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Influence: A Deep Dive into the Blockchain-Powered Space MMO

Introduction: What’s in a Name?

John: Hello and welcome back to our GameFi series. Today, we’re exploring a title that’s less of a game and more of a persistent, player-driven universe: *Influence*. Before we dive into the mechanics, let’s consider the name itself. According to Merriam-Webster, ‘influence’ is “the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways.” It’s about sway, leverage, and authority.

Lila: That’s a powerful concept, John. It brings to mind shaping opinions and inspiring action, not just pointing and clicking. How can a game possibly capture that level of depth?

John: That’s the core question the developers at Unstoppable Games are trying to answer. *Influence* is a space strategy Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) built entirely on the blockchain. It hands the reins of creation, economy, and ultimately, power, over to the players. It’s not about pre-written quests; it’s about giving players the tools to build a society from the ground up and exert their own influence over its destiny.

Lila: So, it’s a true sandbox. You’re not just a character *in* the world; you’re an architect *of* the world. I’m intrigued. Let’s break it down.

Overview & Key Features

John: At its heart, *Influence* is set in the Adalia system, specifically within a newly discovered asteroid belt teeming with resources. A colony ship, the Arvad, has arrived, and its 250,000 crew members—each a unique NFT (Non-Fungible Token)—are the first pioneers. Players take on the role of these crewmates, aiming to mine, build, trade, research, and collaborate to create a thriving civilization.

Lila: So the main goal is… survival? Expansion? Getting rich?

John: All of the above, and it’s entirely up to you. There is no single “win” condition. You might become an industrial magnate, controlling the production of vital goods. You could become a logistics expert, managing a fleet of transport ships. Or you might band together with others to form a corporation or a faction, exerting political and military control over a region of the belt. The game’s design is all about emergent gameplay (unplanned but complex strategies and social structures that arise from the interaction of simple game mechanics).

Lila: That sounds incredibly ambitious. What are the key features that make this possible?

John: The architecture is built on a few core pillars:

• True Player Ownership: Your assets—crewmates, the asteroids you control, and eventually ships and buildings—are NFTs that you truly own. You can buy, sell, or trade them on open markets, completely independent of the game developers.
• Persistent, Evolving Universe: The Adalian asteroid belt is a single, shared world that continues to operate and evolve whether you’re logged in or not. Actions have permanent consequences. Resources are finite. Time passes for everyone at the same rate.
• Player-Driven Economy: There are no NPC (Non-Player Character) merchants. Every item, from raw ore to refined materials and advanced components, must be mined, transported, refined, and crafted by players. This creates complex supply chains and a dynamic, living market.
• Skill-Based Progression: Your crewmates don’t have traditional levels. Instead, they gain proficiency in 23 different skills across four classes: Mining, Engineering, Merchant, and Scientist. Their effectiveness is determined by their inherent traits and the skills you choose to develop.
• Strategic Depth: The game incorporates realistic orbital mechanics. The distance and travel time between asteroids are constantly changing as they orbit the star, making logistics and timing a critical strategic layer.

Lila: The comparison to a game like EVE Online seems unavoidable, especially with the player-driven economy and potential for high-stakes conflict. But putting it all on a blockchain is a whole other level of complexity.

John: Exactly. It takes the “player-owned” concept from a marketing buzzword and makes it a technical reality. Let’s get into how they pull that off.

Technical Elements

Lila: Okay, so if this is a complex MMO, what kind of high-end PC do I need to run it? Am I downloading a huge client?

John: Surprisingly, no. One of the most accessible features of *Influence* is that it’s a browser-based game. You connect through a web browser, which lowers the barrier to entry significantly. All the heavy lifting—the calculations, state changes, and transaction processing—is handled on the blockchain.

Lila: On the blockchain? I thought the Ethereum blockchain, where most NFTs live, was slow and expensive. How could an entire MMO run on it without costing a fortune in transaction fees, or “gas”?

John: That’s the critical technical decision the team made. While the original assets were minted on the Ethereum mainnet for security and decentralization, the game itself runs on **StarkNet**. StarkNet is a Layer 2 (L2) scaling solution. Think of it like an express toll lane for a busy highway. Instead of processing every single transaction directly on the congested main Ethereum network (the highway), StarkNet bundles thousands of transactions together off-chain, processes them at high speed and low cost, and then submits a single, cryptographic proof back to the mainnet. This proof validates all the bundled transactions without having to re-execute them.

