Short Description: Polkadot Unity SDK proposal to grow the Gaming Vertical

Project Category/Type: BD/Marketing/Education

Beneficiary Address: 16AjunUasoBZKWkDnHvNEALGUgGuzC92j7LJoLu9qBSUJB2e (Ajuna Network)

Funding Amount: 41'667 DOT @ 6.60 USD (275'000 USD)

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To DOT Holders,

My Name is Nicholas Douzinas from Ajuna Network and I am authoring Part 2 of the Polkadot Unity SDK proposal, in the name of the Polkadot Gaming Group. Currently, this is composed of over 20 members from supporting parachains and teams including Ajuna, Apilon, Astar, Aventus, Gear Technologies, Moonsama, Moonbeam, Opendive, Tanssi, Unique, and Parity Technologies. In continuation of our previous proposal, wherein we delved into the technical intricacies of the Polkadot Unity SDK's development, I am reaching out to request your consideration for the release of funds from the treasury. The allocated funding will be earmarked for critical aspects, namely business development, marketing initiatives, and tooling for the newly conceived Polkadot Unity SDK. In our concerted efforts, we aim to position the Polkadot Unity SDK as an ecosystem-wide solution that transcends individual parachains, fostering collaboration and interoperability among diverse projects. This strategic approach is poised to generate substantial long-term value for DOT holders and elevate Polkadot's visibility as a formidable player in the Web3 space. Additionally, the proposed funding will play a pivotal role in amplifying our outreach efforts, ensuring widespread adoption and awareness of the Polkadot Unity SDK.

Our plan encompasses the development of a tangible product, the Polkadot Unity SDK, which will serve as a gateway for onboarding new users onto the Polkadot network and into our thriving ecosystem of parachains and decentralized applications (dApps). By directing resources toward business development, we aim to establish strategic partnerships, further enhancing the ecosystem's reach and influence. Furthermore, the allocated funds for marketing will be instrumental in executing a multifaceted promotional strategy, including targeted campaigns, events, and educational initiatives. This approach not only elevates the profile of the Polkadot Unity SDK but also contributes to the broader narrative of Polkadot's impact in the decentralized technology landscape.

The TLDR:

• Background: The second phase of our proposal for the Polkadot Unity SDK is now centered on BD/Marketing and educational endeavors. After setting the foundation with technical development (covered in Part 1), we aim to ensure its successful adoption and inclusion in the Unity Asset Store.
• Collaboration: Our team of over 20 active members, boasting reputable names such as Ajuna, Apilon, Astar, Aventus, Gear Technologies, Moonsama, Moonbeam, and Parity Technologies, has proficiently addressed the technical complexities of this initiative. Now, united in our mission, we're strategically poised to utilize our joint expertise to maximize the marketing potential of the Unity SDK in the gaming sector.
• Funding Request: We're requesting $275,000 in total. This fund is earmarked for BD activities, Marketing efforts, tooling, and the designation of a dedicated Caretaker role and Polkadot Unity SDK Advocate role.
• Opportunity: The Unity Asset Store's integration offers a remarkable opportunity to elevate Polkadot's brand recognition among the game and app developer community. It's the next logical step to accentuate this milestone through targeted marketing and business development, ensuring the Polkadot ecosystem genuinely benefits from this edge in the gaming arena.
• Team and Management: A curator team will oversee the budget. Representatives from Parity and Parachains will compose this team, ensuring transparent and efficient use of funds, open communication with the dot community, and support the Caretaker
• Your Role: We encourage the community to review, provide feedback, and propose modifications. Your active participation is crucial in refining our strategy and ensuring Polkadot's triumphant entry into the gaming ecosystem.

We're confident this endeavor will significantly bolster the growth and diversification of the web3 gaming vertical on Polkadot, benefiting all stakeholders in both the short and long term.

We eagerly anticipate your support in making this transformative project a reality.

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Part 2: BD/Marketing

This section delves into the BD and Marketing strategies vital for the success of the Polkadot Unity SDK. Recognizing the immense effort needed in this arena, we've split this proposal into two parts to foster open dialogue.

I'd also like to present some overarching information that has steered our endeavors.

