ZeroSum
Fair ETH Number Game on Base.
Created on 16th October 2025
•
ZeroSum
Fair ETH Number Game on Base.
The problem ZeroSum solves
ZeroSum Simplified is an onchain number battle game built on Base.
Players face a common issue in online games, which is trust. Centralized games control funds, results, and payouts. Players have no way to verify fairness.
This contract fixes that.
Each match runs fully onchain.
Stakes, moves, and rewards are public and verifiable.
No one can alter results or delay payments.
The game ensures fairness, safety, and instant rewards without middlemen.
You use it to:
- Play a transparent number game on Base
- Stake ETH and compete with other players
- Get instant payouts from the smart contract when you win
Challenges I ran into
Entropy generation was the biggest challenge.
Onchain randomness is predictable.
To fix that, I combined multiple sources: block timestamp, player addresses, and block prevrandao.
Prize accounting caused double counting in early tests. I corrected it by updating the pool logic during player joins instead of at game creation.
Managing turn timeouts also caused state lock bugs. Adding strike penalties and timeout handlers solved it.
Link to the GitHub Repo of your project
Live URL of your project
What is your product’s unique value proposition?
ZeroSum Simplified is not a simple guessing game.
It runs two number modes — Quick Draw and Strategic Mode.
Every match is verifiable on Base, from entry fees to payouts.
Players can stake ETH to increase their bonus rewards, making gameplay both fun and profitable.
Unlike centralized games, no admin controls the outcome.
The alpha build proves real-time match flow, timeouts, and staking bonuses all work fully onchain.
Who is your target customer?
The target users are:
- Onchain gamers who like simple, skill-based games
- Web3 users who want fair, transparent games with verifiable results
- Base community members testing new onchain interactions
Feedback came from early Base and Lagos blockchain communities who prefer fast, low-cost transactions for casual play.
Who are your closest competitors and how are you different?
- Polymarket Games (https://polymarket.com)
- Rollbit (https://rollbit.com)
- Duelist King (https://duelistking.com)
Differences:
- ZeroSum runs entirely onchain with no offchain logic.
- Each move and payout happens from the smart contract directly.
- Transparent match results, faster game rounds, and ETH staking bonuses built into gameplay.
What is your distribution strategy and why?
Start with Base community onboarding through hackathons and community gaming events.
Promote through Discord and X communities focused on onchain gaming.
Allow referral rewards and leaderboard systems to drive organic growth.
This approach fits the product because the Base community values open, transparent onchain fun with real ETH stakes.