Lila: So it gives you the speed and low cost needed for a game, but still inherits the security of Ethereum? That’s clever. It seems essential for a game with potentially millions of in-game actions like mining, crafting, and trading.

John: It is. Without L2 technology, a game of this scope would be economically unviable for the vast majority of players. The move to StarkNet was a pivotal moment in the game’s development, enabling the complex, high-frequency interactions a living world requires.

NFT & Blockchain Usage

Lila: You mentioned crewmates and asteroids are NFTs. Can you give us a full breakdown of the core blockchain assets and how they function?

John: Of course. The system is quite elegant. There are two main types of assets to understand: NFTs, which are unique, and fungible tokens, which are interchangeable like currency.

Core NFTs (ERC-721 Tokens)

John: These are the unique, ownable assets in the game. An ERC-721 is the classic standard for a one-of-a-kind digital item.

• Crewmates: There is a fixed supply of 250,000 Crewmates from the initial “Arrival” sale. Each one has a unique name, appearance, and a set of five core stats (Metabolism, Neuroplasticity, Tenacity, Resilience, and Versatility) that influence their aptitude for different careers. They also have a class: Miner, Engineer, Merchant, or Scientist, which dictates their starting skills.
• Asteroids: There are also 250,000 asteroids in the Adalia belt. 11,100 of these were available for purchase in the initial sale, with the rest being discoverable in-game. Each asteroid is a unique NFT with a specific size, location, spectral type (which determines its resource composition), and a set of bonuses and hazards. Owning an asteroid is like owning a piece of digital land.
• Other Game Assets: As development progresses, other items like ships, major buildings, and unique crafted gear are expected to be represented as NFTs. This ensures that the most significant player creations are also player-owned.

Lila: So my character and my land are tokens in my crypto wallet. That’s a fundamental shift from traditional gaming. What about money? Is there an in-game currency?

In-Game Currency (ERC-20 Token)

John: Yes, and that’s where the fungible token comes in. The primary currency and utility token of the *Influence* ecosystem is **SWAY**. SWAY is an ERC-20 token, meaning each SWAY token is identical and interchangeable, just like a dollar bill. According to the official documentation, SWAY has several key uses:

• Medium of Exchange: Players use SWAY to pay for goods and services on player-run marketplaces. Want to buy some refined iron or pay for transport? You’ll likely be paying in SWAY.
• Action Staking: Certain actions may require players to “stake” SWAY (temporarily lock it up) as a commitment, which they get back upon completion. This could be used to ensure fulfillment of contracts.
• Governance: SWAY holders have the power to influence the game’s future. They can vote on proposals relating to things like marketplace fee structures, the release of new technologies, and other key parameters of the universe. This is a core part of the “decentralization” ethos.
• Economic Control: Players or groups who control key infrastructure, like orbital marketplaces, can earn a portion of the SWAY transaction fees generated there, creating a powerful economic incentive.

Lila: So the blockchain isn’t just a gimmick; it’s woven into the very fabric of the game’s economy and governance. You mentioned StarkNet and Ethereum. If I buy an original Crewmate on OpenSea using Ethereum, how do I get it into the game on StarkNet?

John: That’s done through a “bridge.” The developers have created a bridging mechanism that allows you to lock your asset on the Ethereum mainnet and mint an equivalent version on StarkNet for use in-game. This process is standard for moving assets between a mainnet and a Layer 2 network. All new activity, crafting, and transactions happen on StarkNet, so all assets must be bridged over to be utilized.

Getting Started

Lila: This all sounds fascinating, but also a little intimidating for someone new to crypto. Could you walk me through the practical steps to actually start playing?

John: Absolutely. It requires a few more setup steps than a typical game, but it’s a straightforward process. Here’s a beginner’s guide:

