Over the weekend, we had a wonderfully instructive event which creates a great opportunity to surface some of the technology that supports keeping play fair on the Town Star competitive servers.
The Setting
A user submitted a Customer Service ticket about their account having been disabled. They were very upset as they had previously been in first place, and wanted to be able to win the weekly Town Star competition. However, when the engineers inspected their account, it was determined that it had been disabled by the Town Star Watchdog, which exists for the sole purpose of making sure that an honest playthrough is taking place.
The Town Star Watchdog monitors the game ledgers and detects anomalies, and will disable specific game instances if it feels that they have violated the rules of the game. Often times, these instances are due to a player exploiting a bug or unintentional game mechanic. For example, in the case of the user who reported the case, they were exploiting a previously unidentified bug surrounding a reloading of the PlayCanvas instance at the moment of a sell. At the time the Watchdog shut down the game instance, this particular user had over $10,000,000 in cash and significantly less ledger activity than other pros in the game.
In the below ledger example, you can see how this particular user would initiate a trade (TS), restart the game instance (S+), and then collect (TC) without ever re-initiating the trade.
Raw data on the play ledger of the player.
Following the Watchdog shutting down the game instance, his game state was re-run for analysis purposes. The Town Star Watchdog has the ability to re-compute any game state based on the game ledger, so that it becomes clear when a game instance isn’t experiencing an honest playthrough.
This is the re-computed engineering view for the Town Star game board.
We understand that some players are going to push the boundaries of the game and attempt to exploit loopholes they might find, but the Town Star Watchdog is watching out for the sort of behavior that might give a specific game instance an unfair advantage. In the future, we plan on deploying a server specifically for people to deliberately try to push the boundaries of the game, however competition play is not the place to experiment with exploiting loopholes in the game. The Watchdog is always on duty and will likely disable your instance and use it as a learning opportunity.
Join us this coming week for Week Two of the Town Star Winter Championship!
This is going to be SLIGHTLY technical, but don’t let that worry you too much! The important part is that we are coming closer and closer to integrating web3 functionality to the Gala Games website, which would enable you to connect any Ethereum address to your Gala Games account! This is VERY GOOD NEWS!
However, it also means that we are deprecating and removing support for Bitcoin.
Currently, when you create an account on the Gala Games website, you are given a 12-word mnemonic recovery phrase, which is used to compute both your Ethereum and Bitcoin addresses. While accounts were being created on Gala Games servers, that worked well enough. However, in the interest of continual decentralization, we want people to be able to bring their own Ethereum address. This presents a problem if a user shows up with their own ETH address and connects it via web3 while the BTC address is generated through other means. It introduces a lot of confusion and potential frustration on the part of the users.
Therefore, we have decided to sunset the idea that users have their own BTC wallets connected with their Gala Games user accounts. We love Bitcoin, and may integrate the ability to purchase items with an external BTC wallet in the future, but we can streamline backend operations significantly without the Bitcoin wallet.
What does this mean for you as a user?
Not a whole lot, because there is nothing you can do with the BTC wallet functionality right now. However, you will want to either move your BTC off the Gala Games connected address, or use your mnemonic to open that address in a third-party BIP39 compliant wallet (one which allows you to use a 12-word mnemonic to import an address).
We will be removing the BTC wallet on January 1st. You will always be able to use your 12-word mnemonic phrase to interact with that Bitcoin address, it just won’t be supported by the Gala Games platform.
Note: We do not have the ability to help you send anything from your BTC address or to access it ourselves.
One of the great aspects of the decentralized industries is that anyone can help a project grow. No longer do you need to depend just on one team to help spread the word about your favorite projects. Here is a list of how you can positively contribute to the Gala Games Ecosystem as a Gala Gamer!
(in fact, this whole Medium post was submitted to the Gala Games team by a member of the community! Thanks TownStarGuide.com!)
Be Involved!
A strong community builds confidence in those on the outside looking in, growing a great community is one of the most important aspects of any project, especially for Gala Games. One of the simplest but most impactful actions you can do is being involved in the Gala Community via Discord, Telegram, or Reddit. Helping users with questions, or generally adding to the conversation helps to build the community — every little bit counts. Even if you don’t have much time, welcoming new members has a long and lasting positive impact. Nothing shows how welcoming a community is better than multiple people welcoming new members. This sort of engagement shows newcomers that the community is active and highly involved.
