For the next two weeks, Aura is literally crawling with new opportunities for Hunters and OPs alike. Think you’ve got what it takes to clench a leaderboard spot?
The game’s current Mission Ready build is still 100% free and ready to play, but in order to access Premium servers with enhanced prizes and leaderboard competition, players must purchase a Premium Pass for 3 Core Chunks (LECC), which can be collected from successful extractions.
The event has now officially started, so Premium Pass purchases are open in-game. If you haven’t had a chance to collect the LECC you need, remember that you can pick them up on GalaSwap by swapping for $GALA. Get an early start on things today, the event runs through August 14!
By playing on a Premium server for the next two weeks, you might find:
New creatures to kill
Character Coin (Common to Legendary)
Additional XP Drops (Common to Legendary)
“Fire” Weapon Skins
Additional prizes (LEMIN, LEFC and more) for top 10 finishers on the Premium leaderboard
Upgrade to Premium
Node Operators (OPs) are invited to purchase an OP Premium Pass (for 3 LECC) to temporarily upgrade their server for this event. In addition to an extra 25% of LEMIN, LECC and LEFC from matches, all OPs will receive:
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our GalaChain TestNet, a significant milestone in our journey towards becoming an open-source blockchain. This new public testing environment allows external developers to deploy, test and refine their chaincode without any real-world consequences.
With more freedom to experiment with chain code, developers will enjoy a GalaChain environment that helps them realize their full potential in the web3 world, whether or not they have blockchain development experience. We want to elevate the work of veteran blockchain developers while ensuring that the first-time experience for new devs from the traditional web2 world is a good one.
What is a TestNet?
For those unfamiliar with blockchain terminology, a TestNet is essentially a sandbox environment where developers can experiment with new features and applications. It operates just like the real blockchain (known as the MainNet) but uses test tokens instead of real cryptocurrency. This allows developers to test and debug their projects in a safe space, ensuring everything works perfectly before going live on the MainNet.
In a future blog from our web3 explainer series, we’ll delve more deeply into TestNets, exploring their importance and providing some examples of testnets in action in the web3 world.
Accessing the TestNet
Are you ready to start building using the GalaChain TestNet? Get started through Gala Creators, following the steps below:
Deployment Chaincode from Docker Containers: Developers can now deploy their chaincode from Docker containers to the TestNet environment, enabling seamless integration and testing of applications.
Comprehensive API Access: Users can call the REST API to interact with their chaincode, ensuring full functionality and integration with existing systems.
Redeployment Capabilities: If a deployment fails, users can redeploy their chaincode effortlessly by passing the chaincode name in the command line, streamlining the testing process.
Chaincode Approval and Verification: To ensure security and integrity, chaincode deployment requires approval from GalaChain support, including Docker Image Tag and public keys for both the developer and the chaincode admin.
Accessible Testing Environment: The TestNet environment is designed to be user-friendly, with step-by-step guides to assist developers through the deployment process.
This TestNet launch is a crucial step in preparing GalaChain for a broader influx of external developers. By providing a secure and isolated environment for testing, we are fostering an ecosystem of innovation, enabling developers to create and refine applications that will power the decentralized future.
Why This Matters
The launch of the TestNet is more than a technical milestone; it’s a demonstration of our commitment to building an open and collaborative blockchain ecosystem that goes beyond entertainment into multiple world industries. GalaChain will empower countless developers to experiment and innovate freely, laying the groundwork for the robust applications that will define the next era of decentralized technology.
Join the Revolution
As we continue to expand and refine GalaChain, we invite developers from around the world to join us in this exciting journey.
Whether you’re an experienced developer looking to explore the new possibilities that come with web3, an visionary with an idea ready to change the world when paired with the right technology or an entrepreneur sitting on the next big wave in tech business, we want you to build on GalaChain.
Your creativity and ingenuity are the keys to unlocking the full potential of blockchain technology. Together, we will shape the future of digital interactions to create a more inclusive and decentralized world.
We look forward to seeing the innovative projects that will emerge and thrive from the release of this TestNet. Thank you for being part of the Gala community and for your continued support.
Craft vibrant Starlight Market Boxes with eco-friendly paper and paint made from Strawberries, Blueberries and Corn. Splash some color, go green with bamboo and paint your way to victory!
