Please describe your proposed solution.

Proposed Solution: Astraeus - Empowering Players through True Ownership and Innovation

Perception of the Problem:

The gaming industry, particularly in the realm of trading card games, has long grappled with the issue of true ownership for players. Traditional games often restrict players from having full control over their in-game assets. Astraeus addresses this by utilizing NFTs on the Cardano blockchain, providing players with genuine ownership and the freedom to buy, sell, and trade their cards on any third-party marketplace.

Approach and Reasoning:

Astraeus modernizes the trading card gaming experience by offering NFTs as a medium of player ownership. The decision to leverage the Cardano blockchain ensures transparency, security, and decentralization. Card packs, each associated with a specific season, introduce an element of collectibility and scarcity, enhancing the overall gaming and trading experience. The commitment to conclude minting after each season ensures a finite supply, fostering a sense of rarity and exclusivity.

<https://youtu.be/wIDNr2-O3KA>Engagement and Impact:

Astraeus engages players through a multifaceted approach. The game accommodates both single and multiplayer modes, with the imminent launch of an adventure mode in 2024. This allows players to immerse themselves in diverse gaming experiences. The introduction of a crafting system further encourages player participation, providing a dynamic and rewarding mechanism for enhancing card collections. Weekly crafting events add a layer of excitement, incentivizing active player involvement.

<https://youtu.be/oVoZpqPCOhM?feature=shared>Uniqueness and Beneficiaries:

What sets Astraeus apart is its commitment to transparency. All card and card pack data resides on the Cardano blockchain, allowing players and external parties to easily verify the exact number and distribution of each card. The groundbreaking crafting system offer unique opportunities for players to shape their collections actively. This innovation benefits not only the players but also contributes to the broader Cardano ecosystem by showcasing the adaptability and real-world use cases of NFTs.

Onboarding New Users to Blockchain:

Astraeus, being on the Cardano blockchain, has the potential to introduce a new wave of users to blockchain technology. Our experience with the Astraeus alpha indicates that a majority of players had little to no previous blockchain experience. By creating a seamless and user-friendly onboarding process, Astraeus becomes a gateway for individuals unfamiliar with crypto wallets, thus expanding the reach of blockchain technology to a broader audience.

In conclusion, Astraeus is poised to redefine the trading card game landscape by combining true ownership, transparency, and engaging gameplay through the innovative use of NFTs. The strategic integration of blockchain technology not only empowers players but also aligns with the ethos of the Cardano ecosystem.

Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community.

Astraeus is positioned to deliver significant value to the Cardano community in several ways:

1. User Onboarding and Adoption: By introducing a gaming experience built on Cardano, Astraeus serves as a catalyst for user onboarding, attracting individuals who may not have previously engaged with blockchain technology. The success of the project will contribute to the expansion of the Cardano community by bringing in new users, thereby increasing the overall adoption of the Cardano ecosystem.
2. Showcasing Use Cases: Astraeus acts as a real-world use case for Cardano's capabilities, highlighting the practical applications of blockchain technology beyond financial transactions. The success of Astraeus will demonstrate Cardano's versatility and attractiveness to developers, potentially inspiring the creation of more projects within the Cardano ecosystem.

Measurement of Impact:

To measure the impact of Astraeus on the Cardano community, we will employ both quantitative and qualitative metrics:

1. User Growth: Astraeus will track Monthly Active Users, offering a quantitative measure of sustained engagement and growth within the Cardano ecosystem.
2. Community Feedback through Social Media: Community feedback will be actively sought and acknowledged through social media channels, particularly Discord and Twitter. These platforms will serve as dynamic spaces for users to share their experiences, suggestions, and concerns. This real-time engagement will provide valuable qualitative insights into the community's response to Astraeus.
3. Blockchain Activity: By monitoring on-chain activities related to Astraeus transactions, card trades, and other in-game activities, we can quantify the impact in terms of blockchain utilization.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

Astraeus is committed to transparency and knowledge-sharing within the Cardano community:

1. Regular Reports: Quarterly reports will be published, summarizing key metrics, user feedback, and blockchain activities. These reports will be accessible to the Cardano community through official channels and social media platforms.
2. Community Engagement: Astraeus will actively participate in Cardano community forums, events, and social media channels, fostering open communication. Regular updates, announcements, and discussions will ensure that the community remains informed about project developments.
3. Educational Initiatives: Astraeus will contribute to educational initiatives, sharing insights gained from the project to help the broader community understand the benefits and challenges of integrating blockchain technology into gaming.

