When we launched the Spells of Genesis token sale in the summer of 2015, the roadmap was ambitious. Among the final milestones we promised to our contributors: enabling players to create their own levels, their own characters as digital assets, and trade them freely.

The idea was revolutionary at the time. Nobody was talking about "play-to-earn" or "user-generated content" in blockchain gaming blockchain gaming didn't exist yet. But in my mind, this was the core of the whole proposition: turning players into co-creators.

What Actually Happened

The game launched in 2017 with a solid collection, fusion and combat system. Cards could be tokenized on Bitcoin. That alone was a world first. But the guild system remained basic, and most importantly, User Generated Content never shipped.

Not in 2017. Not in 2018. Not in 2020. Not in 2023.

Why?

I wrote about this on Paragraph in April 2023, and I'll say it again here with the same honesty:

"Ironically, the aspect I consider most important — transforming players into co-creators — has not been realized, even in 2023."

Two main reasons:

1. Traditional gaming expertise as a blind spot. The game designers we hired for Spells of Genesis were highly experienced in traditional gaming. But in 2015, there was no other Web3 game to reference. They naturally relied on proven formulas: collection loops, progression systems, level design. UGC is complex to manage and can disrupt the original creative process. It got deprioritized.

2. The pressure to deliver. With 934 BTC raised under multi-signature escrow and milestones to validate in front of three judges, the priority was shipping a working game. Innovative but risky features — like UGC — were sacrificed in favor of stability.

Why This Matters

This regret isn't anecdotal. For me, UGC isn't a feature among others it's the promise of Web3.

My reasoning rests on a simple comparison:

- Web1: people read (static pages)

- Web2: people express themselves (social media, YouTube — a 10-year-old can have more visibility than a national TV network)

- Web3: people own and co-create (blockchain + decentralized ownership)

The real power of Web3 compared to Web2 is the transformation of consumers into what I call consume-creators.

Picture this: an artist in Singapore creates an illustration, an animator in Brazil brings it to life, a game designer in France integrates it into a level. Each one gets paid automatically. The result is a collective work where creativity from people around the world combines and every contributor retains ownership of their part.

I see this model as the future of DAOs and play-to-earn: a company initiates a project, but the real value is added by the community.

The Lesson

I should have pushed harder on UGC. Simple as that.

Now in 2026, this philosophy runs through everything we do at EverdreamSoft. ORBital integrates accessible minting tools for everyone. Our vision of an ecosystem where users aren't just buyers but active participants is at the heart of our strategy. And the ORB Rating System I developed evaluating digital assets on immutability, ownability and longevity was born directly from the belief that if people are going to create and own, they need proper tools to evaluate what they hold.

Eight years late. But the conviction hasn't moved an inch.

---

Past References: The Future of Blockchain: Co-Creation and the Democratization of Content](https://paragraph.com/@shaame/the-future-of-blockchain-co-creation-and-the-democratization-of-content-2) (Paragraph, 2023), [Exclusive interview with Play-to-Earn pioneer Shaban Shaame](https://financefeeds.com/exclusive-interview-with-play-to-earn-pioneer-shaban-shaame-on-gaming-and-nfts/) (FinanceFeeds, 2022), [Against All Odds: How We Managed to Crowdfund 300,000 USD](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/against-all-odds-how-we-managed-to-crowdfund-300-000-usd) (Gamasutra, 2016), [NFT Heroes #9: Shaban Shaame](https://nonfungible.com/news/corporate/nft-heroes-08-shaban-shaame-everdreamsoft) (NonFungible.com, 2022)

As the new year unfolds, let us find comfort in the simple truths of nature: Life is more than mere sustenance, and our being transcends the garments we wear. Like birds, effortlessly fed, and lilies, blooming without toil, may we remember our own worth and the path that guides us. In this year, let anxieties give way to trust, as we embrace life's journey with a heart unburdened and a spirit at peace.

Asset

Image Representation:

Author: Shaban Shaame

Token

The token will be issued initially on Ethereum and Polygon in the following contract.

Polygon : 0x9ba25a4303ac7b3eb7fcf312acae25e06e912450

Ethereum : 0xC5526c1285adfb0D97b71Fe9ADb150f21dEeBB3b

The number of tokens issued on two contracts pointing to an IPFS hash will determine the total supply of this asset. The supply will be distributed over three months after the first distribution, and any ORB distributed by other contracts will not represent ownership of the asset. A holder of the asset can create new tokens on a different ledger, as long as the ratio 1:1 is maintained and they can prove that the original token is unspendable or destroyed. The new token metadata must link to this permapage and provide immutable proof to validate the new claim.

This page is designed to be understandable centuries after its publication. This page is intended to describe permanently the story of this ORB or commonly called NFTs.We use the word ORB as Ownership Recorded on Blockchain, as NFT stands for non-fungible tokens, Non-Fungible Token is describing a way to encode data on the blockchain but it can change in the future, it could be wrapped into fungible tokens, fractionalized or a new way in the future. With the word ORB, we want to describe the intention to give provable ownership of a certain asset by writing it on a ledger “blockchain”.

License

The image is formed of the “Modified Moonga” card frame, which is a property of EverdreamSoft. The card frame was used by EverdreamSoft to create one of the first on-blockchain crypto collectible collections with their title Spells of Genesis. EverdreamSoft liaised the frame to the community of creators to create their own content using the card frame.

Source: to be defined in the future

The center image is created by Shaban Shaame with the help of AI (Midjourney) modification text and story by Shaban Shaame.

