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Old Knowledge Base
  • Knowledge Base
    • Getting to know us
  • Where to Buy
    • Become a Sponsor
    • Heathen License Agreement
  • General
    • ๐Ÿ”ŽTable of Contents
    • ๐ŸคฉGetting Started
      • Indie Check List
      • Sourcing Resources
        • ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธCommunity
        • ๐Ÿงžโ€โ™‚๏ธManaged Services
        • ๐Ÿ“ฃMarketing
        • ๐ŸงชTesting
    • ๐ŸงžTips and Tricks
      • Fundamentals
        • Development Phases
      • Unity
        • Package Manager Installs
          • Missing asset after update
        • Unity Release Version
      • Unreal
        • Unity to Unreal
        • Quick Start
    • ๐Ÿ“Design
      • โ˜๏ธQuick Start
      • ๐ŸฅพBootstraping
      • ๐Ÿค‘Monetization
        • What not to do
        • Models
          • Free
          • Free to Play
          • Pay to Play
          • Pay to Win
          • Play to Earn
        • Tools
          • ๐Ÿ˜กArtificial Scarcity
          • ๐Ÿค‘Bundles
          • ๐Ÿค”Community Marketplace
          • ๐Ÿค‘Expansions
          • ๐Ÿ˜กFear of Missing Out (FOMO)
          • ๐Ÿ˜กGatcha Mechanics
          • ๐Ÿค”Microtransactions (MTX)
          • ๐Ÿ˜กNFT
            • ๐Ÿ˜กBlockchain
          • ๐Ÿค”No Spend Cap
          • ๐Ÿ˜กPremium Currency
          • ๐Ÿค”Season
          • ๐Ÿค‘Subscription
          • ๐Ÿ˜กSurprise Mechanics
      • ๐ŸŽฎMultiplayer
        • Networking Tools
        • Terminology
      • ๐ŸคนMulti-Scene Architecture
      • ๐ŸŒProject Architecture
      • ๐Ÿ˜ŠPlayer Motivation
    • ๐Ÿ—๏ธDevelopment
      • โ˜๏ธQuick Start
      • โ˜Ž๏ธCallbacks & Delegates
      • โ”Conditional Compilation
      • ๐ŸชณDebugging
      • ๐ŸšงDevOps
        • โ˜•Team Collaboration
        • ๐Ÿ›‚Git Control & Unity
      • โ‰๏ธError Handling
        • System Dialog
        • Reporting
      • ๐ŸคฏIntelliSense
      • ๐ŸชถLambda Expressions
      • ๐Ÿคนโ€โ™€๏ธMulti Platform Projects
      • ๐Ÿ“‘Namespace and Using
      • ๐ŸŽฎUnity's "New" Input System
      • ๐Ÿ”ผUpdating Visual Studio and C#
      • ๐Ÿ’กVisual Scripting
    • โš ๏ธPublishers
    • ๐ŸงชTesting
      • ๐Ÿ‘‹Introduction
      • โœ๏ธWriting Formal Tests
    • ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธCommunity
      • โ˜๏ธQuick Start
    • ๐Ÿ“ฃMarketing
      • โ˜๏ธQuick Start
      • ๐Ÿ“ŒTips and Tactics
      • ๐Ÿค“Market Research
    • ๐Ÿ“†Release
    • ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธLive
  • Steam
    • โ˜๏ธQuick Start
    • ๐Ÿ†Achievements
    • ๐ŸŒณBranches
    • ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธCommunity Hub
    • โฌ†๏ธUploading to Steam
    • โ˜๏ธCloud Save
    • ๐Ÿ†”CSteamID
    • ๐Ÿ”ŽDiscovery Queue
    • ๐Ÿ•น๏ธDownloadable Content
    • ๐ŸšซEarly Access
    • ๐Ÿ–ฑ๏ธInput
    • ๐Ÿ“ฆInventory
      • ๐Ÿ”จCrafting System
      • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธItem Definition Tools
      • ๐Ÿ’ธMicrotransactions
      • ๐ŸŽPromo Items
    • ๐ŸšขLaunch
    • ๐Ÿฅ‡Leaderboards
      • ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธAdvanced Profiles
    • ๐ŸŽฎMultiplayer
      • โ˜๏ธGetting Started
      • ๐ŸงชDev and Test
      • ๐Ÿง‘โ€โš–๏ธAuthentication
      • ๐Ÿ›‹๏ธLobby
      • ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿคโ€๐Ÿง‘Matchmaking
      • ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿ”งRich Presence
      • ๐Ÿ’ฌRoom Systems
      • ๐Ÿ’Steam Game Server
        • ๐Ÿ‘ทBuilds
        • โš™๏ธConfiguration
        • ๐Ÿ“‹Server Browser
        • ๐ŸงSetup Linux
      • ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธTerminology
    • ๐ŸคนMulti-Platform Project
    • ๐ŸงชPlaytest
    • ๐Ÿ›‹๏ธRemote Play
    • ๐Ÿ‘€Reviews
    • ๐ŸƒRunning a Build
    • ๐Ÿ’ถSales
    • โญStats
    • ๐Ÿ”‘Steam API Key
    • ๐Ÿ“ƒsteam_appid.txt
    • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธSteam Deck
    • โš™๏ธSteamworks
    • ๐ŸคฏStore Page
    • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธWorkshop
      • Creating an Item
      • In-Game Browser
      • Subscribed Items
    • ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸซUser Information
      • Unity User Tools
      • Unreal User Tools
    • ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธVoice
  • Toolkit for Steamworks
    • Introduction
    • Maintenance Cycle
    • F.A.Q
    • Unity
      • โš ๏ธKnown Issues
      • Unity Asset Refund Policy
      • Installation
        • Networking Integrations
      • Getting Started
      • Debugging
      • Learning
      • API Extensions
        • App.Client
        • App.Server
        • App.Web
        • Authentication
        • BigPicture.Client
        • Clans.Client
        • Friends.Client
        • Input.Client
        • Inventory.Client
        • Leaderboards.Client
        • Matchmaking.Client
        • Overlay.Client
        • Parties.Client
        • RemotePlay.Client
        • RemoteStorage.Client
        • Screenshots.Client
        • StatsAndAchievements.Client
        • StatsAndAchievements.Server
        • User.Client
        • UserGeneratedContent.Client
        • Utilities
        • Utilities.Client
        • Voice.Client
      • Objects
        • Classes
          • Achievement Data
          • Achievement Object
