MerchantQuest

# MerchantQuest - One Pager Pitch

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## 🎯 THE PROBLEM

| Issue | Data |
|-------|------|
| **Financial Illiteracy Crisis** | Only 33% of adults globally are financially literate (S&P Global) |
| **Gen Z Education Gap** | 76% of Gen Z feel they lack financial education (TIAA Institute) |
| **Web3 Gaming Perception** | "Player perception of Web3 is negative... lack of innovation in making fun games" - Greg Canessa, ex-Xbox Live Arcade GM |
| **Massive Untapped Market** | 3.6 billion gamers worldwide, $188.8B market (Newzoo 2025) |

**Root Cause:** Web3 games prioritize speculation over fun. Traditional finance education is boring and inaccessible.

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## 💡 THE SOLUTION

### MerchantQuest
> *A medieval trading RPG where in-game prices mirror real-world markets through blockchain oracles.*

**Core Gameplay Loop:**
```
BUY cheap → TRAVEL between cities → SELL high → PROFIT → REPEAT
```

**What Makes Us Different:**
- 🎮 **Fun-First Design** - Play in 30 seconds, no complex tokenomics
- 📊 **Real Oracle Data** - Commodity prices from Pyth Network reflect actual markets
- 🏆 **True Ownership** - Merchant NFTs with on-chain progression
- 💰 **Sustainable Economy** - Built-in gold sinks prevent inflation

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## 🔧 HOW IT WORKS

| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **4 Trading Cities** | Silverport, Goldmere, Ironhold, Silkwind - each with unique economy |
| **5 Commodities** | Gold, Wheat, Silk, Spices, Iron - prices from real oracles |
| **Merchant NFT** | Your character with XP, levels, and achievements |
| **Leaderboard** | Compete globally based on trading profits |

**Tech Stack:** Mantle Network • Solidity • Next.js 14 • Pyth Oracle • wagmi/viem

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## 💰 BUSINESS MODEL

| Revenue Stream | Description |
|----------------|-------------|
| **Free-to-Play Base** | Core gameplay free, maximize user acquisition |
| **Premium NFT Skins** | Cosmetic merchant upgrades (non-P2W) |
| **Tournament Fees** | Competitive trading competitions |
| **B2B Partnerships** | Educational institutions, financial literacy programs |
| **Sponsored Events** | Brand partnerships for in-game events |

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## 🗺️ ROADMAP

| Timeline | Milestone |
|----------|-----------|
| **Q1 2026** | Mainnet launch, community beta, player feedback |
| **Q2 2026** | Guild system, team competitions, mobile-responsive |
| **Q3 2026** | Seasonal events, cross-chain expansion |
| **Q4 2026** | Mobile app (iOS/Android), educational partnerships |

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## 📊 TRACTION & METRICS

- ✅ **Fully Functional MVP** - Built in 48 hours during hackathon
- ✅ **Live on Testnet** - https://merchantquest.netlify.app/
- ✅ **Smart Contracts Deployed** - Mantle Sepolia verified
- ✅ **Oracle Integration** - Pyth Network real-time data

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## 🎯 WHY MANTLE?

| Benefit | Impact |
|---------|--------|
| **Low Gas Fees** | Players don't worry about transaction costs |
| **Fast Transactions** | Seamless gameplay experience |
| **EVM Compatible** | Easy deployment, familiar tools |
| **Growing Ecosystem** | Access to DeFi, RWA, and gaming communities |

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## 👥 TEAM

| Role | Name | Background |
|------|------|------------|
| **Team Lead** | Hafiyyuddin Ahmad | Full-stack developer, blockchain enthusiast |

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## 📞 CONTACT & LINKS

| Resource | Link |
|----------|------|
| **Live Demo** | https://merchantquest.netlify.app/ |
| **GitHub** | https://github.com/Heeeevi/MerchantQuest |
| **Smart Contracts** | Mantle Sepolia Testnet |

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## ⚖️ COMPLIANCE DECLARATION

✅ This project does **NOT** involve regulated financial assets:
- Simulation game for **educational purposes only**
- In-game currency has **no real monetary value**
- NFTs are **utility/cosmetic only**, not securities
- Oracle data for **gameplay mechanics**, not financial advice
- **No gambling**, no interest/riba, skill-based outcomes

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## 🚀 THE ASK

We are seeking:
1. **Hackathon Recognition** - Validation of our fun-first Web3 gaming approach
2. **Grant Funding** - To accelerate mainnet launch and mobile development
3. **Strategic Partners** - Gaming guilds, educational institutions, DeFi protocols
4. **Community** - Early adopters to shape the game's future

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> *"MerchantQuest proves blockchain can enhance gaming, not replace fun."*
>
> **Trade. Travel. Triumph.**

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*MerchantQuest - Mantle Global Hackathon 2025 Submission*
*Track: GameFi & Social | RWA Integration*