Abstract

Wargrum is a Cardano-based trading card game (TCG) where each playable card is minted as an NFT. Players collect cards, build strategic decks, and battle for resource-generating land. A native GRUM token rewards competitive play and supports in-game purchases. By delivering interactive gameplay and true on-chain ownership, Wargrum aims to showcase the potential of Cardano NFTs and strengthen the overall Cardano ecosystem.

Motivation

Problem Statement Traditional digital card games do not allow players to truly own their in-game items, leading to limited secondary markets and negligible player rewards. While Cardano has an active NFT community, many collections lack compelling use cases. Wargrum addresses this gap by combining collectible NFTs with competitive gameplay, creating direct incentives for transactions on Cardano, drawing in new users, and highlighting the network’s strengths—such as secure smart contracts and efficient token economies. Proposed Solution Wargrum uses Cardano NFTs to represent both cards and land parcels. Players hold their assets in wallets, enabling free trade on secondary markets. The GRUM token rewards skillful play and serves as a currency for in-game purchases(e.g., card packs, cosmetic items). Tokenized land creates a resource system that fosters land-control strategies. Together, these mechanics deliver an immersive, on-chain gaming experience that benefits both the community and Cardano’s broader adoption.

Rational

Key Features Trading Card Mechanics Collect NFT cards with unique abilities. Build decks and leverage card rarity and synergy for strategic depth. Play to Earn Earn GRUM tokens through victories and achievements. Spend GRUM on card packs, cosmetic upgrades, and tournament fees. Land Control Land NFTs generate resources that can be used for crafting or augmenting cards. Challenge owners for control of parcels, fueling ongoing competition and marketplace activity. Marketplace Integration Wargrum NFTs trade on Cardano marketplaces, giving players true ownership and transparent secondary markets. Partner Integration: We plan to build on our existing NMKR integration for minting booster packs, ensuring reliable issuance and frictionless user experience. Community Tournaments Seasonal tournaments reward both casual and competitive players. Prize pools in GRUM or exclusive NFT cards encourage sustained engagement. Current Progress and Past Development Costs Core Gameplay Prototype (Alpha) We have already built and tested a global real-time multiplayer battle engine with game rules, account management, deck-building & deck management, and wallet integration in an internal alpha. Approximate expenditure so far: 200k ADA (largely in developer time and art asset creation). By developing in-house with a lean, skilled team, we cut costs nearly 50-60% compared to standard TCG development shops, which can run upwards of 500k ADA for a similar prototype stage. NFT Minting Trials Minted a small batch of test NFT cards on Cardano to validate ownership flows and marketplace listings. Collaboration with NMKR has begun, focusing on the booster pack mechanics and user-friendly minting. Community Building Built a waitlist of 1,000+ interested users. Established early social channels (Discord, Twitter, YouTube) for direct feedback loops. These steps validate our concept and set the stage for expanding gameplay features, land mechanics, and advanced tokenomics. Detailed Milestones, Costs, and Timelines The total funding request is 150k ADA, allocated to achieve the following milestones. Each milestone includes a timeframe, deliverables, and budget. 1. Expanded Alpha & Feature Completion (Now – Q4 2025) Deliverables: Expand alpha testing to an external group to refine core gameplay, balance, and user experience. Integrate NMKR’s booster pack minting, allowing testers to purchase and mint test packs. Implement basic GRUM reward distribution (testnet environment). Add initial land representation (non-tradeable prototypes) for resource generation testing. Estimated Cost: 40k ADA Development: 25k ADA (smart contracts, in-game logic, partial land features) NMKR Integration: 5k ADA (partner support, booster pack smart contract) QA & Testing: 10k ADA (testers, bug-fixing, iteration) 2. Beta Launch & Partial GRUM Rewards (Q1 2026) Deliverables: Public beta release with mintable NFT card packs (live environment). Activated partial GRUM rewards for match victories and achievements. Basic Wargrum Marketplace for card trading. Security testing on the updated NFT/GRUM contracts. Estimated Cost: 30k ADA Game Client & UX Upgrades: 15k ADA Contract Security & Audits: 10k ADA (includes initial professional audits) Marketplace Setup: 5k ADA 3. Full Card Set Release & Security Audits (Q2 2026) Deliverables: Launch a larger card set featuring additional factions, rarities, and advanced mechanics. Comprehensive security audits for NFT contracts and GRUM token scripts. Official Wargrum Marketplace opening for robust trading (added functionalities like bidding, listing analytics). Estimated Cost: 25k ADA Art & Asset Creation for New Sets: 10k ADA Smart Contract