# 🎮 AeThex Connect **Next-Generation Communication Platform for Gamers & Game Developers** [![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/license-MIT-blue.svg)](LICENSE) [![Node](https://img.shields.io/badge/node-%3E%3D18.0.0-brightgreen.svg)](https://nodejs.org/) [![PostgreSQL](https://img.shields.io/badge/postgresql-14%2B-blue.svg)](https://www.postgresql.org/) 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. --- ## ✨ 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 --- ## 🚀 Quick Start ### Prerequisites - Node.js 18+ - PostgreSQL 14+ - Stripe account (for monetization) - Supabase project (optional) ### Installation ```bash # 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 ```bash # 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"}' ``` --- ## 📖 Documentation ### Phase Guides - [PHASE2-MESSAGING.md](PHASE2-MESSAGING.md) - Real-time chat implementation - [PHASE3-GAMEFORGE.md](PHASE3-GAMEFORGE.md) - Game project integration - [PHASE4-CALLS.md](PHASE4-CALLS.md) - Voice/video calling - [PHASE5-COMPLETE.md](PHASE5-COMPLETE.md) - Cross-platform features - [PHASE6-COMPLETE.md](PHASE6-COMPLETE.md) - Monetization & subscriptions ### Quick Start Guides - [PHASE4-QUICK-START.md](PHASE4-QUICK-START.md) - WebRTC calls in 5 minutes - [PHASE6-QUICK-START.md](PHASE6-QUICK-START.md) - Premium monetization in 10 minutes ### Integration Docs - [docs/GAMEFORGE-EXAMPLES.md](docs/GAMEFORGE-EXAMPLES.md) - Integration code examples - [nexus-sdk/README.md](nexus-sdk/README.md) - Game engine plugin docs - [integration-package/README.md](integration-package/README.md) - Domain verification integration --- ## 💰 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 | --- ## 🏗️ 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 │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ``` --- ## 🔧 Configuration Create a `.env` file in the root directory: ```bash # 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 ``` --- ## 🤝 Contributing Contributions are welcome! Please read our contributing guidelines before submitting pull requests. --- ## 📄 License This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for details. --- ## 🔗 Links - **Documentation:** [Full Documentation](PROJECT-README.md) - **Support:** [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/AeThex-Corporation/AeThex-Connect/issues) - **Website:** [AeThex Corporation](https://aethex.com)