GameStart

A decentralized game distribution platform built on the Nostr protocol that eliminates platform fees while maintaining security through cryptographic identity, web of trust curation, and developer-hosted authentication.

Features

• Zero Platform Fees - Developers keep 100% of revenue
• Decentralized - Games distributed across Nostr relays
• Cryptographic Identity - All parties verified via Nostr keys
• Web of Trust Curation - Community-driven game safety verification
• Lightning Payments - Instant Bitcoin payments with proof-of-purchase
• Self-Sovereign Licenses - Ownership tied to your Nostr identity

Architecture

packages/
├── client/              # Electron desktop app (React + TypeScript)
├── nostr-game-protocol/ # Nostr event kinds & protocol utilities
└── dev-relay/           # Developer auth relay for license verification

Quick Start

Prerequisites

• Node.js 18+
• npm 9+

Installation

git clone https://github.com/tylerhaar7/GameStart.git
cd GameStart
npm install

Run the Desktop App

cd packages/client
npm run electron:dev

Run the Developer Relay (optional)

cd packages/dev-relay
npm run dev

Then open http://localhost:3000/dashboard

Custom Nostr Event Kinds

Kind	Purpose
30100	Game Publication
30101	Game Update
30102	Game Vouch (Curator endorsement)
30103	License Receipt
30104	Developer Relay Registration
30105	Curator Profile
30106	License Confirmation
30107	Game Report
30108	Device Registration

Client Features

Store

Browse games filtered by your Web of Trust. Games only appear if vouched by curators you follow.

Library

View and launch your purchased games.

Curators

Discover and follow trusted game curators.

Developer Dashboard

• Publish Game - Create game listings with pricing, binaries, and metadata
• My Games - Manage your published games
• Licenses - View purchases and process refunds
• Sessions - Monitor active game sessions
• Devices - Manage registered devices

Settings

Configure trust depth, NIP-05 requirements, and manage your identity.

Security Features

• Binary Signature Verification - Detect tampered game files
• Impersonation Detection - Warn about fake/copycat games
• NIP-05 Verification - Domain-verified developer identity
• Community Reporting - Flag malware, scams, and inappropriate content
• Offline License Tokens - Play offline with cryptographic proof

Authentication Modes

Developers choose how their games authenticate:

Mode	Internet Required	Refundable	Anti-Piracy
Online-Only	Always	Yes	Strong
Offline-Capable	Initial only	Limited	Medium
DRM-Free	Never	No	None

Tech Stack

• Frontend: React 18 + TypeScript + Vite
• Desktop: Electron 28
• State: Zustand
• Nostr: nostr-tools
• Crypto: @noble/hashes, @noble/secp256k1
• Database: sql.js (WebAssembly SQLite)

NIPs Used

• NIP-01: Basic protocol
• NIP-02: Contact List (following curators)
• NIP-05: DNS Verification (developer identity)
• NIP-07: Browser Extension (key management)
• NIP-42: Authentication (developer relay auth)
• NIP-57: Zaps (Lightning payments)

Development Phases

• Phase 1: Core Protocol - Event kinds, client, discovery, payments
• Phase 2: Developer Tools - Auth relay, NIP-42, session management
• Phase 3: Trust & Curation - Web of trust, vouches, curator profiles
• Phase 4: Enhanced Security - Signatures, impersonation, reporting
• Phase 5: Ecosystem - SDK, API docs, mobile app

License

MIT

Contributing

Contributions welcome! Please read the specification first.