Unity Asset Store Verified Solution:

• Top 3 Genres: Simulation, RPG, and Indie
• Developer Segment: Approximately 50% Indie Developers, 30% SMB, and 20% Enterprise
• Platform Distribution: Around 50% Mobile, 25% Mobile + PC, 15% Mobile + Web, and 10% Others
• All Web3 solutions that are part of the program have seen benefits. Gaming studios are inclined towards relying on Unity Verified Solutions for their projects. This boosts the success rate for the Unity Verified Web3 solutions when they reach out to gaming studios for adoption through direct sales and marketing initiatives.
• In the last 6 months, approximately 8,000 developers were using the Unity Verified Web3 solutions for their projects (downloaded via the Asset Store). This roughly translates to between 2,000 to 4,000 gaming projects.
  

All the information provided above has either been sourced directly from Unity or has been verified in collaboration with them.

Why a Second Proposal

We have separated the Verification work from the BD/Marketing and tooling efforts to expedite the verification process while allowing for community input and debate.

BD/Marketing Budget ($85,000)

The efforts here are to drive wide adoption of the new Verified SDK by game developers, parachain teams, and game studios. It will also cover the costs of customer acquisition and marketing of the SDK. Integrating into Game Developer hubs such as hackathons, Gaming Events, local Meetups, and Web3 associations will drive visibility and adoption of the Polkadot Unity SDK. In-person attendance in major game developer events such as Gamescom/GDC as well as regional events for web3 markets, will allow us to freely engage developers without the restrictions and costs associated with having our booth.

Overall Strategy

Secure partnerships with game studios for launching in the Polkadot ecosystem, focusing on the Unity SDK integration.
Support outbound activities of Parachain teams to onboard dApps
Brand Awareness for Polkadot as a hub for Gaming

• Approach: Dynamic, engaging pitch sessions at events, avoiding static booths. Emphasize exposure in Web3 Communities.
• Tasks:
  • Identify game studio decision-makers at events.
  • Craft a concise pitch highlighting Polkadot's benefits and Unity SDK.
  • Proactively engage studios and set up pitch meetings.
  • Conduct post-event follow-ups.
• Outcome: Build connections to encourage Polkadot adoption in the gaming industry.

Event Participation and Budget Allocation

• GDC (Game Developers Conference): The Game Developers Conference (GDC) serves as a unifying platform for the game development community, fostering the exchange of ideas, collaborative problem-solving, and the collective shaping of the industry's future. Spanning five days, the event encompasses education, inspiration, and networking opportunities. Participants range from programmers, artists, and producers to game designers, audio professionals, and business leaders.

  • Cost: $20,000.
  • Date: March 2024.
  • Location: North America.
  • Includes: Tickets and travel expenses.
  • Details: Largest game developer conference in North America.
  • More Info: GDC Website.

• Gamescom: Gamescom, held annually in Cologne, Germany, stands as the world's largest gaming event, gauged by exhibition space and visitor count. In 2018, it drew 370,000 attendees and featured 1037 exhibitors from 56 countries. Since 2018, the event has been orchestrated by the "Verband der deutschen Games-Branche" (Association of the German video game industry). Gamescom presents a prime occasion to spotlight both the Polkadot Unity SDK and bring attention to Web3 Games developed in the Polkadot ecosystem.

  • Cost: $10,000.
  • Date: August 2024.
  • Location: EU region.
  • Includes: Tickets and travel expenses.
  • Details: Premier gaming event in the EU.
  • More Info: Gamescom Website.

• Tokyo Gameshow Japan: TGS, or Tokyo Game Show, is an annual video game trade fair and convention held each September at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. Organized by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) and Nikkei Business Publications, Inc., the event primarily highlights Japanese games, although some international developers utilize it to unveil upcoming releases and related hardware. Major players like Namco Bandai, Capcom, Sony Computer Entertainment, and Square Enix, alongside emerging companies, feature demo areas, making TGS a significant showcase for the gaming industry.

  • Cost: $10,000.
  • Date: September 2024.
  • Location: Asia region.
  • Includes: Tickets and travel expenses.
  • Details: Most attended gaming events in Asia.
  • More Info: Tokyo Gameshow Website.

• Middle East Gaming: Within the MENA region, prospective options include The Dubai Esports and Games Festival, showcasing the region's burgeoning interest in gaming. The Middle East stands out as a web3 gaming hotspot, driven by its dynamic tech landscape and growing enthusiasm for immersive online experiences. In 2023, over 1,800 Gaming industry experts convened at the GameExpo Summit to exchange insights and ideas.

  • Cost: $10,000.
  • Date: TBD
  • Location: Middle East region
  • Includes: Tickets and travel expenses.
  • Details: Events in a fast-growing gaming community.
  • More Info: Mena Gaming Summit, Dubai Esports Festival.

