The time has come to unveil the next panel judge at the 24-hour GALAthon Hackathon on March 20th. Today, we are pleased to spotlight Paul Hsu, the Founder and CEO of Decasonic. Decasonic is a pioneering venture and digital assets fund dedicated to building innovative products on the blockchain.
With an extensive background in driving growth and fostering groundbreaking projects in the blockchain space, Hsu’s expertise and leadership have positioned Decasonic as a crucial player in cultivating the next wave of transformative blockchain technologies and startups.
Paul Hsu: A Catalyst for Blockchain Excellence
Paul Hsu’s journey at the helm of Decasonic has been defined by repeatedly identifying, supporting and nurturing startups that harness the capabilities of web3 tech to challenge traditional industries and create scalable models for the future.
His strategic vision has not only propelled Decasonic to success but has also contributed significantly to the broader web3 by supporting projects that push the boundaries of what is possible with blockchain technology.
A Judge with a Vision for Disruptive Innovation
In his role as a judge for the GalaChain Hackathon, Hsu brings a keen eye for projects that demonstrate a clear disruptive potential, combining innovative blockchain applications with proven, viable business models.
His experience guiding startups through every step from concept to market means he has an amazing sense for projects that are not only technically sound but also market-ready, with a clear path to adoption and growth.
What Paul Hsu Might Look for in a Winning Entry
Given his background, Paul Hsu is likely to prioritize hackathon projects that:
Embody Disruptive Innovation: Projects that leverage GalaChain to challenge and redefine existing stagnant business models or industry standards, showing the potential growth to be had from embracing web3 tech.
Demonstrate Technical and Business Acumen: Entries that exhibit a strong understanding of blockchain technology coupled with a viable business strategy that features clear use cases, target markets and monetization models.
Focus on User Adoption: Projects that prioritize a seamless user experience and demonstrate clear, intuitive strategies for user adoption and engagement – critical factors for the success of any blockchain innovation.
Sustainability and Long-term Vision: Initiatives that not only address current market needs but also show potential for sustained growth and adaptability to future technological developments.
Fostering Innovation with Paul Hsu
Paul Hsu’s inclusion as a judge in the GalaChain Hackathon brings his unique experience in identifying and helping grow outstanding projects over the years. His insight into the intersection of technology and business and his proven track record will hopefully guide participants towards creating solutions that are not only innovative but also primed for adoption and growth.
As you prepare your plans for the hackathon, let Paul Hsu’s achievements and vision inspire you to aim for solutions that are disruptive, market-ready and capable of contributing significantly to the blockchain ecosystem. His experience in identifying projects that achieve the results of the past in new and innovative ways will give the judge’s panel far more insight into the potential of projects. What can you build to disrupt narrow-minded views of business?
Today we’re delving into the exciting world of Toklheim card battles with Legends Reborn, created by the talented team at Clash Craft Studios. After its launch at the beginning of this week, players are looking forward to the Litepaper’s release and the game’s first reward season, where they’ll have an opportunity to receive $TOLK for the first time.
As a cutting-edge web3 trading card game, Legends Reborn merges the strategic depth of deck building and classic PvP TCG mechanics with the innovative ownership and reward possibilities offered by web3 tech. All this is made possible by GalaChain’s robust and scalable infrastructure.
Today, we’re thrilled to present a casual Q&A with Govind Nair, one of the leading minds behind this groundbreaking game. Govind shares insights into the game’s development, the inspiration behind it, and how web3 technology enhances the trading card game experience.
Now, on with some insights from Clash Craft Studios’ Director of Design and Product, Govind Nair!
Govind, can you share with us some of your personal gaming interests growing up? Were there any card games in particular that captured your imagination?
My first experience with games was Prince of Persia, the MS-DOS version. The moment I heard the clink of the swords in combat, I knew games would be a large part of my life. Over the years, my favorite game was Fallout 2, this probably pushed me into thinking about games like a designer.
Like many, my first brush with Card games has to be Pokemon. Just the collection of the cards was so evocative that I didn’t even really know how to play until a few years later after getting that first card. Hearthstone is the obvious introduction to Digital Card games which I thoroughly enjoyed. Lately though the Roguelite Deck Builders have really got me hooked – Slay the Spire, Monster Train and Luck be a Landlord (okay, it’s a stretch to call that a card game but the systems are definitely there) are some of my favorites. Hopefully, Legends Reborn becomes really successful and Gala Games wants us to make a Roguelite Deck Builder around the IP. Trust me, we already have designs around how to do it!
The Clash Craft Studios team has brought a unique vision to life with “Legends Reborn.” What are some of your team’s favorite games, and how have they influenced the game’s development?
From the beginning of this project, our approach has never been to be a Hearthstone or a Legends of Runterra with Web3. We believed that the game had to be unique and fun, so the game would incentivize card players to come into Web3 and not the other way around. So just taking an existing game was out of the question, it wasn’t a long term sustainable approach.
