Loom Network prides itself on being a cutting-edge blockchain framework aimed at large-scale social media and gaming applications. Imagine your beloved online platform or social network, but enhanced by blockchain and leveraging Ethereum technology.
Loom Network not only facilitates the development of DAppChains and apps; it operates as an independent blockchain. Users experience the full gamut of blockchain advantages with Loom Network, such a structure that's scalable, reliable, flexible, and efficient.
DAppChains
DAppChains on Loom are robust blockchains designed to run alongside Ethereum’s smart contracts. They're essentially advanced Ethereum sidechains tailored for data scalability rather than financial transaction handling. Each application comes with its dedicated DAppChain, ensuring the possibility of public, forkable data, akin to the Bitcoin and Ethereum blockchains.
The genesis of Loom Network DAppChains was explicitly for social and gaming applications. They encompass Ethereum-based crypto collectibles and token-centric karma systems, all underpinned by human-readable decentralized and forkable blockchain rulesets.
Loom SDK
The Loom SDK empowers developers to craft bespoke DAppChains. It allows full control over the sidechain's elements, including the choice of consensus mechanisms and customizable rulesets. Once completed, you can deploy the node software across major cloud platforms. This SDK frees developers to focus on application creation without worrying about consensus logistics.
Features for Games and Social Apps
Loom Network enables the creation of diverse gaming experiences, previously inconceivable without blockchain technology. Imagine sprawling game universes, endless worlds, tradable tokens, and demonstrably rare items. For social apps, the standout feature is that they can operate without relying on advertisements. Instead, these apps are lucrative via karma tokens, reducing the trust needed and allowing for scalable apps with multiple user-client points.
LOOM Token
The LOOM token acts as a universal membership pass for all applications running on Loom Network. It seamlessly integrates across all DAppChains, handling the transfer of digital assets and data between Ethereum and Loom chains. Think of it as an everlasting access card to the Loom Network’s offerings.
This membership token functionality hinges on the token acting as a software license key. It’s an ERC20 token stored within an Ethereum wallet. When transferring assets from Loom DAppChains to Ethereum, or between DAppChains, the app verifies your LOOM token holdings. As long as you possess at least one LOOM token, the transfer can proceed. Otherwise, you'll need to purchase a token to complete the transaction.
As of this writing, LOOM tokens are priced at $1.99 (0.003 ETH), notedly reduced from $4.99. They're available for purchase on the Loom Network site via the MetaMask plugin.
DelegateCall
DelegateCall operates as a Q&A website, entirely blockchain-driven with a DAppChain foundation. It was the inaugural DAppChain from Loom Networks, featuring Ethereum-backed real tokens on a swift, scalable network. Users participating in DelegateCall can earn tokens by merely asking or answering queries.
Illustrating LOOM token functionality in DelegateCall, possessing a LOOM token enables transferring earned DelegateCall karma points to Ethereum. You can then sell these for ETH, converting token gains into currency.
Other dApps on Loom
Though DelegateCall was Loom Network’s original DAppChain, it’s no longer the sole endeavor. The dapps now cover a wide array of themes and uses, showcasing Loom Network's adaptability.
CryptoZombies , for instance, offers a unique twist by allowing you to code your game, effectively teaching Ethereum dapp coding. Players learn Solidity and create their crypto-collectible games. With approximately 130,000 students engaged, this DAppChain will soon support zombie transfers to the mainnet, facilitating their integration into similarly themed games with the LOOM membership token. Upcoming tokens will reward those who complete learning modules, serving as proof of their educational journey.
EthFiddle is the leading platform for sharing Solidity code, boasting over 10,000 users. It provides a seamless experience for developers to compile, test, and run various Solidity code snippets sourced globally. The user interface is intuitive for developers.
SolidityX is a language designed with security as a foundation that compiles Solidity. This Solidity superset provides enhanced security measures for deploying Solidity while circumventing common vulnerabilities. Loom Network regards this as a practical step toward applications that are more secure and scalable.
Loom Network is also venturing in-house with the creation of three games set for launch in Q2 2018. Simultaneously, it's collaborating with teams accepted into the Loom SDK’s selective beta to create new dapps. Over time, more developers will gain access to Loom Network, broadening dapps available to holders of the LOOM token.
Conclusion
Empowered by Loom Network, developers can operate decentralized applications at an immense scale. As an Ethereum-based service platform, it enables developers to build DApps bundled with security, trust, and the computing power necessary for commercial-scale operations. The network already hosts several dapps that underscore its utility and potential, hinting at expansive future growth.