• LATAM (BIG Festival): The Gamescom Latam is the combination of Gamescom, the largest games event in the world, with the BIG Festival, the largest games festival in Latin America. The Gamescom Latam will take place from June 26 to 30, 2024, at the São Paulo Expo. This will give our ecosystem a unique opportunity to onboard builders and communities in the LATAM region. Gamescom Latam also offers a business area for industry professionals and the BIG Festival, the main competition of independent games in Latin America.

  • Cost: $10,000.
  • Date: June 2024
  • Location: South America region
  • Includes: Tickets and travel expenses.
  • Details: Growing event in an underserved region for Polkadot.
  • More Info: BIG Festival Website.

• Sub0 Gaming Vertical: Polkadots annual developer conference, sub0, serves as the focal point for developers building at every level of the Polkadot tech stack - from custom layer-1 blockchains to dapps and smart contracts, infrastructure, tooling, cross-chain interoperability solutions, and more. Adding a dedicated Sub0 Gaming presence will give the opportunity to ecosystem builders to use the Unity SDK and interact with the teams supporting it.

  • Cost: $10,000.
  • Details: Includes a booth, a speaker, and a Unity SDK track for hackathons at Sub0 events.

Game Dev. Communities

• BGA Gold Member: The BGA mission is to raise individual and business awareness about how blockchain can transform games and improve or disrupt existing business areas. Accelerate adoption by acting on existing barriers to innovation and by catalyzing efforts to create actionable industry standards and best practices. As a Gold member, Polkadot will get access to over 500 gaming-related projects and businesses, working in the web3 space.

  • Cost: $15,000 for 1 year.
  • Details: Membership in the Blockchain Game Alliance, a leading DAO in web3 gaming.
  • More Info: Blockchain Game Alliance Membership Details.

Tutorials/Tooling/Education ($50,000)

To streamline and simplify the onboarding process for aspiring game developers in our ecosystem, we're investing in comprehensive guides, tools, and educational materials. This ensures that transitioning into the Polkadot environment is as intuitive and hassle-free as possible.

Overall Strategy

Enhance understanding and adoption of Polkadot in the gaming industry, emphasizing the Unity SDK integration.

• Approach: Invest in high-quality educational content and tooling. Direct focus on Unity developers through Polkadot's dedicated channels and partners.
• Tasks:
  • Establish educational tracks in workshops and institutions, e.g., Polkadot Academy.
  • Develop intuitive and comprehensive documentation for game development on Polkadot.
  • Create media dedicated to game dev onboarding, how-tos, and series on creating games in Polkadot.
  • Integrate and add Gaming brands like BGA and Unity across the ecosystem.
• Outcome: Position Polkadot as the go-to platform for game developers using Unity, driving widespread adoption and understanding of its benefits in the gaming ecosystem.

Workshops & Education Budget allocation

• Polkadot Academy (up to $25,000):
  Introduce a dedicated Path for Unity on Substrate for the cohorts in 2024. Prepare educational materials, and identify Academy educators for "Gaming on Substrate" workgroups. The Curator team will also ensure attendance and participation at the Academy by Substrate Gaming Group selected educators.

• Gaming in Polkadot Video Series (up to $25,000):
  A series of Educational "How to Videos" will be created showcasing the advantages of the SDK compared to the competition, how to deploy on any substrate-based blockchain, and highlighting the use of the Unity Asset Store. Bi-monthly promotional short video series will be produced and shared on the main Polkadot communication channels, highlighting the news and progress.

• Industry-leading Polkadot Unity SDK documentation:
  Presented on the Polkadot and Substrate Webpage, and linked to ecosystem parachains and products.

• Ecosystem Gaming Hackathon and Incubators:
  In 2024 we will plan and execute a Gaming Hackathon focused on the Polkadot Unity SDK in collaboration with parachains within the ecosystem. The Substrate Gaming group will also proactively provide workshops and support for incubators/accelerators focused on Gaming dApps for the Polkadot Ecosystem.

• Branding of the Ecosystem for Gaming:
  Leverage BGA and the Unity in the ecosystem, to point to the Gold membership and on the Verified Solution for Unity on every parachain website.

Features Substrate .NET API & Polkadot Unity SDK ($50,000)

Tooling will be focused on enhancing the SDK for both Web2 and Web3 developer onboarding and will be led by the Substrate Gaming organization. The organization is open for new contributors, with a good skillset of C# and/or Unity.

