[DAO:c0a2fd1] Sustaining and Expanding The Saloon: A Hub for Virtual Entertainment and Gaming

Governance
1

by 0x505d688a38b8cb9190b4f671d98a37a784e92c1f (Bufalo)

Should the following $65,000 grant in the In-World Content category be approved?

Abstract

Bufalo, a pioneer in the realm of virtual entertainment with over 250 individual shows and significant contributions to Decentraland’s ecosystem, seeks to sustain and expand The Saloon. Operational since last October and having hosted around 50 successful shows and concepts, The Saloon is the focal point of this $65,000 grant request, aiming for operational continuity and the introduction of a far-west oriented shooting game.

Grant size

65,000 USD in DAI

Project duration

6 months

Beneficiary address

0x3C0dABC82bf51d1bf994a54E70e7a7d19865f950

Email address

bufalomanagement@gmail.com

Description

Bufalo has been a trendsetter in the Decentraland community, paving the way for artists and community leaders in terms of marketing, event communication, community engagement, and performance ethics. Achieving several milestones:

  • Over 250 individual shows.

  • The Metaverse Tour with Radio FG, featuring the Metazoo, TRU, the Nyan Cat, DollHouse and The Sugar Club, exposing Decentraland to Radio’s FG’s 2 million monthly listeners over 3 months via live dj sets and radio liners.

  • The very first artist to bridge Decentraland into real-life major NFT conferences like NFT Paris in early 2022 with the Sugar Club and Blockdown Festival in Croatia and Portugal, live at TRU. - Performed for successful activations of major actors such as 20 Minutes, Doritos, regular dj of reknown brands such as Decentral Games, Polygonal Mind, Metagellan - Launched the Saloon since October, hosting regular successful concepts and events, bringing the community together around the far west culture

  • Being the first DJ touring the web3 space IRL (NFT Paris, Croatia, Portugal, London, NFT Factory Paris for Deadfellaz) spreading his implication in Decentraland by any way possible (stickers, performances, IRL wearable gifts)

  • One of the very first artist that has successfully created a web3 community, federated thru concerts, wearable experiences and a unique passion for the western culture, that he’s about to travel the other side of the world to meet in just a few days, over United States, via community meeting in 4 different states.

  • The BOTV Skull, the main music NFT project, which offers exclusive futuristic far-west oriented Decentraland wearables each 2 months and more benefits.

  • Since beginning of 2023, Bufalo has also been approached by several students from different business schools from Paris to provide insights on the future of discoverability, and community engagement 3.0.

Why Funding is Needed:
This grant specifically aims to maintain and further expand The Saloon activities, which has been operational since October and has hosted about 60 successful shows. The Saloon fills a niche otherwise left unfilled, by providing real-world artists a place to showcase their skills. The Saloon successfully blends real world talent such as AwedJob’s dancing and Isa’s bellydancing skills, or Ken Carter’s universe into a multi-faceted experience. The funds will support various aspects of Bufalo’s activities including new equipment, budget for booking IRL artist to onboard their communities, as well as for the current Saloon’s performers, and have a salary for the Saloon activities for the team and Bufalo, for their work for a year. including the development of a new far-west oriented shooting game on adjacent lands.

The tremendous list of event Bufalo has performed at for 2022 - 23, including the Saloon’s programmation :

Proof Of Concept: Sign up to view this shared folder

Media and Press Attention:
Bufalo’s commitment into Decentraland has received attention from major French press outlets like 20 Minutes, Cryptoast, Clubbing TV, Radio FG, and Le Journal du Coin. These endorsements validate the impact of Bufalo’s initiatives, including The Saloon.

Roadmap and milestones

A few past format we’ve been producing for the past months at the Saloon:

-The BOTV Holders’ Rodeo

-Western Spaghetti Movie Night

-Old School Vibes with ROXR & GucciToe

-Wild Wild Europa with Ken Karter

-Ibiza Takeover with several artists from Ibiza

-Jhett Black Live Performance

-Honky Tonking with Awed Job -

-Sway With Grace - a Belly Dance Soiree with Isamazing

-Imag DJ Live

  • The Metanessa Bull Launch

We aim to continue those formats if possible, and introduce several new ones to maintain a 2-3 events a week schedule.

We also wants to create in the next months a far west oriented shooting game experience.