This ORB is under ORB licence v1

ipfs://bafkreigzbeftljg2ew5zhnvxswc4krsidzova5x4bwmfv6l2goobb46iim

About this page

Current state-of-the-art 2023

Blockchain technology is in its infancy. We can already foresee the power of an immutable ledger for humanity. But the technology is young and not completely defined yet. Our internet browsers are not designed to access decentralized and immutable storage. For this reason, on this page you will find images and resources displayable in our current browsers using mostly HTTP protocol but as well as current working solutions for decentralized and permanent storage.

Immutable Resources

Image IPFS: ipfs://bafybeihinw7xhst6mqxrcqs2relbjd7hewcgxxfrrfr5msd26pdbb7n444

Image Arweave hash:YdozgoYKK1wK4ua_bEbivn0rl_F7yseXy9ZWPhKCvYI

IPFS Metadata backup:

metadata backup Arweave:bHvUslVGMwzf4PRR8wYV3FrOcdYR5wHNaGfWiz_u7uU

With strength and perseverance, we'll reach our destiny. With hope in our hearts and truth in our minds. In the city of love, a new beginning awaits. Through the challenges we know we'll survive, Determined to thrive, to truly come alive

Asset

Image Representation:

Author: Shaban Shaame

Token

The token will be issued initially on Ethereum and Polygon in the following contract.

Polygon : 0x9ba25a4303ac7b3eb7fcf312acae25e06e912450

Ethereum : 0xC5526c1285adfb0D97b71Fe9ADb150f21dEeBB3b

The number of tokens issued on two contracts pointing to an IPFS hash will determine the total supply of this asset. The supply will be distributed over three months after the first distribution, and any ORB distributed by other contracts will not represent ownership of the asset. A holder of the asset can create new tokens on a different ledger, as long as the ratio 1:1 is maintained and they can prove that the original token is unspendable or destroyed. The new token metadata must link to this permapage and provide immutable proof to validate the new claim.

This page is designed to be understandable centuries after its publication. This page is intended to describe permanently the story of this ORB or commonly called NFTs.We use the word ORB as Ownership Recorded on Blockchain, as NFT stands for non-fungible tokens, Non-Fungible Token is describing a way to encode data on the blockchain but it can change in the future, it could be wrapped into fungible tokens, fractionalized or a new way in the future. With the word ORB, we want to describe the intention to give provable ownership of a certain asset by writing it on a ledger “blockchain”.

License

The image is formed of the “Modified Moonga” card frame, which is a property of EverdreamSoft. The card frame was used by EverdreamSoft to create one of the first on-blockchain crypto collectible collections with their title Spells of Genesis. EverdreamSoft liaised the frame to the community of creators to create their own content using the card frame.Source: to be defined in the future

The center image is created by Shaban Shaame with the help of AI (Midjourney) modification text and story by Shaban Shaame.

This ORB is under ORB licence v1

ipfs://bafkreigzbeftljg2ew5zhnvxswc4krsidzova5x4bwmfv6l2goobb46iim

About this page

Current state-of-the-art 2023

Blockchain technology is in its infancy. We can already foresee the power of an immutable ledger for humanity. But the technology is young and not completely defined yet. Our internet browsers are not designed to access decentralized and immutable storage. For this reason, on this page you will find images and resources displayable in our current browsers using mostly HTTP protocol but as well as current working solutions for decentralized and permanent storage.

Immutable Resources

Image IPFS: ipfs://bafybeigclsxw6zorbyyl45e3do6mz2mp5vxyc7tjkraxp4phv6gex3iqkq

Image Arweave hash:hmmytyDZ6tMUusE7COgJB2JLAdqVnmJS_9ynuVUAnAM

IPFS Metadata backup: ipfs://bafkreidgz23usjyxliii72eecexmtz4kwa2nwyunoa3vtfhufugv5gu57u

metadata backup Arweave: 9T4w0kJZ_-NdKOuc8hzZO9uepArsW0r59yspijBevpY

Asset

Image Representation:

Author: Shaban Shaame

Author description: The Lake Zug, under the watchful gaze of the mountains, holds more than water; it mirrors the pulsating energy of a thousand cryptocurrencies. A vibrant dance of etheric lights shimmers across its surface - a visual symphony of the ceaseless transactions, each light a coin, each ripple a blockchain reaction. To these remarkable colleagues, I dedicate this heartfelt tribute and remain forever grateful for the enchanting chapters we authored together.

Token

The token will be issued initially on Ethereum and Polygon in the following contract.

Polygon : 0x9ba25a4303ac7b3eb7fcf312acae25e06e912450

Ethereum : 0xC5526c1285adfb0D97b71Fe9ADb150f21dEeBB3b

The number of tokens issued on two contracts pointing to an IPFS hash will determine the total supply of this asset. The supply will be distributed over three months after the first distribution, and any ORB distributed by other contracts will not represent ownership of the asset. A holder of the asset can create new tokens on a different ledger, as long as the ratio 1:1 is maintained and they can prove that the original token is unspendable or destroyed. The new token metadata must link to this permapage and provide immutable proof to validate the new claim.

This page is designed to be understandable centuries after its publication. This page is intended to describe permanently the story of this ORB or commonly called NFTs.We use the word ORB as Ownership Recorded on Blockchain, as NFT stands for non-fungible tokens, Non-Fungible Token is describing a way to encode data on the blockchain but it can change in the future, it could be wrapped into fungible tokens, fractionalized or a new way in the future. With the word ORB, we want to describe the intention to give provable ownership of a certain asset by writing it on a ledger “blockchain”.

