As we kick-off into this week's update, let's start with a recap of the ongoing governance race between Quebec v2 and Qena 42, both vying to shape the future of Tezos. With just one day left for bakers to vote in the proposal phase, Quebec v2 is making a strong comeback after its initial setback in the proposal phase, Quebec v2 is now leading with an impressive 85 million votes. Meanwhile, Qena 42 holds 68 million votes. It's been a long journey for both proposals, but Quebec v2 has surged ahead, putting it on track to move to the next stage in the Tezos governance process.

This turnaround is notable, especially given that Qena was the one that made it to the exploration phase last time, while Quebec didn’t pass. Now, Quebec v2 has firmly established itself as the likely winner, ready to secure its place in the next phase. Bakers, this is your last chance to cast your votes and play a part in this governance cycle.

For those needing a refresher, Quebec v2 offers a comprehensive approach to upgrading Tezos with its 8-second block time, adaptive issuance, a reduction in the relative weight of delegated funds, and an increased limit for external stake (up to 9x a baker's own stake). These changes aim to improve the overall user experience and keep the network secure while limiting inflation.

On the other hand, Qena 42 focuses on maintaining the security narrative while adjusting the staking target from 50% to 42%—an effort to stabilize inflation without introducing more complex adjustments like Quebec’s Adaptive Maximum. While Qena includes many of the same features as Quebec, its economic model is more simplified, aiming to address inflation by tweaking the staking target alone.

But what exactly is this Adaptive Maximum?

Nomadic Labs recently published a detailed post on the topic, explaining why Adaptive Maximum is more sustainable for long-term network security. In short, Adaptive Maximum allows the protocol to better balance staking rewards and network security without the need for constant governance intervention. By capping inflation based on how close the staking ratio is to the 50% target, the system prevents excessive issuance and reduces the risk of overshooting the target. This approach, baked into the Quebec v2 proposal, ensures that inflation is controlled even as network conditions change, providing a more stable environment for the Tezos ecosystem.

Meanwhile, Qena 42 proposes lowering the staking target to 42%—a more immediate solution that avoids complexity but lacks the flexibility of Adaptive Maximum in addressing long-term inflation challenges. Nomadic Labs argues that adjusting the staking target can lead to recurring governance cycles, making it less sustainable in the long run.

As we head toward the final hours of voting, keep in mind that every vote counts in deciding which path the Tezos blockchain will take. Bakers, you can cast your vote using the command:

Reminder for Bakers:

With a few hours left, we encourage all bakers to cast their votes and actively shape the future of Tezos. You can track the voting progress and learn more about both proposals on Tezos Agora.

To upvote the Quebec v2 proposal, you can use the following command:

octez-client submit proposals for <baker_alias> PsQuebecnLByd3JwTiGadoG4nGWi3HYiLXU

And for the Qena42 proposal:

octez-client submit proposals for <baker_alias> PsQEna427TJJ2dYatjWS12qKihty5huvBDmNHNAgCeTzWCpF673

This Week in the Tezos Ecosystem

Taking a break from the governance updates, let’s take a look at what’s happening with Etherlink and two key projects making waves: Sugar Gaming and Sequence. These two developments are paving the way for smoother gaming experiences and financial empowerment, and they show just how the Tezos ecosystem keeps evolving.

First up, Sugar Gaming is securing major backing from the Tezos Foundation, bringing their expertise from the Web2 gaming world into the Web3 space. This grant highlights Sugar Gaming’s ability to build fun, immersive games, now expanding with the help of Etherlink. Their upcoming Token Generation Event (TGE) and launch of their Match-3 PVP game, Sugar Match, is set to combine both entertainment and real-world rewards in a way that appeals to traditional gamers and blockchain enthusiasts alike.

What You Need to Know:

• Sugar Gaming is rebuilding play-to-earn with real-world rewards, backed by a grant from the Tezos Foundation.

• Sugar Gaming’s roadmap includes a Token Generation Event in November 2024 and the launch of Sugar Match, their first game in the Sugarverse ecosystem, by February 2025.

• The Sequence integration with Etherlink offers powerful tools for Web3 developers, simplifying player onboarding and in-game transactions.

• Developers will have access to embedded wallets, on/off ramp solutions, SDKs for Unity and Unreal Engine, and more through Sequence.

• Etherlink is providing the backbone for both projects, combining scalable infrastructure with innovative tools to push the Tezos gaming ecosystem forward.

On the tech side, Sequence, known for its streamlined Web3 developer tools, has integrated with Etherlink. This means Web3 developers will now have access to tools that make it easier than ever to build top-quality games without getting bogged down in the technical details. The partnership between Sequence and Etherlink is a huge boost for game developers, helping them create more accessible games while bridging the gap between Web2 and Web3 players.

By combining Etherlink’s infrastructure with Sugarverse’s gaming experience and Sequence’s developer-friendly tools, these partnerships are creating a smoother, more engaging landscape for Web3 gaming on Tezos. Whether you're a gamer or a developer, these updates signal a growing ecosystem where innovation meets accessibility.

Let's give a big congratulations to @tezvendsmachine for securing a grant from Trilitech, supported by Tezos, to launch an exciting new 6-month curation series called "Tezos Artefacts." Each month will feature a different guest curator, promising to bring fresh energy and creativity to the Tezos ecosystem.

We can’t wait to see what amazing projects and unique art pieces will emerge from this series. It’s another great step in showcasing the vibrant talent within the Tezos community. Keep an eye on this initiative — we’re excited to see what’s in store!

Game Spotlight: Cricket Stars

This week's Game Spotlight shines on Cricket Stars, the world's first strategy collectible card game centered around cricket! This unique game combines player vs player matchups with esports tournaments, allowing players to flex their cricketing knowledge in an entirely new way. Indian cricket fans, in particular, can get in on the action through College, City, and National level esports championships.

Here’s what makes Cricket Stars stand out:

• Collect and upgrade cards to outwit opponents in strategic multiplayer battles.

• Immersive 3D graphics and animations that bring the excitement of cricket to life.

• Friends feature with options to chat, challenge, and view friends' leaderboards.

• Join clubs and participate in club tournaments, climb leaderboards, and gain rankings.

• Compete in silver, gold, and diamond tournaments for high-stakes gameplay.

• Cricket Skills are collected as cards, which you can upgrade and trade, evolving your strategies to dominate in professional gaming.

• Winner of multiple awards for its innovation in gaming.

With the Inter College Championship and other esports tournaments currently live, now’s your chance to register, play for free, and climb the leaderboards for fame! Whether you're a die-hard cricket fan or just love collectible card games, Cricket Stars brings a fresh and exciting way to enjoy both worlds.

Download it today at the Google Play Store

🔴 Now Streaming: Baker Spotlight | Baking Benjamins

In this week's TezTalks episode, we sit down with the notorious Primate who's been a long-standing Tezos community member, builder, and baker. He also advocates for exercising the full strength of Tezos Governance with submitting his own upgrade proposals.

Learn more about the story of this legendary Tezos community member and why he chose as Tezos as his home.

Now Streaming:

YouTube