Episode 95 - Sink Holes!

In COPICafe Episode 95 titled "Sink Holes!", hosts Josh Jones and Rob Greig share the latest updates in Cornucopias, including the launch of the nodes reward calculator, improvements in the build process, and new land rewards systems.

The team introduces Catherine, a new environment artist, who discusses her work on sinkholes, points of interest, and creating realistic, immersive landscapes in Solace.

00:00:00 Introduction to Cornucopias’ floating islands and unique environments. The team unveils the nodes reward calculator, built with ChatGPT, which shows daily and annual rewards based on the number of nodes sold. Updates to the build process are also mentioned, followed by a special guest Q&A.

00:05:00 Deep dive into the node calculator. Rewards:

• 26M COPI allocated in year one for node operators.
• Up to 4 delegates per node, each earning 1 COPI/day.
• Early registrants in July receive full rewards from launch.
  NFT delivery begins July 1, 2024, with rewards tied to ownership at month’s end.

00:10:00 The team implements automated builds, eliminating manual processes and boosting efficiency. Work continues on the Land Rewards Deck to outline infrastructure earnings for landowners. Infrastructure tests with Amazon Web Services improve hosting and scaling reliability.

00:15:00 Progress on hand-placing 8,000 of 24,000 Solace land plots. Introduction of Catherine, an environment artist from Quebec with Disney experience, who brings fresh creative vision to the team.

00:20:00 Catherine highlights her passion for survival and open-world games, which inspires her design philosophy of creating discoverable moments. She values Cornucopias’ forward pipeline, improved workflows, and team diversity.

00:25:00 Catherine’s work on sinkholes: hidden entrances, tunnels, and elements of surprise to enhance exploration. She uses real-life references and her photographic memory to create realistic designs.

00:30:00 Expansion of points of interest like caves, hidden views, and geological features inspired by nature. Use of Unreal Engine’s weather and day-night cycle deepens immersion.

00:35:00 Realistic visuals such as foggy weather, tree roots, and fallen logs enhance atmosphere. Stories from Colorado fly fishing trips inspire immersive mood design. The team praises Cornucopias’ positive culture and passion.

00:40:00 Catherine shares her positive family-oriented work experience at Cornucopias, noting strong communication and trust within the team. Updates on the node rewards dashboard and the importance of registration for eligibility are provided.

00:45:00 The team confirms an upcoming pause in node sales to focus on delivering NFTs and rewards. Community involvement will increase, with new team members and external speakers joining future COPICafe episodes.