The idea of an ecosystem on the blockchain that encapsulates all the aspects of the video gaming industry is indeed a revolutionary idea. To think that we are already a decade into the blockchain innovation and not a single platform exists to solve one of the most pressing problems in the video gaming space is rather odd. The issue is that “most platforms focus on one area of the online gaming world.” Chimaera addresses this issue by going beyond a one-stop shop option for gamers, and embodies all facets of the gaming space. These solutions are from payment gateways, to asset storage, to decentralized autonomous universes among a host of other things.

What is Chimaera?

This is an ecosystem that was established for a number of reasons, but primarily for blockchain game development on one hand and to facilitate the management of games and assets. Presently, most platforms focus on one aspect of the online gaming industry, however, as stated, Chimaera is an all-encompassing system in that it makes it possible for individuals and groups of individuals to develop and publish online games from the time of conception to the time of release. Chimaera makes this possible by connecting individuals and groups directly to the ecosystem’s blockchain.

Video Summary

So what is the Significance of this?

A major barrier to entry in the gaming space is cost. This is especially for developers. The costs and burdens that accompany the purchasing of hardware servers and the resources needed to maintain them can be astronomically high. This is especially so for small players who are having problems entering the space. It is even worst when they seek to build something from scratch. The Chimera model mitigates against this, which means the cash-strapped developer will not have to worry about investing large amounts to bring their ideas to fruition.
Why?
Because many of the technologies that were once not affordable, are “automated with the implementation of Chimaera on the blockchain,” and hence these financial impediments are eliminated. This is truly a revolutionary approach, and is bolstered by Chimera’s SDK, API, Tool Kit and Developmental Hub.

Solving the Scalability Problem

Woven into the issue of affordability is the problem of scalability, which is as old as the blockchain. The fact is that the crypto space is no longer the domain of a few dozen techno enthusiasts of a decade or so ago speaks to the need for continued development. The space is now peopled by millions of users, hence the out-dated, clunky, energy-intensive technology is in need of an upgrade.Chimaera is playing a huge role in addressing this. A move that goes beyond what is deemed revolutionary and is working to evolve the space.

If one puts the Chimaera approach into perspective, it is possible to see that they are facilitating the creation of whole universes on their ecosystem.As a result, the archaic BTC model will not jive with the “massive game worlds and their virtual asset inventories.” This is why they have adopted a “Trustless Off-chain Scaling for games (Game Channels)1 and Ephemeral Timestamps2” to overcome these roadblocks. Guaranteeing the user a faster more efficient platform on which to execute business.

Not ones to rest on their laurels, the team of erudite and sagacious individuals with decades of experience in the gaming industry, promise to continue investing in this nascent arena.One can only infer that this will ensure the gaming sector continues to grow. This is because the scaling problem is not only time consuming, but it is also energy intensive.

Naturally, this move will make operating within the gaming space cheaper and easier. Minus the impediments; one can aver that more people will not only be trading and earning CHI, the currency of the Chimaera ecosystem, but more innovation is bound to take place. Creativity thrives when impediments are minimized. Therefore, to see more small players and not just the large enterprises being at the forefront of development will aggrandize the gaming space due to the proliferation of ideas that once were stifled by inefficiency and lack of resources.

That said, it would be remiss of me not to mention that Chimaera’s VR space will be governed by the laws that are similar to those of physics. Again, this puts the VR in virtual reality, which means more realistic VR universes will be built on Chimaera.

What can be done vs What cannot be done

The preceding discourse shows how Chimaera will upend the existing orthodoxy. The gamers’ interaction with virtual worlds will no longer be about the latter statement but rather the former. This is because the ecosystem will also affect the way users interact with virtual worlds in a number of ways. To be fair, developers have always been pushing the envelope as far as how users interact within virtual ecosystems. One area in which they continue to lag, however, is in the communities they cater to. For “while some games have taken initiatives in emulating realistic social environments, none have truly created an atmosphere in which communities can emerge, grow, and evolve at the full discretion of its players.” In other-words, VR is not yet at the VR stage. Well, at least not by the high standards of Chimaera.

