🎮 AeThex Connect

Next-Generation Communication Platform for Gamers & Game Developers

AeThex Connect is a comprehensive communication platform built specifically for the gaming ecosystem. It combines real-time messaging, voice/video calls, game integration, and blockchain-based identity with a sustainable monetization model.

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✨ Features

🔐 Phase 1: Blockchain Identity (.AETHEX Domains)

• Custom blockchain domain authentication (username.aethex)
• NFT-based ownership on Polygon
• Freename TLD integration
• Domain verification and management

💬 Phase 2: Real-Time Messaging

• End-to-end encrypted messaging
• Group conversations and DMs
• File sharing with encryption
• Rich media support (images, videos, voice messages)
• Real-time delivery via WebSocket
• Read receipts and typing indicators

🎮 Phase 3: GameForge Integration

• Auto-provisioned game project channels
• Role-based access control (Developer, Artist, Designer, Tester)
• System notifications (builds, commits, deployments)
• Team synchronization
• Project-specific communication

📞 Phase 4: Voice & Video Calls

• High-quality WebRTC calls
• 1-on-1 and group calling
• Screen sharing
• In-call chat
• Call recording (premium feature)
• STUN/TURN NAT traversal

🌐 Phase 5: Cross-Platform (Nexus Integration)

• Communication that follows players across games
• Friend system with cross-game presence
• Game session management
• Lobby system
• In-game overlay component
• Nexus Engine SDK plugin

💎 Phase 6: Premium Monetization

• Three-tier subscription model (Free, Premium, Enterprise)
• Blockchain .aethex domain NFT ownership
• Domain marketplace with 10% platform fee
• Stripe payment integration
• Usage analytics dashboard
• White-label solutions for enterprises

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🚀 Quick Start

Prerequisites

• Node.js 18+
• PostgreSQL 14+
• Stripe account (for monetization)
• Supabase project (optional)

Installation

# Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/AeThex-Corporation/AeThex-Connect.git
cd AeThex-Connect

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Setup environment variables
cp .env.example .env
# Edit .env with your configuration

# Run database migrations
npm run migrate

# Start backend server
npm start

# Start frontend (new terminal)
cd src/frontend
npm install
npm run dev

Server runs on: http://localhost:5000
Frontend runs on: http://localhost:5173

Quick Test

# Test API health
curl http://localhost:5000/health

# Test domain availability
curl -X POST http://localhost:5000/api/premium/domains/check-availability \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"domain": "testuser.aethex"}'

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📖 Documentation

Phase Guides

• PHASE2-MESSAGING.md - Real-time chat implementation
• PHASE3-GAMEFORGE.md - Game project integration
• PHASE4-CALLS.md - Voice/video calling
• PHASE5-COMPLETE.md - Cross-platform features
• PHASE6-COMPLETE.md - Monetization & subscriptions

Quick Start Guides

• PHASE4-QUICK-START.md - WebRTC calls in 5 minutes
• PHASE6-QUICK-START.md - Premium monetization in 10 minutes

Integration Docs

• docs/GAMEFORGE-EXAMPLES.md - Integration code examples
• nexus-sdk/README.md - Game engine plugin docs
• integration-package/README.md - Domain verification integration

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💰 Pricing Tiers

Feature	Free	Premium	Enterprise
Price	$0	$100/year	$500-5000/month
Domain	Subdomain	.aethex NFT	Custom domain
Friends	5 max	Unlimited	Unlimited
Messaging	Text only	Text + Files	Everything
Calls	Audio only	HD Video (1080p)	4K Video
Storage	100 MB	10 GB	Unlimited
Analytics	❌	✅	Advanced
Branding	AeThex	Custom	White-label
Support	Community	Priority	Dedicated

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🏗️ Architecture

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    AeThex Connect                        │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Frontend (React + Vite)                                 │
│  - Real-time messaging UI                                │
│  - WebRTC call interface                                 │
│  - Domain verification                                   │
│  - Premium upgrade flow                                  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Backend (Node.js + Express)                            │
│  - REST API                                             │
│  - WebSocket (Socket.IO)                                │
│  - WebRTC signaling                                     │
│  - Stripe webhooks                                      │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Services                                               │
│  - Messaging Service                                    │
│  - Call Service (WebRTC)                               │
│  - Premium Service (Stripe)                            │
│  - GameForge Integration                               │
│  - Nexus Integration                                   │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Database (PostgreSQL + Supabase)                       │
│  - Users & Authentication                               │
│  - Conversations & Messages                             │
│  - Blockchain Domains                                   │
│  - Premium Subscriptions                                │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

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🔧 Configuration

Create a .env file in the root directory:

# Database
DATABASE_URL=postgresql://user:password@localhost:5432/aethex_connect
SUPABASE_URL=https://your-project.supabase.co
SUPABASE_ANON_KEY=your-anon-key

# Server
PORT=5000
NODE_ENV=development
JWT_SECRET=your-super-secret-jwt-key

# Stripe (Premium Features)
STRIPE_SECRET_KEY=sk_test_...
STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY=pk_test_...
STRIPE_WEBHOOK_SECRET=whsec_...

# Blockchain
POLYGON_RPC_URL=https://polygon-mainnet.g.alchemy.com/v2/YOUR_KEY
FREENAME_REGISTRY_ADDRESS=0x...

# GameForge Integration
GAMEFORGE_API_KEY=your-api-key
GAMEFORGE_API_SECRET=your-secret

# WebRTC
STUN_SERVER=stun:stun.l.google.com:19302
TURN_SERVER=turn:your-turn-server.com:3478

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🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please read our contributing guidelines before submitting pull requests.

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📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

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🔗 Links

• Documentation: Full Documentation
• Support: GitHub Issues
• Website: AeThex Corporation