Paris-headquartered developer Lattice is gearing up for the much-anticipated public launch of Redstone mainnet on May 1st, marking a significant milestone in the realm of blockchain gaming. Redstone, Lattice’s own L2 blockchain utilizing the Optimism OP Stack, is poised to become the native home for a plethora of fully on-chain games and autonomous worlds.

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about fully on-chain games vs blockchain gaming. We will also cover the latest news from Lattice and Redstone, details on the upcoming mainnet launch, and lastly how Small Brain Games and CCP Games are among the notable developers leveraging the innovative infrastructure.

Fully On-Chain Games

Blockchain games are gaining prominence as a novel and enhanced method for attracting and engaging players, with major gaming companies like Square Enix, Nexon, and Ubisoft exploring this cutting-edge technology.

It's essential to note that blockchains may not be a universal solution for all games. For instance, most first-person shooter (FPS) games face challenges in running on blockchains due to their slow processing speed, making it impractical to handle sub-second player reaction times.

Consequently, the majority of blockchain games utilize the technology for specific aspects of their tech stack, particularly for the distribution and movement of digital assets representing in-game items and currencies. Nevertheless, there exists a niche yet expanding community of web3-native developers and players who are pioneering games and gaming experiences entirely built on blockchains, commonly known as "fully on-chain games."

What Are On-Chain Games?

On-chain gaming refers to the growing ecosystem of games and NFT primitives that operate entirely on blockchains. This implies that every element of the game, excluding the front end (the visible part of the game for players), is executed solely through blockchain technology.

The key distinction between an on-chain game and a traditional blockchain game lies in the integration of game logic directly into smart contracts and the storage of game state (such as player names and ranks) on the blockchain, rather than relying on a centralized gaming server connecting only with an NFT smart contract. For a game or game-like experience to be categorized as an on-chain game, all its game logic and data must be stored on-chain.

Redstone By Lattice

The innovative protocol employed by Redstone enables games to store data on any data availability solution without necessitating new forms of consensus beyond Ethereum. This advancement is anticipated to revolutionize the scalability of MUD (Multi-User Dungeon) games, empowering them to surpass previous limitations.

In conjunction with the mainnet launch, several accompanying games are set to debut on Redstone. Game developers have been granted the opportunity to deploy their projects in the weeks leading up to May, with notable titles already in the pipeline. Among these is an upcoming release from Small Brain Games, the creative minds behind acclaimed on-chain titles such as Words3 and Draw.tech.

Web3 IP Sky Strife

Additionally, Lattice’s very own real-time turn-based strategy game, Sky Strife, will make its debut on the platform. The genesis of Redstone was partly spurred by Lattice's pursuit of reconciling the vision of a fully on-chain gaming experience with cost efficiency. Demonstrating its commitment to innovation, Lattice opted to address this challenge by constructing its own infrastructure—a strategy that is increasingly gaining traction among studios.

Joining the roster of games deploying on Redstone is the autonomous world Downstream by UK-based developer Playmint, along with the recently announced mobile-based fully on-chain game DEAR from Turkish web3 developer Arpa Network, among others.

CCP Game EVE Online

In related developments, CCP Games has disclosed plans to utilize the Lattice MUD game engine for its upcoming EVE Online web3 game, Project Awakening. Early playtests for Project Awakening are slated to commence on May 21st, demonstrating the growing adoption of Lattice’s pioneering technologies within the gaming industry. 

More About Project Awakening?

CCP Games, the creators of the popular sci-fi MMO EVE Online, recently secured $40 million in funding to expand its R&D capabilities and develop their AAA title leveraging blockchain technology, set within the EVE Universe. EVE Online enthusiasts and blockchain gaming aficionados are abuzz with excitement as CCP Games, the renowned developer behind the massively popular EVE Online, has unveiled fresh details about its upcoming web3 game, Project Awakening.

"Players will have a new series of tools at their disposal to add their own features and functionality to the experience, a new way of leaving their mark on the world. If you are a builder and want to be a part of this journey, then apply to PHASE III and join this new extension of the EVE Universe," said CCP Games CEO, Hilmar Veigar Pétursson.

Set within the expansive EVE universe, this new venture marks a significant step forward for the studio, offering players a unique survival experience with a blockchain twist. For more information on Project Awakening and to apply to PHASE III, visit the official website. For the latest updates and developments stay connected with Redstone and Lattice on Twitter/X.