[WIP] Democratic Chess - pays players to play. Critique my tokenomics?

[henmark]

We'll never know whether they do it right and are committed to their roadmap, but they can compete with Lichess or Chess.com; they should have something that these two popular chess platforms don't.

They can compete if, like you said there (they are committed with their roadmap). The other two brands there looks like they are non-crypto. So, the project we have here, do literally has the advantage on this regard. I'm not sure if the two also has the ability for us to earn something but we know most crypto projects, this is where their business model at.

They will have a big impact if they can list their token, Gambit, on a popular exchange like Binance and maintain their trading volume. It's a long shot, but it's possible.

Many new project have done that. It is like, this is the only thing they can do, for them to get noticed because they are weak on other aspect. It is effective no doubt. It is just that one may need a higher capital at first to be able to do that. If they don't have it or are still scared to fail, then they can go on a much organic route. This also gives a better impression if pulled well.

[democratic_chess]

They can compete with Lichess or Chess.com; they should have something that these two popular chess platforms don't.

They can compete if, like you said there (they are committed with their roadmap). The other two brands there looks like they are non-crypto. So, the project we have here, do literally has the advantage on this regard. I'm not sure if the two also has the ability for us to earn something but we know most crypto projects, this is where their business model at.

Both of you are converging on the same point from different angles, and it's the right one. Direct competition with Lichess on the chess product alone is a losing pitch - they've had ten years and millions of users to compound that lead. The actual competitive position is exactly what you're both describing: there's a category of platforms where the player is a user (Lichess, Chess.com - non-crypto, ad-supported, subscription-supported), and we're trying to build a category where the player is a stakeholder. The two categories aren't really competing for the same outcome - we're not trying to make Lichess users switch, we're trying to make a chess platform that has a layer Lichess can't structurally have.

henmark's read on this is exact: the earning capability isn't a marketing gimmick, it's the structural difference. Lichess can't add it without changing what they are (a free, open-source, donation-funded project). Chess.com could, in theory, but their business model is built on the opposite flow - extracting value through ads and subscriptions, not distributing value to players. The architecture of how they make money would have to change fundamentally, which is unlikely.

Many new project have done that. It is like, this is the only thing they can do, for them to get noticed because they are weak on other aspect. It is effective no doubt. It is just that one may need a higher capital at first to be able to do that. If they don't have it or are still scared to fail, then they can go on a much organic route. This also gives a better impression if pulled well.

This is a better strategic frame than the one I gave in my previous reply. I was treating Binance as a milestone to build toward, but you're right that the "buy your way onto a tier-1 exchange" path is what projects do when the product alone isn't enough to drive listing interest. The version where the product is real, the on-chain activity is real, and the holder base is real - that path means the listings come because exchanges want the volume, not because we paid for the slot. That's slower, but the "better impression if pulled well" is correct - a project that lists because it earned the right tells a different story than one that lists because it bought a marketing campaign.

Realistically, the path is probably hybrid: build organically to a point where there's something demonstrably worth listing (volume, holders, real chess activity), then approach tier-2 CEXs (MEXC, Gate, BitMart range) on the strength of those metrics rather than on the strength of a check. Tier-1 comes later, if at all - and only when the project's existence on that exchange would be obviously valuable for the exchange, not just for us. Going to Binance directly as the opening move would be exactly the "scared to fail, so spend money to look successful" pattern you're describing.

Thank you both - this is the kind of strategic input that actually shapes how the project gets positioned, not just how it gets marketed.

Daniel

[democratic_chess]

🛡️ Calling Founding Testers - Democratic Chess launches on Google Play soon!

We're in the final closed-testing phase and need a small group of dedicated
players to test the Android app before the public launch.

🏆 Exclusive "Founding Tester" collectible badge (profile-only, no other way to get it)
⭐ 1 month of Pro Pass, free

All you need: an Android phone, a Gmail account, and a few minutes of play
during the test period.

