The Format #018

2024 is underway, and if 2023 was anything to go by, it’s going to be a wild ride.

We’re less than 2 weeks in, but so much has happened already. Here are some of the more interesting updates and articles we’ve found this week:

We’re Making A Game

You’ve heard us talk about Tiny Apps, but RE3W and Improbable are putting a twist on that concept: Tiny Games. They’re conducting a very interesting experiment… creating a game that exists only for a single day, never to be played again. Moving away from high-budget, isolated gaming experiences and focusing on creating a series of unique, disposable indie games, then using the extreme scarcity factor to drive monetisation and hype before their next ‘Tiny Game’ release.

Unbundling The Game Engine

Unreal Engine and Unity have been goliaths of the game engine space for years, but with Unity laying off 25% of its staff this week, the days of the one size fits all engine may be coming to a close. What’s the alternative? Lean and modular game engines, built on API’s, that put community modding front and centre. Dare I say it… an ecosystem of Tiny game engines. 👀

It’s All A Game

Unless you have a huge amount of time this weekend, you probably won’t get the chance to read this behemoth of an essay (156 pages…), but given our tagline, we had to include it. This isn’t just about Web3 and gaming, its about how ‘gaming’ effects everything from Netflix to Nike and how Web3 introduces a new value proposition across all these industries.

Rabbit’s handheld AI device aims to create a post-smartphone experience

Not many keynotes have that deep underlying feeling that they could completely flip our daily interactions with technology. This one does. There are countless companies working on hardware to try and improve how we interface with apps, but the beautifully constructed Rabbit device feels the most human. Plus who doesnt want to see the world through a Rabbit eye? 🐇

Fox Launches Protocol for Content Verification on Polygon

With the recent releases of Midjourney 6 and Dalle-3, AI-generated images are becoming scarily hard to distinguish from the real thing, the same goes for written content and audio. These technologies are only going to get better since there are huge rewards for the winners of the GenAI race. The good news… Fox have launched an open source blockchain-based protocol to verify the origins of content. An application of Web3 that the world desperately needs.

SEC approves first spot bitcoin ETFs in boost to crypto advocates

The SEC have finally approved 11 Bitcoin ETF's which went live yesterday. This is something that has been very highly anticipated and over a decade in the making. A strong signal for the institutional staying power of Web3.

OPENFORMAT News

The team is back from a short break over the holidays feeling recovered and full of energy. Here’s some of the OPENFORMAT updates from 2024 so far…

Using the GetStarted template to build an on-chain game in 2 hours with OPENFORMAT and FlutterFlow

I have been trying my hand at building with OPENFORMAT over the past few months. Since I’m no developer my approach has been a bit different. Using low-code tools like FlutterFlow and BuildShip I’ve managed to go from having never built an app just 4 months ago, to getting a mention in FlutterFlow’s yearly round up as one of their favourite projects of the year.

The project that was mentioned actually only took a couple of hours, and using OPENFORMAT’s GetStarted template I was able to include some cool on-chain game mechanics like an XP based reward system and leaderboard.

Getting Access 🗝

We’re continuing to steadily roll out access keys to the developers in our waitlist. Keys are sent out every Friday and give access to all the functionality within the Launchpad. Within the waitlist, developers are rewarded for adding their email or connecting their Discord, but since we respect anonymity, if you prefer to stay under the radar and don’t link any personal identification, just check your account every Friday. 🌞

OK, Let’s GetStarted

We’re always trying to make it easier for developers to start using OPENFORMAT, and Web3 in general. This week we released our GetStarted template which is a big step in that direction, and a part of our wider GetStarted programme.

And that’s all for this week.

Have a great weekend, Dan and the OPENFORMAT team 👋🏽

Prompt (generated using Dalle-3): “A highly adorable and ultra-cute version of a realistic high-tech rabbit with cybernetic enhancements and a top hat, in a house interior. This rabbit should be the epitome of cuteness, with extremely soft, fluffy fur, incredibly large and bright eyes, and a small, adorable nose. Its expression should be heartwarming and its posture inviting and playful. The house setting should complement this cuteness, with a warm, cozy atmosphere, soft lighting, and inviting furniture. The aim is to create a rabbit that embodies peak cuteness, irresistibly charming and delightful in every aspect.”