The market has been sluggish, lacking groundbreaking projects to drive fresh narratives.

Yet, a closer look at the Solana ecosystem reveals it’s still one to watch. User demand is clear, with consistent transaction activity and engagement.

Liquidity and attention are building, waiting for the right catalyst to disrupt the current market stagnation.

At the moment, gaming on Solana is overshadowed by the Meme coin craze, but the potential is massive.

No game on Solana has yet scaled to the heights of those on Ethereum. However, with the rise of mobile adoption and shifting narratives, Solana’s gaming sector is poised for a breakout, ready to absorb the liquidity and attention waiting to be unlocked.

So, as we move from a “Summer Lull” to a “Gaming Boom,” which projects will be the key drivers, pushing forward in terms of technology, ecosystem, and funding?

Sonic, the first Layer 2 built specifically for gaming on Solana, and also the first modular SVM chain on the network, might just be the one to watch.

The project introduces a framework called HyperGrid Rollup, which combines Solana’s speed with the customizability of game-specific rollups, setting the stage for the booming of gaming ecosystems on Solana. In June of this year, Sonic secured $12 million in funding, led by Bitkraft, with participation from Galaxy and Big Brain Holding, and its token is set for a TGE this October, fueling expectations even further. Publicly available information also reveals that Sonic is actively working on partnerships and incentive programs to attract more games into the Solana ecosystem.

For the more Degen-oriented users, Sonic’s ongoing node presale is another reason to keep an eye on this project.

In this issue, we’ll take a deep dive into Sonic, exploring its purpose and analyzing its product, technology, and ecosystem resources.

Times make heroes: Sonic’s Alignment with Demand and Timing

Don’t rush just yet.

When evaluating whether a project is worth your attention, its alignment with both demand and narrative is crucial. Before diving into what Sonic is all about, you might first wonder: with Solana already being fast enough, does it really need an L2? And what exactly does Sonic bring to the table to address these needs?

At first glance, the doubts seem valid. But with a bit more thought, you’ll uncover new market opportunities.

For instance, Solana’s second-generation phone sales received 60,000 orders in just three weeks, clearly showing the strong demand for mobile devices. However, while the hardware is there, the ecosystem still lacks games (leaving aside the question of whether Web3 games are fun, the more pressing issue is whether there are any games at all).

Currently, the majority of Web3 games are on Polygon, BNB, or ETH. While Solana is often referred to as the “retail chain,” the gaming category that resonates most with retail users has yet to fully develop.

According to data from DappRadar, none of the top 25 UAW (unique active wallets) games are on Solana, and the same goes for the top 10 games by market cap.

This is a double-edged sword: while it highlights the current absence of games, it also presents a huge opportunity to fill that gap.

As for the question of whether Solana needs an L2, the answer becomes clearer when we look at the technical, public opinion, and application landscapes.

Technically, Solana’s L1 is facing predictable performance pressure that needs to be alleviated, and L2 rollups are a viable option. As the growth of dApp and DeFi activity on Solana accelerates, daily on-chain transactions surpassed 200 million by January 2024, with some analysts conservatively estimating that the transaction volume could exceed 4 billion by 2026.

Under this foreseeable pressure, Solana’s TPS hovers around 2,500 to 4,000, with the average ping time across Solana clusters fluctuating between 6 and 80 seconds. When TPS reaches or exceeds saturation at 4,000, the transaction success rate on Solana falls to 70%-85%.

Furthermore, when Meme transactions spike, other applications feel the impact, and high-frequency interactions in gaming can also be held back by L1 performance limitations.

From an application perspective, some projects have already started exploring rollup-like designs.

Since Solana lacks advanced data structures tailored for gaming, developers need to manually implement them in smart contracts, making game development on Solana more challenging. The absence of a caching mechanism also complicates common game operations like cross-transaction calls and data account access, further increasing the development difficulty.

Non-gaming projects, such as Pyth, are building application-specific chains on Solana, while Grass is using zk-rollup techniques to bundle high-frequency DePIN data and feed it into L1. These Layer2-like behaviors are already happening.

The same logic applies to gaming applications, which would clearly benefit from having their own L2 rollups, allowing for better value capture, privacy, and real-time settlement.

