The future of Solana-based web3 gaming took center stage at Breakpoint 2024, as industry leaders debated the necessity of Layer 2 (L2) solutions. In a thought-provoking discussion, Chris Zoo of Sonic SVM and Andrea from Magic Block presented contrasting views on how to best scale and optimize the gaming experience on Solana.

Summary

The debate focused on whether Solana-based web3 games require Layer 2 solutions or if the base layer can sufficiently handle gaming needs. Chris Zoo, representing Sonic SVM, argued for the necessity of gaming-specific L2s to unlock the full potential of Solana gaming. He emphasized the benefits of a tailored ecosystem for game developers, including customized configurations and improved monetization opportunities.

On the other hand, Andrea from Magic Block contended that traditional L2s are not necessary for most Solana games. Instead, he proposed "ephemeral roll-ups" as a solution that provides the benefits of L2s without leaving the main chain. This approach aims to maintain Solana's composability and liquidity advantages while addressing gaming-specific needs such as lower latency and customized runtimes.

The discussion delved into technical aspects of blockchain gaming, including transaction costs, latency, and the importance of ecosystem growth. Both participants acknowledged the unique requirements of fully on-chain games and the potential need for specialized solutions in certain cases.

Key Points:

The Case for Gaming-Specific L2s

Chris Zoo argued that a dedicated gaming SVM (Solana Virtual Machine) is crucial for unlocking the full potential of Solana gaming. Unlike Ethereum L2s that focus primarily on performance improvements, Solana L2s can offer use-case specific configurations and ecosystem building tailored to gaming needs.

Zoo highlighted the importance of creating a designated gaming chain to help games go to market, launch assets, and capture liquidity. He argued that this approach could inject new liquidity into the gaming sector rather than fragmenting existing liquidity on Solana. The Sonic SVM solution aims to provide a unified interface for communication between the base layer and the L2, addressing issues of interoperability and liquidity fragmentation seen in Ethereum L2s.

The Ephemeral Roll-up Alternative

Andrea from Magic Block presented an alternative view, proposing ephemeral roll-ups as a solution that provides the benefits of L2s without creating a separate chain. This approach allows developers to build on Solana while tapping into fast SVM instances deployed globally, offering improved performance and customization without leaving the main chain.

Magic Block's solution aims to maintain the advantages of Solana's ecosystem, including persistence, composability, and liquidity, while addressing gaming-specific needs such as lower latency and runtime customization. Andrea argued that this approach avoids the fragmentation issues associated with traditional L2s while still providing the necessary optimizations for gaming applications.

Fully On-Chain Games and Scalability

Both participants acknowledged that fully on-chain games might require solutions beyond Solana's base layer scalability. Andrea suggested that for these types of games, solutions resembling L2s or offering runtime customization could be beneficial. However, he maintained that ephemeral roll-ups provide a better alternative by allowing games to benefit from Solana's ecosystem while accessing enhanced performance when needed.

Ecosystem Growth and Value Capture

Chris Zoo emphasized the importance of ecosystem growth and value capture for game developers. He argued that a gaming-specific L2 could better facilitate publishing deals, token distributions, and revenue sharing arrangements with game developers. Zoo contended that these business-oriented features are more challenging to implement on the base layer alone.

Andrea countered that many of these business benefits could be achieved through smart contracts and partnerships on the base layer, without the need for a separate L2. He highlighted the composability advantages of building directly on Solana, allowing games to integrate with existing protocols and benefit from the broader ecosystem.

