2-second block times and the new zkGaming SDK.
Developers and Web3 gamers may not have realized it before — but Web3 gaming has needed zero-knowledge technology for a long time.
GameFi and crypto gaming have always had a lot of potential. From easy cross-game integration, to novel monetization strategies to player-ownership, Web3 gaming has offered unique game mechanics to players and developers. Despite its potential, it has been held back by two main issues: slow block times and a lack of on-chain surprise. Extended block times mean players suffer through latency, and public ledgers mean games like Poker or League of Legends were impossible to build on-chain. Players would be able to see the cards you held or the forces you were building.
Findora’s Game Specific Chain (GSCs) change all that!
Table of Contents
Game-Specific Chains (or GSCs) are gaming-optimized subnets on Findora that come with customizable block times and native integration with Findora’s zkGaming SDK. The first GSC instance, Findora’s GSC, features 2-second block times and will host Enders Gate as a launch partner. Developers can build on Findora’s GSC or spin up their own instance tailored to their needs.
Findora’s zkGaming SDK will power every GSC instance, serving up fresh possibilities to Web3 developers and enabling a broad range of gaming genres for players to enjoy. Through GSCs, developers can build casual games, social deduction games, RTS games and much more.
This is just start of what we are planning as we bring zk to Web3 gaming!
GSC Highlights
Deploying subnets is a form of horizontal scaling used by many chains. Subnets can be deployed for transaction-heavy games or dApps to prevent congestion on the main network. GSCs on Findora, however, don’t just increase block space; they come out-of-the box with zk-integration to empower Web3 gaming developers.
Here are the main benefits GSCs provide to Web3 gaming and game developers:
Two Second Block times – or faster
Preventing latency through fast block times is essential for Web3 gamers to keep their experience fun. Findora’s first GSC spun up for Ender’s Gate features 2-second block times but GSC block times have been tested to as low as 30 milliseconds. Developers who want to spin up their own GSC can choose their own validators and a block time that will work for them.
Built-in ZkGaming
GSCs come with the zkGaming SDK that empowers developers to build games that require on-chain shuffling or hidden state data.
VRFs (variable random functions) are a gaming primitive, but their outputs are public, like dice rolls. On-chain games require more than just a randomization function, they also require confidential shuffling and hidden cards. For example, poker on an open ledger would be pretty pointless since everyone would know each others’ hands.
ZkShuffling is a function that can keep state data hidden until the right moment to reveal it enabling all kinds of new on-chain games.
EVM compatible
GSCs, like Findora, are EVM compatible, meaning Solidity developers can easily build games on them. By simply calling functions from the SDK, they can use zk functions without needing to learn Rust or another programming language.
Verifiably Random and Fair
The random function can be verified using zero-knowledge proofs so that all players can be assured they are playing on equal footing and gameplay is fair.
Modular Architecture
GSCs are modular subnets, meaning that developers can customize the consensus module, virtual machine, and execution layers based on their needs. For example, it is possible to switch the EVM for a different VM or even change the consensus module from Tendermint to Overlord. Some configurations have been tested to over 2,000 TPS.
Findora’s First GSC Partner: Enders Gate
The first project to launch a GSC instance is Enders Gate. Enders Gate is a trading card game where users can purchase NFT decks of on-chain cards. Once you’ve purchased or built a deck, challenge other players to turn-based strategy battles. Each deck you purchase is stuffed with characters with unique characters and abilities. You’ll also be able to purchase power-ups using in-game gold from an in-game store.
As a Web3 3 game, you “play for free, own what you earn.” Ender’s Gate will be on mobile platforms, like iOS and Android, soon. Built by 5Head Games, players can go head-to-head against other players and, soon, against AI-powered opponents of varying difficulty.
Though Enders was the first to launch, other games can launch on the same GSC or spin up their own GSC based on their needs. For example, Findora’s GSC for Enders Gate features 2-second block times, but that number could be even lower for other GSC instances. New games can deploy on Findora’s GSC or spin up their own; spinning up a GSC subnet is simple, and the documentation will soon be available on docs.findora.org.