          • App Data
          • Authentication Session
          • Authentication Ticket
          • Avg Rate Stat
          • Chat Room
          • Clan Chat Msg
          • Clan Data
          • Currency
          • Data Model
          • DLC Data
          • Downloadable Content Object
          • Favorite Game
          • Float Stat
          • Game Data
          • Input Action
          • Input Action Data
          • Input Action Set
          • Input Action Set Data
          • Input Action Set Layer
          • Input Action Update
          • Input Controller Data
          • Int Stat
          • Inventory Result
          • Item Data
          • Item Definition
          • Item Detail
          • Leaderboard Data
          • Leaderboard Entry
          • Leaderboard Object
          • Lobby Chat Msg
          • Lobby Data
          • Lobby Game Server
          • Lobby Member Data
          • Party Beacon Details
          • Rank Change
          • Remote Storage File
          • Stat Data
          • Steam Game Server Configuration
          • UGC Query
          • User Data
          • Steam Settings
            • Colors
            • Game Client
              • Inventory Settings
            • Game Server
          • User Leave Data
          • Workshop Item
          • Workshop Item Data
          • Workshop Item Data Create Status
          • Workshop Item Key Value Tag
          • Workshop Item Preview File
        • Components
          • Friend Manager
          • Game Server Browser Manager
          • Input Action Event
          • Input Action Glyph
          • Input Action Name
          • Inventory Manager
          • Item Shopping Cart Manager
          • Leaderboard Manager
          • Leaderboard User Entry
          • Overlay Manager
          • Steam Game Server Events
          • Steam Input Manager
          • Steamworks Event Triggers
          • UGC Query Manager
          • Voice Recorder
          • Voice Stream
        • Enums
          • Friend Dialog
          • Inventory Item Type
          • Language Codes
          • Overlay Dialog
          • Sample Rate Method
          • Valve Price Categories
        • Prefabs
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆClan Chat
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆClan List
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆClan Member Count
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆFriend Avatar
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆFriend Groups
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆFriend List
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆFriend Name
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆFriend Profile
          • ๐Ÿ“ฆSelectable Friend ID
        • Programming Tools
          • IChatMessage
          • ILeaderboardEntryDisplay
          • IUserProfile
          • IWorkshopBrowserItemTemplate
          • LobbyMemberSlot
          • User Invite Button
        • UI Components
          • Chat Auto Join
          • Chat Stream
          • Clan Chat Director
          • Clan Chat Member Counter
          • Clan Chat Member List
          • Clan List
          • Clan Profile
          • Friend Group
          • Friend Groups Display
          • Friend Invite Dropdown
          • Friend List
          • Friend Profile
            • Image Field
            • Message Options
            • Text Field
          • Input Action Glyph
          • Input Action Name
          • Leaderboard Entry UI Record
          • Leaderboard UI List
          • Lobby Chat Director
          • Lobby Member Slot
          • Lobby Manager
          • Party Lobby Control
          • Quick Match Lobby Control
          • Rich Presence Reader
          • Rich Presence Setter
          • Set Achievement Description
          • Set Achievement Icon
          • Set Achievement Name
          • Set User Avatar
          • Set User Id Input Field
          • Set User Id Label
          • Set User Name
          • Toggle Event Helper
          • Workshop Browser Simple Item Record
      • Legacy
        • Troubleshooting
        • Getting Started
          • GameObject Initialization
          • ScriptableObject Initialization
          • API Initialization
        • Build Upload Tool
        • Debugging Tools
          • Testing
        • Components
          • Steamworks Behaviour
          • Steamworks Creator
          • Steam System Events
    • Unreal
      • What's New!
      • Installation
      • Getting Started
      • Updating Steamworks SDK
      • Packaging
      • Game Instance
      • Sockets Net Driver
      • Online Subsystem
      • Data Assets
        • Achievement
        • Downloadable Content
        • Inventory Item
        • Leaderboard
        • Stat
      • Widgets
        • BP_FriendsListDisplay
        • BP_FriendsListEntry
        • BP_FriendsListGroup
        • BP_SteamAvatarImage
        • BP_SteamUserName
      • Blueprint Nodes
        • Functions
          • ๐Ÿ”ตAdd Favorite Game
          • ๐Ÿ”ตAdd History Game
          • ๐Ÿ”ตAdd Promo Item
          • ๐Ÿ”ตAdd Request Lobby List Filter
          • ๐Ÿ”ตAdvertise Game
          • ๐Ÿ”ตAssociate with Clan
          • ๐Ÿ”ตAttach Leaderboard UGC
          • ๐Ÿ”ตBegin Auth Session