Meanwhile, discussions around the need for L2 solutions are ongoing among the founders of Solana ecosystem projects in public discourse.

From the perspectives of performance, ecosystem, applications, and outreach, Solana needs a dedicated gaming chain to expand its ecosystem.

Shifting to an investment and research mindset, all of the above information points to one thing: whoever solves the needs of the Solana ecosystem first is more likely to become the next alpha. This is where Sonic finds its alignment and perfect timing.

Hypergrid: The Secret Weapon for Effortless “One-Click Blockchain Deployment”

Now that we understand the necessity, let’s take a look at how Sonic plans to build its L2.

What sets Sonic apart is Hypergrid, a horizontally scalable rollup architecture designed specifically for Solana’s SVM. You can think of Sonic’s L2 as being built on top of Hypergrid, making it the first concurrent scaling framework for Solana. Going further, the name “Hypergrid” implies that multiple independent grids can operate simultaneously, with each grid processing transactions independently, but ultimately achieving consensus and validation through the Solana mainnet.

The benefit of this design is that it significantly enhances scalability and performance.

You can think of it as a “self-governing system” that operates both autonomously and centrally:

Independent Operations: Each grid can handle its internal transactions independently, including validation, recording, and state changes. This means that an application running within one grid won’t affect the operations of other grids.

Connection to the Mainnet: Although grids can operate independently, final consensus and validation are still dependent on the Solana mainnet. This ensures data consistency and security across all grids.

Flexible Scalability: Developers can choose to use public grids or create independent grids to achieve higher performance isolation and control based on their needs.

If that’s still a bit abstract, a more relatable analogy would be comparing it to a shopping mall and the independently operated stores within it.

Imagine Hypergrid as a large shopping mall, with each grid being an individual store within the mall. Each store (grid) can operate independently, handling its own transactions and customers (application operations). The property management (Solana mainnet) oversees the security and management of the entire mall, ensuring that every store’s transaction records and state changes are ultimately confirmed. If one store becomes especially busy, it can open new branches (create new independent grids) to handle the workload without affecting other stores.

When it comes to the architecture, Hypergrid is composed of the following parts:

Solana Base Layer: Responsible for final consensus and data recording. This layer receives batch zero-knowledge proofs (Batch ZK proofs) from Hypergrid for settlement and shares state information.

Hypergrid: A shared sequencer network that coordinates and manages multiple grids. It also includes multiple validators, each responsible for processing and validating transactions.

Individual Grids: Each grid can be considered an independent application or service (such as a game), handling its specific transactions and state changes.

Users: Users interact with Hypergrid, which receives and processes their transactions. The transactions are handled by Hypergrid’s validators and ultimately settled and recorded via the Solana base layer.

To fully realize the potential of Hypergrid, some auxiliary tools are needed to make it more user-friendly.

The first tool is an EVM interpreter, enabling Ethereum-based games to be deployed on Hypergrid with minimal changes. Hypergrid has also developed a native game engine that covers runtime functions, game-specific types, containers, and sandbox environments, lowering the barriers for game integration, development, and debugging.

For asset interaction, Hypergrid provides a full payment settlement infrastructure, including an embedded NFT marketplace, token swaps, bridges, liquidity pools, identity verification, and wallet tools.

With this combination of Hypergrid and its tools, developers can quickly build a custom Rollup tailored for their game without having to reinvent the wheel. They can leverage ready-made architecture and toolkits to handle all aspects required for a Web3 game end-to-end.

This brings benefits to developers that will eventually spill over to all stakeholders in the Solana ecosystem.

Crypto gamers will enjoy better transaction and gameplay experiences without noticing any technical changes; they’ll simply feel that transactions are faster. For the Solana ecosystem, custom Rollups for applications will reduce pressure on the mainnet’s performance, encouraging more project teams to bring Solana-based games into the ecosystem. Each game will bring in more users and liquidity to the in-game assets, which will in turn benefit Solana’s base layer.

It’s also worth noting that Hypergrid, as an L2, uses a staking mechanism. Validators in the network need to stake SOL to become nodes, indirectly boosting SOL’s value capture.