License

The image is formed of the “Modified Moonga” card frame, which is a property of EverdreamSoft. The card frame was used by EverdreamSoft to create one of the first on-blockchain crypto collectible collections with their title Spells of Genesis. EverdreamSoft liaised the frame to the community of creators to create their own content using the card frame.
Source: to be defined in the future

The center image is created by Shaban Shaame with the help of AI (Midjourney) modification text and story by Shaban Shaame.

This ORB is under ORB licence v1

ipfs://bafkreigzbeftljg2ew5zhnvxswc4krsidzova5x4bwmfv6l2goobb46iim

https://arweave.net/dHqWh9UbJkE9bS_mUULuVFS9d1nlZ5toL53zjTZOte0

https://nftstorage.link/ipfs/bafkreigzbeftljg2ew5zhnvxswc4krsidzova5x4bwmfv6l2goobb46iim

About this page

Current state-of-the-art 2023

Blockchain technology is in its infancy. We can already foresee the power of an immutable ledger for humanity. But the technology is young and not completely defined yet. Our internet browsers are not designed to access decentralized and immutable storage. For this reason, on this page you will find images and resources displayable in our current browsers using mostly HTTP protocol but as well as current working solutions for decentralized and permanent storage.

Immutable Resources

Image IPFS: ipfs://bafybeifeqv4boooifmp6dqxsiqnisq47iaqwrjwqj2rbtt4nislongu4gu

Image Arweave hash: D_Cm7E2riVR-Ik1aa-Vwm9wr-YCDcGtCyY4WxSKUMs8  

metadata backup Arweave: OiwgYVDAoIXJKRuDdBznRWTdwnefj_7DmZBqQG2lL84

The Moonbirds images are made available under a CC0 license. This license does not grant any specific rights to the assets, but rather allows anyone to use the asset the way they want it, including the right to create any of the Moonbirds images. This means that anyone can have a genuine NFTs avatar of any Moonbirds, as they are free to be tokenized by anyone. However, one may wonder what the point is of collecting them on the original smart contract. It's not just about the asset, but rather about the token gated club for art lovers. The original smart contract serves as a way to authenticate NFT’s ownership and provides a means for art collectors to show off their collection to other members of the token gated club. By collecting Moonbirds on the original smart contract, art collectors can become part of an exclusive community of like-minded individuals who share a common passion for art.

In the scope of the ORB (Ownership Recorded on Blockchain) Rating, the acronym we use instead of NFT (Non fungible tokens), we are rating the long term holding value of the ORB as well as clarifying the relation between the token and the assets. By choosing a CC0 licence the creators offer a lot of freedom with the assets, but effectively making these assets not scarce. The value lies on owning the token to belong to the club. This preserves value as long as the club is maintained by PROOF, the issuer of the collection.

Immutability

Immutability is one of the key features that makes ORBs unique. It guarantees that the metadata of an ORB cannot be changed, which in turn preserves the integrity of the asset and ensures its value. By making the metadata immutable, ORBs become more secure and reliable, making them perfect for use in a variety of applications, from digital art and collectibles to gaming and virtual real estate. The immutable nature of ORBs also makes them ideal for long-term storage and archiving, as the asset can be trusted to remain unchanged over time. Furthermore, immutability ensures that ORBs can be used as a form of digital proof of ownership, providing a secure and tamper-proof way to transfer and prove ownership of digital assets.

Is ownership fully decentralized ? (2 points)

Yes 2 points

Is the metadata found in decentralized storage (1 point)

Contract metadata URL is pointing to a centralized server

0 points

Is the asset on decentralized storage (1 point)

The asset image is stored on a centralized server. Nevertheless, PROOF recently created created a smart contract rendering the birds in-chain. They are not all referenced yet as it’s the holder's responsibility to store the image and thus pay the cost of storing the data on the ethereum blockchain. I was told that PROOF will eventually store the data themselves in the future. 0.5 points

Ownability

When it comes to ORB ownership, it is important to consider the ownability rating. This rating is a measure of the user's ability to own the ORB and the associated assets. In order to ensure that an ORB owner is properly protected, it is crucial to have clear licensing information about the asset. This information can include details about how the asset can and cannot be used, as well as any restrictions on transfer or sale. By providing information, ORB owners can have greater confidence in their ownership and ensure that their assets are properly protected.

Is ownership fully decentralized ? (3 points)

Yes3 points

Is there a licence agreement ? (1 point)

Yes CC0 1 point

Asset Governance (2 point)

The rules are clear thanks to the CC0 license. However, the very permissive nature of the CC0 license limits asset scarcity by allowing anyone to use the asset image in any way they want. Therefore, owning the original token does not give any specific rights to the asset. 0 points

Clarification on Intellectual Property (2 points)

Yes 2 points

Transportability (1 point)

The licence allows anyone to recreate a bird on any chain. But there is no clarity about the transportability of the rights associated withthe token. 0.5 points

Derivability (2 point)

The licence allows the creation of any derivative work, not only to the token holder but to anyone. We reduce the derivability rating only on the “Ownability” category due to the fact that derivative products are not token related. 1 points

Longevity

The longevity scores how much an ORB’s asset will last over time. In the worst case scenario with a zero score the assets information are at risk to disappear when the issuer stops maintaining the asset storage. So the ORBs might lose all their properties and relation to the assets. We encourage creators to point to decentralised storage systems such as IPFS but also provide redundancy in case data disappears from IPFS to allow, for example anyone to recover the data.

