Original Title: Understanding Seraph: A Comprehensive Overview
Original Author: Jeremy Koch
Compiled by: Scof, Chaincatcher
Core Content
Seraph is a blockchain-based action role-playing game (ARPG) developed by Seraph Studio, built on the second-layer solution opBNB of the BNB Chain.
Seraph generated over $2 million in revenue during a single 30-day season, recently completing over 20 million transactions and 1.84 million unique player activity data (November - December).
The game features an in-built ActPass market that allows users to buy and sell in-game items and achieve instant item transfers between accounts and the game through off-chain orders.
Before the TGE, players can purchase Seraph Starry Journey Feathers to qualify for future token redemption.
Background
Since 2017, the metaverse and Web3 gaming sectors have attracted over $19 billion in funding. The technological advancements in blockchain gaming have significantly minimized the impact of on-chain operations on users and have achieved a truly AAA gaming experience.
As a classic loot-driven ARPG, Seraph combines an immersive gaming experience where players embark on adventures, explore hidden treasures, and craft equipment. The game follows a free-to-play model while integrating a play-to-earn mechanism that rewards players for completing challenges.
Seraph Studio combines traditional game development with Web3 technology, merging industry knowledge with the scalability of blockchain technology, aiming to showcase the real-time advantages of blockchain technology to players.
As the top-ranked game by users and transaction volume on the BNB Chain, Seraph has an independent market that supports users buying and selling game equipment. The game-specific token SERAPH has not yet undergone TGE, but players holding the Seraph Feather series will be able to redeem SERAPH tokens in the future.
Basic Gameplay of the Game
Hero
Players can choose from the following four roles to embark on their adventure; the fifth role, 'Druid,' is still in development:
Valkyrie: Proficient in using bows and spears for ranged attacks.
Barbarian: Possessing strong power and endurance, specializing in melee and frontline combat.
Sorceress: Primarily using magic, able to manipulate frost, fire, and lightning elements.
Necromancer: Manipulates undead minions and casts curses.
Additionally, Seraph launched a collection of avatar NFTs called SOUL PFP, which includes 6000 NFTs, of which 500 are SSR (Super Rare) and the rest are R (Rare). Players holding this NFT series will be regarded as core player groups.
Equipment System
The game features a rich equipment system where players can utilize 10 equipment slots, including: left and right-hand weapons, necklace, rings (2), helmet, armor, belt, gloves, and shoes.
Each character class can benefit from different equipment combinations. For example, equipment labeled with 'Valkyrie' has a broader range of base damage values compared to equipment without that label. This encourages players to seek equipment that fits specific categories to achieve their ideal overall build. Therefore, if players aim for maximized damage output, they should opt for items equipped with the 'Valkyrie' label.
If players equip a companion/pet, they will enjoy conveniences like automatic item pickup, item identification, disassembly, and store functions. Players can also set pickup parameters for their pets.
Dungeon Gameplay
The game offers three dungeon modes, increasing exploration and challenge diversity:
1. Void Realms
The Void Realm will unlock after players complete the main quest or by using the paid item 'Riftbreaker’s Gift.' The Void Realm has 18 difficulty levels and includes some special Boss maps. If players can defeat monsters on the selected maps, they will be rewarded with Soul Spars, item materials, and/or high-level equipment. The Void Realm supports team entries, which is very helpful for tackling higher difficulty levels.
2. Mystery of Chaos
The Mystery of Chaos dungeon is designed specifically for holders of 'Equipment of Seraph' NFTs, where players can complete challenges and earn new equipment NFTs. To enter this dungeon, players need to accumulate an energy bar by defeating monsters. Once the energy bar reaches a certain level, players can challenge the dungeon Boss. After defeating the Boss, players will receive multiple chest rewards, which may include equipment NFTs.
3. Trial of Seraph (Ladder Gameplay)
The ladder gameplay will unlock after players complete the main quests. This dungeon is the primary drop location for gems and amulets. The gameplay is similar to the Mystery of Chaos, with the main difference being that non-boss monsters do not drop any items but only grant experience rewards. The ladder gameplay dungeon can be entered by teams of players, and the difficulty will increase with the number of team members.
