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Potential Exploit Vectors & Mitigation Strategies

Proactive consideration of potential exploits is integral to designing a robust and fair system. While no system is entirely immune, we outline key areas of concern and planned mitigation strategies for ZENN: Trials of Mu. This is an ongoing process that will continue through development, testing, and live operations.

Economic & Tokenomic Exploits​

  • RYOZU Inflation via Botting: Unattended bots automating simple gameplay loops to farm RYOZU present an inflation risk.
    Mitigation: Tying significant RYOZU rewards to complex activities (strategic boss fights, unique quests, high-tier crafting) rather than simple grinding; implementing server-side anti-bot detection heuristics; potential rate limiting or diminishing returns on highly repetitive actions; leveraging permadeath as a risk factor for unattended bots in contested areas.
  • Staking Contract Vulnerabilities: Exploits allowing unauthorized reward claims or fund manipulation.
    Mitigation: Mandatory third-party security audits; adherence to secure smart contract development standards (e.g., Checks-Effects-Interactions); use of battle-tested libraries (e.g., OpenZeppelin); secure management of privileged roles (minter); rigorous testnet phases.
  • Sink Avoidance (e.g., AH Fee Evasion): Players using external or unsecured methods to trade high-value items to bypass intended sinks/burns.
    Mitigation: Designing the official Auction House for optimal security and convenience; potentially restricting P2P transfer of certain high-value NFT items outside the official system; relying on the security and ease-of-use benefits of the sanctioned marketplace.
  • Market Manipulation (DEX): Potential pump-and-dump schemes for RYOZU if external liquidity is thin.
    Mitigation: Strategic planning for adequate initial liquidity provision upon DEX listing; transparent communication about token utility versus speculation; team/investor ZENN vesting preventing large initial shocks that could indirectly affect RYOZU sentiment.

Gameplay Mechanic Exploits​

  • Resource Monopolization: Coordinated efforts to control valuable resource nodes.
    Mitigation: Dynamic or randomized resource spawn locations; instanced nodes for certain resources; placing high-value nodes in contested PvP zones requiring active defense; implementing diminishing returns for single-player over-farming specific nodes.
  • Crafting/Enhancement Bugs: Exploits allowing item duplication or unintended outcomes.
    Mitigation: Strict server-side validation of all crafting/enhancement logic, costs, and results; thorough Quality Assurance testing; use of secure Random Number Generation (RNG) where applicable.
  • Zone/Ruleset Abuse: Exploiting safe zone boundaries or engaging in unfair PvP tactics (kill trading, griefing).
    Mitigation: Clear zone transition indicators; robust anti-griefing measures in Guarded zones (NPC guards, reputation); focusing PvP rewards on objectives in Contested zones over pure kill counts; careful level design to minimize terrain exploits; diminishing rewards for repetitive ganking.
  • Lineage System Gaming: Intentionally triggering permadeath repeatedly to unfairly farm lineage benefits.
    Mitigation: Designing lineage bonuses to scale with meaningful achievements, time invested, or challenges overcome in the previous life (recorded on pNFT), rather than just the death event; potential cooldowns or diminishing returns on benefits from extremely short lifespans.

Technical Exploits​

  • Client-Side Hacks: Use of modified clients for speedhacks, teleportation, etc.
    Mitigation: Authoritative server architecture is non-negotiable. The server validates all critical actions (movement, combat, inventory); the client is treated as untrusted input/output device. Implementation of server-side anti-cheat detection systems.
  • Smart Contract Vulnerabilities: Unforeseen bugs allowing unauthorized actions.
    Mitigation: Layered approach including professional audits, formal verification where feasible, adherence to security best practices, comprehensive test coverage, and potentially post-launch bug bounty programs.
  • Oracle Manipulation: Tampering with the price feed used for USD-pegged ZENN game purchases.
    Mitigation: Utilizing reputable, manipulation-resistant oracle solutions (e.g., Chainlink or equivalent robust providers on Base L2); potentially using Time-Weighted Average Prices (TWAP) or aggregating multiple data sources; implementing sanity checks within the purchase contract.
Ongoing Vigilance: Exploit mitigation is a continuous effort requiring active monitoring of game state and economic metrics, responsive patching, and fostering a community culture where players are encouraged to report potential issues responsibly.

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