  • Continue regular Saloon events (3 events/week)
  • Quarterly equipment upgrades
  • Shooting game development completion within the next 6 months

Vote on this proposal on the Decentraland DAO

View this proposal on Snapshot

1 Like
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This is an easy vote to support because I am a huge advocate of what Bufalo has been doing. I love that in addition to performing, he has hosted new ways for people to interact in Decentraland, like Isa’s bellydancing, AJ’s honky tonk line dancing instructions, the spaghetti feed, and today the mechanical bull. I think the next evolution of venues in Decentraland must include more interactive components to appeal to a diverse audience.

I’ve known Bufalo since January of 2022, and can vouch that he is one of the hardest working artists in Decentraland. Working with him recently to create the first functional mechanical bull in Decentraland was an honor and a privilege. I think he also fills an important niche in appealing to a huge audience of country music fans. In the United States this music genre is hugely popular, and having all styles of music represented in Decentraland helps us appeal to a broader audience.

1 Like
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Bufalo has brought tremendous value to Decentraland and is an incredible individual, voted yes. Best of luck Bufalo!!

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Hi my dear Decentraland community,
Thank you for considering this proposal. Just wanted to point out that the western shooting game would be completed in 6 months and not 1, i made a little mistakes while writing it.
@Canessa , I’m honestly honored to have worked with you yesterday and thank you for all your contributions for this space, just like you @friskybumblebee . Thank you both for the trust

2 Likes
5

I’m supportive of this proposal because, much like Canessa said, Bufalo has not only created a music venue but an interactive venue on multiple fronts including dance lessons, movie nights, and more. I’m not typically a country/saloon kinda gal, but Bufalo has a way of creating a space/event that appeals to a wide variety of DCL citizens. He has hosted many succesful events, and I feel like allowing him this additional funding for continued event hosting, onboarding of new artists, and development will expand the possibilities for events we see here in DCL. Bufalo is so creative in how he uses his space and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

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6

Such an easy YES YES YES!
Bufalo and his team have provided consistent value and innovative ideas since they arrived in DCL. This is a sound investment.

1 Like
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I am a huge fan of Bufalo and it breaks my heart to vote against this grant. But in thinking solely about the benefit of Decentraland, (and I just voiced my opinion about this in Discord) I don’t believe we should be paying 10K to buy a new computer and other equipment for grantees, this does not directly benefit us. We should also not be paying salaries for people to run their own experiences on their own land. I don’t believe this to be in line with the focus of the DAO, which is to build the platform itself, we should be paying for products, not events. We have to spend wiser.

1 Like
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Hello @CheddarQueso ! Thank you for your response. I value your input, but there are some points I would like to revisit as I believe there’s been a misunderstanding.

“I don’t believe we should be paying 10K to buy a new computer and other equipment for grantees, as this does not directly benefit us.”
I understand your perspective, however, my commitment for the past two years to Decentraland is evidence of my dedication (you can verify this on my Spotify page; my last release was in January 2022). A significant portion of my personal resources has been channeled towards my engagements on this platform, which I believe brings value to the community. My work is crafted in my studio daily, utilizing these essential tools.

“We should also not be paying salaries for people to run their own experiences on their own land.”
This statement doesn’t apply to me since I don’t own any land. The land (now including the ranch) was provided for my use. While I am not seeking reimbursement for past expenses, I am requesting a budget for upcoming projects such as bookings, the shooting game development, and equipment upgrades. This will ensure I can continue contributing without working pro bono as I have been for the past year. My schedule, filled with gigs in Decentraland and at the Saloon, often runs from 8 AM to 3 AM. I, along with my team, am fully invested in Decentraland and aim to foster creativity and motivate others on this platform. As highlighted, I don’t own the land but am dedicated to maximizing its potential to inspire and engage the community.

@Mimsy , @shelleyvan thank you so much for the support!!!

2 Likes
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Bufalo and his team have bought so much to Decentraland. The last event was amazing and can’t think of a better group to support.
Love you guys and all you do… Huge thumbs up from me.