After each challenge ends, players' performances will be ranked based on the number of levels cleared and completion time. Ranking rewards will be distributed according to players' performances, encouraging competitive gameplay and teamwork.
Technology and Economic System
Market
Seraph Studio created the ActPass market for players to buy and sell in-game items. Players can easily use the market through a simple login process without needing to dive into the complexities of blockchain.
ActPass manages users' wallets in the market, simplifying the overall experience. The operational costs for bringing NFT items in and out of the game are fully borne by the initial purchase price, with no additional fees for users.
The functionality of ActPass is made possible because Seraph is built on the Layer-2 solution opBNB of the BNB Chain. opBNB has extremely low transaction fees (around $0.001) and plans to handle over 4000 transactions per second. Players can engage in frequent transactions, such as NFT trades and acquiring game equipment, without worrying about financial burdens, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted gaming experience even during peak times. This scalability supports real-time asset synchronization in the ActPass market, ensuring that newly purchased items are instantly available for players without delays. The use of opBNB aligns closely with Seraph's mission to provide a high-quality gaming experience by abstracting the complexities of blockchain.
In-game Economy
All players can obtain rare asset outputs during the game process, especially in the Void Realm. Players equipped with NFT gear can produce Soul Spars, the main currency in the game, by defeating monsters in the Void Realm dungeon and consuming the chaotic energy of NFT gear. Soul Spars are not on-chain assets, and their main uses are fourfold:
Consume Soul Spars to enter the Mystery of Chaos dungeon, where 'Equipment of Seraph' NFTs can drop.
Enhance the attributes of NFT equipment through strengthening gameplay to improve players' combat capabilities and levels.
Buy and sell items in the in-game ActPass market.
Package Soul Spars into 'Soul Boxes' for on-chain trading and sell as NFTs to other players.
Token Economics
Seraph is a free-to-play game that also incorporates a 'play-to-earn' mechanism. The TGE for the project's token, SERAPH, has not yet occurred; however, players can qualify for future SERAPH token redemption by obtaining 'Seraph Feathers.'
Feathers are divided into three rarity levels, providing a fixed exchange ratio for future SERAPH tokens:
1 Star Feather = 1 SERAPH Token
1 Chaos Feather = 3 SERAPH Tokens
1 Soul Feather = 10 SERAPH Tokens
A portion of the token supply will be allocated for player rewards and distributed through the 'user interaction' system of each season (as shown above). This system quantifies player interaction based on their behavior and activity.
The SERAPH token is designed to unlock game features, craft items, and promote player engagement within the game. To further enhance the utility of the SERAPH token, it will also be used for:
Reforging NFT equipment with chaotic enchantments each season.
Reveal the attributes of NFT equipment obtained through drops.
Participate in unique opportunities such as 'Soul Spar' and 'Equipment of Seraph' NFT drops.
Participate in future community governance activities.
Network Activity
Seraph has proven its profitability. From August 22, 2024, to September 25, 2024, Seraph generated over $2 million in in-game revenue, setting a historical high with 90,000 unique players. In the recent 30 days (November - December 2024), Seraph's transaction volume exceeded 20 million, with the number of unique players in the Seraph ecosystem reaching 1.84 million.
Technical Roadmap
Summary
Seraph showcases the latest advancements in the blockchain gaming field. This dungeon loot game provides players with an immersive action role-playing experience where they can participate in quests, explore treasures, craft equipment, and enjoy the play-to-earn mechanism that rewards them for tackling in-game challenges. The ActPass market simplifies NFT and in-game item transactions, allowing players to participate smoothly without needing in-depth blockchain knowledge.
Seraph has demonstrated strong network activity, achieving significant revenue and a growing user base on the opBNB of the BNB Chain. With the advantages of its Web3 technology, Seraph is poised to lead the next wave of blockchain gaming trends, providing entertainment and tangible rewards for players while building a thriving ecosystem.
State System.
