To level up the NFT Gaming experience, RMRK has developed a new groundbreaking NFT standard, ERC 7508. Now, you no longer require an off-chain database to store token attributes; the on-chain repository smart contracts can store and upgrade these attributes on their own. Let’s dive into this standard and the projects that are building with it.
Usually, in the NFT games we have today, the NFT’s attributes, like strength, intelligence, and experience, are stored off-chain in a database. This creates a “single point of failure” where you may lose your Avatar’s progress if the database goes down. In 2021, a game called My Defi Pet had some issues with the database, due to which the Avatar’s progress was wiped out, and players had to begin again.
To solve this Achilles’ heel problem of NFT Games, RMRK has authored the ERC 7508. This standard allows you to store the token attributes on-chain in a repository smart contract, and the attributes are upgradable when certain thresholds are met.
Potential usecases of ERC 7508
By storing the NFT attributes onchain instead of off-chain, we can solve a wide array of problems.
Cross-collection Interactivity
Since the token attributes are onchain, any other smart contract can use these attributes. For example, your in-game NFT Avatar (for game A) can be used with the same stats in another game B. Storing attributes onchain also ensures that smart contracts or games fetch the correct and untampered attributes as it’s all transparent.
Permanent storage of attributes
When we store the token attributes in an off-chain database, it’s available only until the database is not exploited or erased. But when storing on-chain, the attributes live as long as the blockchain keeps producing blocks. Thus giving a longer life to the attributes and, hence, a higher value to the token and peace of mind to the holder.
Token evolution
Since the attributes are stored in a repository smart contract, they are upgradeable when certain thresholds are met. Thus, the token owner’s activity can influence the attributes. Some areas where this is useful are Onchain reputation in governance or SocialFi dApps and Onchain character progression in NFT games.
Dynamic State Tracking
The on-chain attributes can transparently track that token’s state. imagine your token represents a parcel; the attributes can represent the states like packed, shipped, in transit, or delivered. The smart contract can upgrade the current state; thus, the buyer can track his parcel and be assured that he’s getting untampered data.
Projects using this powerful ERC 7508
Snake Soldiers is building an NFT Game on Moonbeam utilizing the ERC 7508 and other Modular NFT Standards by RMRKapp. The NFT Snake has several attributes like experience, attack, defense, stamina, etc., that get upgraded automatically when the snake hits certain thresholds like: reaching level 3, defeating 30 enemies, and so on.
To wrap up, ERC 7508 helps devs remove the centralized off-chain elements from an NFT game and build fully on-chain in a trustless way. If you are a game developer, consider using this no-cost, trustless solution for dynamic attributes. And if you’re an NFT gaming enthusiast, tell your favorite game developers to build on the ethos of crypto, ditch the off-chain database, and use ERC 7508 — a trustless and decentralized solution for on-chain character progression with dynamic attributes.
That’s a wrap!
