Episode 97 - Ready Player Corn

In COPICafe Episode 97 titled "Ready Player Corn", the hosts Josh Jones and Rob Greig discuss upcoming features in their MMO project, Cornucopias.

They cover the release of node NFTs and registration, updates to the rewards system, the upcoming build with leaderboards and tournaments, and development of the player deck and progression system.

Special guest Natalia, a character artist, joins to share insights into outfits, hairstyles, and customization. The team also highlights their integration of Web3 technology for asset ownership and accessibility to both mainstream and blockchain gamers.

00:00:00 Introduction to Cornucopias and its floating islands. The hosts outline topics: nodes, new builds, land dock, and player deck. Mention of a special guest and possible leaks. Community voting continues weekly. Nodes are scheduled to go live on Monday.

00:05:00 Discussion of upcoming NFT release and node registration. Registration must be completed by end of July to qualify for rewards. Users can check status and rewards via the updated website.

00:10:00 Explanation of the rewards system. Node rewards are tied to ownership on the 31st of each month. Selling a node before that transfers rewards to the new owner. Multiple node pools per machine are being tested. A VPS service and public pools are being considered.

00:15:00 Preview of the new build, releasing second week of July. Features include leaderboards for racing and holocaches, competitive tournaments, bug fixes, and API communication. Infrastructure scaling and server deployment tests will follow. Potential Esports league launch hinted.

00:20:00 Discussion of the land deck and balancing expectations of Web3 vs. mainstream gamers. Emphasis on community entertainment and upcoming player-side information releases.

00:25:00 Development of the player deck and progression system. Skill trees for fishing, mining, and farming allow gradual progression. Land and its assets remain NFTs even when sold. Focus on organic growth through tournaments leading to 2025.

00:30:00 Explanation of seasonal progression: four 13-week cycles aligning with real-world seasons. Seasons affect fishing, crops, and challenges. At season’s end, top players earn NFT rewards (outfits, vehicles, tools). Competitions such as racing and fishing leagues are included.

00:35:00 Integration of Web3 technology for asset ownership, rentals, and transfers. Tools are being built for seamless onboarding of casual and hardcore gamers. Plans for land ownership, education tools, and mobile/web versions.

00:40:00 Introduction of Natalia, character artist. She shares her journey from freelance VR chat avatars to Cornucopias, where she’s worked for two years on outfits and sets. Current projects include a casual outfit, with past works like mining outfits. Collaboration with David ensures lore accuracy.

00:45:00 Natalia and the team discuss outfits and hairstyles: fishing, mining, racing outfits, and styles like faux hawks, ponytails, bull cuts, and bobs. Variations in curliness and texture add depth. Tools include Unreal Engine 5 and Blender. Facial hair presets teased.

00:50:00 Introduction of material cards for outfits. Players can change materials and textures for more customization. Additional hair types and accessories like glasses and hats are in development. Avatar creator iteration two expands customization with sliders and advanced functions.

00:55:00 Excitement for the new customization feature: textures and color changes for entire outfits. Release planned for Q3 July. Natalia is thanked for her contributions to Cornucopias and the community.