Ultimately, Sonic’s Hypergrid design significantly improves scalability and performance while ensuring data consistency and security. This creates a scenario where all parties within the Solana ecosystem benefit, making it a rational choice that motivates broad participation.

Focus Beyond Technology

As an L2 infrastructure project that benefits multiple parties, technology is certainly important, but what matters more is how many partners are involved and the extent to which it can expand its business network.

Therefore, factors such as the resources behind Sonic, its collaborative capabilities, community building, and go-to-market strategies become even more crucial.

In June of this year, Sonic announced that it raised $12 million in a Series A funding round led by Bitkraft, with participation from Galaxy Interactive, Big Brain Holdings, and others.

Sonic’s developer, Mirror World, possesses significant strength. Back in 2022, they secured $4 million in seed funding, with participation from CEXs like OKX and Bybit. Building on that foundation, the upcoming TGE of Sonic’s token further raises expectations.

On the other hand, Sonic and Mirror World have close ties with Solana. Public information indicates that members of Solana’s growth team, gaming team, and ecosystem technology leads in the Asia-Pacific region serve as advisors and angel investors for the Sonic project, which undoubtedly adds to the project’s legitimacy.

Additionally, more official connections imply a broader network and resources, making it easier to collaborate within the Solana ecosystem and paving the way for project development.

Currently, more than ten on-chain games have been successfully deployed on Sonic’s testnet. Among them are the first on-chain casino in the Solana ecosystem, Zeebit, and the top shooting game Lowlife Forms, which has received investment from Solana.

At the same time, Sonic’s testnet is already taking shape.

According to the official data dashboard, the number of active wallets on Sonic has surpassed 2 million. With Sonic’s mainnet set to launch in September, we can perhaps anticipate the introduction of more games. If a breakout game emerges, this number is likely to keep growing.

It’s widely acknowledged that Web3 games don’t naturally draw in outsiders, so energizing the existing user base and generating initial traffic and attention are crucial.

I’ve always stressed that for an infrastructure project, its ability to organize and mobilize resources defines its baseline potential. Sonic excels in this area, with a key advantage in forming strong partnerships with non-gaming projects to provide liquidity, traffic, and security to the chain.

For instance, Backpack, OKX Wallet, Metaplex, Solayer (with over $25 million in staked SOL), and exchanges like Jito have all partnered with Sonic, collectively strengthening this L2’s ecosystem.

In addition to connecting with partners, Sonic has recently been enhancing its influence within the community to strengthen brand recognition. As a global L2, Sonic has recruited ambassadors in various countries and held community meetups in emerging Web3 markets like Turkey and Nigeria, solidifying its position in the minds of users and developers.

Recent actions indicate that Sonic is also accelerating its exposure frequency. Major events in the Solana ecosystem, such as Hacker House and Breakpoint, have seen Sonic as a co-host. Whether in Solana’s Chinese community or the global community, Sonic has been actively sharing insights as a guest speaker.

These efforts position Sonic as a project with strong multi-VC backing, support from Solana, global user engagement, and growing activity. With its solid network of resources and a developing ecosystem, Sonic is clearly gaining momentum.

Most importantly, its distinction as the first gaming-focused L2 on Solana makes it a project worth watching.

Upcoming Opportunity: HyperFuse Guardian Node NFT Sale

Sonic’s token, $SONIC, is set to have its Token Generation Event (TGE) in October. Although it’s impossible to directly participate in the token currently, we can get ahead by understanding its economic model and utility, and participating in the upcoming node presale.

First, the SONIC token exists for three types of roles: token holders, builders and contributors, and users and community members.

Token Holders: They can exchange $SONIC for $veSonic at a 1:1 ratio, allowing them to participate in governance votes within the ecosystem or delegate their tokens to different validators for additional rewards.

Builders and Contributors: Builders and contributors can engage with the Sonic Partner Innovation Network (SPIN) and the Sonic Accelerator Program to receive ecosystem support and collaborate on developing high-quality games, infrastructure tools, or other components that support ecosystem growth.

Users and Community: They can participate in interactive experiences within ecosystem projects. Through Sonic’s activities, users can earn reward points that can be exchanged for tokens or other ecosystem rewards.