👉 Sign up here: https://www.democraticchess.com/tester-signup

Limited spots - first-come, first-served.

[coupable]

🛡️ Calling Founding Testers - Democratic Chess launches on Google Play soon!

We're in the final closed-testing phase and need a small group of dedicated
players to test the Android app before the public launch.

🏆 Exclusive "Founding Tester" collectible badge (profile-only, no other way to get it)
⭐ 1 month of Pro Pass, free

All you need: an Android phone, a Gmail account, and a few minutes of play
during the test period.

👉 Sign up here: https://www.democraticchess.com/tester-signup

Limited spots - first-come, first-served.

I didn't notice this update last time I visited this thread on page 2. I just have already signed up to test the Android app. I wish I didn't miss the opportunity. However, I think you should reward testers with something valuable like some Gambit rewards or exclusive access to some features. Exclusive rewards for Bitcointalk users are always welcome.

Note that the Democratic Chess app is already installed on my Android. I haven't used the web version yet. I got the application from your official website.

[democratic_chess]

Thanks, coupable - glad you're already on board, and even better that you've got the app installed.

Quick thing that genuinely helps: Google's closed testing rules require testers to actually open the app and play for a continuous 14-day window, not just keep it installed. So if you can fire up a few games over the next couple of weeks, that's the single most useful thing you can do to help us reach the public launch.

On rewards - you're right, and we're going beyond a profile badge for this crowd. Active Founding Testers get:
- A commemorative "Founding Tester" collectible NFT - I'll send you a 100% discount promo code, so you can claim it completely free
- The matching profile badge (no other way to get it after we go to Production)
- 1 month of Pro Pass

It's a proof-of-participation piece, not a financial instrument - just a permanent marker that you were here before launch.
That window closes for good once we hit Production.
Appreciate you sticking with the thread.

Daniel

[aioc]

I was wondering why my level of competition was not improving until I found out that I was against a level 3 bot; my bad for not checking and exploring all of its features, so the level 3 is like playing a bot that just learned Chess yesterday 

[democratic_chess]

Ha - fair callout. The low levels are deliberately gentle so newcomers don't get crushed, so yeah, level 3 is "just learned chess yesterday" by design.
It scales hard, though: push it to 8–10, and it turns into a real sparring partner.
Crank it up and tell me which level finally gives you a proper fight - genuinely curious where you land.
And appreciate you actually digging into the features:)

[coupable]

Thanks, coupable - glad you're already on board, and even better that you've got the app installed.

Quick thing that genuinely helps: Google's closed testing rules require testers to actually open the app and play for a continuous 14-day window, not just keep it installed. So if you can fire up a few games over the next couple of weeks, that's the single most useful thing you can do to help us reach the public launch.

Thanks, Daniel. Glad that you are always responsive to every interaction in this thread.

Actually, I received a link to Google Play Store via email but when opening the link it says item not found. Is it because the Store detected that I have already the democratic_chess app installed? Is it enough to keep playing on the installed app or I have to use a valid link to be counted as a tester? And if yes, how would you track my activity as a tester?

[aioc]

Based on the title of this thread its WIP or work in progress. When is the exact time to create the official announcement of Democratic Chess? It seems everything is in place now, the platform is good, we already have a token, the only thing is creating an announcement thread, and launching a massive marketing campaign, preferably a bounty campaign.
Hopefully, we can see this token on top exchanges and compete with the likes of Lichess or Chess.com

[HopeGen]

Democratic Chess?
These days the (political) Dem's are almost as seriously insane as the blind and still passionate Trumpers. Before it's too late, I would urgently consider a quick name change to something like People's Chess, Eden Chess, or almost anything other than a name which is so closely related to politics. Great project, keep up the energy!

