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Online gaming has been rapidly growing in popularity over the past several years, with projected volumes expected to continually rise. This has also been met with a steady increase in multiplayer gaming versus single player gaming--in fact, for blockbuster games like Call of Duty, it’s not even close.
In order for online games and multiplayer interfacing to work properly, network bandwidth must be supplied by servers, usually from cloud providers or dedicated host providers. As demand for online gaming increases, there will be a greater need for new servers--and these servers aren’t cheap.
Additionally, massive games with high volumes of users require extra computer power and bandwidth. A simple Google search will yield dozens of horror stories about how multiplayer matches crashed in-game due to a network overload.
Network latency and high down-time is damaging to companies and players alike. Both are more reticent to jump back in after a poor experience. Even if a full blown crash doesn’t take place, gaming lag is a disincentive to existing and potential gamers.
So, as online gaming volumes grow and its reach expands, how do gaming companies and players band together to smooth out operations? How can the industry adjust to ever increasing volumes and bandwidth needs?
The answer is blockchain technology. Companies like Network Units are developing platforms that leverage a decentralized infrastructure to lower gaming latency with more stability and lower costs.
Network Units is Finding a Way to Utilize Unharnessed Bandwidth
The key to Network Units platform is its decentralized blockchain. By eliminating the middleman, be it a network host or cloud services company, costs are automatically lower. Instead of utilizing several centralized servers, Network Units has found a way to harness existing bandwidth.
The platform’s genius lies in its ability to take unused processing power and bandwidth from users across the globe and source it for the purpose of strengthening gaming networks. The platform has what are called Service Providers, who share their own unused bandwidth and processing power.
The more Service Providers there are, the higher the processing power and the more stable the infrastructure. The decentralized network will also incentivize developers to join, as they can save on hosting costs. Development time will be reduced by using Network Unit’s multiplayer infrastructure, rather than having to develop one from scratch. Thus there is a built in way to scale processing power and bandwidth as gaming volumes increase. Rather than rely on a few centralized servers, multiplayer gaming can exponentially grow its bandwidth by utilizing the very gamers who play.
The blockchain platform is powered by NU tokens. These tokens are awarded to Service Providers for renting out their bandwidth and can be used to game. There is also a built in checks and balances system--Service Providers can randomly audit other random Services Providers to see if they are online. Dishonest and / or poorly performing Providers will pay a fee that will in turn be given to the auditors who catch their mistakes. The built in accountability system will help decrease lag time, as only the best Service Providers will survive.
Another important party on the platform is the Active Clients. These are individuals who have linked their blockchain wallets to the platform and participate in the multiplayer games. In addition to enjoying the multiplayer experience, they provide a second level of verification. They can issue complaints about Service Providers whose latency is too high. If a Provider has received enough complaints, they will be fined and possibly removed. Active Clients have the chance to earn NU tokens by acting as a layer of verification, providing an incentive to continue to review Service Providers.
Overall, this accountability system provides a way to decrease latency and gaming lag. Coupled with increased bandwidth and decentralized processing power, the verification system will be a powerful tool to increase the multiplayer experience.
Incentives Matter
Network Units blockchain platform is driven by incentives. On the one hand, Service Providers are incentivized to rent out their bandwidth to earn tokens. The accountability within the system motivates them to perform well and decrease lag time.
For Active Clients, the incentives lie in the ability to earn tokens as well as enjoy a faster gaming experience. With traditional gaming infrastructures, all clients can do is complain when a server crashes or prices go up. Cloud services and gaming companies aren’t always responsive to these calls.
However, Network Units’ decentralized platform has found a way to give power and influence to both Service Providers and Active Clients. By properly incentivizing both parties, Network Units has found a way to get them working together to create an open, effective, and efficient gaming platform.
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Image: Wikipedia
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