Facts + Figures

• Sonic SVM is building a gaming ecosystem on Solana that allows for seamless synchronization between their roll-up and the base layer
• Magic Block offers ephemeral roll-ups, providing fast SVM instances deployed globally without leaving the Solana chain
• Fully on-chain games may require solutions beyond Solana's base layer scalability
• Axi Infinity's success on Ronin demonstrates the potential for capturing liquidity and player engagement on a gaming-focused chain
• Space Nation, an MMORPG, saw its on-chain velocity of money double from 7-8 times a day to 12-13 times after moving on-chain
• Ephemeral roll-ups allow developers to benefit from Solana's ecosystem while accessing enhanced performance when needed
• Solana's block time and runtime limitations may necessitate customization for certain types of games
• Publishing deals and value capture mechanisms are more easily implemented on a gaming-specific chain, according to Sonic SVM
• Magic Block's solution allows games to compose with other Solana protocols, such as attribution systems for player referrals
• Both solutions aim to address latency issues, which are crucial for fast-paced multiplayer games

Top quotes

1. "To unlock the full potential of Solana gaming, it is necessary to have a gaming ecosystem." - Chris Zoo
2. "We think there's a better way to build L2, which are ephemeral, and that's what we're focusing on." - Andrea
3. "When we talk about the generalized L1, when people's attention are not on specific games or gaming itself, it's actually very easily dispersed to financial assets and so forth." - Chris Zoo
4. "Games are actually worse off on an L2, because they don't have payments." - Andrea
5. "We can actually change that if we all agree that Solana itself is the base layer, and the interoperability standard is the same by utilizing, for example, on us SVM API." - Chris Zoo

Questions Answered

What are the main differences between Sonic SVM and Magic Block's approaches to Solana gaming?

Sonic SVM proposes a dedicated Layer 2 solution for gaming on Solana, emphasizing the need for a tailored ecosystem with gaming-specific features and business models. In contrast, Magic Block offers ephemeral roll-ups, which provide enhanced performance and customization without creating a separate chain, allowing games to benefit from Solana's existing ecosystem while addressing gaming-specific needs.

Why does Chris Zoo argue that L2s are necessary for Solana gaming?

Chris Zoo contends that L2s are necessary for Solana gaming to provide use-case specific configurations, customizations, and ecosystem building focused on gaming needs. He argues that a dedicated gaming SVM can better facilitate publishing deals, value capture, and revenue sharing with game developers, while also helping to inject new liquidity into the gaming sector.

How do ephemeral roll-ups differ from traditional L2 solutions?

Ephemeral roll-ups, as proposed by Magic Block, are not permanent separate chains but rather temporary instances that mirror the state of the main Solana chain. They provide the benefits of L2s, such as improved performance and customization, without requiring users to leave the Solana ecosystem. This approach aims to maintain Solana's composability and liquidity advantages while addressing gaming-specific requirements.

What are the potential benefits of building games directly on Solana's base layer?

Building games directly on Solana's base layer allows developers to take full advantage of the existing ecosystem, including seamless integration with other protocols, access to Solana's liquidity, and the ability to use native Solana features like SPL tokens. It also ensures that games remain fully composable with other Solana applications and can benefit from the chain's inherent scalability and low transaction costs.

How might fully on-chain games benefit from L2 or L2-like solutions?

Fully on-chain games may require solutions beyond Solana's base layer scalability due to their intensive computational needs and state management requirements. L2 or L2-like solutions can offer customized runtimes, adjusted block times, and specialized loops that are not natively available in the Solana runtime. These features can significantly enhance the performance and capabilities of fully on-chain games while still leveraging Solana's security and ecosystem.

What are the main challenges in implementing business models for game developers on Solana's base layer?

Implementing complex business models for game developers directly on Solana's base layer can be challenging due to limitations in customizing fee structures, revenue sharing mechanisms, and integrating with multiple protocols. Additionally, coordinating ecosystem-wide initiatives and striking custom deals with various stakeholders may be more difficult without a dedicated gaming-focused layer or protocol.

How do L2 solutions or ephemeral roll-ups address latency issues for fast-paced multiplayer games?

Both L2 solutions and ephemeral roll-ups can address latency issues by allowing for more localized processing of game states and transactions. By deploying nodes or instances closer to players, these solutions can significantly reduce the time it takes for actions to be processed and confirmed, which is crucial for fast-paced multiplayer games that require near-instantaneous feedback and state updates.