We recently had the chance to sit down with Salik Khan, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Earnscape, for an inside look at the technology, philosophy, and community driving one of the most exciting Web3 gaming platforms around.
From merging traditional mobile games with blockchain to building tools that empower small studios and streamers alike, Salik’s vision captures exactly what Earnscape stands for a community-driven revolution where gaming, content creation, and technology meet.
Meet Salik Khan: The Architect Behind the Code
Salik’s story isn’t just about writing code, it’s about building systems that people actually use and love. With a background in computer sciences and object-oriented programming, he began his career in 2016 as a Python back-end developer, working behind the scenes to make big-company tech run smoothly.
By 2019, his career took a major leap forward when he joined Raw Research, a Danish startup that competed with major consulting names like McKinsey and Deloitte. There, Salik built the company’s entire technical infrastructure from scratch, including its CRM, call, and data functions, and research tools that turned raw data into meaningful insights.
That one-man technical department grew into a €2 million ARR operation. After working with hedge funds on blockchain initiatives, the path to Web3 seemed inevitable.
Joining Earnscape: When Passion Meets Purpose
Salik’s journey to Earnscape began long before the brand had a name. While working as Director of IT Delivery at an American firm, he met Steve, who would later become Earnscape’s CEO. Their shared interest in gaming and decentralized systems sparked what would become the foundation of Earnscape.
But gaming wasn’t a side interest for Salik, it was part of his DNA. Having studied game development at Michigan State University, he also developed his own indie title, Planet X, back in 2015. That hands-on experience gave him deep insight into the challenges indie developers face with visibility, discovery, and reach.
When blockchain gaming started gaining traction through projects like Axie Infinity, Salik saw a massive opportunity:
“The intersection of both was very exciting for me,” he said.
Today, Earnscape isn’t just a platform, it’s a bridge. A place where Web2 games meet Web3 technology, and where small studios, indie creators, and players all share the same space.
How Earnscape Is Powering the Future of Web3 Gaming
Earnscape isn’t just another blockchain project, it’s a living, growing ecosystem. The team is currently rolling out some truly groundbreaking tech, and Salik shared a look behind the curtain at two of their most ambitious projects.
The Travel System: Turning Playtime into Rewards
Imagine earning real blockchain rewards simply by playing. That’s the idea behind Earnscape’s Travel System, a feature that lets users stake and earn based on the time they spend gaming.
It’s the platform’s first major bridge between Web2 and Web3, allowing players to take value out of traditional mobile gameplay and into decentralized ownership.
The smart contract for the system is already complete and tested; the team is now finalizing its integration.
Mobile Game Streaming – A First of Its Kind
Here’s where things get wild: Earnscape is building mobile game streaming within mobile games. Now, creators can stream directly from their phones, showcase any mobile game they’re playing, and even host live events all without needing extra gear or third-party platforms.
For small studios, this is game-changing. They can promote their games for free through Earnscape streamers, getting instant community feedback and user-generated content (UGC) from real players.
For gamers, it’s a new discovery engine. You can explore what others are playing in real-time and stumble upon indie gems you might never find on app stores.
And for viewers, there’s no barrier to entry. You can watch streams directly on a creator’s personal site even if you haven’t downloaded the Earnscape app yet.
Solving the Impossible: Earnscape’s Technical DNA
When you’re inventing something new, there’s no playbook. Salik explained how his team approaches the unknown with a mix of AI, human insight, and technical craftsmanship, summarized in their three-step SOP:
- AI Research and Comparison: They use models like ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, and Deepseek to find potential solutions, comparing outputs to minimize wasted effort.
- Industry Experience & Community Input: When AI hits a wall, the team turns to the community. A Reddit UX discussion even led to a solution provided by a Google UX lead, proving how much human collaboration still matters.
- Core Library Alteration: Only when absolutely necessary, the team dives deep into altering system libraries. For instance, they built a mechanism to track playtime even when the app isn’t the active window, something rarely done at the OS level.
This creative blend of technology and community support defines Earnscape’s startup agility, moving fast, solving real problems, and keeping costs smartly contained.
Words of Wisdom: Salik’s Advice for Aspiring Developers and Game Makers
Salik didn’t hold back when offering advice to those entering tech or Web3 development:
- Learn before you automate: Avoid relying on AI tools early on get hands-on experience writing and debugging your own code.
- For game developers: Learn the tools first, Unity, Unreal, Blender, then start building.
- Play games: To design a great experience, you have to understand what makes games fun.
- For Web3 beginners: Start small. Learn smart contract basics on the EVM chain, build a portfolio, and stay vigilant for scams.
His top learning resources?
- Blockchain for Business 101 on edX is a must for blockchain newcomers.
- Game Development Specialization by Michigan State University on Coursera is a deep dive with a capstone project for hands-on experience.
What’s Next: Personalization, Localization, and Community
Looking ahead, Salik envisions a hyper-personalized Earnscape, one that recommends games based on player habits, location, and interests.
“If someone loves puzzle games, the system shouldn’t recommend a shooter,” he explained.
Earnscape also plans to localize experiences, surfacing games popular in specific regions and building micro-communities through leaderboards and shared events.
This focus on player connection ties back to what makes Earnscape different: it’s not just tech for tech’s sake. It’s about creating spaces where gamers, studios, and creators grow together.
A Living Story: Earnscape’s Evolution
What’s fascinating about Earnscape’s journey is how transparent it’s been. From its earliest prototypes to the live platform today, many of the videos on Earnscape cover its own development story, showcasing the process, experiments, and wins along the way.
That openness has turned users into participants, not just spectators. It’s exactly what Web3 promised: ownership, collaboration, and shared growth.
As Salik put it:
“Earnscape is a community. We’re not just building games, we’re building the future of gaming.”
Other title suggestions:
- “Inside Earnscape: How Web3 Is Empowering Gamers, Creators, and Small Studios”
- “Streaming Meets Blockchain: How Earnscape Is Building the Future of Gaming Communities”
- “From Indie Games to Web3 Worlds: The Tech Behind Earnscape’s Rise”
- “Earnscape’s CTO on Why Web3 Isn’t About Hype, It’s About Community”
- “Building the Bridge Between Web2 and Web3: A Conversation with Earnscape’s Salik Khan”
