If you grew up in the 1980s, you're probably all too familiar with old-school arcade gaming. Back then, popular games like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Double Dragon, to name a few, ran on coin-operated arcade cabinets with CRT displays and lever controls.
Arcades have been declining in many countries, including the United States and Japan, over the last decade (a region that is not only home to several iconic arcade franchises but also withstood the declining trend much longer than its western counterparts). One reason for this is the widespread availability of PCs and consoles that replicate the arcade experience at home, eliminating the need to spend money on arcade sessions.
Modern arcade gaming is now limited to a pastime for tech hobbyists, gaming historians, and retro-gaming enthusiasts. Many gamers in these communities spend several hours and lots of cash to collect or build arcade cabinets, often with improvised hardware and software emulators.
For many gamers, though, these classic arcade systems represent a time of of the past. Aside from the technical challenges, legal issues for running older games on an emulator also make it a gray area. As it turns out, replicating authentic nostalgic gaming is a painful endeavor for newcomers to the scene or casual gamers who aren't that tech-savvy.
Light One - a Revolutionary 80s-Style Arcade Cabinet
Light One is a new concept in arcade gaming that integrates blockchain-based technology with proprietary arcade game cabinets. Conceptualized by a company that lends its name to the new device, Light One is a hybrid console that aims to allow users to join an exclusive community of arcade gamers who are interested in the gamification of networking.
Owners of Light One consoles will be able to connect to a unique metaverses, buy and sell NFTs, earn cryptocurrency tokens, and will be able to choose from a curated growing library of 122 games, from their favorite arcade games to more modern web3 games that will be slowly incorporated in its ecosystem. However one of its most interesting features is its networking capabilities intended for Web2 and Web3 companies to participate in. Light One intends on bringing more play and gamification to work.
Light One plans to release an initial batch of 999 Founders' Edition Arcades. The device is aimed at the B2B community, priced as a premium product with limited availability.
Light One is, thus, a game changer for the declining arcade gaming industry as it means businesses and individuals can continue to build communities around people who want to enjoy their games in casual or competitive social gatherings while taking advantage of the financial opportunities offered by blockchain technology.
The Brains behind Light One
Ash Nair, co-founder of Light One is a blockchain entrepreneur with years of seasoned experience in the media industry. Nair was quick to notice the difficult technical barrier to entry being one of the key bottlenecks preventing wider adoption of Web3. So he and his team of expert software partners (Super How? & Komponent) set out to simplify the Web3 user experience by co-developing the Light One ecosystem, with one main idea at heart.
To make a simple, yet intuitive user experience that was not only functional but beautiful to look at. Taking the best aspects of Discord, and gated NFT community management, Nair and his team intend on making it easy to use for the average user to enjoy and be fully immerse in Web3.
Nair is also well aware of the many detractors, especially the ones from the gaming industry, who criticize Web3 and its Play-2-Earn gaming model. However, he believes his Light One platform can be an interesting middle ground or bridge between the gaming and blockchain worlds.
That's when Nair - an 80s kid himself - approached Polycade founder Tyler Bushnell, to tap into the nostalgia tied to his father, the legendary Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell and bring retro and modern games to Light One, making the arcade console a hybrid device that caters to both old school and new school gamers.
Polycade serves arcade lovers by providing a premium experience for gamers looking for old-school arcade cabinets. Polycade has launched a line-up of arcade cabinets with modern PC components and peripherals, allowing users to play a library of old and new licensed games with their friends.
The company's experience with hardware and software integration is instrumental in building Light One.
An Enlightened Ecosystem
The Light One team has designed their arcade machines to be an entry point for both arcade gaming and blockchain metaverses. An ecosystem, therefore, is necessary for long-term sustainability. Here's how the Light One ecosystem comes together.
Light One NFT Accounts
Users can join the Light One community by minting a Light One NFT, and if they choose to stake it on the blockchain and provide a shipping address, they will be sent a Light One Arcade console. After the public mint is complete, Light One will release an Ethereum-based staking platform for allowing NFT holders to officially register and secure their hardware shipment. The NFT will be locked to a specific user but can be traded on the open market before the units are ready to ship.
Light One NFT holders can access services on the blockchain network, including games, online communities, social events, product updates, and more.
Enlightened Tokens
For governance and utility, Light One will issue its own ERC20 token called NLIGHTN. NLIGHTN will be issued with a cap of 1 billion tokens and has a future burn mechanism for driving DAO initiatives with smart contracts. The burn mechanism is important, as it serves as an incentive for stakeholders to use it wisely.
NLIGHN will be the main currency for in-app purchases such as games, NFTs, and other in-game currencies. Like other cryptocurrencies, NLIGHTN will not require any third parties for trading. Users will have access to a NLIGHTN wallet for storing and retrieving their tokens.
The token will allow users to create NFTs with ERC721A standards, which makes it scalable with complete DeFI functionality.
To ensure the stability of NLIGHTN, the team is backing up a portion of initial token offerings with USDT stablecoins. This will help raise funds and allow the currency to be listed on major cryptocurrency exchanges.
The Games
Of course, no arcade system is complete without a library of games to play. Light One will come with two types of gaming experiences for users, with something for everyone.
Enlightened Games
Enlightened games represent an exclusive type of gaming experience for Light One members. The games will feature 'Enlightened Mechanic' as a core feature that is designed to give players a deeper connection with their inner-self and improve their mental health.