Sell Starlight Market Boxes
Trade Time: 20s & 1 Gasoline Biome: Forest E Edges: River N, Forest E, Forest S, Forest W
Check out the new recipe for Starlight Market Boxes 👇👇
Ingredients: 1 Red Paint, 1 Blue Paint, 1 Yellow Paint, 1 Eco Paper, 1 Wooden Box Made in: Boxing Facility Stored in: Warehouse Affected by: Nothing
New Standard Cash value: $71K New Standard Star value: 8329
This Week’s Cash Boosts 💵
Clay Lump: $300 👉 $900
Ceramic Bowl: $2000 👉 $6000
Honey: $7500 👉 $22,500
This Week’s Star Boost ⭐
Starlight Market Box: 8329 👉 50,000
You’ll find more information about the standard meta values of all crafts in Discord’s #cgw-faq channel.
Guild Upgrade
If you’re a Common Ground World Node operator, it’s almost time to convert your Node Workload NFT from V1 to V2 to enjoy the full upgradeable capabilities of running a CGW Guild!
Common Ground World Guilds are the most exciting new game feature, unlocking a whole new level of team strategizing and turning all Node operators into Guild leaders! With shared NFT libraries, special Guild competitions and more, you’re missing out if you’re not part of a Common Ground World Guild! Get connected in the #cgw-guilds channel in Discord.
Epic Stationary Shop
Craft without Water Drums and use half the crops for vibrant paints. Perfect for efficient, colorful creations!
Available on: Friday, July 26th Price: $199.99 Supply: 500
Don’t miss your opportunity to hear all the latest town chatter from your friends on the Common Ground World team, every two weeks live on Youtube! The last Town Hall took place on Friday, July 19th at 8am PT. If you missed it, watch the replay at the link below! 👇
Don’t miss the next Town Hall, this Friday (August 2nd) at 8am PT!
Gameplay Reminders
When using offline mode, you must log back in before the event ends to make fast forward happen. It is run by your computer currently, and if you do not load the game back up, fast forward will not take place.
If you use Fast Forward check in often, the longer you stay offline, the longer it takes to bring your town up to date.
Always make sure the game is the only tab in the browser.
Don’t fully cover the browser window with another window or program if you are actively playing. If you do, make sure to relaunch the game before trying to play again.
Summer Strong
We’re having a blast with all these summer vibes, with new players and some amazing competitions. As always, we’re glad you’re part of this awesome community and we look forward to bringing you more exciting updates in the weeks and months ahead!
If you’ve never played Common Ground World before, what are you waiting for? It’s absolutely free and played directly from your browser. It’s easy to learn but endlessly challenging to master. It’s a relaxing beauty of a competitive strategy game, and you can even win $GALA for placing in the weekly competition!
This proposal addresses the need for a more refined emission mechanism in light of factors impacting burn rates. Currently, the halving schedule can result in abrupt changes in token distribution, especially if burn rates cause the supply to decrease beyond what is currently considered a current “tier”. This can lead to an inelegant doubling of token emissions as halving tiers oscillate between emissions tiers. This could disrupt the economic stability of our ecosystem.
A smoother emission curve is proposed to ensure a stable and predictable token issuance, promoting long-term growth and stability.
Proposal Overview
I propose replacing the current halving schedule with a daily emission model. This model would emit 0.25% of the remaining gap between the total supply and the max supply each day. This change aims to create a more predictable and stable emission curve, aligning with the evolving needs of our ecosystem. This is based on a proposal submitted by Lukabylie, the creator of the WEN token.
Proposal Details
Background and Rationale
Factors affecting burn rates can cause the token emission to fluctuate, making the current halving tiers inefficient and unpredictable, especially if a source of significant burns enters the ecosystem. A situation where the emission is oscillating between two “tiers” would be severely suboptimal.
A daily emission model at 0.25% of the remaining gap between the total supply and the max supply offers a gradual and consistent token release, better suiting the current economic realities of the whole ecosystem.
Implementation Plan
Terminate the current halving schedule immediately.
Implement the daily emission model. The emission will be calculated as 0.25% of the remaining gap between the total supply and the max supply.
Following implementation, all documentation will be updated to reflect this change.
Expected Outcomes
Stability: Reducing the market shocks associated with halving events will promote a more stable economic environment.