Refinements & Audits: 10k ADA Marketplace Enhancements: 5k ADA 4. Land System Rollout & Crafting (Q3 2026) Deliverables: Tokenized land parcels that produce resources. Introduction of crafting—using resources to create or improve cards. Player vs. player land-challenge system for territory control. Beta testing of advanced land-based rewards and gameplay loops. Estimated Cost: 25k ADA Land Mechanics & Resource Generation: 10k ADA Crafting System: 10k ADA Testing & Balancing: 5k ADA 5. Official Launch (Q4 2026) Deliverables: Wargrum v1.0 includes all core gameplay loops, polished card/land economies, and the GRUM token fully integrated. Full-scale community tournaments with prize pools in NFTs and GRUM. Marketing campaign to accelerate user onboarding. On-chain governance exploration (initial polls, feedback from player community). Estimated Cost: 15k ADA Final Polishing & Marketing Push: 10k ADA Tournament Infrastructure: 5k ADA 6. Ongoing Post-Launch Expansions (2027 and Beyond) Deliverables: New card sets and gameplay modes (including expansions with new features). Possible community governance elements if stable. Seasonal tournaments and continuous content updates to ensure high retention. Estimated Cost: 15k ADA Continued Development & Content: 10k ADA Additional Audits & Live Ops: 5k ADA How Wargrum Grows Cardano’s On-Chain Metrics Historically, TCGs on other blockchains demonstrate significant on-chain transaction growth. For example: Splinterlands (on Hive): At times, it accounted for 70%+ of daily transactions on the Hive network, driven by in-game NFTs and token transfers. Gods Unchained (on Immutable X): Saw major spikes in user activity and NFT trades whenever new expansions or tournaments launched. We expect Wargrum to boost Cardano’s on-chain metrics by: Increasing daily transactions from card/land trades, booster pack mints, and resource transfers. Onboarding new wallets as players join Wargrum, creating a direct funnel into the wider Cardano ecosystem. Showcasing fast, secure Cardano smart contracts in a high-visibility gaming environment, attracting further developer interest. By integrating NMKR for NFT minting, Wargrum also demonstrates a clear partnership that leverages established Cardano infrastructure, further reinforcing Cardano’s status as a robust platform for high-volume gaming projects. Budget Summary Item / Milestone Cost (ADA) Expanded Alpha & Feature Completion 40k Beta Launch & Partial GRUM Rewards 30k Full Card Set Release & Security 25k Land System Rollout & Crafting 25k Official Launch 15k Post-Launch Expansions 15k Total 150k Budget Breakdown (150k ADA) Development (75k ADA) Smart contract coding Game client improvements Card and land mechanics Security and Audits (15k ADA) Smart contract reviews Infrastructure testing Marketing and Community (30k ADA) Influencer campaigns Social media advertisements Tournament sponsorships Infrastructure and Operations (30k ADA) Server hosting Database and monitoring Contingency for unexpected technology needs Team and Experience Jason “Crypto Crow” Appleton Founder of Wargrum and known Cardano influencer Guides community outreach and overall project direction Focus on tokenomics and market positioning Eli Skenandore Architect of NFL Fantasy Football 2.0 Experience in gaming and blockchain Technical lead for Wargrum’s codebase and integrations JP Steinmetz Veteran developer (XCOM 2, The Evil Within, Lost Planet 3, Hawken) Advises team Crypto Face Crypto trading influencer and investor The team also includes additional developers, artists, and testers who help deliver a polished and secure game experience. Community Engagement and Adoption Strategy Easy Onboarding: Free starter decks, tutorials, and wallet setup guides Social Presence: Active Discord, Twitter, and YouTube channels provide updates, foster community, and encourage user feedback Tournaments & Prizes: GRUM token or NFT rewards keep engagement high and reward skill Partnerships: Collaborations with NMKR for minting, other Cardano dApps, and influencers to grow cross-community interest Existing Momentum: Building on our 1k+ waitlist of early adopters, ready to enter external alpha and beta phases Supporting Links Website: https://wargrum.io YouTube (Crypto Crow): https://youtube.com/CryptoCrow Twitter: https://twitter.com/JasonAppleton Why 150k ADA? The requested 150k ADA allocation will finalize core features, expand essential audits, drive marketing, and effectively launch Wargrum to the Cardano community. Our internal development approach has proven cost-effective, but this additional funding is critical to deliver: Full-scale land mechanics and resource systems Robust security audits for our smart contracts and GRUM token Powerful marketing and community-building to propel Wargrum’s user base Ongoing content updates and expansions that maintain engagement and highlight Cardano’s on-chain potential We appreciate your consideration and look forward to bringing Wargrum to life—an innovative TCG that underscores the strength of Cardano’s infrastructure and fosters a vibrant on-chain gaming community.

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