Decentralized redundancy (max 4 points)

IPFS (2 points)

No 0 points

In-Chain (3 points)

There is an inchain storage for the birds. The contract is not bound to the original token contract 2 points.

Arweave (2 points)

No 0 points.

Is there a permastory? (2 points)

No 0 points

Transportability (2 point)

The licence allows anyone to recreate a bird on any chain. But there is no clarity about the transportability of the rights associated to the token. 0.5 points

Derivability (1 point)

The licence allows to create any derivative work, not only to the token holder but to anyone. We reduce the derivability rating only on the “Ownability” category due to the fact that derivative products are not token related. But it keeps full score for longevity. 1 points

Conclusion

The original token contract for Moonbirds relies on a centralized server for its metadata, which presents a risk of potential downtime. However Moonbirds relies more on the token benefits - it's designed to function as a token-gated community.

It would be beneficial for Moonbirds to consider offering more immutable data and crafting a compelling, enduring narrative. This would not only enrich the current experience, but also preserve the patrimony, ensuring that the value of Moonbirds extends beyond the immediate, actively managed phase.

About the rating system

https://mirror.xyz/shaame.eth/88wezV7dTLnCT6ZFOp1IL8sJzM366s44Uh3gvY3loOU

Other reviews

https://mirror.xyz/shaame.eth/aPFiPyutQlTF1BstuvLHAaKT5yKIEww6KlUzJ6T-0lk

https://mirror.xyz/shaame.eth/Aw3v02GHvZ5h5wovk6RMuY8XcUfbB4CYK5hYpDXFr-w

Today, I am reviewing a local initiative related to philately. As I am based in Geneva, Switzerland, I came across the Swiss Post's Official NFTs collection. Philately is often linked to postal services, so I was curious about what they have to offer.

The Swiss Post has introduced a new collection called the Swiss Crypto Stamp 3.0, which is a digital version of the traditional stamp. These stamps are ORBs tokens, more commonly named NFTs, non fungible tokens, but technically they can’t fall into this definition as they are semi-fungible.

The Swiss Crypto Stamp is a great example of how traditional services can be digitized and modernized. It is interesting to see how the Swiss Post has embraced blockchain technology and used it to expand their services.

When I was discussing the use of ORBs (NFTs) and their applications, stamps were always an important point of comparison. Collecting stamps is a way to preserve and witness historical culture and civilizations.

Fast forward several years, and it seems that this new medium has gone mainstream. So let's see how our official institution are making use of it.

On the positive side, it is beautiful and there is also a physical representation. However, there several problems with current implementation.

Many good practices for ensuring timeless asset ownership are not followed by the Swiss Crypto Stamp project. The prices for their latest version 3.0 collection are quite high. Additionally, it is not clear what the benefits of owning a Swiss Crypto Stamp are. So here's the deal: all the ORB metadata is hanging out in one spot on the server. When a new IT person comes around, they could just delete the whole thing and poof! There goes your NFT data.

On the smart contract there is a method to change the metadata anytime. If malicious actor gets ahold of the contract, they can just swap out whatever they want. Not great!Finally, they did not make a license agreement, which is unfortunate. So essentially, you have no clarity on what you are buying! It is surprising that a respected institution did not do better.

Immutability

Immutability is one of the key features that make ORBs unique. It guarantees that the metadata of an ORB cannot be changed, which in turn preserves the integrity of the asset and ensures its value. By making the metadata immutable, ORBs become more secure and reliable, making them perfect for use in a variety of applications, from digital art and collectibles to gaming and virtual real estate. The immutable nature of ORBs also makes them ideal for long-term storage and archiving, as the asset can be trusted to remain unchanged over time. Furthermore, immutability ensures that ORBs can be used as a form of digital proof of ownership, providing a secure and tamper-proof way to transfer and prove ownership of digital assets.

Is ownership fully decentralized ? (2 points)

The smart contract owner cannot refrain you from transacting the token, but they can change the metadata associated to the asset anytime.

1 point

Is the metadata pointing in decentralized storage (1 point)

No

0 points

Is the metadata found in decentralized storage (1 point)

No

0 points

Is the asset on decentralized storage (2 point)

No 0 points

Max points: 6 Total points: 6 Rating: 1 of 5

Ownability

When it comes to ORB ownership, it is important to consider the ownability rating. This rating is a measure of the user's ability to own the ORB and the associated assets. In order to ensure that an ORB owner is properly protected, it is crucial to have clear licensing information about the asset. This information can include details about how the asset can and cannot be used, as well as any restrictions on transfer or sale. By providing information, ORB owners can have greater confidence in their ownership and ensure that their assets are properly protected.

Is ownership fully decentralized ? (3 points)

The smart contract owner cannot refrain you from transacting the token, but they can change the metadata associated to the asset anytime.

1.5 point

Is there a licence agreement ? (1 point)

No

0 points

Asset Governance (2 point)

No information is provided on how you can dispose of the underlying asset

0 points

Clarification on intellectual property (2 points)

No information provided

0 points

Transportability (1 point)

No information provided

0 points

Derivability (2 point)

No information provided

0 points

Max points: 11 Total points: 1.5 Rating: 3.6 of 5

Longevity

The longevity scores how much an ORB’s asset will last over time. In the worst case scenario with a zero score, the assets information is at risk to disappear when the issuer stops maintaining the asset storage. So the ORBs might lose all their properties and relation to assets. We encourage creators to point to decentralised storage systems such as IPFS but also provide redundancy in case data disappears from IPFS for example to allow anyone to recover the data.

