What is Xai? The growing Ethereum Layer-3 gaming network on Arbitrum

In 2024, a new game block entered the lobby: Xai.

“Xi is built to enable open commerce in the next generation of video games.” Official site says. As it seeks to do so, the network aims to reduce fees, provide token abstraction to hide some of those pesky blockchain elements, and incentivize game creators in the process.

Layer-3 block chain is partially by Offchain LabsThe main creator and main developer behind Ethereum Layer-2 Decision Xai is a network built on it. And Xai is getting help from a game developer. from the peopleThis will deploy the first games planned to be launched on the network in cooperation with the Xai Foundation.

But what does this really mean? We've rounded up everything you need to know.

What is Xai?

Many crypto users are familiar with the concept of Layer-1 blockchains and Layer-2 scaling networks built on top of them. Xai presents itself as a layer-3 network. This is because it is built on Ethereum's layer-2 scale network. Decision.

In practice, this means that Xai keeps Arbitrum's core functionality the same while tweaking certain aspects of the network to achieve a more targeted experience for a specific use case. While Arbitrum is a comprehensive layer-2 scale solution that can tap into all kinds of applications, Xai specifically caters to the needs of gamers and game developers.

For example, Xai provides Account abstraction– When it comes to the blockchain wallet and account experience – it means it hides confusing parts from users. The network also provides gas and contract restrictions to developers.

Specifically, Xai's site says it “introduces parallel processing and advances for improved scalability, efficiency and cost reduction.” That's on top of Arbitrum's existing Layer-2 approach, which allows transactions to be carried out far from the Ethereum mainnet at low cost and high volume. Wrapping up optimism Technology.

By reducing fees and increasing transaction times, Xai aims to create a simpler gaming experience by embracing the unique elements that make blockchain gaming what it is – such as exclusive, in-game items and true ownership of economies of scale.

“The cheaper and faster we can make things,” says Ex Populus founder and CEO Tobias Button. Decrypt“The best experience we can provide to users.”

What is the XAI token?

In the year 125 million XAI tokens (5% token supply) starting 2024 with a bang It has fallen into the air for gamers, according to the Xai Foundation. The total cost of the airdrop was nearly $70 million. It has grown to $140 million. In less than a week.

The main purpose of the XAI token is to be used as a gas payment token on the Layer-3 blockchain. But there are also potential benefits of XAI tokens being interchangeable with esXAI (or hidden XAI) tokens. It is locked To earn interest-like rewards.

Once you deposit your esXAI tokens, you can participate in staking pools. Coming in Q4 2024, you will also be able to participate in management as well as get “exclusive access” to special events and assets related to projects on the Xai blockchain.

Which games are built on Xai?

All of these technical things are great, but a gaming network is ultimately defined by the games on it. And no one buys it PS5 Without games. So which games are being developed on Xai?

With Ex Populus as a key partner, the developer has Completed the set of the game to the layer-3 network. Currently, we know of two of the games being developed by Ex Populus: rogue-lite auto-battler Final formand hover car action shooter LAMOverse. But the studio's website also notes that the open-world experience is currently in pre-production; Details are still to be announced.

Apart from this partnership, it was earlier this year. announced That's what he said. Crypto Unicorns And related NFT games are migrated from Ethereum sidechain network Polygon to Xai. Crypto Unicorns NFTs generated $35 million in trading volume. The switch was mainly prompted by “challenges” encountered when running a game on Polygon, the team told Decrypt, namely an increase in network gas charges.

After that, a popular indie game regulator called The MIX, or The Media Indie Exchange, said it plans to do just that. Launch more than 100 games on Xai While it's not yet confirmed which games will launch on the network before the end of 2024, Xai said “Many” games are on Steam and will be reworked to take advantage of blockchain technology.

This means that Web2 games can now get Web3 functionality using Xai, which Mixx points out will be “very similar” to how Valve allows players to buy and sell. Counter Strike: Global offensive in-game items.

Most recently, Reboot announced Pixel Vault's flagship game BattlePlan, powered by the Pixel Game Protocol. In association with the Xai Foundation To transfer the game to the network. This quarter, BattlePlan will move a layer from Arbitrum Nova to Xai to “enhance the player experience.”

How staking works on Xai

As an incentive to keep users on the network and reward them for supporting the consensus model, Xai started running on two waves.

Version one Authorized owners Sentry nodes-responsible for tracking and indexing blocks on the Xai network – hold up to 25,000 esXAI. Then in April Version two is posted, Which opened doors for any esXAI owner.

Now, staging pools can be created by Sentry key Holders—NFT is used to operate a sentry node to support the network—and anyone can then participate in esXAI in the pools created. Pool operators can determine the distribution of pooled network rewards by specifying percentages allocated to themselves, Sentry key holding stakeholders, and standard esXAI stakers.

Xai also introduced a level system where the higher the level of the staking pool, based on the amount held by esXAI, the higher the reward multiplier for the Sentry keys held.

For example, if 500,000 esXAI are staked, Sentry Key will see a 3x reward multiplier. This starts with “Bronze” with no bonus rewards, but goes all the way up to “Diamond”, which has a 6x reward multiplier.

in the future

Xai is like an onion: it has layers. As a layer-3 blockchain, it tries to improve the layers that came before it to optimize the gaming experience. Peel back more layers and you'll find a robust token and memory system with management in layers to come.

Of course, one layer that is still a bit thin as of this writing concerns the actual games themselves that are being built on the network. But based on the announcements so far, it looks like those games are coming.

Edited by Andrew Hayward.