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Thank you for clearing that up @bufalo. There is no doubt about your dedication and the quality of your experiences. I appreciate you correcting me on your land ownership, but maintain this is the least of my points. It is my belief that we should be pausing the grants program altogether and reassess the focus of our endeavors to invest in platform development, instead of continuing to fund world content initiatives for a world that is not ready for these experiences. Many others, myself included, have also dedicated our personal resources to buying equipment that will help us better operate in Decentraland. I believe we have set a bad precedent by paying for equipment and salaries for grantees to create in-world content and should focus more products instead of events.

Regardless, I am a fan of your work and wish you the very best in all your endeavors. The content is good, the events are well thought out and, like I said, it breaks my heart to vote no, because your consistency should be rewarded, but I think the DAO is at a breaking point and IMO anything other than platform grants should be paused.

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Voted no.

@bufalo has no doubt hosting amazing events and done great things in DCL, but in the platform’s current state, compared to other grants in this category, I am voting no.

More specifically…the grant mentions…
A few past format we’ve been producing for the past months at the Saloon:
- list of previous events

We aim to continue those formats if possible, and introduce several new ones to maintain a 2-3 events a week schedule.

We also wants to create in the next months a far west oriented shooting game experience.

The funds will support various aspects of Bufalo’s activities including new equipment, budget for booking IRL artist to onboard their communities, as well as for the current Saloon’s performers, and have a salary for the Saloon activities for the team and Bufalo, for their work for a year. including the development of a new far-west oriented shooting game on adjacent lands.

Quarterly equipment upgrades

…However, there’s no defined roadmap with milestones.

Some clarifying questions.

  1. Is this scene currently sdk6 or sdk7?, If sdk6, will this grant cover upgrading the scene to sdk7?
  2. Where is the roadmap for 6 months for this grant? The only thing mentioned in the grant about forward looking development is the statement above mentioning several new ones to maintain a 2-3 events a week schedule and far west oriented shooting game experience
  3. What “several new ones to maintain a 2-3 events a week schedule” are you thinking of adding to your event calendar?
  4. Do you have a game design (high level) or any thought to how this game will work? Will this be sdk6 or sdk7?
  5. Do you have a roadmap for the milestones for this type of game development?
  6. Can you clarify what are the equipments to be upgraded? IRL? Which ones? Why? How? For what benefit?
1 Like
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Thank you for your answer, questions, and explanation over your “No” vote Lastraum! i also highly appreciate your kind words.

1 -This scene is currently build with sdk6, the most simplest and less buggy one. I, or more Polygonal Mind, the studio I will work with for this adventure will definitely do what’s to be done in order to work, of course. I will use the dedicated budget to build this experience, and to cover all the parts needed.

2 -I could definitely fills a roadmap with repetitive event “just to fill” like i saw before, but i choose to not do so for a very simple reason: my past initiatives, the content i’ve been producing both as an event producer and as a DJ. Providing a roadmap as a venue in the real life needs to have a budget for it. to book djs, acts, for example, months ahead. This is not my case right now. I’m building when i have the tools to build, i’m not dreaming. I could tell you what i’ve planned for the end of October after the US trip, and also the upcoming months that are confirmed. But this is not related as it’s already part of my free contribution. “Inventing” or filling for filling is not something i’ve done, am doing or is something that i will starts to do.
Side note: 156 is the number of events that will happen based on the current activity of the Saloon. As much as i would love to, i have never really saw you coming to those event or interacting to any of my content since two years except this grant, and it can be totally understandable that you want extra informations. With a bit more of interest, i’m sure you would quickly understand like others how deep invested i’m in this platform and why people do give trust. I’m sorry that you’ve not participated in the journey that I’ve created before, which is actually the roadmap I intent to continue working on and expand. ALL of this has been done for free, which has created a certain proof of concept in the community, at least I believe.

3 - Same answer.

4- I don’t have yet, I need a budget to make a team work to get you a game design or any screen shot. I do have a lot of ideas on how this game will work, but just like everything I’ve done in DCL, I will keep that for my team and I, in order to deliver an incredible surprise just like as usual. I do recognize that this part of the grant is less filled, but: I did not have any idea of the Saloon one month before its opening, yet it’s opened and very well working since a year, the Metanessa Bull 4 days before, yet we did a legendary party - The Metaverse Tour with Radio FG a week before, and I could continue for hours. Yet it happened, and it will, just like the rest, because this is my will :slight_smile:

5- same answer.