Decentralized redundancy (max 4 points)

IPFS (2 points)

No

0 points

In-chain (3 points)

No

0 points

Arweave (2 points)

No

0 points

Bonus Physical (1.5 points)

There is a physical representation of the stamps if you happen to buy it from the official source.

1.5 points

Is there a permastory? (2 points)

No

0 points

Transportability (2 point)

No

0 points

Derivability (1 point)

No

0 points

Max points: 9 Total points: 0 Rating: 2.2 of 5

Conclusion

While aesthetically pleasing, the mint prices of version 3.0 are quite high, and the benefits of owning a Swiss Crypto Stamp are unclear. Additionally, the metadata is stored on a centralized server, which poses a potential risk of losing ORB data. The NFT contract allows for the metadata to be changed at any time, meaning a malicious actor could replace the visual assets. The lack of a license agreement also raises concerns about the ownership of the asset. For an institution like Swiss Post we would have hoped for a more rigorous implementation.

View the ORB review framework

This review of Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT or ORB collection in the scope of my ORB Review framework.

Conclusion

Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) excels in terms of immutability. No resources are stored on centralized servers. As for ownership, the collection offers a very permissive license for the asset art. However, this is a double-edged sword that can impact scarcity. While it is unlikely that the collection will disappear anytime soon, it would be beneficial if BAYC provided more time-proof information.

Immutability

Is ownership fully decentralized ? (2 points)

Everything lies on IPFS

2 points

Is the metadata pointing decentralized storage (1 point)

Everything lies on IPFS

1 points

Is the metadata found in decentralized storage (1 point)

Everything lies on IPFS 1 points

Is the asset on decentralized storage (2 point)

Everything lies on IPFS

2 points

Max points: 6 Total points: 6 Rating: 5 of 5

Ownability

Is ownership fully decentralized ? (3 points)

Everything lies on IPFS 2 points

Is there a licence agreement ? (1 point)

Yes 1 point

Asset Governance (2 point)

BAYC offers very permissive rights to token owners, allowing them to exploit the art for commercial purposes. While this is a great initiative, it also comes with several issues. First, the limitations are unclear. It seems possible to reissue new tokens on a new contract, assigning the same art ownership, which could nullify the scarcity. Potentially, the secondary owner might inherit a monkey asset that has already been largely commercially exploited, and exclusive licenses might have already been granted, limiting the actions of the current owner.

0.5 points

Clarification on intellectual property (2 point)

It is clear that the intellectual property is granted to the token holder, but the limitations are unclear. For example, what would happen if a token holder named "John" creates a new token and gives the asset a CC0 license, which grants complete freedom to anyone to use the art? If John sells the new token to Mike and the original token to Alice, can Alice void Mike's rights to commercially exploit the image? Due to the potential issues that could arise, we are only granting one point out of the two.

1 point

Transportability (1 point)

It is not clear whether it is possible to burn the token and reissue it on another chain. However, since owning the token provides control over the asset, it is possible to reissue the asset on another contract. The legitimacy of the new token is unclear.

0.5 points

Derivability (2 point)

Full rights are given to create derivative work.

2 points

Max points: 11 Total points: 8 Rating: 3.6 of 5

Longevity

Decentralized redundancy (max 4 points)

IPFS (2 points)

Asset and metadata is on IPFS 2 points

In-chain (3 points)

No

Arweave (2 points)

No

Other

No

Is there a permastory? (2 points)

All information lies on the official website, contract and other related story are not published on decentralized storage.

0 points

Transportability (2 points)

It is not clear whether it is possible to burn the token and reissue it on another chain. However, since owning the token provides control over the asset, it is possible to reissue the asset on another contract. The legitimacy of the new token is unclear.

1 points

Derivability (1 point)

Total freedom is given for exploitation

1 points

Max points: 9 Total points: 4 Rating: 2.2 of 5

You can find the review framework here

NFTs are a new medium, and we are barely scratching the surface of their power to provide humanity with a decentralized, immutable ledger. NFTs allow the inscription of creations such as art and other assets in the legacy of humanity. Some have compared early NFTs to cave paintings, as they bear witness to the footsteps of human creativity. While we are still laying the groundwork for future generations, preserving this patrimony, protecting collectors from fraud, and allowing for co-creativity is of utmost importance.

To this end, I created a framework for reviewing NFTs and NFT collections. In this review, NFTs are called ORBs (Ownership Recorded on Blockchain) because we consider the relationship between the token and the asset, not just the token itself. While NFT stands for "Non-Fungible Tokens," the term is not always accurate, as some collections are fungible or fractionalized.

I must emphasize the crucial role of a robust rating system that evaluates ORBs tokens based on three essential factors: immutability, ownability, and longevity. Immutability ensures the unchangeable nature of an ORBs metadata, preserving its integrity and value. Ownability provides clarity on the rights tied to the underlying asset, offering a transparent perspective on the extent of ownership and control. Longevity guarantees that the ORBs information remains secure and accessible over time, without the risk of counterparty data loss.

