In a bid to address the burgeoning issue of bot interference in Web3 gaming, Confiction Labs—formerly known as Mythic Protocol—has unveiled an innovative in-game verification system for its cooperative multiplayer shooter, Riftstorm. This new feature, labeled “Proof of Exposure,” cleverly marries the game’s narrative with a technological solution through the integration of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), thereby establishing a more robust method to differentiate between real players and automated software.
This strategic move addresses a widely acknowledged challenge within the Web3 gaming ecosystem, where a significant portion of rewards, as high as 70% according to a report by marketing platform Cookie3, tends to be siphoned off by bots. By weaving together third-party APIs, large language models, and user-submitted data, Confiction Labs aims to bolster user authentication processes, providing a more secure and engaging gaming environment.
Arief Widhiyasa, the CEO of Confiction Labs, emphasizes the dual purpose of the Proof of Exposure system. Not only does it serve as a fortified barrier against bots, but it also prioritizes community engagement by ensuring that dedicated players take part in shaping the game’s future. The system’s allowlist verification process employs a “deep profiling system” to identify users who are most aligned with advancing the game’s storyline, further exemplifying its commitment to fostering a passionate gaming community.
Those who emerge successfully through the verification process are earmarked for early access to mint the upcoming XPSR-24 NFT collection, a pivotal element of Confiction Labs’ FICT ONE: Occultical universe. This approach underscores the company’s broader vision of “collaborative entertainment,” where player involvement is key to the evolving narrative of the game.
Despite the promise of enhancing security and engagement, the broader effectiveness of such verification systems in curbing bot activity remains under scrutiny. Critics point out that the adaptability of bots to new security measures often renders such efforts short-lived. Moreover, bot prevention service Jigger notes that a substantial 40% of Web3 service users could be bots, underlining the magnitude of the challenge at hand.
As Confiction Labs strides forward with its innovative blend of NFTs and game lore, the efficacy of the Proof of Exposure system in creating a bot-resistant environment is yet to be proven. While it introduces a novel layer of complexity to the gaming experience, the ultimate test will be its ability to sustain a genuine, bot-free community engagement over time.