Web3 gaming company Immutable will cut gas fee payments to gamers entirely when its proprietary zero-knowledge proof-based (ZK Proof) scaling platform launches in early 2024.
Immutable zkEVM provides technology that allows blockchain-based game developers to remove transaction fees from end users, which is touted to provide a “frictionless onboarding” experience for gamers.
Web3 games built on blockchain protocols typically require gamers to pay a gas fee, which is paid to network validators for processing transactions. Before the advent of layer 2 scaling protocols, Ethereum-based decentralized applications (DApps) and services relied solely on pre-merge validators and miners to handle smart contract operations and related transactions.
Related: Immutable expands Web3 game payment options with Transak integration.
This mechanism is an integral part of protocols like Ethereum and plays a critical role in the decentralization and operation of blockchains, but it still remains an obstacle for traditional gamers accustomed to transaction-free gaming experiences.
Alex Connolly, Immutable’s chief technology officer, highlighted this aspect in a statement shared with Cointelegraph, explaining that Web3 games must provide players with a “familiar and efficient user experience” to make blockchain foundations inconspicuous.
“There are some standards in the blockchain space that are not accepted by mainstream players. Gas fees fall into that category.”
Connolly said Immutable’s zkEVM provision is an exciting prospect for the future of Web3 games, as gas fees are still prohibitively high when incorporating digital asset ownership into games.
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Game developers can sponsor gas fee payments through Immutable zkEVM and cancel these transactions for Immutable Passport users. Immutable also plans to sponsor gas fees for all ecosystem games for a limited time during the mainnet launch.
The studio estimates that game studios can expect to pay gas fees of approximately $500 to $1,000 per 100,000 users in their gaming environment. Connolly said gas sponsorships should help game studios increase player adoption and revenue, adding that the offer could end up costing them something similar to infrastructure or server costs.
Related: Immutable delays $67 million token vesting by another year.
In an August 14 announcement, Immutable said its zkEVM will provide game developers with access to the lower development costs and security and network effects that come with the Ethereum ecosystem. Last March, Robbie Ferguson, co-founder and president of Immutable, said zkEVM aims to increase ownership among Web3 gamers.
More than 20 game studios have pledged support for the beta launch, including GameStop, TokenTrove Marketplace, web-based game publisher Kongregate, and game designer iLogos.
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