Immutability

Immutability is one of the key features that make ORBs unique. It guarantees that the metadata of an ORB cannot be changed, which in turn preserves the integrity of the asset and ensures its value. By making the metadata immutable, ORBs become more secure and reliable, making them perfect for use in a variety of applications, from digital art and collectibles to gaming and virtual real estate. The immutable nature of ORBs also makes them ideal for long-term storage and archiving, as the asset can be trusted to remain unchanged over time. Furthermore, immutability ensures that ORBs can be used as a form of digital proof of ownership, providing a secure and tamper-proof way to transfer and prove ownership of digital assets.

Is ownership fully decentralized ? (2 points)

Does the owner of the ORB have full control of the token? On the smart contract design, someone could potentially implement features that restrict people from sending the token, limit transfers to certain platforms, or even call back the token and replace it with another one. In this category, we review mostly if the asset can be removed or swapped from the original token.

Here, we are reviewing the risk that the asset can be removed without the holder's consent.

Is the metadata pointing decentralized storage (1 point)

From the token contract, is there a direct hash that can be used in a decentralized storage system such as IPFS? If the token is associated with an HTTP resource, it can disappear or be changed at any time.

Is the metadata found in decentralized storage (1 point)

Sometimes, for operational reasons, a server needs to dynamically update the metadata. In this case, an ORB issuer should offer at least a mechanism to retrieve the original data from a decentralized storage system.

Is the asset on decentralized storage (1 point)

Is part or all of the relevant asset available on decentralized storage? One point will be awarded if the asset is stored in a decentralized manner.

Ownability

When it comes to ORB ownership, it is important to consider the ownability rating. This rating is a measure of the user's ability to own the ORB and the associated assets. In order to ensure that an ORB owner is properly protected, it is crucial to have clear licensing information about the asset. This information can include details about how the asset can and cannot be used, as well as any restrictions on transfer or sale. By providing information, ORB owners can have greater confidence in their ownership and ensure that their assets are properly protected.

Is ownership fully decentralized ? (3 points)

Here, we are reviewing the risk of the holder being prevented from disposing of the ORB as they would like. This includes limiting transfers to certain platforms or even calling back the token. For example, if the token contract could be stopped by an admin.

Is there a licence agreement ? (1 point)

Did the ORB creator state the license attached to it? The license is the central point to refer to if there is a dispute between what the issuer is actually offering and what the acquirer thinks they own.

Asset Governance (2 point)

Asset governance is the expression of the issuer of the rules associated with the asset. It is fundamental to preserve scarcity and provide clarity for the acquirer. For example, will the issuer issue the same or very similar assets on another token contract? Is there clarity as well on what the holder is able to do with the asset? For example, integrate it in metaverses or sublicense it, etc. Clarity will increase the score, but the score will be negatively impacted if actions of other previous holders may impact current holders.

Transportability (1 point)

Is the ORB asset ownership transportable to different networks and chains while preserving its scarcity and other properties? For example, if a chain will be deprecated, is the holder allowed to burn the token and bring it to a new chain?

Derivability (2 point)

Is there a right to create derivative products? This is important to allow ORB interoperability in different metaverses or games. To allow interoperability, it is crucial to allow creative work from other contributors to adapt an asset to multiple technical and creative landscapes.

Longevity

The longevity scores how much an ORB’s asset will last over time. In the worst case scenario with a zero score, the assets information is at risk to disappear when the issuer stops maintaining the asset storage. So the ORBs might lose all their properties and relation to assets. We encourage creators to point to decentralised storage systems such as IPFS but also provide redundancy in case data disappears from IPFS for example to allow anyone to recover the data.

Decentralized redundancy (max 4 points)

IPFS (2 points)

1 point for asset 1 point for metadata when stored on IPFS

In-chain (3 points)

In-chain is a very robust way to store data for longevity. Potentially the data will stay as long as the blockchain remains available, nevertheless, in many cases, it’s not possible due to cost and constraints. When the asset lies in-chain the 3 points are awarded but can go lower if the chain has a risk to disappear or if there are certain uncertainties that the protocol might evolve into removing the data.

Arweave (2 points)

When data are stored or backed-up using Arweave, it gets 2 points.

Is there a permastory? (2 points)

We call permastory, information about the ORB, that might be useful for the holders on many aspects. For example the license agreement, the governance information, the background story, and information about the creator, artist etc. Generally, this information is found over the Internet but could be lost if nobody cares to maintain them online. 2 points are awarded if the creator cared to create immutable data on a decentralized storage system. 1 point if all important information is stored, and 1 point if they are directly linked to the token by their metadata.

Transportability (2 points)

Same rating as for ownerability we evaluate the transportability from a ledger (blockchain) to another and governing rules for wrapping, and fractionalizing a token. The more time passes the higher are the chances of changes in the protocols. Having a clear strategy on how the ORB can adapt to changes.

Derivability (1 point)

An ORB with derivative rights potentially increases its longevity. For example, if a sound is tokenized, and someone else create a tokenized animation film using that sound. The success of the second creation will incentivize the preservation of the first one.

In recent years, the internet has revolutionized the way we consume and produce information. Gone are the days when big media outlets held a monopoly on reaching mass audiences. Today, even a 10-year-old YouTuber can have more visibility than a national television network. Blockchain technology is taking this transformation a step further, enabling people to not only consume content from companies but also produce, own, contribute, and earn through their creative endeavors. This blog post will explore the future of blockchain, focusing on co-creation and the democratization of content.

The Power of Co-Creation in the Blockchain Era:

Blockchain allows for co-creation, empowering individuals to actively participate in and contribute to the development of various projects. This collaborative approach can be seen in games, which are increasingly being built through multiple contributions, such as sound, design, game rules, and 3D modeling.

