GameShame Studios founder Nidhish Sajwan named Neo X’s MEV-resistant design as a core reason for building Raijin Protocol on the chain. Sajwan shared this anecdote in NeoPod’s sixth community AMA, stating transaction ordering and competitive fairness were non-negotiable requirements for the game’s architecture.
Raijin Protocol, the aerial combat PvP game GameShame has been under development on Neo X since 2025. The team has also received Phase One and Phase Two funding from GrantShares.
Choosing Neo X
Sajwan was direct about the reasoning behind the chain selection. He described the decision as a deliberate evaluation of what the infrastructure could actually provide for the game’s specific needs, rather than a default choice:
For GameShame, Neo X made a lot of sense because we’re building a game that needs fast transactions, low costs and a reliable EVM environment. The MEV-resistant design of Neo X was also particularly interesting for us because we’re building competitive PvP experiences where transaction ordering and fairness can matter.
Maximal extractable value refers to the ability of validators or other actors to manipulate transaction ordering for profit. It is a dynamic that can distort outcomes in competitive on-chain environments. Sajwan characterized GameShame’s approach as requirement-driven rather than ecosystem-first:
So it wasn’t simply ‘Let’s put our game on a blockchain.’ We looked at what the chain could actually provide for the game, and Neo X made a lot of sense.
What GameShame is building
Raijin Protocol is an on-chain aerial combat PvP game with confirmed 3v3 and 5v5 battle modes, planned tournament structures, and a reward system. The game draws on the aerial combat genre – Ace Combat was cited as an inspiration – and incorporates PvP progression mechanics.
Sajwan described the studio’s founding philosophy:
I’ve always wanted to build games, but I also wanted to explore what blockchain could genuinely add to gaming. That led to the idea of GameShame Studios: a studio focused on building interactive experiences where blockchain actually has a purpose.
On the question of where blockchain fits within the game design, Sajwan was measured about the balance the team is trying to strike:
We don’t want to rush that final step. For us, the priority is making sure Raijin is genuinely fun to play and that the blockchain elements enhance the experience rather than becoming the experience itself.
Development roadmap
GameShame has structured its development around three GrantShares-funded phases. The first phase was focused on core gameplay, combat systems, and getting the initial prototype working.
Phase Two focuses more on blockchain elements, including NFT integration, minting, marketplace compatibility, Neo X wallet integration, and smart contracts. And more broadly, the studio is polishing the game’s MVP to bring it closer to a playable release.
Phase Three will focus on alpha and beta testing, player feedback, and pre-release polish before the game launches publicly.
GameShame has received support from the GrantShares community funding DAO. In two funding tranches, the studio has received 11,900 GAS, distributed in Dec. 2025 and May 2026. Part of the public discourse process for the second round of funding identified blockchain integration as a key stipulation attached to the grant. Sajwan was positive about the GrantShares process itself as a development tool:
Honestly, the GrantShares process has been a really valuable experience for us. It’s not simply about submitting a proposal and receiving funding — there’s a lot of community feedback, discussion, revisions and accountability involved. I think that process has helped us make the project much stronger and more structured.
Builder background
Sajwan came to game development through computer science and an early interest in smart contracts. Outside the game, he has contributed to the growth of the Indian Web3 community through educational content and workshops. He sees India’s developer talent base as an underutilized asset for the broader ecosystem, noting that the biggest opportunity is attracting Indian developers and entrepreneurs to build.
Asked about the Neo founders’ governance dispute during the AMA, Sajwan offered a measured response, saying GameShame’s approach is to stay focused on what the team can control and expressing hope for resolution through constructive communication.
On what keeps the studio committed to the Neo ecosystem through a difficult period, Sajwan pointed to the builders around him: “I’ve seen people stay through multiple market cycles, setbacks, and difficult periods and still continue building. That kind of resilience is rare and encourages us to keep building.”
What’s next
With Phase Two underway and the blockchain integration layer taking shape, the next visible milestone for Raijin Protocol will be its MVP reaching a playable state. Development updates are available on GameShame’s X account, and the studio’s website.
The full AMA can be found at the link below:
https://discord.com/channels/1478934014763991171/1494494362569019462/1536592431045283890