          • ๐Ÿ”ตCancel Auth Ticket
          • ๐Ÿ”ตCheck Result Steam ID
          • ๐Ÿ”ตClear All Key Values
          • ๐Ÿ”ตClear Achievement
          • ๐Ÿ”ตClear Rich Presence
          • ๐Ÿ”ตClient Initialize
          • ๐Ÿ”ตClient Run Callbacks
          • ๐Ÿ”ตClient Should Restart
          • ๐Ÿ”ตCompue New Player Compatibility
          • ๐Ÿ”ตConsume Item
          • ๐Ÿ”ตCreate Lobby
          • ๐Ÿ”ตDecompress Voice
          • ๐Ÿ”ตDelete Lobby Data
          • ๐Ÿ”ตDeserialize Result
          • ๐Ÿ”ตDestroy Result
          • ๐Ÿ”ตDownload Leaderboard Entries
          • ๐Ÿ”ตDownload Leaderboard Entries for Users
          • ๐Ÿ”ตEnd Auth Session
          • ๐Ÿ”ตExchange Items
          • ๐Ÿ”ตFind Leaderboard
          • ๐Ÿ”ตFind or Create Leaderboard
          • ๐Ÿ“‚Game Server Browser
            • ๐Ÿ”ตPing Server
            • ๐Ÿ”ตPlayer Details
            • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest Server List
            • ๐Ÿ”ตServer Rules
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGenerate Items
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Achievement
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Achievement by Index
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Achievement Icon
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Achievement Is Achieved
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet All Items
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet App Build ID
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet App Id
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet App Owner
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Auth Session Ticket
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Auth Ticket for Web API
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Available Game Languages
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Available Voice
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Coplay Friends
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Current Beta Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Current Game Language
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet DLC Count
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet DLC Data By Index
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet DLC Download Progress
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Earliest Purchase
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Favorite Game
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friends
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friend Coplay Game
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friend Coplay Time
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friend Count from Source
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friend Game Played
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friend Groups
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friend Group Members
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friend Group Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Friend Persona Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Followed
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Installed Depots
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Item Definition Properties
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Item Price
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Items with Price
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Items by ID
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Launch Command Line
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Launch Query Param
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Leaderboard Display Type
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Leaderboard Entry Count
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Leaderboard Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Leaderboard Sort Method
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Chat Entry
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Data
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Data by Index
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Game Server
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Members
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Member by Index
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Member Data
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Member Limit
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Lobby Owner
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Most Achieved Achievement Info
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet My Steam Avatar
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet My Steam ID
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet My Steam Level
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Num Items with Price
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Persona Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Persona State
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Player Nickname
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Public IP
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Result Item Property
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Result Items