Predictability: A smoother emission curve provides clearer expectations for node operators and potential investors, aiding in long-term planning and investment strategies.
Governance and Voting
This proposal should be subjected to a governance vote, requiring a majority approval from Founder’s Node operators.
The voting period should last for at least one week, ensuring ample time for all operators to participate and voice their opinions.
Vote Details
Voting Period: Voting will be open for a period of 1 week, starting with the announcement of this proposal.
Eligibility: All Founder’s Node operators (1 vote per Founder’s Node)
Majority Requirement: a simple majority of 51% will be required to pass this proposal.
Vote Question
Should the $GALA dynamic halving schedule transition to a system in which 0.25% of the difference between Total Supply and Max Supply is emitted daily?
Yes: I am in favor of this emission update for more stable and predictable token emissions.
No: I am not in favor of this update and have voted that emissions should remain with the dynamic halving tier-based system.
Conclusion
Transitioning to a daily emission model at 0.25% of the remaining gap between the total supply and the max supply represents the strategic adaptation and evolution of our ecosystem.
I encourage all stakeholders to consider this proposal carefully and ask Gala to put it forward as a vote in favor of a more stable and predictable emission strategy.
The world of poker has been in full riot the past week. The game of poker isn’t a stranger to controversy, and any game as old as poker is going to have some growing pains along the way.
The final table of the World Series of Poker this year was… divisive, to say the least. What happened on the felt wasn’t necessarily the big issue though. If you haven’t been paying attention to this controversy, let’s take a few minutes to dive into it together.
This is a very important moment in the greater world of gaming. How we use digital tools in games will be a topic that comes up over and over throughout the entire industry.
Spoilers: We’ll be discussing the final table of this year’s World Series of Poker Main Event. If you don’t want to be spoiled on the final table until you get around to watching it, don’t read further!
Solvers on the Rail
On Wednesday, July 17th, Jonathan Tamayo won the 55th annual World Series of Poker Main Event. He outlasted 10,111 other players and won the grand prize – a championship bracelet and a cool $10 million. He defeated amateur Jordan Griff in heads-up play to take home the championship.
Jonathan Tamayo is the 2024 World Champion!
Tamayo takes home the $10,000,000 top prize in the largest WSOP Main Event in history!
— WSOP – World Series of Poker (@WSOP) July 18, 2024
Tamayo is a great player. That’s not where this controversy lies. In his decade plus career, he’s proven time and again that he can sit with and beat the best.
Also, the main event of the World Series of Poker isn’t exactly the exclusive club it used to be with a few dozen tables featuring a few hundred of the greats. Nowadays five figures of players are getting in on the action. The main event has become a mental endurance test… a test that Tamayo passed with flying colors.
The real controversy was behind the table though, at the rail. Sitting on the sidelines, Tamayo’s friends rooted him on. Also fellow pro poker players, Tamayo would be crazy to not occasionally ask for their advice on a tough call within the game. This is pretty normal practice. Coaching is allowed.
The real trouble started when everyone watching at home could see what was going on at his friends’ spectator table. A laptop sat there facing away from the playing area. Clearly visible on the laptop screen was a popular poker simulation platform. As Tamayo told his friends about the hand pre-flop, they’d punch in the cards and determine his exact odds on certain calls.
I have to be honest here…if this really is the future of tournament poker I'm not interested at all. @PatMoorePoker 📸 This railbird team coaching stuff has to be curtailed it isn't going to grow the game we love it will only stunt the growth. Regardless of the stakes. pic.twitter.com/mkvqa5NxZ5
Tamayo claimed that he had no idea what his friends were doing at the rail… but in this picture captured by a spectator, you can clearly see both the stream and the solver pulled up and ready to go just as easily as Tamayo can…
For a seasoned pro, this isn’t a huge advantage. Most people who make their living playing poker can tell you exactly what the odds are for any hand pre-flop against random hands to two decimals… this is elementary stuff for competitive poker. Using AI and algorithmic analysis to verify and simulate this information against different hand sizes and differing chip stack sizes does give someone an advantage over just using their more fallible head math.
These poker problem solvers have been used more frequently both online and in person, with numerous pros having been caught sneaking analysis on their phones in recent years. Still, poker governance authorities are really yet to define the hard line on what constitutes cheating.
After this main event, they may have their hand forced.
How Far Is Unfair?
