Solana Labs announced the beta launch of GameShift on Tuesday, a new platform aimed at making it easier for game developers to build blockchain-powered experiences on the Solana network.

First revealed in July, GameShift provides a unified API that handles the blockchain complexity behind the scenes, allowing developers to focus on game creation rather than learning how to code in blockchain support.

"Integrating GameShift's API to handle blockchain complexity under the hood allows developers to dedicate more resources directly to game development," said GameShift Product Lead Davis Hart, in a statement. "Even more importantly, developers can provide a Web2-friendly experience to gamers, easing the common Web3 frictions that can deter user acquisition and engagement."

GameShift eliminates the need for deep blockchain expertise by abstracting away blockchain implementation details, according to Solana Labs. The platform enables features like digital asset listings, in-game marketplaces for trading assets, and credit card transactions for in-game purchases denominated in USD.

A sample of the GameShift interface. Image: Solana Labs

GameShift aims to boost adoption of blockchain-based experiences by removing technical hurdles that have historically made building and using Web3 games difficult.

The platform is powered by Solana Labs with support from ecosystem partners Crossmint, Coinflow, and Metakeep. GameShift's beta launch coincided with Breakpoint 2023, Solana's annual developer conference held in Amsterdam.

Editor’s note: This article was written with the assistance of AI. Edited and fact-checked by Andrew Hayward.

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