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Result Status
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Result Timestamp
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Stat
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Steam ID
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet User Achievement
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet User Float Stat
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet User Int Stat
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet User Restrictions
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Rich Presence
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet User Rich Presence
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet User Rich Presence Key by Index
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet User Steam Avatar
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Voice
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGet Voice Optimal Sample Rate
          • ๐Ÿ”ตGrant Promo Items
          • ๐Ÿ”ตHas Friend
          • ๐Ÿ”ตId is Me
          • ๐Ÿ”ตId is Valid
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIndicate Achievement Progress
          • ๐Ÿ”ตInstall DLC
          • ๐Ÿ”ตInvite User To Game
          • ๐Ÿ”ตInvite User to Lobby
          • ๐Ÿ”ตInitialize
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs App Installed
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Behind NAT
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Cybercafe
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs DLC Installed
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Lobby Owner
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Low Violence
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Phone Identifying
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Phone Requiring Verification
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Phone Verified
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Steam Initialized
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Subscribed
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Subscribed App
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Subscribed from Family Sharing
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Subscribed from Free Weekend
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Timed Trial
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs Two Factor Enabled
          • ๐Ÿ”ตIs VAC Banned
          • ๐Ÿ”ตJoin Lobby
          • ๐Ÿ”ตLeave Lobby
          • ๐Ÿ”ตLoad Item Definitions
          • ๐Ÿ”ตLogged On
          • ๐Ÿ”ตLog Off
          • ๐Ÿ”ตLog On
          • ๐Ÿ”ตLog On Anonymous
          • ๐Ÿ”ตMark Content Corrupt
          • ๐Ÿ”ตQuick Match
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRemove Favorite Game
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRemove History Game
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRemove Property
          • ๐Ÿ”ตReply to Friend Message
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest Current Stats
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest Eligible Promo Item Definitions IDs
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest Friend Rich Presence
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest Lobby Data
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest Lobby List
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest Prices
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest Store Auth URL
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest User Group Status
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest User Information
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRequest User Stats
          • ๐Ÿ”ตReset All Stats
          • ๐Ÿ”ตRun Callbacks
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSecure
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSend Lobby Chat
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSerialize Result
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Achievement
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Advertise Server Active
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Bot Player Count
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Dedicated Server
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Description
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Game Data
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Game Tags
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet In-Game Voice Speaking
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Key Value
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Map Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Listen for Friends Messages
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Lobby Data
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Lobby Game Server
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Lobby Joinable
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Lobby Member Data
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Lobby Member Limit
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Lobby Owner
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Lobby Type
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Max Player Count