It’s important to note that Tamayo says he had no idea that his friends were going to bring a laptop. He claims he was asking for normal coaching and had little clue what was happening outside the rail.
“I mean, that stuff wasn’t under my control. My job was to play. Joe and Dom were giving me advice. I didn’t tell them to bring anything. You know, whatever was on there was on there. My job was to play. You have to be pretty narrow-minded when you’re playing. All the other external stuff is just wasted energy.”
This looks bad though. We have a professional player playing against an amateur in the biggest poker tournament in the world. The professional is not only getting help from two other professionals (one of whom is a previous main event bracelet winner), but also a dedicated computer program designed to solve poker problems.
The World Series of Poker has been clear about not allowing poker solvers in play. How does that apply to coaches on the rail though? How did it feel for Jordan Griff playing against not only a seasoned professional, but two sideline opinions with more experience than him backed up by AI?
All in all, Griff is handling what could be considered a $4m cheat with surprising grace.
Griff spoke to Doug Polk Poker’s podcast about the issue. He was totally unaware of what was going on at Tamayo’s sideline. He had assumed that if anything going on was nefarious that the WSOP floor team would step in.
“I’m sure in their mind if they knew they were doing something wrong they’re like ‘oh, well they’ll just tell us to put the laptop away’. I don’t think there was any serious repercussions people thought would come out of that.”
-Jordan Griff on Doug Polk Poker
Griff still walked away with $6 million, so not a week of work to whine about. As he discussed on Doug Polk’s podcast above, the most disappointing thing is that everybody is talking about someone trying to scrimp any unfair advantage they can get instead of the uplifting success stories that are always around in such a massive tournament.
Regardless of any double standard, many poker fans think that a solver isn’t an actual advantage for a professional of this caliber.
We don’t know exactly how they were using the solver, but there are ways that it could’ve clearly tipped the balance. Were they referencing the stream to see what cards Griff was holding each hand, then punching that into their sim? If so, they could’ve gotten incredibly insight into his tendencies over hundreds of hands that Tamayo never would’ve been able to glean on his own.
We’ll probably never know how much the solver helped Tamayo. In theory, however, Dominic Nitsche and Joseph McKeehen definitely thought that it would help their buddy. Otherwise, why would they even bother?
“You think you’re getting heads-up, and you’re playing against – you know – robots now,” Griff summed up. “Optically … it’s not what you want to see at final table.”
A Gaming-Wide Problem
What constitutes fair? Especially when we’re using technology to actually engage with a game, what level of human intellect is required to be considered “fair play”?
Far more poker happens online than in person. If they aren’t even hiding that they’re doing it at the biggest in-person table in the world, surely these programs are being used all the time online in big money games. What’s most interesting in this regard is that Jordan Griff is considered one of the biggest online players in the world. Jonathan Tamayo, on the other hand, is traditionally a live tournament player.
There’s a lot of big questions here and not just for poker. Due to poker’s highly mathematical mechanics, it’s typically more straightforward to build a program to simulate it than for more convoluted games… but that doesn’t mean robust tools won’t rise for other competitive games.
Let’s start with the obvious… would a casino put up with this behind a player at a blackjack table? Of course not! Would this be acceptable in competitive chess? Definitely not.
Let’s take it further. Think about strategy games you may have played, where addons and external tools are often ubiquitous. In this day of AI, where is that line between unfair help and fair help? Most ToS on video games specific one player to one account… if you’re using the abilities of tons of programmers in a tool, is that really one human player to one account?
These are big questions… and ones I definitely don’t have the answer to. The entire world of gaming will have eyes on The World Series of Poker and the Nevada Gaming Commission, however, to see what their next steps are. How they react to this controversy will have echoes across the gaming industry for years to come.
The Future of Gaming Aids
It’s important to discuss these things, because culture will decide in these moments what’s acceptable in the future. How we incorporate technology into play and competition will change the trajectory of the human race… for better or for worse.
Where do you think that line is? Do you have a hot take or a path forward from this issue?
Bring your opinions over to #gala-gold or #general-chat-gala so that we can all see multiple perspectives on this really complicated issue. There’s no easy answer, and discussion is the best way to form educated viewpoints and find real solutions.
This is also a great topic for some great table talk!
Hop into Sweep It Poker today to take down some juicy pots while you discuss it with your poker buddies at the tables!