Express Your Opinions
Constructive feedback is essential to the Gala Games Ecosystem. Discussing your opinions on the Gala Games Discord (galagames.chat) not only provides great ideas, but lets the team know if they’re headed in the right direction. A great example of this was the node distribution, as many members of the community helped re-shape the way NFT’s were distributed through the Gala soft nodes.
Ensure Information is up-to-date on Data Aggregators and Portfolio Trackers
There are numerous Data Aggregators like CoinGecko, or Portfolio Trackers like Blockfolio out there. Check to ensure that $GALA is on them and the info is correct. If it isn’t, provide them with the correct information to be updated. Most of these providers do not require a team member to update simple information that is public. However if they do require a team member, that’s ok too, let the team know on Discord, Telegram, or send them an e-mail or create a ticket.
Team Comment: YES! This is a huge example of how you can help! There are SO MANY different apps and websites out there, that it is impossible for any one person to stay on top of them all, especially when localized or non-English sites are mentioned. Help us by getting $GALA added to these platforms.
Create Your Own Marketing Campaigns
Creating your own marketing campaign with your referral code to share with your friends can be an extremely effective way to bring people into Gala, and all they have to do is play games! There have been several community members who have been quite successful in their marketing campaigns by simply letting others know within their Facebook groups, other chat rooms, or forums they frequent. The important thing to remember here is to remain respectful and to not create spam. A few community members have even created paid marketing campaigns to great success.
Add GALA to a Decentralized Liquidity Provider
When the $GALA token was first released, within hours, the community created the UniSwap ETH/GALA liquidity pool on their own, however UniSwap isn’t the only liquidity provider out there. Creating different liquidity pools is important for keeping a well balanced and decentralized system for $GALA. Other pairings/liquidity pools out there that could use more liquidity or be created are:
1inch
AAVE
Balancer
Bancor
BurgerSwap
SushiSwap
Write something. Anything.
Write an article, this can be anything from your experiences with Gala Games, what Gala is about, or a play through guide, to how-to articles (playing games or getting $GALA), and other documentation that new users may need to know about getting into the Gala Games Ecosystem. A great example is our site, TownStarGuide.com, a community driven initiative to create a guide on playing one of Gala’s most popular games, Town Star.
Post your Experiences Online
Post on social media about your experiences with games in the Gala Games network and keep your family and friends up to date! Let them know about any new Splinterlands cards you’ve received, share your Town Star progress, or screenshots of your Town Star town with them. Create a friendly challenge with your family and friends to do better than you. Don’t forget to tag Gala Games (@GoGalaGames) on whatever platform you are using!
Meet Up!
There are many blockchain meets being held around the world, these can usually be found at meetup.com, if you’re not the shy type, speak about Gala Games at your local meetup and how it can change the face of gaming and blockchain. Encourage everyone to take action and become involved.
Make Videos
Be a YouTube star and make videos talking about Gala Games. As one of the largest search engines other than Google, the more Youtube content that is available, the easier it is for people to find the Gala Games Ecosystem. These videos can be based on your opinion of Gala Games, your thoughts on the latest updates, play through guides, or even just you playing the game and offering your commentary.
Create Fun and Shareable Content
Create any kind of positive reinforcement material, from creating fan made art, images, or even memes. Anything that other community members can share with others to spread the spirit of the community. A popular example is the dancing farmer.
A Cyber Monday Promotion Gives Brave Users 25% Discount for Shop Purchases with BAT
Gala Games, the blockchain games studio expanding the network of player-owned game assets, and Brave, makers of the innovative Brave browser combining privacy with the Basic Attention Token (BAT) in the first global private ad platform, have entered into a partnership surrounding the upcoming epic fantasy game Mirandus on the Gala Games platform.
Developed by the experienced Gala Games team including Zynga co-founder Eric Schiermeyer and Lead Game Designer Michael McCarthy, Mirandus is an epic fantasy RPG (role-playing game) set in a massive world ruled by five player-monarchs. Gala Games will begin accepting BAT for all purchases of Mirandus shop deeds, and will kick off this partnership with a Cyber Monday promotion that gives Brave users a 25% discount for Non-Fungible Token (NFT) land deeds purchased with BAT.
