Dogeparty Runner XDPR (2014) | The History
Dogeparty Runner (XDPR) was designed as a weekly game of cyber hunt that used blockchain assets for gameplay tokens. XDPR tested a player's problem-solving skills to track down random facts on the internet. The concept of leveraging digital assets as virtual game pieces between a decentralized network of players fueled a frenzy-induced Web3 land grab in 2021. However, in 2014, when Dogeparty Runner went live with the inaugural game, it was a crazy idea.
The creation of Paul Schmitzer, aka LiteBit, Dogeparty Runner used a simple WordPress website as the primary user interface (UI) between the game host and the players; affectionately referred to as the "GameMaster" and the "Runners," respectively. While elementary, the UI console was intentionally designed to allow players to remain pseudo-anonymous while transmitting messages to advance through XDPR's daily challenges.
The innovation of Dogeparty Runner was the integration of digital assets (game tokens) on a blockchain with virtual gameplay. XDPR game tokens were fueled by Dogeparty (XDP), hence the namesake, and used mainly four (RUNNER, HINTS, CLUES, and PRIZES) in the alpha, proof-of-concept (POC) version.
The games only ran for one week due to a lack of players and interest—a fun fact: the first game with XDP tokens occurred during the Dogeparty burn period. Dogeparty Runner was competing with exposure with many early blockchain asset pioneers and ultimately was shelved despite a successful week of gameplay between five Runners. The one-and-only victor who completed each day's problems still has the 10 PRIZES tokens, representing their win, in their wallet.
Dogeparty Runner game assets
(name, block height, timestamp):
- RUNNER (alpha, POC) | Block 338058 | 2014-08-15
- CLUES (alpha, POC) | Block 338121 | 2014-08-15
- HINTS (alpha, POC) | Block 341072 | 2014-08-18
- TRADEIN (beta) | Block 342371 | 2014-08-19
- VICTOR (beta) | Block 345396 | 2014-08-21
- CLAIMS (beta) | Block 345398 | 2014-08-21
- PRIZES (alpha, POC) | Block 345937 | 2014-08-22
For historic pedigree and validation
(name, block height, timestamp):
- Dragon's Tale (BTC) | eGenesis MMORPG | mid-2011
- SaruTobi (BTC) | MandelDuck | late 2013
- Counterparty (XCP) | Block 278270 (genesis) | 2014-01-02
- "Web 3.0" definition | Gavin Wood | 2014-04-17
- Dogeparty (XDP) | Block 335645 (genesis) | 2014-08-13
- XDPR inaugural game | Block 356760 (entry) | 2014-08-30
- FDCARD (SOG) | Block 347172 | 2015-03-11
- Ethereum (ETH) | Block 0 (genesis) | 2015-07-30
- NINJASUIT (SaruTobi) | Block 410479 | 2016-05-06
- RAREPEPE (XCP) | Block 428919 | 2016-09-09
XDPR games were designed to last one week. Every day a new problem dropped, and Runners could request clues/hints, if needed, to help solve the problem. Runners who successfully found the answers earned a collection of prize tokens. Prize tokens were akin to entry tickets for a raffle at the end of the month.
The helpful feedback provided by the first players brought some refinement to Dogeparty Runner's gameplay. While a second game never commenced, the original gameplay summary is archived on the vintage game site and the original announcement thread on the Bitcoin Forum.
The first prize from the first Dogeparty Runner game was a Gridseed Mini ASIC miner! Runners could also earn random tokens on Dogeparty for every correct answer. The REDDIT token sponsored the inaugural XDPR game, and players received 100,000 REDDIT for each correct answer. These daily prizes were usually donated and gave token creators a great way to distribute them to the community.
LiteBit built intrinsic value into each XDPR asset, so they had a purpose within the gameplay and potential value outside the game, for example, on the native Dogeparty decentralized exchange (DEX). While Runners need the tokens to progress through each day's problem, the DEX provided a side strategy for players holding unused Dogeparty Runner tokens.
For example, a player may end up with surplus game tokens by solving challenges fast, or a player may need more game tokens to solve a complex problem. Viola, an open market is formed!
Liquidity for each XDPR asset created value for each outside the game. Runners needing extra HINTS could buy more on the DEX. Runners who didn't win the weekly prize could still come out ahead if they exchanged unused Dogeparty Runner tokens on the DEX.
During any point of the gameplay, XDPR game tokens are tradeable between players. The best players will leverage their game tokens to maximize their rewards. An open market for digital game assets - trustless transactions - is one of the innovations fueling the hype surrounding Web3 development today - 8 years later.
