Preface
The Zytron engine plays an important role in the Zypher Network ecosystem, providing developers with a sovereign and customizable Layer3 Rollup infrastructure, matched with a ZK engine that features a general zero-knowledge protocol template. With the collaboration of the Zytron engine and off-chain distributed computing networks, it can provide perfect support for game operations in a decentralized manner, no longer relying on centralized servers, thus achieving serverless or server abstraction processing.
Blockchain games represent a new trend, but the existing industry infrastructure is insufficiently designed to support games running entirely on-chain. A compromise solution is Web2.5, where game logic is placed on centralized servers to ensure a better experience for players, while economic models, smart contracts, and other elements are placed on-chain. The operation of the game requires constant communication between these two parts, which also leads to certain limitations in trust, security, and operational efficiency.
In this context, Zypher Network has taken the lead in launching a server abstraction solution based on a series of technologies such as ZKP, modularization, and Layer3.
In this solution, the Zytron engine plays an important role in the Zypher Network ecosystem, providing developers with a sovereign and customizable Layer3 Rollup infrastructure, matched with a ZK engine that features a general zero-knowledge protocol template. With the collaboration of the Zytron engine and off-chain distributed computing networks, it can provide perfect support for game operations in a decentralized manner, no longer relying on centralized servers, thus achieving serverless or server abstraction processing.
Overall, Zypher Network not only significantly lowers the threshold for developers to develop and migrate games on-chain but also provides secure, reliable, and efficient support for game operations in a decentralized manner.
Currently, Zypher Network has launched the Layer3 pre-mainnet of the Zytron engine based on the Layer2 network Linea, indicating that the Zypher Network game engine system will fully commence operations.
Zytron Engine: Modular, Customizable Sovereign Layer3 Stack
Before introducing the Zytron engine, let's briefly explain the concepts of Layer3 and modular blockchain.
Layer3 and Modular Narrative
In fact, Layer2 is typically a non-sovereign chain built around Layer1, primarily existing to scale Layer1. For example, in the Ethereum ecosystem, hundreds of Layer2 networks such as OP Mainnet, Arbitrum One, Base, and Linea aim to further alleviate the pressure on Ethereum Layer1. Layer2 generally aspires to be the application layer of the Ethereum ecosystem, meaning applications are deployed on Layer2, transactions occur on Layer2, but the final transaction validation returns to the Ethereum Layer1 mainnet, while these Layer2s rely on the security and finality of Ethereum Layer1.
So why do we need Layer3?
In essence, Layer2 is a form of a public chain, where all developers can build applications on Layer2. Although different Layer2s adopt various technical solutions to enhance performance, the fact that all transactions occur on Layer2 still implies a certain burden. Layer3, on the other hand, is positioned as a dedicated application layer. For instance, if I want to create a game, I can launch a customized Rollup layer specifically for that game, or a directed App Chain, which can avoid interference from other applications. The relationship between Layer3 and Layer2 is similar to that between Layer2 and Layer1, obtaining support for security and finality from the layer above.
A previous research article by Coinbase on Layer3 indicated that operating a Layer3 could reduce operational costs by about 1000 times compared to independently running a Layer1 or Layer2. It stated that the annual cost of operating a Layer2 is approximately in the 7-8 digit dollar range, while operating a Layer3 chain typically only requires $25,000 to $50,000. Therefore, establishing an App Chain using Layer2, as seen with some previous on-chain derivative protocols like dYdX and Perpetual Protocol, is no longer a wise choice, and Layer3 may represent a new trend.
The low cost of Layer3 is partly due to the modular solution. Layer3 offers better flexibility compared to Layer2, allowing for modular plug-and-play selection of different layers without bearing independent costs. For instance, in most Layer2s, data availability accounts for over 95% of the total cost, while Layer3 can choose DA services externally in a plug-and-play manner, avoiding the need to run a separate DA layer and thus avoiding that cost. Additionally, most Layer3s possess sovereignty, eliminating the need to rely on the layer above in multiple aspects.
This brings us to another concept, the modular narrative mentioned earlier.
The modular narrative is easier to understand. We can compare a traditional chain to a computer where all components are welded together. This computer typically has components that are difficult to replace, requiring significant upgrades to implement new functions and constantly seeking external solutions, such as in the Ethereum ecosystem. In contrast, modularity represents a new chain approach where all parts are pluggable and combinable. Various components of the chain can be selectively replaced, such as choosing Celestia for the DA layer, integrating verification into EnginLayer, and selecting different Layer2s for the settlement layer at any time. When the network wants to achieve functional upgrades or expansions, it can plug and play to replace these layers, such as swapping Celestia for Polygon Avail, without requiring major upgrades.
Therefore, if we understand the concepts of Layer3 and modular blockchain, we will gain a new perspective on the Zytron engine.
Zytron Engine
1. Development and Deployment
Firstly, the Zytron engine supports developers in customizing the Layer3 layer through its underlying stack, which can be considered an APP Layer3 Chain dedicated to a specific game. This chain or Rollup specifically serves a single game. The way to create Layer3 is modular, meaning you can choose different modules in a plug-and-play manner based on the characteristics of your game. Currently, the Zytron engine defaults to using Celestia as the DA, while the settlement layer and security are primarily sourced from Linea Layer2 (the current mainnet is on Linea, and new mainnets will be launched on more Layer2s in the future).