So, what opportunities are currently available for users to earn token rewards? On September 16, Sonic will launch an event called the HyperFuse Guardian Node sale (visit here). This sale will feature 50,000 NFTs representing the rights to run nodes within Sonic’s HyperGrid network.

Each NFT represents the operational rights of a Guardian Node, with different levels of NFTs corresponding to varying node weights and reward proportions.

First, it’s important to understand what running a HyperFuse Guardian Node entails. Within HyperGrid, Guardian Nodes play a crucial role in maintaining the normal operation of the network. Their primary responsibilities include monitoring network transactions and state transitions, detecting anomalies, validating the correctness of the state submitted to Solana by the HyperGrid Shared State Network (HSSN), and ensuring that all operations within the Grids rollup meet security standards.

You can think of them as “validator nodes” in simpler terms.

Notably, even if users lack the technical ability to operate a node, they can still purchase an NFT and delegate it to other operators, thereby participating in the network and earning rewards.

Additionally, the barrier to running a node is quite low; a minimum of just a web browser is needed to operate a lightweight node.

Thus, participating in the HyperFuse Guardian Node operations not only helps maintain network security but also offers potential economic returns.

Token Rewards: The project allocates 10% of its tokens for rewards, with 9% designated for node operation rewards and 1% for network expansion rewards, such as referrals and invitations (details on unlocking rules for different rewards are outlined below).

In terms of specific rules, Sonic has divided the presale of the node NFTs into three phases:

Lottery Phase: September 16, 2024, 13:00 UTC (lasting 24 hours)

Whitelist Sale: September 18, 2024, 13:00 UTC (lasting 24 hours)

Public Sale: Begins on September 19, 2024, 13:00 UTC

Different nodes will use a dynamic pricing mechanism, with individual prices ranging from $155 to $554. Purchases can be made using SOL, USDT, or USDC on the Solana network. Each tier of NFT has different purchase limits to ensure broader community participation.

It’s worth mentioning that the initial price for these node NFTs is relatively low, starting at $155, which is not considered expensive; additionally, 70% of the nodes are priced under $300.

In terms of tiering, Level 1 nodes (the cheapest) will be sold using a Fair Launch model, making participation relatively equitable for most players. This lower price point will undoubtedly attract significant interest, so interested players should prepare to participate on the 16th.

Levels 2 to 8 nodes will only be available for whitelist holders, with prices ranging from $166 to $248. Whitelist access can be obtained through the Odyssey activities on the testnet and from partner communities.

Known partner communities include MadLads, Solayer, Send, MonkeDAO, and other prominent communities within the Solana ecosystem, as well as broader crypto communities.

Interested players can check here for more details on specific rules.

From a valuation perspective, the node presale is good news for the community and retail investors, as some nodes are offered at lower costs than during VC funding rounds. In the first batch of 30% of node sales, the fully diluted valuation (FDV) remains below $100 million, lower than the previous VC round valuation. This means early participants have the opportunity to enter the project at a relatively favorable price, gaining potential for appreciation.

We can see that nodes are also adopting a tiered pricing strategy. Early participants can acquire nodes at lower prices, while prices gradually increase as the sales progress. This not only rewards early supporters but also provides participation opportunities for investors with varying budgets, helping to expand the community base.

Conclusion

\
The Game Summer for Solana has yet to arrive, but the trailblazers paving the way for it are certainly worth attention.

Sonic’s strong resource connectivity, tailored products, and proactive initiatives are creating new avenues for existing liquidity and attention. Whether they’re experienced yield hunters, casual gamers, or game developers, user-friendly projects with high potential are poised to capture market interest.

However, the sustainability of this appeal will hinge on Sonic’s ability to operate effectively and continue evolving - just like a river that strives to lead and flows endlessly. Adapting to the shifting market dynamics while enhancing its offerings will be key to ensuring the long-term success of Web3 projects.

Disclaimer：

1. This article is reprinted from [TechFlow]. All copyrights belong to the original author [TechFlow]. If there are objections to this reprint, please contact the Gate Learn team, and they will handle it promptly.
2. Liability Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not constitute any investment advice.
3. Translations of the article into other languages are done by the Gate Learn team. Unless mentioned, copying, distributing, or plagiarizing the translated articles is prohibited.