“We have a bit of a past with the team who built Findora. We’ve been keeping tabs on their development plans, and as of recently, their move toward gaming really pushed us to seek a mutually beneficial partnership to grow together.”
How to Access GSC
To access and use Findora GSC, you’ll need to add the network to your MetaMask and bridge FRA tokens over for wFRA for gas. It’s possible for GSC to use a custom gas token but Findora’s GSC will use wFRA for the time being.
To add Findora’s GSC to MetaMask, click on the network drop-down in the top left corner of your MetaMask and then “Add network at the bottom of the dialog box. Next, click on “Add a network manually” at the bottom of the page. Once there, copy/paste the information below exactly. Don’t leave spaces or any slashes (/) at the end:
- RPC: https://gsc-mainnet.prod.findora.org:8545
- Chain ID: 1204
- Block Explorer: https://gsc-mainnet-blockscout.prod.findora.org/
To bridge FRA to Findora’s GSC, first head to the Rialto Bridge and set up a transfer from the Findora Network to the Findora GSC Network. You’ll then be able to select the number FRA tokens you want to bridge and which wallet you’d like to use to receive the wFRA tokens. You’ll receive the same number of wFRA as the FRA you transfer.
How GSCs Work
GSCs are a subnet of the Findora network, meaning they will have a set of validators using Proof of Authority (PoA) consensus. GSCs will have their own set of validators, which will be appointed to ensure each validator has the necessary hardware to meet the requirements of the subnet, whether it has 2-second block times or lower.
Enders Gate’s GSC will use wrapped FRA (wFRA), but future subnets will be able to use their own token if they want. Spinning up a subnet is simple, and the Discreet Labs team will be focused on helping provide the necessary resources for other teams to deploy them quickly.
Why Zk is Critical for Fun Web3 Gaming
Zero-knowledge cryptography will make Web3 gaming more fun and exciting – and enable games that weren’t previously possible.
All games require some kind of randomness – like dice rolls, human action, or a deck of cards from which players draw. But games like Poker are no fun if everyone’s cards are visible on an open ledger. That means blockchain games need more than a public Verifiable Random Function (VRF). They also need a shuffle function that keeps random results hidden until the right moment.
That’s where ZK comes into play. Zero-knowledge cryptography introduces hidden states to blockchain gaming, enabling RTS games, casual and tile games, simulation games, casino games, and more. With a shuffle function and hidden states, developers can use ZK to expand the list of games that can be played on-chain, and by adding an element of surprise, ZK helps make on-chain gaming more fun.
What’s Next for GSCs and Enders Gate
In the coming months, more projects and games will be deployed using Findora GSCs. Findora hopes to see more games join its first GSC instance with Enders Gate, but new gaming projects could easily deploy their own. Ultimately, Findora’s GSCs won’t just benefit existing partners but they will also pave the way for games that previously couldn’t be built on-chain in Web3.
Enders Gate is charging into the future. In the short term, they plan to host weekly battle tournaments, launch AI-powered opponents, and publish a physical comic book. They have a major partnership announcement with a well-known superhero brand they hope to announce soon. In the long run, they intend to other zk-enabled EVM ecosystems.
“Our game studio was founded on the idea of doing cool stuff with the technology behind blockchain and sticking around for decades to come. Our ultimate goal is to give players a familiar but enhanced experience of what they can expect from some of the classic gaming economies that didn’t place restrictions on us. Throughout the years, we’ve been keeping an eye out on some of the blockchains that align with our vision.”
Stay tuned for other launches on GSC and partners! Be sure to follow Findora for updates or learn more from the Findora Website.
About Findora
Findora is a Layer-1 protocol delivering zero-knowledge solutions to Web3.
Findora integrates two ledgers into a single chain: an EVM ledger for interoperability and a UXTO ledger optimized for zk operations. This dual-layer architecture lets Findora encrypt blockchain data for programmable transparency and public use. By providing new use cases, Findora’s zk tech prepares Web3 for real-world adoption.
We appreciate our developers and would love to onboard you to the Findora ecosystem. Please reach out, and join our social channels for more.
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