Thank you for taking the time to provide your insights. While I agree with some of your points, I believe there's more to consider regarding blockchain technology.
Block chain is not a database it's a ledger a journal, databases also have journals.
Reverting changes to the block chain is impossible, that's the nature of it. Say someone found a way to get the server to issue to them extra items or Tria. To remove this, another operation has to be added of taking the items away, that's then added to the chain, bloating it in size. It's time consuming, slow and inefficient.
While blockchain is not a traditional database, it is a type of distributed database designed to function as a decentralized ledger. Blockchain technologies are continuously evolving to improve efficiency and scalability. For example, TON has been tested and proven to process 104,715 transactions per second.
For example, lets go with the idea you want to put the Tria players have into a chain. It will very quickly end in a single transaction taking 5-10 seconds to process. Do you want to be stuck with a spinner on screen waiting for that? No, that's going to make you never touch it again. I know the argument will be, "well the server can do that in the background". Sure it can, but memory consumption is a pain for MMO's already... and you want to add more to that? 
You raise valid concerns about practical implementation in high-demand environments like MMOs. Some blockchains, like Bitcoin, can have slow transaction times, while others, like TON, Solana, and Avalanche, can handle transactions in sub-seconds. Choosing the right blockchain technology based on the application's requirements is crucial. While memory consumption is a valid concern, workarounds and optimizations are available.
I shall skip the issue of storage space for the chain.
To keep the blockchain size manageable, there are strategies to mitigate this, such as pruning, sharding, and layer 2 solutions. Again, this is a valid concern but not without solutions.
I get this was brought up for decentralisation... why? What's the point/need? If you decentralise it, it has to get the latest blocks from all the nodes, and hope it can get a proper consensus from them all regarding the state of the chain.
Decentralizing an MMORPG can boost security, fairness, and protection against tampering. Modern methods ensure game data is consistent and updates quickly across servers, but careful implementation is needed to manage complexity and resource use. Your concern about necessity is valid, and it's crucial to assess whether decentralization's benefits outweigh the complexity in each specific case.
Next issue, server restarts.
Originally the entire chain had to be processed, again slow, cumbersome, memory, disk and CPU intensive.
Modern blockchains use databases to read the chain's current state, which helps mitigate some of these issues. Checkpoints or snapshots can also make server restarts more efficient. While these solutions add some complexity, they are necessary to overcome the challenges faced in blockchain implementations.
A database can be decentralised, replicated and is already super efficient, why add more unnecessary complexity to this? All I see is a bunch of people jumping onto a trendy shiny new word, not looking at the full implications of trying to use a journaling system as a database.
Traditional databases are indeed efficient and can be decentralized. Blockchain adds complexity but offers extra security, trust, and transparency. These features can be very important in an MMORPG, even though it’s more complex to implement.
And now to answer all the suggested uses...
Why would a player want to sell the item to a different game?
If they want to sell that Healing Potion they can trade it in-game to another player.
I understand that in-game trading is convenient. However, blockchain-based ownership offers players true ownership, cross-game compatibility, and the ability to trade assets for real-world value. This can enhance the gaming experience and provide long-term value for their investments in the game.
No they don't, all a blockchain proves is something was done (work complete). The weak point is and always is the server/client machine, if you get hacked your stuff can get stolen. Which can be looked at in the database and reverted.
While it's true that server/client machines can be vulnerable, blockchain enhances security by providing an immutable and transparent record of transactions. This helps protect the integrity of in-game transactions and ensures that any corrections are traceable and transparent. Combining blockchain with other security measures can further enhance overall security.
Again, that's not what blockchain is... that's just a report Talad could pull from the database using some basic SQL statements.
Traditional databases are indeed efficient and capable of handling many of these tasks. However, the added benefits of blockchain in terms of security, transparency, and trust can be worth the extra complexity, especially in contexts where these factors are critical.
I... what? Just make a suggestion in Discord and vote on it, why make this complicated? All blockchain would do is show "Vote for yes... +1, Vote for no +1". Decentralised? Great now merge the two and and tally it...
I get that efficiency is your main concern and that using Discord for voting is simple and straightforward. However, blockchain can offer enhanced security, transparency, and trust, which might be valuable in creating a more democratic and fair governance system for the game.
Congratulations player! you won 100 Tria, please enter your 512 bit key so we can spend the next 10 seconds trying to give it to you... No, it does not, it does nothing of the sort.
Again, I understand that your main concern is efficiency and that traditional methods of distributing rewards are simple and effective. However, blockchain can introduce new features like automated rewards, enhanced security, and cross-platform usability, which can offer additional benefits to the reward system.
No, it really doesn't, for those example dumpster fires, it means each player needs to have a private key/wallet and ethereum to do any "trading"
I understand that efficiency and ease of use are essential and that blockchain technology presents some challenges. However, it's important to note that the technology is rapidly evolving. Developers are constantly improving blockchain to make it faster, cheaper, and easier to use. This means that many current issues, like high transaction fees and complex interfaces, are being addressed. For example, integrating user-friendly wallet solutions can make it much simpler for players to manage their assets. These innovations can help PlaneShift stand out in the crowded MMORPG market. Offering something new and valuable can draw more players and keep them interested in the long run.
Please learn what things are before jumping onto the "I'm using the latest buzz word tech, so it must be good" band wagon...
Block chain adds NOTHING to Planeshift and many other projects it's used in.
I acknowledge that PlaneShift might not need blockchain to succeed and that traditional databases are efficient and effective. However, exploring blockchain’s potential benefits can open up new possibilities and innovations that might enhance the player experience and set the game apart in the competitive MMORPG market.
Thank you for your insights and for highlighting these important considerations. Your feedback helps ensure we make informed and thoughtful decisions about the technologies we implement. I'm here to learn from others like you.