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Mod Directory Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Password Protected
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Persona Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Played with User
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Product
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Property
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Region
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Rich Presence
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Stats
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Spectator Name
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet Spectator Port
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet User Achievement
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet User Float Stat
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSet User Int Stat
          • ๐Ÿ”ตShutdown
          • ๐Ÿ”ตStart Purchase
          • ๐Ÿ”ตStart Update Property
          • ๐Ÿ”ตStart Voice Recording
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSteam ID Tools
          • ๐Ÿ”ตStop Voice Recording
          • ๐Ÿ”ตStore Stats
          • ๐Ÿ”ตStore User Stats
          • ๐Ÿ”ตSubmit Update Property
          • ๐Ÿ”ตTransfer Item Quantity
          • ๐Ÿ”ตTrigger Item Drop
          • ๐Ÿ”ตUninstall DLC
          • ๐Ÿ”ตUpdate Avg Rate Stat
          • ๐Ÿ”ตUpdate User Avg Rate Stat
          • ๐Ÿ”ตUpload Leaderboard Score
          • ๐Ÿ”ตUser Has License for App
          • ๐Ÿ”ตWas Restart Requested
        • Events
          • ๐Ÿ”ปDlc Installed
          • ๐Ÿ”ปFriend Chat Msg
          • ๐Ÿ”ปFriend Rich Presence Update
          • ๐Ÿ”ปGame Overlay Activated
          • ๐Ÿ”ปInventory Item Definition Update
          • ๐Ÿ”ปInventory Results Ready
          • ๐Ÿ”ปLobby Chat Msg
          • ๐Ÿ”ปLobby Chat Update
          • ๐Ÿ”ปLobby Data Update
          • ๐Ÿ”ปLobby Game Created
          • ๐Ÿ”ปLobby Join Requested
          • ๐Ÿ”ปMicro Txn Authorization Response
          • ๐Ÿ”ปPersona State Change
          • ๐Ÿ”ปRich Presence Join Requested
          • ๐Ÿ”ปServers Connected
          • ๐Ÿ”ปServer Connect Failure
          • ๐Ÿ”ปServer Disconnected
          • ๐Ÿ”ปTicket for Web API Response
        • Types
          • ๐ŸŸฉAchievement Status
          • ๐ŸŸฉAuth Ticket Data
          • ๐ŸŸฉChat Entry
          • ๐ŸŸฉDecompress Voice Result
          • ๐ŸŸฉFloat Stat
          • ๐ŸŸฉGame Server Item Wrapper
          • ๐ŸŸฉGame Server Player Details Wrapper
          • ๐ŸŸฉGlobal Achievement Status
          • ๐ŸŸฉItem Count
          • ๐ŸŸฉItem Detail
          • ๐ŸŸฉItem Detail With Properties
          • ๐ŸŸฉItem Price
          • ๐ŸŸฉItem With Price
          • ๐ŸŸฉInt Stat
          • ๐ŸŸฉKey Value Pair
          • ๐ŸŸฉLeaderboard Entry
          • ๐ŸŸฉLobby Data
          • ๐ŸŸฉLobby Game Server
          • ๐ŸŸฉServer Achievement Status
          • ๐ŸŸฉServer Stat Float Value
          • ๐ŸŸฉServer Stat Int Value
          • ๐ŸŸฉUser Achievement Status
          • ๐ŸŸฉVoice Result
          • ๐ŸŸฉVoice Available Result
        • Enumerators
          • ๐ŸŸจUEBeginAuthSessionResult
          • ๐ŸŸจUEChatRoomEnterResponse
          • ๐ŸŸจUEFriendFlags
          • ๐ŸŸจUEChatEntryType
          • ๐ŸŸจUEChatMemberStateChange
          • ๐ŸŸจUELeaderboardDataRequest
          • ๐ŸŸจUELeaderboardDisplayType
          • ๐ŸŸจUELeaderboardSortMethod
          • ๐ŸŸจUELobbyComparison
          • ๐ŸŸจUELobbyDistanceFilter
          • ๐ŸŸจUELobbyType
          • ๐ŸŸจUEResult
          • ๐ŸŸจUESteamCurrencyCode
          • ๐ŸŸจUEServerMode
          • ๐ŸŸจUEUserHasLicenseForAppResult
          • ๐ŸŸจUEVoiceResult
      • C++
  • Toolkit for Physics
    • Unity
      • Installation
      • Core Features
        • Ballistics Tools
        • Buoyancy Tools
        • Force Effect Framework
        • Physics Data extended
        • Verlet Integration
      • Sample Scenes
        • Fantasy Style Ballistic Simulation
        • (3D) Deterministic Bounce Prediction
        • (2D) Deterministic Bounce Prediction
        • 1 Buoyancy Example
        • 1 Force Effect Fields
        • 2 Spherical Gravity
        • 3 Multi-body Gravity
        • 1 Verlet Spring Simple Transforms
        • 2 Verlet Spring Skinned Mesh
      • API
        • Ballistics
        • Buoyancy
        • Force Effects
        • Maths
        • Mesh Tools
      • Components
        • Ballistic Aim
        • Ballistic Path Line Render
        • Ballistic Path Follow
        • Buoyant Body
        • Buoyant Body Drag
        • Constant Acceleration
        • Constant Angular Velocity
        • Constant Linear Velocity
        • Force Effect Source
          • Force Effect Direction
          • Force Effect Field
        • Force Effect Reciever
        • Physics Data
        • Surface Tool
        • Trick Shot
        • Trick Shot Line
        • Verlet Spring
      • Objects
        • Force Effect
          • Attract Effect
          • Gravity Effect
          • Repulse Effect
          • Suspend Effect
          • Tractor Effect
          • Wind Effect
        • Point Volume
        • Verlet Hierarchy
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  1. General
  2. Design
  3. Monetization
  4. Models