With Enlightened games, Nair hopes that players can use the Light One machines for mindfulness and relaxing experiences that complement the frenzy of competitive arcade gameplay.
The first of these games is Escape Kim, a satirical NFT project where players take the role of Citizen KIM, who may or may not look like one chubby North Korean dictator, who has to escape a maze that is a manifestation of his ego. Each maze is filled with an army of 'apes' that represent 'thoughts' in his monkey mind that Kim will need to overcome before he can permanently escape his ego. Depending on how you choose to play the game, players can evolve their KIM into enlightenment - or devolve into an ape!
Completing certain levels earns the in-game currency 'SILENCE' that allows KIM to meditate and silence his monkey mind, preventing him from devolving in the process. The game boasts P2E mechanics, allowing players to earn NLIGHTN tokens.
Light One plans to develop more Enlightened Games for the LIGHT ONE ecosystem and has planned to offer scholarships for selected development teams.
Arcade Games
Light One would not be a real gaming machine without an arcade game library. Through their partnership with Polycade, users will have access to a growing library of 122 retro and modern games.
Players will be able to play many arcade classics like Pac-Man, Asteroids, Galaga, and Metal Slug. In addition to this, Light One will offer popular games from Steam such as Streetfighter V and Cuphead. The list of games has broad appeal and short play cycles, making it ideal for attracting a crowd at social events and office lounges.
Polycade is working on growing the library in collaboration with Light One and Lemon Sky Studios (who have ported many AAA games to modern platforms) to bring more iconic franchises into the fold. It's worth mentioning here that Lemon Sky's reputation for remastering some big-name titles also means they have what it takes to boost the Light One's NFT scene: a passion for making great artwork.
Key Features of the Light One Machine
Light One boasts modern hardware that's more than capable of running many current generation games and delivering an immersive user experience through separate functional modules. Let's take a look at what's under the hood of Light One.
Hardware Specs
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
GPU: Radeon RX Vega 7 Graphics
Display: 27" Full HD 1080p resolution
Memory: 8GB RAM
Hard Drive Space: 1 TB
Sound: 2 x 30W Speakers. Volume dial, headphone jack, and microphone jack.
Controls: Sanwa buttons: 8 x for Player controls, 3 x for Mouse controls; 2 x JLF Joysticks with restrictor plates
Lighting: Customizable LED Backlights & Remote
USB Ports: 2 x USB ports for 2 additional players or Keyboard and Mouse.
Camera: 12-megapixel 120 degrees with microphone
Connectivity: 5G Wi-Fi
Construction: Steel chassis wrapped in carbon fiber vinyl and a wood edition, crafted with solid wood, plywood and oak veneer.
Dimensions: 30"W x 35.5"H x 26.47"D
The hardware allows Light One to deliver multimedia experiences like voice chat, and video streaming that is found in modern gaming platforms including the PC and mobile devices.
Software
Light One will operate on Windows 10 which works well with the standard PC components listed in the hardware specs above. This works well for users who can access a range of games and apps that is compatible with the operating system. For developers, it means applying updates for system upgrades, and adding new content will be easy.
Light One will also be connected to a central administrator network for keeping the platform secure, managing user groups, and viewing usage analytics.
User Experience
Light One has 4 core system modules integrated together to provide a unified user experience. Users can easily navigate through these modules to access games, crypto marketplaces, communities, and onboard controls.
1. Games Module: This is where users can access their Light One game library. It is the main P2E hub of the system and intends to connect to several metaverses and NFT marketplaces. The creators envision the Light One machine as a one-stop platform for gaming metaverses.
2. Crypto Module: This module operates the user's NLIGHTN wallet and connects them to cryptocurrency and NFT exchanges. Users will be able to stake their NLIGHTN coins for DeFI projects, as well as participate in Light One's share-to-earn program which allows them to earn tokens for participating in surveys and community-driven activities.
3. Community Module: Here's where all the social networking will take place. Light One will have a private social network through which players can make group calls and challenge fellow players to an arcade battle. Light One is positioning this module as a solution for high B2B meetings where executives can have fun while playing games with their associates.
There's also a built-in league functionality. Users can participate in the planned B2B league that pits rival organizations against each other and will include leaderboards for bragging rights and prizes (like exclusive editions of the Light One machine), or users can make custom leagues centered around their community.
The league is in the concept phase, but we can already imagine a meaningful Light One use case for Esports organizations who want to run local or major tournaments.
4. Control Module: Users will be able to access Light One hardware features such as a camera and microphone for enhancing their overall social and gaming experiences. There's also an option to use the system as an NFT display.
Conclusion: Back to the Future
Light One's foray into a universal blockchain-based arcade gaming experience is an ambitious nostalgia-driven project. The team has already raised USD 185k pre-seed via angel investors and is currently looking at new round of funding, teaming with influencers, and working with multiple partnerships to turn the project into a reality. The company expects to begin shipping the 999 units around Q4, 2023.
Arcade gaming has come a long way from face-to-face encounters in the 70s and 80s. Light One is set to take users back into that time, but with the feel of the modern 20s, while riding the P2E wave of the blockchain gaming revolution. Nair describes his consoles as retro futuristic arcade machines.
We will keep an eye on this project for more updates. Learn more about the Light One project here.
* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of techtimes.com