Co-creation has several powerful implications for the future of content production:

Democratization of Creativity: The co-creation model puts creative power into the hands of individuals, breaking down traditional barriers and democratizing the creative process. This enables anyone with a unique idea, skill, or talent to contribute to a project and potentially profit from it.

Decentralized Ownership and Earnings: Blockchain technology enables decentralized ownership of digital assets, allowing contributors to maintain control over their creations and share in the profits. This promotes a more equitable distribution of wealth and encourages further participation in the creative process.

Enhanced Collaboration and Innovation: Co-creation fosters a collaborative environment, bringing together diverse perspectives and skill sets. This can result in more innovative and dynamic projects, as various contributors work together to develop new ideas and push the boundaries of what is possible.

Real-World Examples of Co-Creation in Blockchain:

Decentraland: Decentraland is a virtual world built on the Ethereum blockchain, where users can create, experience, and monetize content and applications. It enables individuals to buy land, build structures, and create experiences, allowing for co-creation and collaboration in a decentralized environment.

The Sandbox: The Sandbox is a blockchain-based gaming platform that allows users to create, own, and monetize digital assets and experiences. Players can design and build their own games, experiences, and virtual worlds, fostering co-creation and collaboration within the ecosystem.

Axie Infinity: Axie Infinity is a blockchain-based game centered around fantasy creatures called Axies. Players can collect, breed, and battle these creatures, as well as earn cryptocurrency through gameplay. The game encourages co-creation by allowing players to shape the development of the game world and its economy through their actions and decisions.

My Own Experience Spells of Genesis:

Ever since my early ventures into tokenizing game assets on the blockchain back in 2015, I've been convinced that this technology is a game changer. The true potential of Web3 (internet powered by blockchain) compared to Web2 (where everyone can express themselves on social media) lies in the transformation of consumers into consume-creators. During the token sale for Spells of Genesis in the summer of 2015, one of last milestones was to enable players to create their own levels, characters as digital assets (editor note NFTs), and trade them.

Despite incorporating numerous features into the initial roadmap, the guild system and user-generated content (UGC) were not added to Spells of Genesis. While a basic guild structure was implemented, it didn't make the final cut, as it required further development. Ironically, the aspect I consider most important, transforming players into co-creators, has not been realized even in 2023.

What could be the reasons for this? One possibility is that the gaming experts hired for Spells of Genesis, while highly experienced in their field, had no background in designing Web3 games (as there were no other Web3 games to reference). They naturally relied on established, successful formulas. Additionally, managing UGC can be complex and potentially disrupt the original creative process. In retrospect, there were several wise decisions made for Spells of Genesis, which will be discussed in a future blog post. However, I should have placed more emphasis on UGC. As a lesson learned, user-generated content will be a key component of the 2023-2024 roadmap for the game.

Conclusion:

As we look towards the future of blockchain, it's clear that co-creation and the democratization of content will play a significant role. By enabling individuals to actively participate in and profit from the creative process, blockchain technology is disrupting traditional content production models and paving the way for a more inclusive, collaborative, and innovative digital landscape. While there is no single killer project that has fully embraced this concept at its core, the true game-changers will be those projects that genuinely understand and implement co-creation as a fundamental principle.

March 2023

Asset

Image Representation:

Author: Shaban Shaame Author description: It all began here, spread far and wide, yet in the homeland, no one takes pride. No prophet is known in their own land, but one day it shall return, stronger than ever. Let this be a reminder, as we journey and roam, to never forget our roots, the place we call home. Our past shapes us, our struggles define, so let's honor and embrace them, as we continue to climb.

Token

The token will be issued initially on Ethereum and Polygon in the following contract.

Polygon : 0x9ba25a4303ac7b3eb7fcf312acae25e06e912450

Ethereum : 0xC5526c1285adfb0D97b71Fe9ADb150f21dEeBB3b

The number of tokens issued on two contracts pointing to an IPFS hash will determine the total supply of this asset. The supply will be distributed over three months after the first distribution, and any ORB distributed by other contracts will not represent ownership of the asset. A holder of the asset can create new tokens on a different ledger, as long as the ratio 1:1 is maintained and they can prove that the original token is unspendable or destroyed. The new token metadata must link to this permapage and provide immutable proof to validate the new claim.

This page is designed to be understandable centuries after its publication. This page is intended to describe permanently the story of this ORB or commonly called NFTs.We use the word ORB as Ownership Recorded on Blockchain, as NFT stands for non-fungible tokens, Non-Fungible Token is describing a way to encode data on the blockchain but it can change in the future, it could be wrapped into fungible tokens, fractionalized or a new way in the future. With the word ORB, we want to describe the intention to give provable ownership of a certain asset by writing it on a ledger “blockchain”.

License

The image is formed of the “Modified Moonga” card frame, which is a property of EverdreamSoft. The card frame was used by EverdreamSoft to create one of the first on-blockchain crypto collectible collections with their title Spells of Genesis. EverdreamSoft liaised the frame to the community of creators to create their own content using the card frame. Source: to be defined in the future

The center image is created by Shaban Shaame with the help of AI (Midjourney) modification text and story by Shaban Shaame.

