This article explains in detail how the Avalanche subnet empowers game development

Original authors: Irene Lee, Hyewon Jeong, Xangle

Compilation: PANews, Zen

Blockchain is introducing a new paradigm to the gaming industry, especially when it comes to innovatively enhancing the stakes of ecosystem participants. Its goal is to build a transparent and trustworthy gaming ecosystem. As a result, blockchain games are more complex in terms of user engagement, economic systems, and operational methods than traditional games.

Enhance the rights of ecosystem contributors

• Rewards: Blockchain games offer rewards to all contributors within the ecosystem, including developers, content creators, and players. Actively stimulate the gaming ecosystem by providing incentives related to engagement and contribution.
• Decision-making: Token-based governance enables users to participate in the game’s decision-making process. This democratic approach incorporates not only the different perspectives of developers, but also those of different users, influencing the development and operation of the game.

Building a Transparent and Trusted Gaming Ecosystem

• Blockchain games autonomously manage the supply and distribution of in-game assets through smart contracts, which are recorded on the blockchain and transparently shared with all users. This increases transparency in the flow and trading of in-game assets, resulting in more accurate commodity valuations. In addition, users can verify their in-game activity records with publicly available on-chain data, thereby reducing in-game fraud and fostering a fair gaming environment.

Subnet 101: Guide to Custom Chains

While blockchain gaming brings innovation, it also faces technical challenges such as network reliability, transaction latency, and scalability issues. For example, latency due to network overload can negatively impact in-game interactions. In addition, high transaction costs due to network scalability limitations or the complexity of creating a blockchain that fits the characteristics of the game can create obstacles.

To address these challenges, Avalanche has introduced an effective solution called subnetting. Subnets are independent and autonomous networks that allow each project to build customized chains based on their specific requirements. Blockchain game developers can choose between Avalanche’s main chain (C-Chain) and one of its subnets to deploy smart contracts. This decision depends on the desired features and scenarios they intend to develop, providing flexibility and customization.

When game development requires a flexible, customized environment and prioritizes stability and security, leveraging subnets becomes ideal.

Subnets act as independent chains, enabling developers to establish game-specific logic and create autonomous operating environments. For example, customizable features such as gas payment systems and EVMs can be tailored to the unique requirements of the game. This adaptability allows game developers to effectively integrate the features necessary for their games, reducing costs and resources.

In addition, subnets enhance scalability and quality of service with their unique transaction processing capabilities. Since it does not depend on the operation of the main chain in terms of transaction certainty, the game service will not be affected by the transactions of other projects, ensuring a stable user experience at all times. Configuring access control and privacy features ensures strong security and integrity of user data.

When subnet adoption is uncertain and resources and costs need to be saved, a strategic approach can be taken to develop on Avalanche’s main network, C-Chain, and then have the flexibility to migrate assets to the subnet later if needed.

Subnet Exploitation Strategy: Tools and Collaborative Programs

The Avalanche subnet itself offers significant technical convenience, while it also provides an additional advantage to game developers with a variety of tools and support programs. This approach simplifies the process for game developers to leverage the power of Avalanche subnets to create and manage innovative games.

Game Tools Ecosystem

• Avalanche CLI: Simplifies complex processes such as setting up airdrops, customizing gas costs, and adjusting gas parameters, enabling developers with limited knowledge of blockchain infrastructure to quickly deploy subnets.
• AvaCloud: A Web3 launchpad developed by Ava Labs that facilitates the deployment and expansion of subnets without coding, saving game developers a lot of time and resources.
• Stardust Game Toolkit: Stardust provides a simple solution for game developers to seamlessly integrate NFTs into their games with just a few lines of code.
• Moralis Unity SDK: Moralis’ Unity SDK enables game developers to easily integrate data from the Avalanche blockchain into their games. The SDK allows the use of real-time blockchain data from the Avalanche network to enhance in-game interactions, providing players with a more immersive experience.