6- Desktop PC or high-end laptop: $3,000 to $4,000
Professional 27-inch 4K monitor: $800 to 1000
Professional mechanical keyboard and mouse: $150 to $250
MIDI controller: $250 to $400 Video lighting kits: $800 to $1,200
Additional accessories for lighting: $150 to $250
High-end audio interface: $300 to $500
High-end studio monitoring speakers: $800 to $1,000
Ableton Live Suite or Logic Pro X: $500 to $800
Plugins for Abletons, Samples: 200-500 $
Adobe Creative Cloud: $600 (per year)
Cables /wires: $110
Blender (free) plugins or training: $200 to $300

“For what benefit?” to “no doubt hosts amazing events and do great things in DCL”

Thanks a lot for your support my dear @RishiGirl , as well as everyone else supporting our mission.

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Thank you for the detailed response. I have follow up questions @bufalo

1 - You did not answer my question directly. Does this grant cover the cost to upgrade to sdk7? Yes, or no.
2 - This answer is completely insufficient for the requested amount of money. Anyone in real life asking for tens of thousands of dollars is going to ask you how you’re going to spend it and when. I have also been to a few of your events; that is irrelevant. Past events does not create a future roadmap.
3 - Your answer is invalid. I am assuming when you say “several new ones” you are referring to new events? Help me understand what is “new” that you are providing.
4 - This might be the most ridiculous answer I’ve ever heard. You have an “idea” for a game, but no further thought on anything in terms of team, cost, timing, functionality, anything?? You will keep your ideas to your team?? This is literally counter to the requirement of a roadmap and milestone for grants - so people can see the expectation of where the funds will go.
5 - Same answer
6 - I tallied up your high end costs, that’s roughly $10,000 in equipment for you. Does your current equipment not work? Again, for what benefit from the current equipment you have.

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Hello, thank you for taking the time to submit your request and also the timely replies to community members.

In general, I am not keen on voting yes on much else right now outside of platform improvements. I have continued to say that in addition to initiatives to improve the basic experience we should continue to grow that user experience with supporting small creators, builders, designers who have been working in the space and without DAO funding.

I have only ever had positive interactions with you and think you have added a lot of value to DCL however I don’t believe the DAO should be paying to upgrade equipment and such.

For me I will vote NO because DAO funds are struggling thanks to whale voters approving shit grants.

@lastraum he isn’t asking for $120k to make shitty t-shirts or $115k for a crappy four-day build, give the guy a break. He has been creating and active in the space for a long time. Not everyone is out to ROBL the DAO.

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I have nothing personal against bufalo or their contribution to the platform and community.

I am approaching this from a perspective of trying to find the rationale behind their request for $65,000, $10k of which is equipment upgrades, and if anything they do on their scene will go towards funding sdk7 work.

We are all in the dao discord talking about limiting grant funding, pausing grants, restructuring grants, scrutinizing grants, yet we just accept grants that have zero planning?

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We don’t disagree as my vote would indicate. IMO, your tone was a bit harsh when dealing with a known community member, not everyone is a DAO drainer.

*4 - This might be the most ridiculous answer I’ve ever heard. You have an “idea” for a game, but no further thought on anything in terms of team, cost, timing, functionality, anything?? You will keep your ideas to your team?? This is literally counter to the requirement of a roadmap and milestone for grants - so people can see the expectation of where the funds will go.

Folks who are creative may need help with completing a roadmap, not everyone understands the pitch, or the proposal or closing the deal. Not everyone knows how to write a business plan. It would be nice to create a pool of people who can provide advice and guidance to people who just want to share their creative talent but may not know exactly how to go about the business side of it.

1 Like
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You’re highlighting a great point. When asking for $65,000, any dollar figure, from someone else, these concepts need to be ironed out first. It is more work; it does take more time, but that leads to a greater / stronger proposal. I know some discords have specific channels for grant draft feedback prior to submitting.

I can agree on creating a panel / pool of people to help review grant drafts, but, I cannot agree to give someone a pass on a thin proposal based on them “not understanding the pitch, the proposal, or closing the deal.” That would never fly in any real life scenario.

2 Likes
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We agree, thank you for your reply and we should not be passing weak offerings as my voting record should indicate. I suppose feedback such as we are providing will be beneficial should Bufalo need to reapply however preemptive discussion is best. Appreciate the discussion and will look to continue general discussion in Discord.