We established Hearthstone, LOTR and MTG players as the core audience for the game. In terms of complexity, we wanted it to feel somewhere between Hearthstone and LOTR.
Legends Reborn stands out for integrating web3 technology into the classic TCG format. Can you explain how this technology enhances the gameplay and ownership experience for players?
Broadly speaking, we looked at this technology as a way to mirror the aspects of a physical TCG into a digital TCG. The fundamentals of our feature set were meant to emulate what we expect from a physical card game.
Cards and Creatures – With the ability to trade and rent Creatures and Cards; we want to simulate the ability for players to buy and own cards that they can trade with each other. As one sees in real life, preparing for a tournament has one tailor their deck by borrowing and buying cards based on the requirements of the tournament and the current meta. We plan to facilitate the trading and reselling aspect through web3 features like NFT Minting and a rental system.
Venues – Currently this feature only supports the hosting of matches. But our long term vision with this feature is to simulate custom tournaments where Venue owners can set rules for their own tournament, create requirements on what cards/creatures can and cannot be used, set an entry cost and so on. Eventually, all we want to do is provide interesting card packs as developers and let players decide how to create modes of play and tournament rules; similar to a physical card game.
The concept of ownership and receiving rewards is a pivotal aspect of Legends Reborn. How do you see this changing the way players interact with and value their in-game assets?
Something we really must not forget is that you have to make a fun game first. That is absolutely a must, because only then will players care about the content of your game. But once you have a sizable engaged community, then you can start rewarding players for being good. For those who have been following gaming news; esports is struggling to find a sustainable business model. The reason is that a suitable economic equation hasn’t been created to reward esports players for the number of players they bring into the ecosystem by being awesome at the game. The advantage with web3 is that the reward structure is modeled in right from the beginning.
With Legends Reborn launching on Gala Games, what advantages does GalaChain provide, and how does it support the game’s vision and mechanics?
More than anything, it’s about easy access to and contact with the devs of the chain. We have some crazy ideas for the rental and Venue features– The equally crazy peeps on the GalaChain team are eager to entertain these ideas and innovate ways to make them a reality.
Finally, for aspiring game developers intrigued by web3 technology, what advice would you give them based on your experiences developing Legends Reborn?
Make a fun game first. Don’t rip off an existing game with web3 added on top. We need to get non web3 gamers into the fold. If someone enjoys Fortnite and has spent 100 hours in it; they aren’t going to leave that game behind so easily. Give them a gameplay-centric reason to come over, then they’ll see what they’ve been missing.
Govind’s passion for gaming and belief in the power of web3 to transform the digital entertainment landscape is evident throughout this exciting new game. The team at Clash Craft Studios has not only created an engaging game but also paved the way for future developers to explore the limitless possibilities of web3 gaming and player empowerment.
Stay tuned for more updates on Legends Reborn and other exciting developments within the Gala Games ecosystem. As we continue to push the boundaries of gaming, remember that the future of entertainment is here, and it’s powered by web3 and GalaChain – where ownership, innovation, and community come together to create truly empowering experiences.
With a web3 event as legendary as GALAthon, there’s something special about coming together in person…
Maybe it’s the massively influential panel of more than a dozen judges from around the world. Look for our “Meet the Judges” announcements coming out every day until the event begins to learn more about this panel and what they might be looking for in winning entries.
Maybe it’s hundreds of thousands of dollars in USDT prizes up for grabs only to in-person contestants for the coveted “Judges’ Favorite” category. Here’s a complete list of GALAthon prizes up for grabs in our 24-hour hackathon event.
Maybe it’s the palpable sense of camaraderie, community and cooperation toward a common goal that can only be found at a GALAthon event. We’ve always said that we’ve got the best community in the web3 world; join us at GALAthon and we’ll prove it.
Maybe it’s the awesome bag of swag including an exclusive event tee, Gala coffee mug, Legends Reborn physical card collection, Gala wrist-rest mouse pad, Tiki phone wallet and more. You know you want some Gala branded merch.
Maybe it’s just a chance to get out of your house for a couple days. You might form lifelong friendships and build strong business relationships. You might even have a chance to pick the brains of some of your favorite Gala or web3 personalities! We’d love to host your team’s dev frenzy in San Francisco, so come on out!
Register Now
Before it’s too late, get your registration in. The event is happening in San Francisco next week, starting at 11am PT on Wednesday March 20th and ending exactly 24 hours later.
If your team already registered to participate remotely, there is still a chance to upgrade your team’s participation to onsite, but hurry! We expect to fill the space, and once enough onsite contestants have confirmed, we’ll have to shut down onsite registrations.
Register or change your existing registration at the link below!
We’re thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to revolutionize the world of entertainment: The opening of our brand-new game development studio in Santiago, Chile. This move is more than just an expansion; it’s a bold step into the future.
