Redstone: A new era of Ethereum scalability for on-chain games
Redstone, a novel Ethereum scaling network specifically tailored for fully on-chain games and “autonomous worlds,” marks its mainnet debut today, presenting a plethora of early games ready for exploration. Crafted by the Ethereum startup Lattice, Redstone emanates from Optimism’s OP Stack scaling technology. Contrary to a mere reinterpretation of the prevalent layer-2 tech underpinning networks like Base and Zora, Redstone underwent significant reengineering to cater to the unique requisites and intricacies of video games, especially those harnessing blockchain beyond mere asset ownership.
Optimism’s co-founder Ben Jones emphasized the innovative nature of the network, stating, “This is the first [network] that’s not just tweaking dials a little bit.” Jones highlighted how Redstone attracted top-tier developers who made substantial contributions to the OP Stack, pushing the boundaries of conventional scaling methods.
Revolutionizing game development through on-chain innovation
In the realm of crypto or “Web3” games, the integration of technologies like NFTs and cryptocurrencies revolutionized the landscape, facilitating unique user experiences and decentralized economies. However, fully on-chain or autonomous games transcend conventional paradigms by placing their game logic and rules on-chain, operating within the decentralized technology’s capabilities and constraints to fuel immersive gaming experiences.
🔴🪨Today, we’re announcing Redstone, a super cost-effective L2 for onchain games, worlds, and other ambitious applications.@redstonexyz is a Plasma-inspired Alt-DA chain, built on the OP Stack.
— Lattice (@latticexyz) November 15, 2023
Lattice’s co-founder and CEO Justin Glibert elucidated on this innovative approach, emphasizing how his team embraced Ethereum’s multiplayer nature, strategically designing Redstone to cater to the evolving needs of cutting-edge blockchain games. Glibert underscored the profound synergy that arises when developers fully leverage the underlying infrastructure to foster novel gaming experiences, heralding a new era of interactive entertainment.
Redstone’s architecture boasts the pioneering Plasma Mode, an alternative data availability protocol co-engineered by Lattice and OP Labs. With enhanced transaction throughput facilitated by an off-chain data availability provider, Plasma Mode introduces a game-changing mechanism for high-throughput decentralized applications. Notably, the protocol incorporates a permissionless Ethereum layer-1 attribute that empowers users to challenge suspicious inputs, epitomizing a proactive security approach.
Unveiling the potential of on-chain gaming with Redstone
Embodied by MUD, Lattice’s cutting-edge engine for on-chain Ethereum games, Redstone has already birthed Sky Strife, a tactical strategy game reminiscent of Nintendo’s beloved Advance Wars, now available for public delight. The extensive lineup of Redstone’s maiden games features a diverse array of offerings, including Biomes, DF Ares, and Downstream, each presenting a unique blend of innovation and creativity, revolutionizing the gaming landscape with their futuristic narratives and gameplay mechanics.
One standout title, DEAR, developed by ARPA, serves as a genre-defying experiment in artistry, virtual pet simulation, and social interaction, embodying a dynamic interplay between player actions and a digital creature’s evolving behavior—a true testament to the limitless possibilities of on-chain gaming.
This onchain game introduces an interplay of LOVE and HATE, with a PVP twist.
DEAR gamer,
DEAR is a creature that inhabits a dark, digital forest, with cellular components woven into smart contracts. DEAR exhibits purposeful behaviour and mimics essential human interactions,… pic.twitter.com/gRw2c5ucHc
— ggQuest (@gg_quest_gg) April 24, 2024
As the nascent field of fully on-chain games continues to evolve, fueled by relentless innovation and a collective vision for transformative gaming experiences, the future holds boundless possibilities for Redstone and its cohort of pioneering developers. While the commercial viability of fully on-chain games remains a subject of speculation, the industry’s stalwarts like Lattice and ARPA persist in their quest to redefine gaming paradigms and nurture a vibrant ecosystem of autonomous worlds and immersive, decentralized gaming experiences.
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