NOTE: The AIP page cannot accept additional characters for everything below. So, I copied this here, while moving the previous comment (ComicCon images) to the next comment placeholder.
This is addressed in a follow-up Q&A comment below. Adding here for clarity.
After the term license expires, the following happens:
- Add those server IPs to the public server pool
- Remove the restrictions (e.g. keys, admin access etc) specifically used for ApeCoin DOA
- Disable all the ApeCoin DAO game keys because they were granted as part of the license
- Remove the ApeCoin branding from the game because it came with license partnership
- Retain the use of $APE token - assuming the US govt didn’t kill it by then - for crypto until a new token partnership is done; at which time the $APE token will be removed.
The ApeCoin DAO gamer accounts will be retained and NOT wiped. Those accounts will be able to login and play the game on any existing Alganon game servers as they previously could. There just won’t be any private (to ApeCoin DAO) servers.
The 36 game servers are part of the license because the ApeCoin DAO isn’t a corp entity with the ability to provision, host, maintain, fund etc. these servers.
If the ApeCoin DAO wishes to take ownership of these 36 servers at the end of the term, we would turn them over to the Ape Foundation. This would entail the Ape Foundation opening it’s own datacenter account, add KYC/KYB info, add monthly payment (colo hosting, bandwidth, IP addresses) info etc. And we will provide the remote access credentials to the servers via a secure encrypted data vault.
If instead of the above the ApeCoin DAO wishes to have us setup a specific set (3 servers = 1 game server cluster = 5,000 clients) of servers at the desired datacenter at its own cost, we will setup and install the game on those servers, and invoice for those costs. This being the case, we would submit an invoice proposal which would outline the steps and costs involved with such tasking. We will then perform the required tasks pertaining to this.
The AGE is a custom game engine suite designed and developed for an MMORPG. It is comprised of a suite of technologies which includes the World Builder System, a very advanced game editor which uses the same rendering (currently DX9/DX10) engine as the game client in a WYSIWG fashion. Whatever you see in the WBS is exactly how it will appear in the game client. And it has been extended and updated over the years to support additional features.
This design allows the AGE to be used to develop any MMO game - and not just a game like Alganon. This not the same as “re-skinning” whereby you change the textures and materials of pre-existing game assets. The AGE can be used to build an entirely new game - from scratch. It is a full multiplayer engine suite - no external components required.
The AGE is not for public licensing. However, as part of this AIP and during the license term, I will consider licensing it - at a low cost - to any [vetted] ApeCoin dev team that wishes to create a game that features ApeCoin. I will NOT allow for it to be used for the creation of any other themed game. For example, should there be a competent dev team looking to build an Ape themed MMO game, or even a complete re-skin of Alganon to feature Apes (and other IP used with permission from the owner), I would consider it.
While there are a variety of game engines (Unity, UnrealEngine, Godot etc), they still require a significant investment of resources to make a game. You can’t just download the engine and build a game with it. With AGE, everything is already there - including a full blown scripting engine. You just bring your own content.
The lands of Alganon are vast and filled with vast landscapes, lush forests, boundless mountains, winding rivers and all kinds of fantasy wonder.
I saw AIP-304 (Digital Arts Museum) asking for 11M $APE to buy NFTs for display in museums.
I offer an alternative.
We can build an Ape museum inside Alganon. As you can see from the main city of Asheran above, we can put it anywhere in the city center or in the surrounding landscape. The museum would be a building designed like a museum, and inside we would display (on walls, ceilings etc) selected NFTs.
The building would be designed within the architectural guidelines for the game, and we could erect an Ape statue (of the genesis NFT) outside.
To start, the interior would be designed to host up to 100 NFT images of various sizes depending on location. If future expansion is needed, the museum building can be expanded by creating additional buildings (museum wings) connected to the main building.