Play to Earn

No โ€ฆ just don't do it!

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Last updated 2 years ago

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This is an extremely problematic model. In Heathens professional opinion and should be avoided at all costs. This extends beyond NFT and other hated buzz words and is more common than you might think.

We will do our level best to explore the model and its methods in as objective of a way as possible.

Definition

A "Play to Earn" (P2E) model is where the player invests some value into the game and by playing the game can earn or lose value.

You will notice right away that this is "betting" and a feature of gambling. This concept is defined as gambling in many regions. It is important to check with your local regulatory boards before going any further. "player invests some value" = player places a bet or "antes up" "playing the game can earn or lose" = win the pot or lose your wager

This model may also be defined as securities fraud depending on the laws and regulations in the user's region and your specific design, documentation and implementation.

Examples

Plant vs Undead

Gods Unchained

Axie Infinity

Age of Rust

Less Obvious examples

World of Warcraft

In WOW you can and many convert in-game gold to "WoW Tokens" for free play time or they buy "WoW Tokens" with cash to get in-game gold. Add to this plenty of grey markets and now you have an unregulated pachinko game.

EVE Online

As with World of Warcraft the "Pilot License" is a means for a player to spend real money to gain in-game value. And as common since should tell you if a thing has "real value" then users will find a way to exploit it and thus more gambling mechanics.

To spell that out more. Any time a "real" value can be established in a reliable way a human will find a way to exploit it. That is markets (authorized or not) will immerge to trade in that value. This devolves the game from a "just for fun" activity into a gambling or worse financial scheme.

CS:GO

Skins trading or really any in-game item that can be sold on the Steam Community Marketplace for real money directly. CS:GO is one of the early examples and experiments in adding "real value" to in-game items. It should be clear by the games history, legal implications and damage to peoples lives that its a bad thing to do.

Implementation

While all of the examples above are based on blockchain technology, blockchain/NFT is not required to implement such a system. For example Steam's community marketplace has in the past been used by CS:GO, Team Fortress and many other games to enable the player base to "cash out". The notable difference here is that the "wealth" of these older games was generated in-game. The publisher only profits from this model when player's buy and sale through the Steam Community Marketplace.

In the more modern version players are typically required to "buy in" by purchasing "tokens" or "NFTs" in addition they must also cover a "gas price" as is the nature of blockchain transactions. This adds a number of middlemen to the process and insures players monetize as soon as possible.

Play to Earn can be added on to other models. For example Eve On-line's "Pilot License" and World of Warcraft's "WoW Token" enable players a means to inject money into the system and consequently a limited means by which the player can extract wealth from the system.

When there is "wealth" that is "real value" in a system markets will appear to exploit it e.g. boosting, gold trading, skin market, etc.

Effect on the Player

This is based on Heathen's own research. Articles sourced will be sited and our own experiences highlighted where given.

The effect of Play to Earn on players is very damning. We will attempt to be objective here but its quite clear that this is a harmful practice. If this section appears scathing please understand we are trying to be objective here. See the Heathen Opinion section for our personal opinion on this model.

Here are a few choice quotes from an article on Coin Desk

The premise

Obviously this is a pyramid scheme and outright illegal in many contexts. The impact on the player is identical to the impact on a victim of a pyramid scheme or similar financial scheme.

In short making a game P2E makes the game at best an investment opportunity with all the risks and potential rewards of that and impacting its users as a healthy well regulated market tends to impact its investors. The glaring note here is that P2E gaming is not regulated at all.

Much more typically this is simply a pyramid or Ponzi scheme. In a few articles will see it argued that they are not Ponzi schemes because there is outside investment, these people clearly don't understand what a Ponzi scheme is. Setting that aside the point is that these games are not capable of lasting, as the player base grows, the buy in grows and eventually it all collapses with the players still present at the end suffering all of the loss. Hence why this is illegal in many countries for any other context.

