Bridging the Gap: How Traditional Game Studios Can Go Web3 with WAX in 10 Easy Steps

Photo by Fredrick Tendong on Unsplash

Introduction

The Worldwide Asset eXchange (WAX) is often hailed as one of the most user-friendly blockchains, making it an ideal choice for game studios new to Web3. It eliminates many of the common headaches around private key management, high transaction fees, and slow transaction speeds, thanks to:

• WAX Cloud Wallet: A streamlined solution for players, allowing one-click sign-ins with Google, Facebook, or other social media.
• EOSIO-Based Architecture: High throughput and fast transaction confirmations, thanks to C++-powered smart contracts.
• Low or No Transaction Fees: Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) drastically reduces costs, letting you create vibrant in-game economies without burdening your players.

By bringing true ownership of in-game assets to your players, you can foster a more engaged community and open up innovative monetization models. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in.

Step 1: Understand Blockchain’s Potential for Gaming

Before diving into specifics, it’s helpful to grasp why blockchain is creating buzz in the gaming world:

• True Ownership: Players can genuinely own in-game items as NFTs.
• New Revenue Streams: Developers can earn from primary sales, royalties on secondary trades, and more.
• Player Engagement: Transparent economies and collectible items can enhance loyalty and community enthusiasm.

Focus on these core concepts to see how they might fit into your game design. Even a basic understanding goes a long way in shaping your integration strategy.

Step 2: Discover What Makes WAX Ideal

Worldwide Asset eXchange (WAX) is built with gaming in mind:

• WAX Cloud Wallet: Smooth onboarding that feels like a standard login (Google, Facebook, etc.).
• Low/No Transaction Fees: Perfect for high-volume in-game actions or microtransactions.
• Fast & Scalable: EOSIO-based smart contracts in C++ ensure efficient performance.
• Active Ecosystem: Vibrant developer community, established NFT marketplaces, and robust documentation.

If you’re worried about users being intimidated by blockchain, WAX’s user-friendly approach tackles that head-on.

Step 3: Decide What Goes On-Chain (vs. Off-Chain)

When adding blockchain elements, consider a hybrid approach:

• On-Chain: Ownership records (NFTs), critical economy logic (token balances), or data needing transparency.
• Off-Chain: Large files (models, textures, etc.) and private/sensitive player data.

Keeping the heavy lifting off-chain avoids high storage costs, while essential ownership data on-chain remains secure and tamper-proof.

Step 4: Prepare Your Development Environment

To start building:

1. Node.js (or similar): Ideal for server-side scripts interacting with WAX.
2. EOSIO/WAX Toolchain: For compiling and deploying C++ smart contracts.
3. WAX Testnet Account: Your sandbox for testing without risking mainnet funds.

Setting up a local or Dockerized environment can help you experiment safely and iterate quickly.

Step 5: Write & Deploy a Simple Contract

Begin with a “Hello World” style contract in C++:

1. Create & Compile: Use eosio.cdt to compile your smart contract code.
2. Deploy to Testnet: Upload it to the WAX Testnet.
3. Interact: Call actions via CLI or libraries like waxjs.
4. Verify: Check logs on a WAX testnet explorer.

This hands-on step clarifies the lifecycle of writing, deploying, and invoking a smart contract.

Step 6: Integrate the WAX Cloud Wallet

Make blockchain interactions user-friendly:

• Library Setup: Web games typically include the WAX JavaScript SDK (@waxio/waxjs). Unity or console titles may embed a web overlay.
• One-Click Sign-In: Players log in with familiar social accounts — no complicated key management.
• Transaction Prompts: The wallet handles signatures for actions like NFT minting or transfers.
• Resource Staking: Decide whether your game covers CPU/NET costs so players aren’t burdened.

You’ll preserve a seamless experience while still reaping Web3 benefits.

Step 7: Mint & Manage NFTs

Bring collectible and tradable in-game items to life:

1. Choose a Framework: Many WAX developers use AtomicAssets or other EOSIO-based standards.
2. Define Metadata: Name, rarity, image references, and other essential details.
3. Minting Workflow: Automate NFT creation during gameplay events (e.g., quest rewards, item crafting).
4. Trading & Royalties: Items can be traded on marketplaces (like AtomicHub) with optional developer royalties.

NFTs give your items real-world value and bolster your in-game economy.

Step 8: Design a Sustainable On-Chain Economy

Plan your economy carefully:

• Tokenomics: If you introduce a currency token, plan its supply, distribution, and utility.
• Scarcity vs. Demand: Limited-edition NFTs can generate hype and maintain long-term value.
• Avoid Over-Minting: Keep an eye on inflation so items retain their desirability.

Balancing the supply and demand of assets ensures a healthy, engaging economy for your players.

Step 9: Test Thoroughly on the WAX Testnet

Before a mainnet launch:

1. Stress & Performance Tests: Ensure your contracts handle traffic spikes.
2. Beta / Closed Testing: Gather real-world feedback from a small user base.
3. Refine & Bug Fix: Tweak resource staking, UI flows, and in-game event triggers.

Use community input to polish your product, ensuring a smooth experience on day one.

Step 10: Go Live & Foster Community

When you’re ready:

1. Mainnet Deployment: Move your tested contracts over to the WAX mainnet. Stake enough CPU/NET for the projected user base.
2. Announce in the WAX Ecosystem: Post in Discord, on X, and social channels to reach the WAX community.
3. Ongoing Updates: Track player feedback, release new items, tweak tokenomics, and ensure consistent game improvements.

If you want specialized help or marketing boosts, email partnerships@wax.io — WAX offers various co-promotion opportunities.

Conclusion

Transitioning from a Web2 background to a Web3-enabled game might feel daunting, but WAX’s developer-friendly tools, player-oriented wallet, and low-cost environment make it an easy on-ramp. Follow these 10 steps — from deciding what goes on-chain to deploying real NFTs — and you’ll be well on your way to future-proofing your game with blockchain technology.

Dive deeper with the WAX Developer Docs and join the official WAX Discord for real-time support and insights. Here’s to building engaging, innovative, and player-centric games on WAX!

To find out how you can easily and quickly incorporate bountyblok into your project, we’d love to hear from you:

Website | Telegram | Twitter | Email