Each Aavegotchi is stored immutably on the blockchain, including all the metadata about it, such as the names and the various Aavegotchi traits (wearables and the SVG image of the Aavegotchi). The storage of the actual NFTs on-chain makes Aavegotchi unique.

Few projects store NFTs on blockchain, because it can be quite expensive. It is not an ideal solution for NFT projects. Aavegotchis’ use lightweight pixel art, so each image is only a few kilobytes. Lead developers Jesse and Coder Dan set out to design an NFT on-chain with Aavegotchi. 

They lament companies creating an NFT project, which they later abandon, rendering the NFT useless. At the very least, if the metadata was stored on Weave or IPFs, it wouldn’t vanish if the project is abandoned or whenever servers go down. Because they are on-chain, Aavegotchis will exist forever. 

Aavegotchi took inspiration from Avastars. Aavegotchi developers spoke with one of Avastars’ lead developers, and gained insights about putting a project on-chain entirely. As a generative NFT with hundreds of these different SVGs stored on the blockchain immutably, Aavegotchi learned a lot from Avastars. 

The Aavegotchi developers claim they developed an even more efficient way of storing an SVG on the blockchain. Whereas Avastars stored NFTs in the contract storage as a variable. Aavegotchi lead, CTO Nick Mudge, determined to store the SVG directly as a smart contract, which turned out to be more efficient for data storage. 

All parts of an Aavegotchi are stored in the smart contract, including functions that can be called. Aavegotchi SVGs, and all parts of the smart contract and functions. When one equips a new wearable or an item for their Aavegotchi, it shows up directly in the smart contract, which can be viewed immediately. Such is great for developers, who already get excited about the developer experience of building Aavegotchi. The moment they make a change, it appears in the blockchain. 

The SVG is stored in the smart contract memory, and is accessible to anyone. In many NFTs, SVGs have been stored on AWS or Google Cloud Server. Many consider this quite the feat of engineering. Furthermore, it is one of the reasons Aavegotchi built on Layer 2 sidechain, Polygon, an Ethereum scaling protocol for cheaper and more efficient transactions. 

The NFTs also function as wallets by leveraging the ERC-998 composable NFT standard, an extension of the ERC-721 standard. That adds the ability for non-fungible tokens to own other non-fungible tokens. This allows for Aavegotchis to receive tokens and NFTs themselves. If the Aavegotchi team wanted to drop its native token GHST, it could do so directly to specific NFTs, rather than the holders. 

The team deployed Chainlink’s Verifiable Random Function feature so Aavegotchi can deploy random number functionality. Generally, miners can play tricks with RNG, changing the order of blocks to give themselves better outcomes. Aavegotchi is using VRF on Polygon. VRF is used to generate all the various traits of the Aavegotchi, of which there are six, each with a collateral type. 

The overarching ecosystem is composed of Aavegotchi, wearables, and the GHOST token. Currently, only the Ghost token has voting power within DAO. Aavegotchi wants to give the NFTs themselves voting powers; this would represent one of the first times in the world when an NFT holds voting power. They want to do this because many participants use their GHST to purchase or augment their NFTs. 

Whereas many NFT projects are limited to a certain number of NFTs, such as CryptoPunks, the same is not true for Aavegotchi, who doesn’t want there to be a fixed supply. Let’s take a look at the Aavegotchi universe. 

Aavegotchi Universe

According to the lore, Aavegotchis are the ghosts of liquidated yield farmers who wish to be resurrected so as to bring honor to their names.  They have names, personalities, love to be hodled, and inhabit a democratic realm known as the Aavegotchi Universe. This universe comprises Portals, AavegotchiDAO, GHST utility token, and Aavegotchi Realm.

AavegotchiDAO

AavegotchiDAO is the main Democratic institution in the Aavegotchi Universe. Ultimately, the AavegotchiDAO will govern game mechanics, smart contracts, and funding. In its final iteration, AavegotchiDAO governs the Aavegotchi Universe through votes on decisions such as game mechanics, REALM mechanics, ecosystem spending, and smart contract updates. 

GHST Token 

The GHST token is the utility token in Aavegotchi, as well as the medium of exchange preferred by Aavegotchis.  Aavegotchi holders, known as guardians in the Aavegotchi universe, use GHST to purchase various digital assets, such as Aavegotchi Portals, wearables, consumables, and collectibles. 

GHST encourages guardians to participate in the Aavegotchi Universe, aligning incentives between the AavegotchiDAO, Aavegotchi holders, and GHST holders. You’ll need GHST to summon Aavegotchis. 

Portals

The gateway between the Nether and Ether realms are the portals. Wish to summon an Aavegotchi? Acquire a Portal, each of which holds 10 variants of Aavegotchis with randomly-generated traits, on the Aavegotchi dapp. Each Portal holds 10 variants of Aavegotchis with randomly-generated traits; only one Aavegotchi can be summoned per Portal. In order to claim an Aavegotchi, stake to the Portal the necessary amount of Spirit Force. If you remove your initial stake, the Portal collapses—the Aavegotchi is burned and lost forever. 

Aavegotchi Realm

The Aavegotchi Realm is where Aavegotchis socialize, call smart contracts, and participate in governance of the AavegotchiDAO. Aavegotchi guardians can stake GHST tokens to unlock parcel tokens called REALM. Build out your parcel visually with the parcel editor, and call smart contracts directly from your parcel. Aavegotchis convene in a pixelated town square to review proposals, debate, and cast votes. 

Mini Games

From Aavegotchi Fight Clubs to cake-baking, Aavegotchis excel at various tasks. In competition, a victorious Aavegotchi inherits the Spirit Force of its opponents. Certain mini-games feature simple RNGs, while others a more immersive, player-curated experience. 