We can do this as part of the on-going content creation for the game rerelease and at NO COST to the ApeCoin DAO license. We will setup an “ApeCoin Museum Fund” wallet to which Apes can donate for the creation of this in-game museum. I estimate the costs to be $100K USD (paid in $APE). Once this wallet is fully funded, work on the Ape Museum would commence.
In AIP-98, a third-party ApeCoin Marketplace was funded and subsequently created by @zheerwagen.
Though the Web3 components of the Alganon re-release features an NFT marketplace alongside the game’s pre-existing item marketplace, if desired, at NO COST to the ApeCoin DAO, we can integrate this marketplace into the game. This will allow gamers to view and/or buy NFTs directly from the marketplace, further extending the reach and exposure of ApeCoin and the Ape ecosystem.
While it’s mentioned in the AIP as part of the USER GENERATED CONTENT section, I wanted to expand a bit on this, and from a technical & engagement stand point.
As the game stands, and aside from the previously detailed Web3 components as well as the custom game engine graphics improvements, the entire catalog of game assets (literally everything seen in those screen shots) are being updated. That’s the bulk of the work as previously mentioned.
Though the use of third-party avatars (e.g. Ape, Moca, Koda etc) can be targeted for post-release addition without waiting for another expansion pack, it occurs to me that for the ApeCoin license of the game, that this can be implemented sooner rather than later. But it would come with additional costs, which would have to come either in a separate AIP or as an option as part of this current AIP.
Here’s how it would work.
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All of the game’s playable characters can be replaced with Ape and Moca characters. This isn’t a big deal, they’re just 3D models with textures/materials, animations etc. They would ofc have to be scaled according to game’s wielded (e.g. swords) weapons. Also, the animation skeletons would need to be revised according to the new characters. One of the content creation tasks is a completely new set of animations (both characters, NPCs and animals) anyway.
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Given the diverse nature of the Ape and Moca characters, it would be far too much work to create all of them. So, a specific number/set (e.g. 12 Ape, 12 Moca etc) with different attributes, characteristics etc could be created. Then, at account creation, you just pick which character (of a set) that you want to use, give it your pre-existing handle/name etc. and go play (or just explore) the game.
The end result of the above is that Apes and Moca characters (and whatever other Yuga Labs and Animoca are allowed to be used with permission from the IP owners) can adventure alongside each other in the game world. Nothing about the game’s world, quests etc. will change. The only change is that instead of looking like these characters in-game, you will look like your prized Apes or Mocas.
That’s not all…
Due to the game’s design, entire new lands can be created (using the game editor). This is exactly what we did for the main game and the two expansion packs.
So, if we just wanted to build, for example, a land just for Apes, this can be done - from scratch. Then, cities, encampments etc can be created using the game’s pre-existing 3D asset libraries.
And that would look like this game map. See the others already linked in the AIP.
Make no mistake, it’s still a LOT of work, but the tools and tech are already there as used in creating the game and its expansions.
Basically, using the Alganon Game Engine (AGE), it’s feasible to create an entire expansion pack experience that’s specifically designed for Apes (or Moca). Complete with mission scripting, events etc.
And there needn’t be missions, quests or any of that. It could just be an experience similar to Otherside (which is a totally different experience). And if this unique world is connected to the main Alganon lands, then if you want to leave your lands and go play the normal Alganon game, you can do that because that’s where all the adventuring, questings etc exist. Basically, the unique Ape lands (!) would be like a base camp which can only be accessible by Apes etc.
The downside of all this is that it takes time to do. From planning to design to building. And so, even for a post-release expansion pack with this, we’re talking about 8-12 months at a cost of about $1M+ depending on how nuts we want to go with the size and scope. And if it’s planned to be done in time for the game’s re-release in 2023, then it can be done in parallel with the on-going work. Which of course means that it needs to be budgeted and the content creation team would need to be expanded.
Just fuel for thought based on some discussions that I have been having with others.
ps. Indie devs like us are super creative. So, this sort of thing is just par for the course.