The Limited-Edition Mirandus / Brave Collectable Crystal
Additionally, Gala Games and Brave are issuing a limited-edition crystal with engraved claim codes to receive Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). The Brave Swag Store will also be featuring limited-edition shirts with Mirandus characters as part of the promotion. Gala Games will promote Brave as their recommended blockchain gaming browser, with both teams collaborating on additional BAT integration and utility for gamers through the partnership.
Rep Gala Games and Brave with this epic hoodie!
Mirandus seeks to bring back the spine-tingling fear of venturing into the wilderness that has been mostly lost in the hand-holding of contemporary gaming. Brave empowers people to explore a safer and more private web, and with over 20 million monthly active users is the leading blockchain-oriented browser in the market. As such, a partnership between the world’s first blockchain-oriented game development platform and browser is a natural movement.
In Mirandus, player ownership of in-game assets is a central mechanic, with players being able to hold land deeds which allow them to claim parts of the wilderness and set up holdfasts ranging from small farms to massive cities. Mirandus players hold deeds in the form of ERC-1155 Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) on the Ethereum blockchain, providing a new level of value and ownership for game deeds and assets. The first deeds for Mirandus were sold on the Gala Games platform in $GALA only, and the partnership with Brave expands the purchases to $BAT.
Shop deeds can be placed within cities, and will enable users to craft and sell items to players. Every city needs a blacksmith, a potion shop, a temple, lodging, and any number of other small proprietors. In addition to shops, there will also be fields and crops available, which can be deployed within Farming and Ranching Hamlets and Villages. In game, players have absolute freedom of choice: they can set out into the wilderness alone to try their fortunes against the monsters of the deep woods and dungeons, join with one of the monarchs to serve as a knight in their court, or set up shop in one of the five great cities of the realm.
“We know Brave users are the type who are willing to walk into the unknown, which is why we believe this partnership is an ideal opportunity to give gamers an experience in which to be truly Brave,” said Eric Schiermeyer, CEO of Gala Games. “With Mirandus, we are seeking to build the world’s most complex simulated economy, which will enable some users to adventure, while users who are more inclined to business, farming, or crafting can play in their own way; we look forward to seeing how Brave users will use their BAT on in-game assets.”
“Brave users are always eager to discover new ways to redeem their BAT, and we’re excited to partner with Gala Games to offer more utility for our tokens,” said Luke Mulks, Director of Business Development at Brave. “Gala Games is providing its fans with novel ways to give them back power over their gaming experience, and we’re happy that BAT can contribute to users’ ownership of their gameplay and provide an additional way for our users to become familiar with emerging NFT markets and use cases.”
About Gala Games
Gala Games creates games and strategic alliances with other game development firms to expand the network of player-owned game assets. Gala Network is the studio’s blockchain platform that hosts Townstar, “the Farmville of blockchain,” which enables real ownership of in-game assets to facilitate buying and selling of NFTs. After connecting with an Ethereum wallet, Townstar players can harvest crops, build a house, and even construct an entire city. Within the game, players can store assets such as BTC and ETH in an integrated wallet and purchase items on the marketplace. Mirandus, a fantasy RPG, is Gala’s largest and most ambitious release yet.
About Brave and BAT
Brave Software’s fast, privacy-oriented browser, combined with its blockchain-based digital advertising platform, is reinventing the Web for users, publishers and advertisers. Users get a private, speedier Web experience with much longer battery life, publishers increase their revenue share, and advertisers achieve better conversion. Users can opt into privacy-respecting ads that reward them with BAT, an ERC20 token built on top of Ethereum, which they can redeem or use to tip or contribute to publishers and other content creators. The Brave solution is a win-win for everyone who has a stake in the open Web and who is weary of giving up privacy and revenue to the ad-tech intermediaries. Brave currently has over 20 million monthly active users and over 985,000 Verified Publishers. Brave Software was co-founded by Brendan Eich, creator of JavaScript and co-founder of Mozilla (Firefox), and Brian Bondy, formerly of Khan Academy and Mozilla. Learn more at https://brave.com/ and https://basicattentiontoken.org/