Rarity Farming

Rarity farming rewards thoughtful gameplay and participation. The participant receives GHST tokens. An Aavegotchi has a Base Rarity Scores (BRS) comprising the overall rarity of its traits and wearables. It also has an Absolute Rarity Score (ARS) comprising the rarity of their traits versus the Aavegotchi universe. The Total Absolute Rarity Score is the sum of base rarity scores for all traits; base rarity scores of all wearables; and Absolute Rarity Score for all traits. The AavegotchiDAO will oversee the dispersion of GHST rewards to the rarest of Aavegotchis in the Aavegotchi universe. 

Attributes Of An Aavegotchi

Aavegotchis each possess Spirit force, traits, and wearables. When combined these factors, determine their overall value and rarity in the Aavegotchi universe. 

Spirit Force

There is the Nether Realm and the Human World, as discussed, and also the Ether Realm, in which powerful wizards, known as Summoners, magick arcane magical Portals. Mere mortals can summon Aavegotchis from the Nether to the Ether and behodl their power this way. 

Spirit Force is based on a Base Rarity Score or the unique personality of an Aavegotchi when summoned. Character traits change over time. The minimum stake remains fixed through an Aavegotchi’s lifetime; there is no upper limit for the collateral stake. Want to transfer an Aavegotchi to a new owner? That transfers its Spirit Force (the staked collateral), as well. 

If an Aavegotchi’s owner wants to remove the Spirit Force stake, the Aavegotchi must return to the Nether Realm forever. The collateral is then returned to the owner. 

An Aavegotchi’s overall Spirit Force is determined by its rarity score. Calculate the rareness of each Aavegotchi’s traits and wearables in the Aavegotchi universe. Rarity is not a fixed value in Aavegotchi, and can change over time. A rare Aavegotchi can become less rare and vice versa as determined by distribution of traits and wearables within the Aavegotchi universe. 

Traits

The various traits of Aavegotchis include rarity, performance in mini-games, and the wearables they can equip. Traits can be generated randomly upon summoning, while others depend on user interactions with the Aavegotchis. 

Randomly Generated Traits

Every Aavegotchi is summoned with their own unique personality. Trait values are presently distributed on a bell-curve from common to rare: Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Mythical. Hatched with seven traits, Aavegotchis might evolve as a species over time. Each personality has strengths and weaknesses. While energetic Aavegotchis may perform well in races, they might be weaker at meditation competitions. 

Kinship

Guardians must bond with their Aavegotchi so the Aavegotchi ranks high for kinship, making it more valuable. Like humans, Aavegotchis need kinship, which in their hearts decreases or increases, depending on how long you have hodled, and how often you play mini-games together with your Aavegotchi. Hodling an Aavegotchi is all about exercise, discipline, and affection. 

Neglecting your Aavegotchi depresses its feeling of kinship. Your Aavegotchi thus falls behind other Aavegotchis at the mini-games. Kinship multiplies or divides GHST rewards, which ar used in governance and rarity farming. Boost your Aavegotchi’s kinship level in the following ways:

• Aavegotchis harbor a sense of civic duty. Your Aavegotchi wants to go to City Hall to vote in the AavegotchiDAO. 

• Feed your Aavegotchi consumables, and equip them with wearables. 

• Aavegotchis wish to take part in Realm mini-games and teach them the importance of exercise, discipline, and of course having fun. 

Experience

Aavegotchis gain experience (XP) by voting in the AavegotchiDAO and through the play of mini-games. It can also be bought and sold in the Aavegotchi Universe. 

Level

The more XP, the more Aavegotchis “level up”. Every few levels achieved, Aavegotchis receive one Spirit Point, which can be allocated towards increasing or decreasing a certain trait. Some wearables can only be worn by Aavegotchis of a certain level.

Haunt

Aavegotchis travel in haunts. The first Aavegotchi Haunt contains 10,000 Aavegotchis. Following Haunts must be approved for travel by the AavegotchiDAO. 

Wearables

Some wearables can increase or decrease certain Aavegotchi traits. Whereas a sword might boost the aggressiveness of your Aavegotchi, a Bob Marley T-shirt may mellow out the vibes of your Aavegotchi. 

The wearables include a head, face, eyes, feet, hands, and a pet. An Aavegotchi can purchase or a earn a new wearable and also be stripped of an old one at any time, which could affect that Aavegotchi’s overall rarity. Novel wearables can be included after a vote by token holders via the AavegotchiDAO. 

Consumables

Consumables can boost an Aavegotchi’s stats. An Aavegotchi must eat and drink.

An Overview Of Aavegotchi 

Aaveogtchi wanted to focus on lightweight pixel art to embrace an on-chain approach with emphasis on interoperability as well. The team also wanted their NFTs to offer added functionality. So they designed the NFTs to act as a piggy bank for holding yield generating tokens. In the Aavegotchi realm, these tokens give an Aavegotchi Spirit Force. Aavegotchis maitnain that such utilities make for a well-designed NFT. 

Aavegotchi is an ERC-721 whilst the wearables are an ERC-1155—a different type of non-transferable NFT. The ERC-1155s give the ERC-721 Aavegotchi an identity or attributes over time. 

Aavegotchi looks and feels like a video we played growing up. The Aavegotchis themselves, however, will last forever; that’s a major difference between video games of yore. The 100% on-chain approach with Aavegotchi is cool, and each Aavegotchi can grab value from elsewhere on the chain by integrating with other smart contracts. This is where Coder Dan and Jesse at Aavegotchi believe NFTs will shine.