By providing measurable metrics and maintaining an open line of communication, Astraeus aims to not only bring value to the Cardano community but also contribute to the ongoing dialogue and growth within the ecosystem.

What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Team Expertise:

Our seasoned team consists of full-stack developers, indie game developers, and entrepreneurs with decades of collective development experience. We've effectively managed IT companies and development teams, bringing a frugal yet highly efficient approach to project execution.

Blockchain Development Involvement:

Our development team has actively participated in and contributed to various projects on the Cardano platform since 2021. This practical experience provides us with a good understanding of the Cardano ecosystem and its nuances.

Unity Development Collaboration:

In addition to our core team, we've established a close and longstanding relationship with a Unity game development team based in the Philippines. This collaboration ensures a specialized focus on developing a mobile version of Astraeus for both iOS and Android platforms, leveraging their expertise in Unity game development.

Feasibility Validation:

1. Proof of Concept: Before seeking funding, our team successfully completed a proof-of-concept phase for Astraeus. This involved creating a functional prototype, validating the technical feasibility of integrating NFTs on the Cardano blockchain, and testing key gameplay mechanics.
2. Unity Mobile Development Framework: Leveraging our Unity development expertise, we've outlined a clear roadmap for the mobile version of Astraeus. Our Unity game development team in the Philippines is well-versed in efficient mobile development practices, ensuring the feasibility of delivering a high-quality mobile gaming experience.

Trust and Accountability in Fund Management:

1. Transparent Budgeting: We are committed to maintaining a transparent and detailed budget, clearly outlining the allocation of funds for development, marketing, legal compliance, and other essential aspects. Regular updates will be provided to the community, ensuring transparency in fund utilization.
2. Regular Reporting: We commit to providing regular and detailed progress reports to the community. These reports will include financial updates, development milestones achieved, and an overview of challenges faced and mitigated. Transparency in reporting will foster trust and accountability.

Conclusion:

With a highly skilled and diverse team, successful proof-of-concept, and practical experience in Cardano development since 2021, we are confident in our capability to deliver Astraeus with high levels of trust and accountability. Our commitment to transparency, Unity development expertise, and frugal project management make us a perfect team to deliver this project within the Cardano ecosystem.

What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Run new beta Launch and Minting System on Cardano mainnet

• Objective: Running the new beta version of Astraeus and launching the minting system, thus reaching a broader audience. Engage with community, collect feedback and implement new suggested features and fix bugs in game and in minting system.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Successfully running the open beta on Cardano's mainnet while incorporating community feedback and fixing bugs.
• Successfully running the new minting system while incorporating community feedback and fixing bugs.
• Active community engagement and feedback collection during the beta phase

>Milestone 2: Launch Crafting System Beta

• Objective: Introduce the crafting system for players to start burning and crafting cards.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Successful release of the crafting system for players to participate in burning and crafting events.
• Positive reception and minimal issues reported during the initial rollout.

>Milestone 3: Version 1.0.0 Launch

• Objective: Officially launch version 1.0.0 of Astraeus, including the minting system and crafting system
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Successful release of version 1.0.0 on Cardano's mainnet.
• Positive reception and minimal issues reported during the initial rollout.

>Milestone 4: Mobile Version Beta

• Objective: Launch the mobile beta version of Astraeus, extending the gaming experience to a broader audience on both iOS and Android platforms.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Successful deployment of the mobile beta version on iOS and Android
• Active community engagement and feedback collection during the beta phase

>Milestone 5: Mobile Version Launch 1.0.0

• Objective: Full launch of the mobile version of Astraeus.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Successful deployment of the mobile version on iOS and Android
• Positive reception and minimal technical issues reported during the mobile launch.
• Successful cross platform play
• Players can use the same cards with full ownership no matter the platform

>NA

Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

David Borgenvik - CEO/Full-stack developer

Game development, game design and CEO of the company.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/borgenvik/

Johannes Bergendahl: Full-stack developer

Frontend, backend, blockchain and game development.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannes-bergendahl/

Johannes Uhr: Full-stack developer

Frontend development, backend development and blockchain development.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannes-uhr-229626129/

Andreas Nylén: CFO

Takes care of everything related to the economy of the business.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-nyl%C3%A9n-aab182b7/

Andreas Vallberg: Advisor

Entrepreneur with experience from running IT companies as well as running a game development company.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreasvallberg

Ivana Lucic: UI/UX

UI/UX both game and game sites including minting system.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivana-lucic/

Mobile development:

We are currently lacking Unity developers with experience in mobile game development. We will use a good part of the funding to employ two Unity mobile game developers that we have previously worked with and that has a proven track record.

