DevLog250313

Journal Entry: 250313 - Web3 Decentralized Metaverse Sandbox

Project: Web3 Decentralized Metaverse Sandbox

Objective

I am building a full-stack Web3 decentralized metaverse sandbox, where users can experience an NFT gallery for socializing, buy virtual land, and build custom business spaces. This project aims to create a decentralized, user-owned environment that integrates blockchain, NFT-based land ownership, and immersive 3D interactions.

Current Focus

I am researching the best way to derive a tech stack for this project. My focus is on selecting frameworks, blockchain layers, and infrastructure that will allow for scalability, low-cost transactions, and decentralized hosting. This research will guide the next steps in development.

Core Features to Implement

1. NFT Gallery Experience – Users can visit, explore, and interact with NFTs in a virtual space.
2. Tokenized Land Ownership – Virtual land will be represented as NFTs that can be bought, sold, or leased.
3. Business Space Customization – Users can build digital shops, studios, and offices.
4. Web3 Wallet Authentication – MetaMask and WalletConnect for seamless login.
5. Decentralized Storage – Using IPFS or Arweave for NFT assets and metadata.
6. Social Interactions – Voice, chat, and live events.

Tech Stack Considerations

Frontend (3D Interface & User Interaction)

• Three.js or Babylon.js for browser-based 3D rendering.
• WebXR for potential VR expansion.
• React.js or Next.js for UI components.

Smart Contracts & Blockchain Integration

• Ethereum (Layer 2 - Polygon or Arbitrum) for low-cost transactions.
• ERC-721/ERC-1155 for NFT-based land and assets.
• OpenZeppelin Libraries for contract security.

Backend & Storage

• Node.js + Express or Rust-based backend for Web3 interactions.
• IPFS/Arweave for decentralized storage.
• GraphQL or The Graph for querying blockchain data.

Social & Communication

• WebRTC for voice and video chat.
• Livepeer for decentralized streaming.
• GPT-4 AI NPCs for interactive experiences.

Next Steps

• Finalize the core tech stack based on feasibility and scalability.
• Research smart contract security best practices to prevent vulnerabilities.
• Experiment with Three.js and Web3 wallet integration for initial prototype.
• Investigate decentralized hosting options to avoid reliance on Web2 infrastructure.

Challenges to Solve

• Choosing a blockchain that balances low fees and decentralization.
• Ensuring fast load times and smooth 3D rendering in browsers.
• Making NFT land interactions gas-efficient and user-friendly.

Developer Notes

This log serves as a technical roadmap for the project’s initial research phase. The next few weeks will be dedicated to tech stack finalization, contract design, and 3D rendering tests. More detailed development logs will follow as components come together.

Devlog 250313: Alchemy Setup and Polygon Amoy Testnet Challenges

What Happened

• Alchemy setup was successful. Connected to the Polygon Amoy testnet, verified RPC settings, and confirmed everything was working.
  
• Hit the “must have 0.001 POL on Polygon PoS” issue. The Amoy faucet refused to send testnet POL unless the account already held mainnet POL, leading to the next challenge.
  
• Tried bridging funds. Sent WETH from Coinbase Wallet, expecting a simple transfer to MetaMask, but it turned into a gas-fee nightmare.
  
• No way to move WETH without MATIC. Couldn’t send or swap anything because there wasn’t enough MATIC to cover gas fees.
  
• Bought MATIC through MetaMask (via Coinbase Pay). Expected an instant transfer, but it never appeared in MetaMask or Polygonscan, leading to another dead end.

Frustrations & Takeaways

• Spending more on gas fees than the token’s actual worth is infuriating. A $2 transaction quickly turns into a $5 problem.
  
• Bridging and swapping funds feels unnecessarily complex. The gas-to-move-gas dependency is frustrating, forcing users to spend more just to get started.
  
• Testnets requiring mainnet tokens defeats the purpose. The goal is to experiment, yet the system forces users to hold real assets first.
  
• Still no idea where the MATIC from MetaMask’s Coinbase integration went. It’s not in MetaMask, not on Polygonscan, and there’s no clear way to track it down.

Next Steps

1. Investigate the missing MATIC purchase. If it never processed, look into an alternative method for acquiring testnet funds.
   
2. If MATIC arrives, use just enough for gas fees to move the WETH to MetaMask.
   
3. Once gas fees are covered, swap WETH for MATIC or POL (whichever is needed to proceed).
   
4. Resume the main goal: deploying the contract on Amoy without running out of funds.

Biggest Issue Right Now

Having assets trapped with no way to move them is a serious usability problem. This experience highlights why people get frustrated with crypto onboarding. If the next session happens, the primary goal will be securing even the smallest amount of working funds on Polygon PoS and finally deploying the contract.