Decentralized Autonomous Universes (DAUs)

This is why they have created the DAU concept. This is a truly democratizing tool. Using this approach, players can; to use the parlance touch base with countless users all over the world seeing that Chimaera is accessible to all and sundry. Also, with DUAs, gamers can build villages, towns, countries, cities, and multiple universes. They can also destroy and mold these virtual creations into what they want. Which begs the question: how many other ecosystems can claim this ability? Chimaera alone as far as one knows. Again, a revolutionary approach in the gaming space.

If one may be presumptuous here and suggest the establishment of DAU built on the concept of singularity. It is an area of interest to this writer simply because it is as scary as it is fascinating. What will such a world look like? How will it manifest itself? How will scientists and engineers discuss the pros and cons of this phenomenon? What will the gamers come up with when faced with creating such a world? They should be able to come up with things that are sure to blow one’s mind. My apologies for digressing, but that is a project I would like to see being built on the Chimaera ecosystem. I digress.

Security

This wonderful initiative would be all for naught without proper security, however, which is why “Chimaera has designed an ecosystem that offers “complete and verifiable control of all virtual assets and achievements.” As a child of the blockchain, Chimaera’s is as foolproof as it gets. Outsiders, be they hackers or developers, will not be able to tamper with the DUAs given that gamers remain interested in the “universe and the Chimaera blockchain remains propagated.”

Use Case

I will try and use to following to consolidate the Chimaera offerings. After all, nothing beats anecdotes.

Let us call him Jerry. He is a college drop out is a college drop out who has dreams of making a game from the ground up. He has looked into several ecosystems, however, he finds that it is too expensive, especially as it relates to investing in hardware. Luckily he finds Chimaera, and after doing extensive research finds that the Chimaera team has created the first real blockchain game five years earlier. Encouraged by the success and the expertise of this group, Jerry, jumps on board, and with little funds, is able to design a virtual game.

Despite the success in building it, Jerry was afraid he would not be able to reach a large base. But with millions of users migrating to the Chimaera ecosystem, he is able to procure a sizable consumer base and hence ensure the growth and success of his game.

Summary

A maxim in the crypto world asserts that a smart person trades the train and invests in the train station. Chimaera is a train station. This is obvious not only in the concept, but also in their track record. Unfortunately, there is just not enough space to speak at length about how much this station will revolutionize gaming. I will go even further and say that what is taking place is an evolution. The best I can do is give a summary of some of the wonderful things Chimaera is offering:

1)A team of blockchain experts, AAA game developers and business professionals with years of experience and an advisory board consisting of futurists, VR professionals, finance specialists, and producers.
2)Participants are given the ability to earn CHI by mining, which can be used to make accounts, “purchase in-game items and powerups, trading and for services, such as the crowdfunding of games! Developers can earn for their work, whilst users can earn for their efforts in-game.”
3)Play-to-Earn Gaming is a novel concept that seeks “to empower players worldwide to participate in a new style of online gaming.”
4)Chimaera works with all types of gaming, and provides the framework for new gaming genres.

If I were to sum up, it would be like this: Chimaera makes the unimaginable achievable. The following quote from their white paper puts it poignantly:

“Just imagine, being inside a decentralized autonomous universe, unstoppable and secure. Interacting on the blockchain itself and communicating securely over encrypted text or voice. Imagine owning your own virtual apartment that you can sell or trade for real-world value, or even share the keys with a friend.”

Additional Resources

Chimaera Website
Chimaera WhitePaper
Chimaera Telegram
Chimaera Reddit
Chimaera BitcoinTalk
Chimaera Linkedin
Chimaera Medium
Chimaera Website
Chimaera Twitter
Chimaera Facebook
TheMerkle: Chimaera
Medium Article: Chimaera

Written by: @nicholas83

Date: 4/9/18

For the @originalworks writing contest

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