For a counter argument as to why P2E is not a Ponzi scheme read over this article

Effect on the Game

Assigning "real" value to aspects of or in your game has a number of negative effects. The first and most news worthy at the time of this writing is hacking. When a hacker attacks a large successful game such as World of Warcraft in the early 2010s they stood to make a reputation for them selves and perhaps grab some valuable information.

When a hacker hacks a game like Axie Infinity they make $600 million or more and tank entire markets. Thus the attraction to and reward for hacking a little game like Axie is far greater and more valuable for the hacker than to bother with a more "secure" and larger entity such as Blizzard.

Second is the effect on the games life, assuming your not picked off by a scammer or hacker that tanks your economy: Please read the above section to understand.

In short Play to Earn (P2E) creates a terminal loop. As the system scales it destabilizes, as people begin to leave as a result value begins to drop accelerating the exodus resulting in those that remain shouldering the burden of the lost wealth.

In short this model assures the game will die. One can predict the rate of decay based on factors of the game such as buy in rate, and monthly active users. Further the end of this game will be strongly negative. That is the end of this games life will be of its players left broke and out large sums of money. It is only a matter of time before this results in a law suit.

Heathen Opinion

Definition:

In this model a player "buys in" in some manner rather that is the purchase of some content or out right a buy in via a NFT or in game currency. That "buy in" is risked through gameplay that may result in a reward or "earning". That is the player can "play to earn", another way to word it is โ€ฆ the player can "wager an ante in a game for a chance of winning a pot".

Is it not clear how this is 100% gambling. Its literally the definition of poker and every other betting game.

Why it sucks:

Obvious reason 1

Put very bluntly a "Play to Earn" accordingly to the definitions and regulations in many regions is clearly gambling. We here at Heathen are not pearl clutching "Gambling is bad M-kay" in fact a couple of us have worked in that industry creating gambling games. However, if you want to create a gambling product you must follow the regulations associated with gambling. Attempting to hide gambling within a video game is going to result in huge issues for you and more damage to the industry.

Obvious reason 2

Its at best a pyramid scheme like feature. If this isn't outright illegal in your region yet, it likely will be soon. Even then it is defiantly harmful to your players and over time will result in a very nasty collapse. Well maybe you came up with someway this isn't a closed echo-system pyramid scheme! Willing to bet you just came up with a layered pyramid scheme but lets assume you did. You still have the fundamental issue of associating "real" value with a game system. When "real" value becomes involved the legal risk and exposure you face goes up, and the effect of your game as an entertainment medium is changed. At best a "game" with real value is gambling, at worst its work, in both cases every major nation regulates that tightly.

Obvious reason 3

Lets assume you live in the wild wild west and legal and regulatory issues are not a problem. Lets also assume your player base are all well balanced people with no control issues at all. Both impossible fictions but still.

Now of course gambling games can be said to be fun, that is a since of thrill seeking based on wagering and actually doesn't have as much to do with winning as some think.

The idea of turning a "game" into "work" happens not just with "Play to Earn" but is also seen with games that reward for every action. When a player is "working" for the next reward they are not "playing" the game they are simply exploiting it as they would an employer for the next payoff. Play to Eran simply dials this effect on up to 11 of out 10.

If your unaware CS:GO while a fun game has been used for and similar problematic uses. This is just an extreme case of adding "real value" to an unregulated, digital environment. Far more common is the simple harm of turning your fun game into a job.

Learn more about NFTs in game in our article

In Heathen's opinion you should be working hard to keep the "real value" of your game, items in your game and concepts around your game as close to zero as possible to protect the integrity and your control over your game. Factors of also come into play on this topic.

"P2E can be a powerful force for good, offsetting inequality, introducing millions to crypto risk free, and potentially emerging as an aspect of universal basic income." ... "The reality of modern P2E is that earning has less to do with playing than investing. Players must first spend considerably, , buying NFTs or paying a third-party guild to rent them."

Assuming you are here to learn how to monetize a piece of creative entertainment work, allowing "real value" to creep into your game world is the fastest way to "kill the fun", learn a bit about to see why.

The type of fun we refer to in "pure" entertainment sources such as story telling, books, music, movies and video games is quite different. What was once a fun thing one *wanted* to do simply to do it () ... is now a thing they must do to earn (). At best you made your game a job, for most you made your game a source of further depression and anxiety hence tight regulation around the similar Gambling industry.

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