Marketing:

Part of the funding will be used for marketing of the game in and outside of the Cardano ecosystem.

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

[Budget & Costs Breakdown for Astraeus Project]

Milestone 1: Run new Beta Launch and Minting System on Cardano Mainnet

• *Resources:*Development team for deployment and maintenance: 50,000 ADA.
• Marketing and community engagement team: 10,000 ADA.
• Minting system infrastructure: 2,000 ADA.

Total Cost for Milestone 1: 62,000 ADA

Milestone 2: Launch Beta of Crafting System

• Resources: Development team for release and introduction: 40,000 ADA.
• Marketing and community engagement team: 10,000 ADA.
• Crafting system infrastructure: 5,000 ADA.

Total Cost for Milestone 2: 55,000 ADA

Milestone 3: Version 1.0.0 Launch

• Resources: Development team for release and introduction: 40,000 ADA.
• Marketing and community engagement team: 20,000 ADA.

Total Cost for Milestone 3: 60,000 ADA

Milestone 4: Mobile Version Beta

• Unity development team salaries for mobile beta version deployment: 140,000 ADA.
• Marketing and community engagement team: 20,000 ADA.

Total Cost for Milestone 4: 160,000 ADA

Milestone 5: Mobile Version 1.0.0 Launch

• Resources: Unity development team salaries for mobile version deployment: 20,000 ADA.
• Marketing and community engagement team: 30,000 ADA.

Total Cost for Milestone 5: 50,000 ADA

Additional Budget Elements

• Reporting and finance: 8,000 ADA.
• Community event sponsorships: 12,000 ADA.

Total Cost for Additional Budget Elements: 20,000 ADA

Grand Total Estimated Budget: 407,000 ADA

How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The cost breakdown for the Astraeus project has been meticulously crafted to ensure optimal value for money within the Cardano ecosystem, taking into consideration the collaborative efforts of a mixed team of Swedish and Filipino developers. Here's how the costs are justified:

Development Costs:

• The development team costs are derived from an average cost of a developer per hour, acknowledging the mixed team composition of Swedish and Filipino developers. This blend ensures a diverse range of skills at a competitive cost. The team's expertise in blockchain integration, game development, and Cardano's unique features justifies these expenses.
• These costs are proportionate to the complexity of tasks, such as deploying the open beta, evaluating and enhancing the minting system, launching version 1.0.0, optimizing the crafting system, and developing the mobile version.

Marketing and Community Engagement:

• Allocated funds for marketing and community engagement reflect the importance of creating awareness and fostering a strong player community. These costs are justified by the potential impact on user acquisition and player retention.
• Social media advertising and community event sponsorships are essential for promoting Astraeus within the broader gaming and blockchain communities.

Infrastructure and Tools:

• Costs associated with minting system infrastructure are kept low due to decades of experience working with IT infrastructure contributing to the project's long-term success.

Third-Party Services:

• Subscription costs for community engagement platforms and external services are justifiably incorporated into the budget. These services play an important role in gathering player insights and maintaining effective communication channels with the community.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Budget allocations for reporting, finance and video production enhance community understanding and contribute to the broader Cardano knowledge base.

Alternative Funding Considerations:

• The project team actively explores partnerships with Cardano ecosystem funds and potential collaborations with gaming communities. This demonstrates a commitment to diversifying funding sources and ensuring sustainability beyond the initial grant.
• The business model of selling Card Packs and other in game items is estimated to sustain future development of Astraeus for years to come.

Value Proposition:

• Astraeus aims to bring innovative gameplay and true ownership to the Cardano ecosystem, attracting new users to the Cardano ecosystem. The value for money is evident in the potential growth of the Cardano community through engaging gameplay and unique features, thereby enhancing the overall ecosystem.

Cost Justification:

• Costs have been estimated based on the blended hourly rates of a mixed team, considering the lower average cost for developers in the Philippines. The project team's experience and expertise contribute to a cost-effective plan that aligns with industry benchmarks and the unique challenges of blockchain integration.

In summary, the Astraeus project's cost breakdown represents a strategic and efficient allocation of resources with the added benefit of a mixed team, ensuring a competitive yet skilled workforce. The expenses are justified by the potential impact on the Cardano ecosystem, the collaborative expertise of the development team, and the project's contribution to blockchain gaming innovation.