• Substrate.NET.API Enhancements:
  Update and expand the Substrate.NET.API to include new JSON RPC support, following the latest specifications from Parity Technologies and community discussions. (https://paritytech.github.io/json-rpc-interface-spec/)
  Benefits: Ensures compatibility with the latest Polkadot network features, enhancing functionality and reliability.
  Key Tasks:

  • Add New JSON RPC Support: Implement the latest RPC functions as per the new specification.
  • Rework Storage Access: Enhance the way storage is accessed for efficiency and reliability.
  • Rework Transaction Handling: Improve transaction processing for better performance and user experience.
  • Documentation: Provide comprehensive documentation for the new and updated features.

• Metadata v15 Support:
  Integrate support for Metadata version 15 in Substrate.NET.API.
  Benefits: Keeps the API in sync with the latest Substrate node metadata format, ensuring compatibility and access to new features.

• Substrate.NET.Toolchain Refactoring:
  Refactor the Substrate.NET.Toolchain from CodeDom to Roslyn.
  Benefits: Enhances code manipulation and refactoring capabilities. Leverages newer C# language features. Improves parsing and processing efficiency. Taps into a rich community and documentation resources.

• Functionality and Helper Tools:
  Develop additional helper tools and functionalities for event mapping and RPC/storage exposure.
  Benefits: Facilitates process adaptation for wallets, indexers, and explorers, making integration smoother and more efficient.

• StreamJsonRPC Dependency Optimization:
  Move from StreamJsonRPC to a lighter, lower-level solution.
  Benefits: Reduces dependency complexity, easing maintenance and improving compatibility.

Caretaker and Polkadot Unity SDK Advocate ($90,000)

Caretaker (50% FTE ~$60’000)

The Caretaker is responsible for operationalizing these efforts, including:

• Stakeholder Management amongst the gaming vertical and coordinate efforts.
• Represent and lead at GDC, Gamescom, and regional events.
• Capitalize on the BGA Gold Membership, in using the resources that come along with the membership.
• Identify and Recruit a Polkadot Unity SDK Advocate, for the technical outreach
• Acting Polkadot SDK spokesperson, handling presentations and outreach
• Report KPIs from the different activities through the channels of SubstrateGaming and on the Polkadot Forum

This role will be initially covered by a single person and subsequently shared with one or more candidates from both Parity and other Parachain team members.

Caretaker Profile: Nicholas Douzinas

Polkadot Unity SDK Advocate (25% FTE ~$30’000)

The Polkadot Unity SDK Advocate role will evangelize the SDK as a means to onboard game devs to build on it. The candidate will also be leading the business relationship with Unity regarding the Unity Asset Store, Developer onboarding and outreach, and partnerships for hackathons, bounties, and demos.

• Serve as the go-to person for technical inquiries within and outside the Polkadot ecosystem.
• Display technical integrations of the SDK at key conferences and events.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the SDK and its capabilities.
• Helping and Coordinating incoming feature requests and supporting draft detailed specifications for their integration, focusing on additional service layers built on top of the SDK such as social logins, identity verification, NFT integration, IPFS, and more. (opening them for teams to request a web3 grant for implementation)

Advocate Profile: For the Polkadot Unity SDK Advocate, we are currently exploring potential candidates amongst the current contributors.

Curator Team

For the proposal, a Multisig account will be set up. The Curator team (3 members with a threshold of 2) will be responsible for releasing the funds according to the budget allocation shared in this proposal.
The Curator Team will also:

• Provide monthly updates to the Dot community
• Monthly KPI workshops to support Advocate and Caretaker activities
• Review, approve, and release funds from multi-sig wallet
• Monthly Open advisory Call for Parachain Teams and dApps building on Polkadot. This may be done in coordination with the Kusamarian under the #AAG series as a Monthly Special (Attempts At Gaming)
• “Attempt at Parachain BD support”: A line of communication will be opened between the BD parachain teams and the Curator Team (plus Advocate and Caretaker) to support parachains to onboard dApps and other Gaming-related partners. This is an exploratory attempt to formalize a broader BD support function for the gaming vertical. At this first stage, the systematic capturing of information on BD activity and deal flow, as well as the sharing of best practices, is a solid basis to expand upon.

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Your Input Matters

We are eager to hear your thoughts, suggestions, and feedback on this proposal. Your input will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Polkadot's adoption in the gaming and dApps space.

Please feel free to comment, share your insights, and make suggestions to help us refine this proposal and make it a reality.

Thank you for your support and participation!