1. Set Up a StarkNet Wallet: First, you need a wallet that can interact with the StarkNet blockchain. The two most popular choices are the **Argent X** and **Braavos** browser extension wallets. They function similarly to MetaMask but are specifically designed for the StarkNet ecosystem.
2. Fund Your Wallet: You’ll need some cryptocurrency in your wallet. The primary currency for transaction fees (gas) on StarkNet is ETH. You can either withdraw ETH directly to your StarkNet wallet from a supported exchange (like Binance or Coinbase) or use a bridge like StarkGate to transfer ETH from an Ethereum mainnet wallet.
3. Acquire Your First NFT: You need at least one Crewmate NFT to play. You can acquire one in a few ways:
   • Official Marketplace: Check the official *Influence* game website for their integrated marketplace. This is the most direct way.
   • Third-Party Marketplaces: Look on StarkNet-native NFT marketplaces like Unframed or Aspect. You will likely need ETH or SWAY to make a purchase.
   • Bridging an Original: If you bought an original Crewmate on the Ethereum mainnet (from a marketplace like OpenSea), you’ll need to use the official *Influence* bridge to move it to StarkNet.
4. Connect to the Game: Go to the official game website, `play.influenceth.io`. You’ll be prompted to connect your StarkNet wallet. Approve the connection.
5. Join the Universe: Once your wallet is connected and you have a Crewmate, you can start the game. Your first major decision will be choosing a home base. You can either scan for an unowned asteroid to colonize or, more likely for a beginner, find a player-owned asteroid with low taxes and public access and set up your habitat there.
6. Start Your Career: With your Crewmate landed, you can begin assigning them actions. Start by mining raw materials from the surface of your asteroid. These materials are the foundation of the entire economy, and you can either use them yourself or sell them to other players.

Lila: That’s a great checklist. It sounds like the first few hours are about establishing a foothold and gathering basic resources. It’s important for new players to know they won’t be commanding fleets on day one.

John: Precisely. *Influence* is a marathon, not a sprint. Patience and long-term planning are your most valuable assets.

Reputation & Reviews

Lila: What’s the word on the street? Now that the game has been in its “Exploitation” phase for a while, what do the players and critics say?

John: The reception is generally positive but also acknowledges the game’s niche appeal. It’s not for everyone, and the community feedback reflects that. Let’s look at both sides.

Praise

John: The biggest points of praise tend to focus on the project’s vision and integrity.

• Unprecedented Ambition: Many players are drawn to the sheer scale of what *Influence* is trying to achieve. The idea of a fully decentralized, player-run space opera is a holy grail for many fans of both MMOs and blockchain.
• Economic Depth: Economically-minded players are in heaven. The game is a giant simulation of supply and demand, logistics, and industrial production. People who love spreadsheets, planning, and optimization find it incredibly rewarding.
• Developer Transparency: The Unstoppable Games team is highly regarded within the community. They are very active on Discord and hold regular community calls to discuss progress, challenges, and future plans. This open dialogue builds a lot of trust.
• Strong Community: Because of its complexity, the game has fostered a dedicated and collaborative community. Veteran players are often willing to help newcomers, and large player-run organizations offer resources and guidance.

Criticism

Lila: And on the flip side? No project is perfect.

John: The criticisms are just as valid and are important for potential players to consider.

• Steep Learning Curve: This is the most common critique. The game does not hold your hand. Understanding orbital mechanics, production chains, skill synergies, and the UI can be overwhelming. It requires a significant investment of time just to learn the basics.
• Slow-Paced Gameplay: Actions in *Influence* take real time. Mining a full cargo hold can take hours. Traveling between distant asteroids can take days or even weeks. Players looking for fast-paced action will be disappointed. It’s often described as a “background game” or “spreadsheet simulator.”
• Ongoing Development: *Influence* is being built in public. It is not a “finished” game. Key features, most notably combat, are still in development. Players are investing in a roadmap, and there’s always a risk that future phases may be delayed or changed.
• High Cost of Entry (Historically): While asset prices have fluctuated, at times, acquiring the necessary NFTs to be competitive has been expensive, creating a potential barrier for new players without significant capital. The introduction of crewmate recruiting/spawning mechanics is intended to address this over time.

Q&A Section

Q1: I’m still not sold. Why does a game like this need a blockchain at all? Couldn’t this be done on a central server?

John: It could, but it would be a fundamentally different experience. The blockchain provides three things that a central server cannot. First, **true ownership**. On a central server, your items are just entries in a company’s database; they can be deleted, altered, or taken away. Here, your Crewmate NFT is your property in your wallet, with the same cryptographic security as your cryptocurrency. Second, **permissionless interoperability**. Because the assets are on a public blockchain, third-party developers can build tools, analytics sites, or even entire other games that interact with *Influence* assets without needing permission from the developers. Third, **decentralized governance**. Using the SWAY token allows the community, not the company, to make key decisions about the future of the world they are building. It transforms players from customers into stakeholders.

