🌿 Introducing Leaf: A Revolutionary Framework for Text-Based Adventure Games on Hive
Building the future of decentralized gaming, one room at a time
🎮 What is Leaf?
Leaf is a groundbreaking framework designed specifically for creating text-based adventure games on the Hive blockchain. It's not just another game - it's a complete infrastructure that empowers developers and players to build, explore, and interact in persistent, decentralized worlds.
Think of Leaf as the "Unity Engine" for text-based adventures on Hive, providing all the tools needed to create rich, interactive experiences that live permanently on the blockchain.
🚀 Meet Ego Death: The First Leaf Game
Ego Death is the inaugural game built on the Leaf framework - a mysterious text-based adventure where players explore interconnected worlds, customize their characters, and interact with others in real-time.
Key Features:
- Persistent World: Every room, character, and most interaction is stored on the Hive blockchain
- Real-time Multiplayer: Chat, emote, and explore with other players simultaneously
- Character Customization: Create unique character descriptions and appearances
- Builder System: Community-driven content creation with approval workflows
- P2P Communication: Direct peer-to-peer connections between players
- Instant Movement: Optimistic updates for smooth, responsive gameplay
🏗️ Technical Innovation
Multi-Layered Architecture
Leaf uses a sophisticated three-tier system:
Hive Blockchain (Primary Source of Truth)
- Game map data stored in account metadata
- Each room as a Hive post with rich content
- Player locations and character data on-chain
- Builder permissions managed through community roles
Real-time Signaling Server
- WebSocket connections for instant updates
- Player presence tracking
- Live chat and emote broadcasting
- Room state synchronization
Client-Side State Management
- React-based UI with specialized hooks
- Bulk data loading for optimal performance
- Memory-efficient caching systems
- Optimistic updates for smooth UX
Performance Breakthroughs
- Bulk Loading: All game data loads upfront (~2-5 seconds) for instant room transitions
- LRU Caching: Intelligent memory management prevents bloat
- Optimistic Movement: No waiting for blockchain confirmation
- P2P Communication: Direct player connections reduce server load
🎯 Why This Matters for Hive
Decentralized Gaming Revolution
Leaf represents a new paradigm for gaming on Hive:
- True Ownership: Players own their characters and progress on-chain
- Community Governance: Builder system allows community-driven content
- Censorship Resistant: Game data lives permanently on the blockchain
- Monetization Ready: Built-in infrastructure for tokenized rewards
Developer-Friendly Framework
- Open Source: MIT license with comprehensive documentation
- TypeScript: Full type safety and modern development experience
- Modular Design: Easy to extend and customize
- Testing Suite: Comprehensive test coverage for reliability
🛠️ Getting Started
For Players
- Install Hive Keychain browser extension
- Create a Hive account at Ecency
- Visit the game and type
login <your-username> - Start exploring with commands like
look,north,say hello
For Developers
# Clone the repositories
git clone https://gitlab.com/Tadasu85/leaf.git
git clone https://gitlab.com/Tadasu85/leaf_server.git
# Install dependencies
cd leaf && npm install
cd ../leaf_server && npm install
# Start development servers
npm start # In both directories
🎨 Game Commands
Basic Navigation
look- View current roomnorth/south/east/west- Move in directionslook self- View your characterlook <player>- View another player
Social Interaction
say <message>- Chat with room occupantsemote <action>- Perform actions visible to others
Character Customization
@describe <description>- Set your character description@describeshort <short>- Set brief character description
🔮 The Future of Leaf
Potential Upcoming Features
- Token Integration: Hive-engine tokens for in-game economy
- Advanced Combat: Turn-based battle systems
- Quest Systems: Dynamic, blockchain-verified achievements
- Marketplace: Player-driven item trading
- Mobile Support: React Native client development
Community Vision
We envision a thriving ecosystem where:
- Multiple games run on the Leaf framework
- Players can move characters between games
- Developers share and monetize game modules
- The community governs game evolution through DAO structures
🤝 Join the Community
Get Involved
- Play Ego Death: Experience the framework in action
- Contribute Code: Help build the future of decentralized gaming
- Create Content: Apply to become a builder and shape the world
- Share Ideas: Join discussions about game features and mechanics
Resources
- Documentation: GitLab Repository
- Server Repo: https://gitlab.com/Tadasu85/leaf_server
- Framework Repo: https://gitlab.com/Tadasu85/leaf
- PLAY THE GAME: https://leaf-5lrq.onrender.com/
- Contributing Guide: See CONTRIBUTING.md for development guidelines
- Bug Reports: Open issues on GitLab for technical problems
- Feature Requests: Community-driven development roadmap
💡 Why This Changes Everything
Leaf isn't just another game - it's a proof of concept for what's possible when we combine the power of Hive's blockchain with thoughtful game design. It demonstrates that:
- Decentralized gaming can be seamless and fun
- Blockchain can enhance, not hinder, user experience
- Community-driven development creates better games
- Open source frameworks can accelerate innovation
🌟 Special Thanks
This project wouldn't be possible without the incredible Hive community. From the early testers who provided feedback to the builders who are creating content, every contribution helps shape the future of decentralized gaming.
Ready to explore the future of gaming? Join us in Ego Death and be part of the Leaf revolution!
#leaf #gaming #hive #blockchain #decentralized #textadventure #opensource
What do you think about the Leaf framework? Have you tried Ego Death yet? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!