Collaborative Projects

• Arcad3: This program provides technical and business support to Web2 gaming companies using the Avalanche blockchain for game development, providing expertise in NFTs, technology infrastructure, Web3 culture, and blockchain gaming strategies. It’s worth noting that major Web2 gaming companies like GREE and Neowiz are both active players at the moment.
• Avalanche Multiverse: The program aims to expand the subnet ecosystem, offering a total of up to $290 million in rewards for different projects such as gaming, DeFi, NFTs, and more.
• Blizzard: The program aims to support the growth, growth, and innovation of the Avalanche blockchain ecosystem through a pool of over $200 million from contributors such as the Avalanche Foundation, Ava Labs, Polychain Capital, Dragonfly Capital, and others.

Avalanche will provide full technical and business support for projects aimed at strategically developing games on the subnet. Various toolkits, including AvaCloud and Stardust, enhance the accessibility of blockchain technology to game developers, enabling them to easily create games on subnets, even if they have limited expertise. Projects such as Arcad3, Avalanche Multiverse, and Blizzard not only teach blockchain gaming concepts and strategies to Web2 gaming companies, but also provide financial support to facilitate the development of creative and innovative games without excessive costs. These combined factors make the Avalanche subnet a powerful tool for game development.

Boutique Web3 Games Coming to Avalanche Subnet

With the adoption of subnets, the Avalanche gaming ecosystem is rapidly evolving. Many AAA game studios have adopted the subnet to create groundbreaking gaming experiences and seamlessly integrate NFT-based digital economic systems. This section will highlight some of the high-quality game projects currently in development on the Avalanche subnet.

SHRAPNEL

SHARAPNEL IS AN UPCOMING AAA FIRST-PERSON SHOOTER (FPS) GAME BUILT WITH UNREAL ENGINE 5. Created by the development team of well-known games such as HALO, Call of Duty, and Westworld, the game has already received investment from well-known venture capital institutions such as Polychain Capital and Dragonfly Capital. The game is set in the year 2044 on Earth, and players will participate in resource mining and battles, contributing to the game’s content creation through an NFT-based economic system. The SHRAPNEL team chose the Avalanche subnet based on its excellent customization and security features. The game is scheduled to launch in 2024.

Off The Grid

Off The Grid is a cyberpunk battle royale game developed by AAA game studio Gunzilla Games. The game is integrated on the Avalanche subnet-based GUNZ platform, introducing an NFT-based digital economic system that gives players complete ownership. Gunzilla Games, in partnership with Ava Labs, has expressed its intent to “leverage the high scalability and security of the Avalanche subnet to deliver the best possible gaming experience.” ”

MetaDOS

MetaDOS is a battle royale game from DOS Labs, DOS a game studio with 400,000 daily active users (DAU). MetaDOS allows up to 200 players to participate in a match and try to survive within the allotted time. With the goal of providing a seamless user experience through subnets, no gas fees, and fast transaction speeds, DOS Labs aims to bring Web2 players to Web3.

Avalanche Subnet Gaming Ecosystem Outlook

Avalanche subnets have become a compelling choice for gaming companies around the world due to their outstanding performance and flexible customization capabilities. Notably, major players in the gaming industry, such as Crafton, Comptus (XPLA), and WeMade (WEMIX), are working to develop their own chains that align with the direction of Avalanche’s subnet technology. However, compared to the manpower and money required to build and maintain a proprietary chain, the Avalanche subnet offers a powerful alternative to deploying a high-performance chain at a relatively low cost. This is exemplified by the adoption of Avalanche subnets by prominent projects in the Web3 gaming space, including Japanese gaming giants GREE and SHRAPNEL.

Avalanche plays a key role in leading the growth of the Web3 gaming market, challenging the traditional boundaries of the gaming industry by delivering innovative performance and adaptability through subnet technology. Its partnerships with major gaming companies and their recognition of the Avalanche subnet show that the Avalanche subnet represents more than just technological advancement, it is a key factor in shaping the future landscape of the gaming industry. As Avalanche revolutionizes the gaming industry and blurs the lines between Web2 and Web3, expect continued growth in the Web3 gaming industry, fueled by the power of the Avalanche subnet.