Q2: How exactly do players earn the in-game currency, SWAY? Is it a “Play-to-Earn” game?

Lila: That’s a great question. The term “Play-to-Earn” gets thrown around a lot.

John: *Influence* is often described as “Play-and-Own” or “Play-to-Create” rather than a simple “Play-to-Earn” model. While you can earn, it’s not a direct reward for grinding. According to the official whitepaper and game design, SWAY primarily enters the player economy through participation in the game’s core systems. For example, a portion of all transaction fees from the global marketplace is distributed to players who control that marketplace. Players who provide liquidity (deposit SWAY and other assets into trading pools) on decentralized exchanges can earn fees. In the future, controlling key territories or asteroids during the “Conflict” phase will likely be a major source of SWAY emissions. You earn not by clicking a button, but by providing tangible value to the in-game economy and society.

Q3: Okay, I want to trade these NFTs. Where is the best place to do that?

John: You have a few options. The primary and most recommended place is the **official in-game marketplace**. It’s integrated directly into the game’s UI and is designed specifically for *Influence* assets. For secondary sales outside the game, you’ll need to use an NFT marketplace that supports the StarkNet network. The most prominent ones are **Aspect** and **Unframed**. If you’re looking for the original assets that are still on the Ethereum mainnet, the go-to marketplace remains **OpenSea**, but remember you’ll need to bridge those assets to StarkNet to use them.

Developer Information

Lila: Who are the masterminds behind this massive undertaking?

John: The game is being developed by **Unstoppable Games, Inc.**, a small but highly focused game studio dedicated to leveraging blockchain technology to create new forms of player agency. They are not a massive AAA studio, which is why they are developing the game in public phases. Their primary technology partner is **StarkWare Industries**, the creators of StarkNet. This close collaboration ensures that the game can push the boundaries of what’s possible on a Layer 2 network.

Lila: You’ve mentioned the development phases a few times. Can you lay out the roadmap for us?

John: Certainly. The developers have a clear, multi-phase rollout plan. This allows them to build, test, and release core systems incrementally. The major phases are:

• Phase 1: Arrival (Completed): This was the initial sale and minting of the 250,000 Crewmate and 11,100 Asteroid NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain.
• Phase 2: Discovery (Completed): This phase allowed asteroid owners to “scan” their NFTs to reveal their specific resources, bonuses, and traits. It also included the naming of all 250,000 asteroids and crewmates.
• Phase 3: Exploitation (Current Phase): This is the launch of the core game loop on StarkNet. It includes mining, refining, crafting, building infrastructure, and the establishment of the player-run economy. This is the foundation of the entire game.
• Phase 4: Conflict (Future): This will introduce the first forms of player-versus-player (PvP) interaction. It will involve ship-to-ship combat, infrastructure destruction, and piracy. It will turn the game from a purely economic simulation into a full-blown strategy game.
• Phase 5: Conquest (Future): The final planned phase. This will scale up conflict to a massive level, allowing player-run organizations to vie for control of the entire Adalian belt through large-scale fleet battles and societal warfare.

Lila: Wow. So we are still in the foundational, world-building stage. It’s exciting, but it’s a good reminder for players that they are getting in on the ground floor of a very long-term project.

Summary

John: To bring it all together, *Influence* is a landmark project in the GameFi space. It’s a deeply complex, slow-paced, and intellectually demanding space strategy MMO that uses blockchain not as a gimmick, but as its fundamental architecture. It’s designed for players who relish economic simulation, long-term strategic planning, and the idea of building a society from scratch within a persistent, player-owned universe.

Lila: It’s definitely not a game for everyone. But for the right type of player, it seems less like a game and more like a digital frontier—a chance to not just play a role, but to build a legacy and, true to its name, exert real influence. It asks a lot from its players, but the potential rewards—in terms of experience, ownership, and impact—are immense.

John: Well said. It truly embodies the idea of having “the power or capacity of causing an effect,” giving players the tools to shape their own destiny in the stars.

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References

• Official Website: https://www.influenceth.io/
• Game Wiki & Guide: https://wiki.influenceth.io/
• StarkNet Blockchain Explorer: https://starkscan.co/

Related Links

• Official Discord: Accessible through the main website (primary community hub)
• Official X (Twitter): @influenceth

GameFi, NFT, Play-to-Earn