By laying roots in the thriving gaming hub of Santiago, we’re reinforcing our commitment to creating empowering and immersive digital experiences, pushing the boundaries of both gaming and entertainment.
Why Santiago?
Source: Wikipedia
Santiago’s vibrant culture of innovation and its talented pool of game developers make it the ideal location for our latest studio. We’re setting the stage for an exciting expansion of our game portfolio, with a special emphasis on live service games. This studio isn’t just about accelerating our development timelines; it’s about injecting a fresh dose of creativity and innovation into the entire gaming world.
Ultimately, the Santiago studio has the potential to create hundreds of jobs in the latest gaming tech, boosting the local economy and drawing skilled game developers from around the world.
Our Vision and Leadership
Under the leadership of Pablo Mera, Studio Lead for the new location, we’re poised to make a profound impact on the gaming landscape. Pablo’s wealth of experience and vision perfectly align with our goals, setting a course for the Santiago studio to become a world center for gaming innovation. Together, we’ll draw upon the unique strengths of the Santiago gaming community to produce web3 enabled games that are not only engaging and high-quality but also resonate with players around the globe.
Empowering Local Talent
At Gala, our commitment goes beyond creating games. We look for ways to nurture local talent while making meaningful contributions to the global gaming ecosystem. By offering opportunities for local developers to work on global projects with the latest tech, we’re not just creating jobs—we’re empowering creators.
Looking Ahead
Moving at the speed of web3, we’re looking to open the doors to the Santiago studio in March of 2024. This expansion aligns with our recent shift towards a more in-person operational structure, which includes the recent opening of our global headquarters in San Francisco.
We still work with hundreds of remote professionals from all around the world, but now that we have had a taste of the collaborative and camaraderie breakthroughs that can come from onsite work, we’re thrilled to create new ways for our teams to come together in person.
If you’re interested in joining our team, we’re hiring for a variety of onsite positions. Learn more at our Careers page, and stay on the lookout for new opportunities as we hit the ground running with the Santiago studio!
Join the Excitement
As we embark on this exciting journey, we invite the gaming community, developers, and web3 enthusiasts to stay tuned for updates. The Santiago studio isn’t just a new chapter in our global expansion–it’s a gateway to the next generation of gaming experiences, powered by the innovative spirit of GalaChain.
This expansion isn’t just about growing our footprint; it’s a reflection of our belief in the power of gaming and blockchain technology to create a more immersive, empowering, and decentralized world. Join us as we lead the charge towards this bright future, one game at a time.
As we continue to unveil the panel of judges for the GalaChain Hackathon during GDC, we’re extremely excited to spotlight Amelia Daly, Head of Partnerships at the Solana Foundation. Daly’s prominent role within one of the most influential organizations in the blockchain space plays perfectly into her understanding of what it takes to build and sustain meaningful collaborations that drive innovation and growth within web3 ecosystems.
Her insight into partnerships and strategic development positions her to judge with a unique eye for projects that promise not only technical excellence but also significant potential for impact and collaboration.
Amelia Daly: A Catalyst for Collaborative Innovation
In her role at the Solana Foundation, Amelia Daly has been instrumental in cultivating partnerships that extend the reach and utility of blockchain technology across various sectors. By fostering collaborations that leverage Solana’s high-performance blockchain, Daly has contributed to the development of a more accessible and scalable web3 landscape.
Her work is all about building bridges between technology innovators, developers and users to unlock new opportunities and drive collective progress.
A Perspective for Collaborative Potential
Given her extensive experience with strategic partnerships and ecosystem development, Daly’s approach to judging the GalaChain Hackathon entries is likely to be centered on each projects’ potential for collaboration and real-world impact.
She understands the transformative power of blockchain when aligned with strategic partners and will likely aim to identify projects that show strong potential for adoption and appeal.
What Amelia Daly Might Look for in a Winning Entry
Scalability and Efficiency: Projects that demonstrate innovative use of GalaChain’s capabilities while also offering solutions that are scalable and efficient.
Potential for Strategic Partnerships: Entries that present clear opportunities for collaboration with other entities within the web3 ecosystem in new or exciting ways.
Real-world Impact: Projects that go beyond theoretical applications to address tangible challenges and needs.
Inclusivity and Accessibility: Initiatives that make blockchain technology more accessible to a diverse audience, reducing the bar for entry for less web3 educated users.
Pioneering the Future with Amelia Daly
Amelia Daly’s involvement as a judge highlights the GalaChain Hackathon’s commitment to identifying and nurturing projects with real potential to make a substantial impact on the blockchain landscape and beyond. Her perspective will guide participants towards creating solutions that are not just technologically advanced but also strategically positioned for success through practical application and partnerships.
As the hackathon approaches, let Amelia Daly’s work inspire you to envision how your project can contribute to the evolution of the blockchain ecosystem. Through strategic collaboration and innovative thinking, the GalaChain Hackathon is your opportunity to showcase the next wave of projects poised to shape the future. What need can you fill with what you build?