On the other hand, you can not only launch your Layer3 Chain in a modular way through the Zytron engine, but the Zytron engine also provides a series of plug-and-play tool components, including: basic hashing, elliptic curve encryption, masking, shuffling, and other small tools; SDK for application-specific circuits; a series of on-chain validators, etc. Based on these components, developers can achieve pluggable ZK functions, tool and circuit composability, and third-party DSL/ZKVM integration, among others.
With this, developers can build autonomous worlds, small strategy games, or migrate AAA games to their Layer3 chain at the lowest cost and without a steep learning curve, while retaining production-grade UE. Even if developers are not very familiar with ZKP, they can still achieve rapid development based on a series of tool components or migrate existing games with low barriers.
Currently, with the help of the Zytron engine, developers can also further deploy games on TON (especially suitable for some mini-games) and use Telegram as an entry point to capture users from the Telegram market at a low threshold and on a large scale.
2. How to Ensure Efficient Game Operations?
On the other hand, the game itself is deployed on-chain, specifically within the ZK circuits of the Zytron engine, so the game logic runs entirely on-chain. How can we ensure smooth game operations?
l Combination of On-chain and Off-chain
Firstly, games running in the Zypher Network do not generate transactions for every game action and validate them individually as before. Instead, they aggregate the action logs generated by some continuous game behaviors into a ZK proof. Within a certain period, these game actions (each representing a transaction) are aggregated into a single ZKP proof. The process of generating the ZK proof occurs in an off-chain distributed computing network, implemented by off-chain nodes, and ultimately multiple proofs are submitted to the chain as a single transaction. This method not only significantly reduces gas fees (even achieving 0 gas) but also ensures a seamless gaming experience for players in some PvE game deployments.
In other words, Zypher Network has detached the most resource-intensive and complex ZK proof generation from the Zytron engine, greatly reducing the on-chain load. This approach allows for parallel generation of ZK proofs, making it scalable and efficient, driven by an economic model with reward and penalty mechanisms.
l Optimized Precompiled Contracts and P2P Node Network
At the same time, Zytron not only provides some precompiled contracts but also executes contracts by sharding the data services of chain nodes. Sharding technology allows contract execution to occur simultaneously across multiple nodes, thus significantly improving processing efficiency and reducing latency.
More specifically, on-chain nodes are connected through a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. This network is specifically used for contract verification, ensuring that nodes can communicate directly and efficiently. The benefit of using a P2P network is that it reduces intermediate transmission steps, making data transfer faster. Additionally, communication and address localization between nodes utilize the Kademlia algorithm (an efficient distributed hash table DHT algorithm), whose structured design allows nodes to find and contact other nodes more quickly and accurately.
In execution, Zytron also shards the contract execution process based on the distance rules defined in the Kademlia algorithm. This means that different parts of the contract are assigned to different network nodes for execution based on the distance between nodes. This distance-based allocation helps evenly distribute the computational load within the Zytron network, thereby improving the overall speed and efficiency of the system.
l Database
To further enhance data processing efficiency, the Zytron engine integrates more user-friendly relational databases and caching databases, optimizing the database further to significantly improve the data processing efficiency of game operations.
l Integration with EnginLayer
In addition to the designs mentioned above, the Zytron engine has also modularly integrated with EigenLayer and deployed the AVS computing layer. Developers can integrate this service into their Layer3 APP Chain, significantly lowering the PoS threshold in games, enhancing security, and improving game operational efficiency.
Currently, the processing speed of Zytron's zk-SNARK stack is over 10 times faster than any Layer2, with gas costs being over 200 times lower. Meanwhile, all players can earn Zero Gas SBT through games and activities, ensuring a smooth gaming experience (0 gas). Zytron also supports the Telegram Mini App (TMA) interface, allowing game applications to increase user acquisition rates through hyper-casual games and Web3 native financial tools.
Moreover, with the help of precompiled contracts, developers can efficiently handle resource-intensive tasks such as cryptographic operations.
Here are some specific details about the Zytron engine Layer3 mainnet:
Conclusion
Based on the Zytron engine, Zypher Network is paving the way for the next stage of development in the blockchain gaming sector. On one hand, it supports developers in low-threshold deployment and migration of games based on a complete set of ZK solutions and toolkits, establishing a dedicated gaming infrastructure in a modular, Layer3 manner. On the other hand, through the server abstraction solution, game operations no longer rely on centralized servers, while ensuring decentralization, efficiency, and security, providing players with an excellent gaming experience.
Moreover, elements such as game logic, token economic models, and smart contracts are no longer fragmented or parallel; through a new dynamic combination, they are expected to make games more vibrant and creative. Even AAA games with complex game logic can be deployed and run perfectly in the form of blockchain games.
The Web2.5 form of blockchain games is an unsustainable state, and the transition from Web2.5 to Web3 is an inevitable trend in the development of blockchain games. Zypher Network is becoming an indispensable catalyst in this process and is leading this trend.