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SigmaQuest: A Blockchain-Integrated Sci-Fi Puzzle Game#

Project for ErgoHack 10: AI on the Ergo Blockchain

1. Introduction#

SigmaQuest is a blockchain-integrated sci-fi puzzle game where players solve challenges to earn cryptocurrency seed phrases. The game immerses players in a sci-fi horror survival theme aboard a derelict spaceship. Players engage with AI-powered guardians, each offering unique gameplay mechanics and seed phrase rewards. The ultimate goal is to collect all 15 words (5 words from each of 3 guardians) to unlock the cosmic vault.

2. Core Gameplay Mechanics#

The game session and reward system are structured as follows:

  • Payment Flow: Players pay 10 ERG (Ergo blockchain) per game session to interact with AI-powered guardians. Of this, 90% goes to the community prize pot, and 10% goes to the project treasury.
    • Pot Address: 9hJL5dTTvdohymstxokrmwY3Xg1uL3eD4WxxTxAWFD4KRrYa411
    • Project Address: 9hKhqBpo3QZwvG6GAb9csJrtACbQYrpy5d5Dy5ZcaVERxJ6xz92
  • Rewards: Each completed guardian rewards players with a 5-word seed phrase.
  • Ultimate Goal: Collect all 15 words (3 guardians x 5 words) to unlock the cosmic vault and claim the accumulated ERG from the prize pot.

3. AI Integration & Dynamic Challenges#

SigmaQuest's core design features varied and AI-driven gameplay experiences through three distinct guardian types:

  1. Yes/No Oracle (yes-no-oracle)

    • Concept: A damaged AI that can only respond "Yes" or "No."
    • Gameplay: Players get 10 questions per session to discover 5 seed words.
    • Challenge: Deduce words through strategic yes/no questions.
    • AI Behavior: Strict Yes/No responses, with a creative mode for spelling patterns.
    • API Endpoints: GET /api/guardian/yes-no-oracle/start?userId={userId}, POST /api/guardian/yes-no-oracle, POST /api/guardian/yes-no-oracle/reset.

  2. Narrative Escape (narrative-escape)

    • Concept: A choose-your-own-adventure experience through a doomed spaceship.
    • Gameplay: Players make choices at critical points, where wrong choices lead to "death."
    • Challenge: Navigate branching storylines to reach victory.
    • Structure: Composed of 5 acts with multiple-choice points.
    • API Endpoints: GET /api/narrative/start?userId={userId}, POST /api/narrative/choose, POST /api/narrative/message, POST /api/narrative/reset.

  3. Sigmanaut Guardian (sigmanaut-guardian)

    • Concept: Cosmic consciousness trials that transcend reality.
    • Gameplay: Players solve escalating challenges and philosophical riddles.
    • Challenge: Features 5 acts, including survival, navigation, and cosmic riddles.
    • Unique: Characterized by complex multi-stage puzzles.
    • API Endpoints: POST /api/sigmanaut/start, POST /api/sigmanaut/message, POST /api/sigmanaut/reset.

4. Architecture#

SigmaQuest employs a client-server architecture with robust blockchain integration.

  • Frontend (Lovable.dev)

    • URL: [TO BE RELEASED 6/7/25]
    • Framework: React + TypeScript + Vite
    • Styling: Tailwind CSS with a custom neon/cyberpunk theme
    • UI Library: shadcn/ui components
    • Key Features:
      • Ergo blockchain wallet integration (Nautilus)
      • Real-time game state management
      • Three guardian game interfaces
      • 3D vault visualization (Three.js)

  • Backend (Node.js)

    • URL: https://*************_api.duckdns.org
    • Server: Hetzner CX32 (Ubuntu 24.04)
    • Framework: Express.js
    • AI Provider: Anthropic Claude API (migrated from local Ollama)
    • Process Manager: PM2 (running in fork mode for session persistence)
    • Reverse Proxy: Nginx with SSL

5. Technical Details#

  • Blockchain Integration: The game integrates with the Ergo blockchain using the Nautilus browser extension wallet for payment processing.
  • AI Integration (Anthropic)
    • Models Used: claude-3-sonnet-20240229 (main gameplay) and claude-3-haiku-20240307 (Yes/No responses).
    • Key Functions: generateWithAnthropic(), generateYesNoResponse(), generateRiddle(), generateDeathScene().
  • State Management: Sessions are in-memory (not shared between server instances). User IDs are generated client-side. Game states are tracked per guardian per user, and payment sessions are tracked separately.
  • Server GIST: https://gist.github.com/tmr-erg/f83a6e19ed31b526e5de66865f32eccf
  • Critical Configuration: PM2 must run in fork mode, CORS is configured for the Lovable app URL, Trust Proxy is enabled for Nginx, and SSL is managed via Let's Encrypt/Certbot.
  • Environment Variables: Key variables include NODE_ENV, PORT, ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, and CORS_ORIGIN.

6. Business Model#

  • Revenue Flow: 10 ERG per game session, with 90% contributing to the community prize pot and 10% going to the project treasury. Players who collect all 15 words can claim the pot.
  • Cost Structure: Approximately \(35-55/month, primarily covering server costs (\~\)20/month for Hetzner) and AI API usage (~$10-30/month for Anthropic).

7. Security Considerations#

  • Current Implementation: Includes rate limiting on API endpoints, Helmet.js for security headers, SSL/HTTPS encryption, and input validation for seed phrases.
  • Vulnerabilities to Address: Identified areas for future enhancement include adding authentication on API endpoints, addressing potential session hijacking, and persisting in-memory sessions across restarts.

8. Current Status & Progress (ErgoHack 10)#

During ErgoHack 10, the SigmaQuest project has successfully implemented and demonstrated all three guardian game acts. The game is currently functional and playable, showcasing the seamless integration of AI-driven challenges with Ergo blockchain mechanics.

9. Future Enhancements#

  • Technical Improvements: Planned enhancements include adding Redis for session persistence, implementing JWT authentication, adding a database for game history, creating an admin dashboard, and implementing WebSockets for real-time updates.
  • Gameplay Additions: Future plans include more guardians with unique mechanics, multiplayer challenges, leaderboards, achievements, daily/weekly challenges, and NFT integration for rewards.
  • Backend API (Example - TO BE RELEASED): https://*************_api.duckdns.org
  • Server GIST: https://gist.github.com/tmr-erg/f83a6e19ed31b526e5de66865f32eccf

11. Contribution#

The creator intends to open-source the entire project. However, to safeguard the "Honeypot" (the ERG prize pool), the project's code will not be made public until a winner has successfully completed the quest and claimed the prize.