ERC-8004 Standard
What is ERC-8004?
ERC-8004 is the technical standard that makes x402 agents possible. Think of it as the "rules and language" that lets AI agents safely interact with Incarnation's smart contracts on your behalf.
Official Specification:
Why It Matters for Incarnation
The Problem Without ERC-8004:
You'd have to give agents full wallet access (risky!)
No standard way to limit what agents can do
Each game would need custom agent systems
Can't use the same agent across different games
With ERC-8004:
Agents get only specific permissions you grant
Standard system works across all games
Your agent in Incarnation can also play other ERC-8004 games
One permission system, infinite possibilities
How It Works in Incarnation
Permission Structure
When you authorize an agent, ERC-8004 creates a permission record:
Incarnation Smart Contracts
Game Contract Checks: Every time an agent tries to do something, the game contract asks:
"Is this agent authorized by this player?"
"Is this specific action allowed?"
"Are we within the spending/time/frequency limits?"
If yes to all → Action proceeds
If no to any → Action blocked, you get notification
Example Flow:
Real Incarnation Use Cases
Use Case 1: Daily Quest Agent
Your Goal: Complete "Win 3 Matches" quest daily without playing manually
ERC-8004 Setup:
What Happens:
Each weekday, agent joins 3-5 casual matches
Uses your "Quest Deck" (balanced, reliable)
Earns quest rewards (e.g., 20 $CARD per day)
You check in evening, see quests complete
Rewards automatically credited to your account
Use Case 2: Vault Management Agent
Your Goal: Automatically optimize your card investments
ERC-8004 Setup:
What Happens:
Agent monitors 5 vaults you selected
When "Fire Phoenix" vault hits target price (80 $CARD), mints 1 card
Every Friday, claims all vault yields automatically
Reinvests 50% of yields into highest-APY vault
You get weekly report of all transactions
Use Case 3: Card Testing Agent
Your Goal: Test your new card design thoroughly
ERC-8004 Setup:
What Happens:
Agent builds 5 different decks with your card
Plays 100 matches in testing pool
Collects data: Win rate 72%, Used in 95% of games, Average damage 18
Generates report: "Card may be overpowered, suggest reducing health from 8 to 6"
You review data, adjust card before submitting to official pool
Use Case 4: Tournament Registration Agent
Your Goal: Never miss tournament sign-ups
ERC-8004 Setup:
What Happens:
Agent monitors tournament calendar
When community tournament opens (Saturdays 10 AM)
Automatically registers you and pays 10 $CARD entry fee
Sends you notification: "Registered for Fire Cup Tournament, starts in 2 hours"
You log in and play your matches
Security Features
Time-Based Controls
Scenario: You go on vacation for 2 weeks
Setup:
What Happens:
Agent plays while you're gone
On day 15, permissions automatically revoke
Even if agent wanted to continue, it can't
You're back in full control
Spending Limits
Scenario: Agent helps build your collection
Setup:
What Happens:
Agent mints cards throughout month
On day 15, hits monthly limit (1000 $CARD spent)
Tries to mint another card (60 $CARD)
Transaction BLOCKED - monthly limit reached
Agent pauses until next month, you get notification
Emergency Revocation
Scenario: Agent starts behaving strangely
What You Do:
Click "Revoke Agent Access" in your dashboard
Takes effect IMMEDIATELY (within 1 block)
All pending agent transactions canceled
Agent cannot take any more actions
Example:
Comparison: Traditional vs ERC-8004
Traditional Web3 (Without ERC-8004)
Option 1: Give Agent Full Wallet Access
❌ Agent can do ANYTHING with your account
❌ Could transfer all your cards
❌ Could spend all your $CARD
❌ No expiration, must manually revoke
❌ Very risky!
Option 2: Custom Per-Game System
❌ Each game has different agent system
❌ Have to learn new system for each game
❌ Agents don't work across games
❌ Inconsistent security
With ERC-8004 in Incarnation
Granular Control:
✅ Agent only does exactly what you allow
✅ Automatic expiration
✅ Spending and frequency limits
✅ Instant revocation
✅ Works across all ERC-8004 games
Example: Same agent can:
Play Incarnation casual matches
Manage your cards in another ERC-8004 card game
Participate in ERC-8004 trading card marketplace
All with consistent permission system
Incarnation-Specific Implementation
Card Game Actions
Supported Agent Actions:
Join matchmaking queue
Select deck for battle
Play cards during match
Declare attacks
Activate hero abilities
End turn
Claim match rewards
Each Action Checkable:
Vault NFT Integration
Supported Agent Actions:
Check vault parameters (price, APY, etc.)
Deposit $CARD to mint cards
Burn cards to redeem $CARD
Claim vault yields
Monitor bonding curve prices
Safety Example:
Governance Integration
Supported Agent Actions:
Check active proposals
Vote on behalf of player (if delegated)
Submit new proposals (if authorized)
Track voting history
Example:
Getting Started with ERC-8004 Agents
Step 1: Understand What You Need
Want to automate quests? → Daily quest agent
Want to optimize vaults? → Investment agent
Want to test cards? → Testing agent
Step 2: Configure Permissions Carefully
Start very restrictive
Add permissions only as needed
Set reasonable spending limits
Use time limits (e.g., 7 days for first try)
Step 3: Monitor First Week
Check agent actions daily
Review transaction history
Verify it's doing what you expect
Adjust permissions as needed
Step 4: Gradually Expand
Once comfortable, extend duration
Increase spending limits if needed
Try additional agent types
Step 5: Maintain Oversight
Even with trusted agents, check weekly
Review performance and statistics
Revoke and reconfigure as your needs change
Future of ERC-8004 in Incarnation
2026: Enhanced Permissions
Conditional permissions: "Only play if rank above 2000"
Time-based permissions: "Only play weekdays 9 AM - 5 PM"
Performance-based: "Stop if win rate drops below 40%"
2027: Cross-Game Agents
Your Incarnation agent also works in other card games
Unified agent dashboard for all games
Cross-game achievement tracking
2028+: Advanced Features
Multi-agent coordination (multiple agents working together)
Agent-to-agent negotiation (for trades, tournaments)
Community-governed agent standards
Conclusion
ERC-8004 is the technical foundation that makes x402 agents safe and useful in Incarnation. It's what lets you say "my agent can play casual matches but not ranked" and have that actually enforced by smart contracts.
You don't need to understand all the technical details—just know that ERC-8004 is why Incarnation agents are secure, flexible, and under your control. It's the invisible infrastructure making AI-assisted gameplay possible.
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