Introduction

Staking and liquidity mechanisms are vital components of Web3 gaming, offering players opportunities to enhance their play-to-earn experience through asset ownership and rewards. [1a] Anichess, a Web3 chess game developed by Animoca Brands, integrates blockchain features to offer a unique play-to-earn model centered around the staking of Orbs of Power. [2a] [2b] This report will cover:

• The design and functionality of Anichess’s staking system [2b]
• The integration of staking rewards with gameplay [2d]
• The potential for long-term economic sustainability in Anichess’s play-to-earn model [1a]

Staking Mechanics in Anichess

Anichess’s staking system revolves around the use of Orbs of Power, which players can lock to access exclusive challenges and rewards. [2b] The system is designed to reward loyalty and skill, offering tiered rewards for staking and solving puzzles. [2d] Key features of the staking mechanism include:

• Players can stake Orbs of Power to unlock bonus puzzles, which offer additional rewards like Bronze Chesshapons. [2g]
• Staked Orbs of Power become untradeable, encouraging long-term engagement with the game. [2h]
• The system rewards daily activity, with higher-tier rewards for longer streaks of puzzle-solving. [2i]

Integration of Staking with Gameplay

Anichess’s staking system is tightly integrated with its gameplay, offering rewards that enhance the strategic depth of the game. [2d] The system encourages players to solve puzzles daily, with rewards that increase in value as players maintain their activity. [2i] Key aspects of this integration include:

• Daily puzzles and missions are central to the staking system, ensuring that players remain engaged with the game’s core mechanics. [2d]
• The staking system rewards precision and mastery, with additional rewards for solving puzzles without hints or errors. [2m]
• The Orbs of Power system adds a layer of strategy, as players must decide which orbs to stake for maximum rewards. [2b]

Balancing Rewards and Sustainability

Anichess’s staking system is designed to balance immediate player rewards with long-term economic sustainability. [1a] The game’s free-to-play model ensures accessibility, while the staking system incentivizes deeper engagement and investment. [2o] Key factors contributing to this balance include:

• The Orbs of Power system reduces inflationary pressures by locking assets, ensuring that rewards remain valuable over time. [2h]
• The game’s free-to-play model attracts a wide player base, while the staking system encourages long-term engagement. [2o]
• Anichess’s integration with the wider Animoca Brands ecosystem, including Mocaverse, provides additional sustainability through cross-platform engagement. [2r]

Conclusion

Anichess’s staking and liquidity mechanisms effectively enhance the play-to-earn experience by offering tiered rewards and integrating these systems with the game’s core mechanics. [2d] [2b] The game achieves this through a combination of strategic depth, player incentives, and long-term economic planning. [1a] Key findings include:

• The Orbs of Power system rewards loyalty and skill, while also encouraging long-term engagement. [2d]
• Staking mechanisms are integrated with gameplay, ensuring that rewards enhance the strategic experience. [2b]
• Anichess’s free-to-play model, combined with its staking system, strikes a balance between accessibility and economic sustainability. [2o]

References

[1] Anichess. Six Months In: Pulse Check and What’s Next for 2024. Medium. 29 Dec 2023. Available from: https://medium.com/@Anichess/six-months-in-pulse-check-and-whats-next-for-2024-845b1e2f59ed

[2] Robert Hoogendoorn. What is Anichess, the Web3 Chess Game Tracked by DappRadar. DappRadar. 23 Jan 2024. Available from: https://dappradar.com/blog/what-is-anichess-the-web3-chess-game-tracked-by-dappradar