[democratic_chess]

Based on the title of this thread its WIP or work in progress. When is the exact time to create the official announcement of Democratic Chess? It seems everything is in place now, the platform is good, we already have a token, the only thing is creating an announcement thread, and launching a massive marketing campaign, preferably a bounty campaign.
Hopefully, we can see this token on top exchanges and compete with the likes of Lichess or Chess.com

Fair point on the WIP tag, aioc. The one thing still gating the official announcement is Google Play production access - we're inside the closed-testing window (Google wants a continuous 14-day run with the tester group before they open public release). Platform, token, and infra are done; the public Android launch is what triggers the full ANN, and we're close.
On the campaign - you're right that it's the next move, and I'd want it run properly rather than rushed. Since the product actually exists and has real players, I'd build it around real engagement (testing, referrals, active play) so the rewards land on people who stick around. When we're ready to launch it, I may well come back to the manager recommendation you made earlier - that's exactly the stage it's for. Exchanges and the bigger growth push come right after launch, in that order.

[democratic_chess]

Thanks, coupable - glad you're already on board, and even better that you've got the app installed.

Quick thing that genuinely helps: Google's closed testing rules require testers to actually open the app and play for a continuous 14-day window, not just keep it installed. So if you can fire up a few games over the next couple of weeks, that's the single most useful thing you can do to help us reach the public launch.

Thanks, Daniel. Glad that you are always responsive to every interaction in this thread.

Actually, I received a link to Google Play Store via email but when opening the link it says item not found. Is it because the Store detected that I have already the democratic_chess app installed? Is it enough to keep playing on the installed app or I have to use a valid link to be counted as a tester? And if yes, how would you track my activity as a tester?

Thanks, coupable - appreciate you staying with the thread.
The "item not found" is the most common snag, and it's almost always one of two things: either the link was opened before joining the test, or the Google account on your phone isn't the one tied to your tester invite. Quick fix:

Open the opt-in / "become a tester" link first (the web one) and tap to join, not the direct store link.
Make sure the Gmail account signed in on your device is the same address your invite was sent to. A different account is what usually triggers "item not found."

Daniel

[democratic_chess]

Democratic Chess?
These days the (political) Dem's are almost as seriously insane as the blind and still passionate Trumpers. Before it's too late, I would urgently consider a quick name change to something like People's Chess, Eden Chess, or almost anything other than a name which is so closely related to politics. Great project, keep up the energy!

Ha - fair concern, and you're not the first to read it that way. But "Democratic" here has nothing to do with US politics. It's the core game mode: players vote on each move, and the majority decides - democracy as collective decision-making, in the spirit of the old "Kasparov vs the World" match. The name's about the mechanic, not a political party.
The perception point is fair in some markets, though, so I appreciate you raising it. Brand, domain, and token are already set under this name, so a rename isn't on the table - but I'll keep the framing in mind.
Thanks for the kind words!

[aioc]

Exchanges and the bigger growth push come right after launch, in that order.

I'm interested to know ad I guess many are also interested, will you post or include the team composition? I'm sure it will add value to the project if the community and supporters know who the people behind this project are.
So far, everything looks good on this project; the dedication is outstanding, looking forward to massive marketing on this project.

[democratic_chess]

Exchanges and the bigger growth push come right after launch, in that order.

I'm interested to know ad I guess many are also interested, will you post or include the team composition? I'm sure it will add value to the project if the community and supporters know who the people behind this project are.
So far, everything looks good on this project; the dedication is outstanding, looking forward to massive marketing on this project.

Happy to answer directly.
Right now, it's founder-led - I run the development, the platform, and the token, and I'm the one replying here, backed by 10+ years in R&D management across IoT, fintech, and enterprise software.
As we move toward the public launch, I'm putting the structure in place - formalizing the entity and bringing in the right people for marketing and growth, rather than rushing to fill seats.
What I'd point you to is what's verifiable: the platform is live and playable, the contracts are deployed and verified on-chain, and the build history is public - web, Telegram, now Android in final testing, shipped continuously.
The team grows as the project does, and I'll keep that open here.

Daniel