This ORB is under ORB licence v1

ipfs://bafkreigzbeftljg2ew5zhnvxswc4krsidzova5x4bwmfv6l2goobb46iim

https://arweave.net/dHqWh9UbJkE9bS_mUULuVFS9d1nlZ5toL53zjTZOte0

https://nftstorage.link/ipfs/bafkreicuhvg7z7nzxu636l3m6jffbndzt4zuerfsaqsc3aomuaiwjh5zve

About this page

Current state-of-the-art 2023

Blockchain technology is in its infancy. We can already foresee the power of an immutable ledger for humanity. But the technology is young and not completely defined yet. Our internet browsers are not designed to access decentralized and immutable storage. For this reason, on this page you will find images and resources displayable in our current browsers using mostly HTTP protocol but as well as current working solutions for decentralized and permanent storage.

Immutable Resources

Image IPFS: ipfs://bafybeif27oa7pv26rwryb5wee2ma7rxss2l6p2kkh4z5xigm5rujlpbcwm

Image Arweave hash: 7iSCKqESWbWygmauPWoh3aFupwlIgh9WrVk-gHKm4xo  

metadata backup Arweave: OiwgYVDAoIXJKRuDdBznRWTdwnefj_7DmZBqQG2lL84

The world of digital assets and blockchain technology has seen a rapid evolution in recent years, with non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and other tokenized assets becoming increasingly popular.

or a long time, I have pondered over the concept of true ownership. In 2014, when I chose to utilize blockchain technology to grant authentic ownership of in-game assets through http://www.spellsofgenesis.com, II was well aware of the numerous questions this decision would raise. Although tokenizing items offers the freedom to trade, gift, and sell them as one would with physical assets, the nature of digital asset ownership still remains unclear. If an on-chain token serves as a digital certificate, what regulations govern this certificate? How does ownership change when a user migrates from one blockchain to another? And what are the implications when a creator issues multiple NFTs on different chains pointing at the same unique asset ?

Since I’m very involved to clarify ownership definition and as well to protect people from misunderstandings and scams I decided build Wakweli http://www.wakweli.com. Wakweli is a solution protect people from intellectual property theft and scams, by empowering the community to point out bad actors. But for that we need to understand more what a tokenized asset (NFT) really represents.

In this landscape, Ownership Recorded on Blockchain (ORB) has emerged as an innovative concept that encompasses a broader range of assets and tokens. While NFT’s stands for Non Fungible Tokens only, ORB concept covers more usecases when a tokenized asset can be wrapped or fractionalized or semi-fungible. As a result, the need for a comprehensive and tailored licensing agreement has become essential. In this article, we will delve into the specific features of a unique ORB License Agreement and discuss the significance of these distinct elements.

New Tokens and Ratio Maintenance

The ORB License Agreement allows the creation of new tokens on a different ledger, as long as a 1:1 ratio is maintained, and the original token is rendered unspendable or destroyed. This provision is crucial for maintaining the integrity and scarcity of the underlying asset while enabling users to navigate between different blockchain ecosystems.

Fractionalization Rules

The Agreement also addresses fractionalized tokens, which are an emerging trend in the digital asset space. The rules clearly define that ownership of the underlying asset is only granted to those who own at least 1 full ORB. This stipulation ensures that fractional owners do not claim rights to the asset, thereby preserving the rights and privileges of full owners.

Royalties Mechanism Preservation

The royalties mechanism is a vital part of the ORB License Agreement. The Agreement mandates that the royalties mechanism be preserved during secondary sales or when the ORB is migrated, wrapped, or fractionalized. This provision ensures that creators continue to receive fair compensation for their work, even as the ORB changes hands or formats.

Derivatives and Governance

The Agreement grants ORB owners the right to create and issue derivative ORBs of the asset, subject to certain conditions. This feature empowers the ORB owner to explore new creative avenues while ensuring that the derivative projects maintain the original asset's brand integrity. Furthermore, the Agreement establishes a governance system for derivative projects, where each ORB owner is granted voting rights proportional to their ownership.

Derivatives - Royalty Exemption

Unlike other license agreements, this ORB License Agreement includes a royalty exemption for derivative works. This exemption encourages the creation of new derivative projects without the burden of additional royalties, fostering a vibrant ecosystem for creative exploration.

Visibility and Accessibility of License Agreement

The Agreement requires that the License Agreement be visible and accessible to potential transferees during the transfer of the ORB. This provision ensures that new owners are aware of their rights and responsibilities under the Agreement, promoting transparency and reducing disputes.

Dispute Resolution through Decentralized Arbitration

In a novel approach to dispute resolution, the ORB License Agreement includes the option to use a decentralized arbitration system, provided that both parties agree on the maturity and reliability of such a system. This feature highlights the forward-thinking nature of the Agreement, embracing the potential of decentralized systems for fair and efficient conflict resolution.

The Licence

Find the first draft of the ORB licence here.

https://nftstorage.link/ipfs/bafkreicuhvg7z7nzxu636l3m6jffbndzt4zuerfsaqsc3aomuaiwjh5zve

ipfs_url : ipfs://bafkreicuhvg7z7nzxu636l3m6jffbndzt4zuerfsaqsc3aomuaiwjh5zve

Don’t hesitate to give your input on social medias

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7048040994939789312/

Conclusion

The unique features of this ORB License Agreement cater to the specific needs of the evolving digital asset ecosystem. By addressing novel concepts such as new tokens, fractionalization, derivatives, and decentralized arbitration, the Agreement stands as a pioneering example of how licensing agreements can adapt to accommodate the ever-changing world of blockchain and digital assets. These innovative provisions not only protect the rights of creators and owners but also foster an environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, and growth in the digital asset space.