2 Likes
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Yes ! Go for it ! I really appreciate what you are doing for the development of Decentraland.

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Hi @lastraum thank you for the detailed questions!

1 I actually did, right here: « I will use the dedicated budget to build this experience, and to cover all the parts needed. »

2- This answer is not insufficient, because of what’s written in the original description in the grant:
"-The BOTV Holders’ Rodeo

-Western Spaghetti Movie Night

-Old School Vibes with ROXR & GucciToe

-Wild Wild Europa with Ken Karter

-Ibiza Takeover with several artists from Ibiza

-Jhett Black Live Performance

-Honky Tonking with Awed Job -

-Sway With Grace - a Belly Dance Soiree with Isamazing

-Imag DJ Live

The Metanessa Bull Launch
We aim to continue those formats if possible, and introduce several new ones to maintain a 2-3 events a week schedule."

I gave several example of successful events I have hosted, and aim to continue hosting those as well as introducing new concepts. As previously explain, I will not disclose ideas of booking that are not confirmed just to make you a happy person. This is not something I care about even more after reading your last messages, where I feel you may be at the edge of starting to show disrespect.

Past event that creates retention and that are wanted to be back by the community, is absolutely the content that I intend to continue providing, as well as adding new performers and new event concepts in the Saloon.

3- Indeed that is correct! New event formats, and concepts which will be for the most of those far west oriented. I’ll also book new DJ’s and acts that may be not interested by the platform for now but could come with a dedicated budget. Some of the artists I have in mind got true engaged fans on other platforms like Tiktok or Instagram, and I’m enthusiast on the fact they will join a virtual space to see their favorite artist perform live.

4- Wrong. I never expressed what’s you’re saying right now. I actually answered to those questions, but you seems to omit to see things.
"on anything in terms of team » : Polygonal Mind
« cost »: 5K Dollars,
« timing » : 6 Months,
« functionality » : Western oriented shooting game
"anything ?!? »

“You will keep your ideas to your team??”

I will, that is indeed the sentence I wrote on my last message. Also explained why.

"This is literally counter to the requirement of a roadmap and milestone for grants - so people can see the expectation of where the funds will go. »

I don’t think so either. It would be great to draw a line between what’s need to be known and disclose, and what’s need to be not known and not disclose in order to make it a successful operation, to not promises stuffs that are unrealistic. I have mentioned my intention to build a far west oriented shooting game. Not sure that saying to you we will have gold pistols or black leather hats, detailing you the leveling system or the rewards will change anything. Again, this part of my grant is a small part because I’m a dj, producer, and event host. I mix songs and not code lines, and this experience would not be the full focus of the Saloon activities, which remain the events, the upcoming booking. I also disclosed my budget in a more transparent way than other ones, i believe, and don’t think that the community can’t see the expectation of where the funds will go.

6- Yes, indeed, my equipment is absolutely outdated on every level quoted and that need to be replaced. I cannot access Decentraland via the launcher because of an old machine that struggle fulfilling everything I need to do in a day in order to keep this journey in Decentraland on.

Again, "no doubt hosting amazing events and do great things in DCL »

If the community don’t want me to continue build the Saloon, improve the Far west experience I’ve created for them or, do think that I don’t deserve that grant to continue foster ideas and push Decentraland in my way, then so be it.I do not have any problems about this, I created everything without asking a cents, still, it doesn’t look like it’s going this way and i’m grateful for this support. some close people may think I’m sacrificing my time building in dcl instead of living a more common artist life and expand what I do in other ways. I don’t think that is true and intend continue showing the beauty of this platform as long as I would like to, and I need sustainability for my venue in order to do this the correct way, after I believe, brought up quite a solid proof of concept.

You’re mentioning whales also in your last post, I unfortunately do not know them well much. I’m more closer to known community members, leaders, hard workers and builders that has earned their VP by bringing the proof of their engagements.

Deadheadj, I know we’ve been in this journey since a while and I’d like to express my gratitude toward your two last messages, despite your no vote that I understand totally. What you’ve said is pretty true. I’m a straight forward creative artist and when there is subject I do not know about, I delegate those and collaborate. That’s the case on the gaming side of my grant.

Anton, thank you for taking the time to come over here and support the Saloon, mon ami!

1 Like