Key takeaways
- NextProtocol is developing a blockchain gaming platform that uniquely connects digital NFT characters with physical intelligent devices like robots and IoT devices.
- The company is launching two games in the next quarter: One When the Lorien and Kovi War, both requiring the Next Protocol Token to play.
- NextProtocol plans to launch its token in the coming weeks before the game releases to build community support.
- The platform will initially deploy on BSE and Solana, with plans to integrate AR and VR technology for immersive gaming experiences.
- NextProtocol's CEO brings 25 years of IT industry experience and previously implemented AI solutions including Alexa-based applications and humanoid robots for enterprises.
From Alexa apps to humanoid robots to gaming
Ashton Addison: What does NextProtocol do, and how did you get here?▶ 00:24
Shaik Hamdan: I've been in the IT industry for 25 years, and my company has been in business for 10. We started as a typical software company, doing development and integration, but we quickly moved into AI and blockchain. From AI we moved to intelligent devices and NLP-based solutions. We implemented Alexa-based applications for large companies in this region, including for our own customers. Instead of calling or emailing us when there's trouble, they speak to the Alexa device. If it can't solve the problem, it connects them with the right engineer. We then implemented humanoid robots, including a robot for the HR department of a large oil company in Abu Dhabi, and robots for a couple of hospitals and a retail outlet. We combined all that experience into a platform called NextProtocol, thinking a marketplace would help us sell. But when we launched and spoke with community members and customers, they insisted we move to immersive gaming. That's where our second phase begins.
Earlier, the idea was the physical world connecting to the digital; here the digital world connects to physical intelligent devices.
Two games and NFTs tied to physical devices
Ashton: Are you building a game yourselves, or NFTs for other developers' games?▶ 04:12
Shaik: We're creating two games. In the first, players need the Next token to play. They fight evil people and monsters across multiple planets, each with a power-hungry ruler, and all of the rulers are hunting for a special power kit. The second game, Covid War, brings intelligent devices together with smart people to fight Covid and other pandemics. These are the two we're launching immediately, and many others will follow.
Ashton: How far along are the games, and when will they launch?▶ 06:20
Shaik: We're already working on them because our community insisted. After the robots, we started developing the games. The characters and everything else are ready, and we're now testing. We'll launch both games next quarter.
Ashton: What role do NFTs play, and will they arrive before the games?▶ 07:14
Shaik: NFTs are primarily used for artwork, and we wanted to expand what's possible with them by bringing energy to games. We're open to game developers who want to showcase innovative creations and integrate AI with gaming. Our games have a unique physical and digital business model, and the two are connected. Any physical device can be linked to your character. A gaming character could be a robot in a retail outlet, a robot guiding people in a museum, or an IoT device monitoring the weather. Earlier, the idea was the physical world connecting to the digital; here the digital world connects to physical intelligent devices. We're launching our tokens in a couple of weeks, ahead of the games, to build community support.
Roadmap, community and how to follow along
Ashton: What's on the roadmap before and after the game launch?▶ 10:40
Shaik: We've been focused on robotics, and now we're shifting. Our website launch and white paper release are happening this week. Game testing is under way, and the official launch will be within two months. We're also testing AR and VR-based gaming, which will launch in later quarters. All the details are in our white paper.
Ashton: What will decide whether your games become widely used?▶ 11:26
Shaik: It's a straightforward answer: our success depends on support from the gaming community, whether gamers or game developers. We can only grow the platform with the community. The second factor is the interesting games we bring to the platform. And we're the first NFT-based gaming platform where digital characters meet physical intelligent devices. We call it a phygital platform, meaning physical plus digital.
Ashton: Where can viewers follow along and get the token before the games launch?▶ 13:06
Shaik: They can visit our website, nextprotocol.tech, and our social media channels. We also have a Telegram channel where our community is very helpful and gives constructive feedback and support. We work with the community, and we grow with the community.
Our success depends on support from the gaming community, whether gamers or game developers.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Recorded September 2021.
