GameFi & Play-to-Earn Security Checklist
55 security checks for gaming protocols, NFT games, and play-to-earn platforms. Covering tokenomics, NFT mechanics, marketplace security, game logic vulnerabilities, and player incentive systems.
🚨 Critical Threat Landscape
GameFi protocols face unique attack vectors that traditional DeFi audits miss:
• $47M+ lost to GameFi exploits in 2024 (MakinaFi, DeHero, Polycat)
• 73% of protocols suffer security incidents within 6 months
• 890+ gaming findings across 2,100+ GameFi audit issues analyzed
• 342 tokenomics flaws inflation controls and reward mechanism exploits
• 18% of findings are Critical+ Higher severity rate than traditional DeFi
CATEGORIES
Mint Supply Cap Enforcement
CriticalMaximum NFT supply cannot be exceeded via any function, including admin mints
Admin Mint Restrictions
HighLimited admin mint quantities with timelock delays and transparency
Randomness Security
HighUses Chainlink VRF or equivalent for trait generation and loot drops
Metadata Immutability Protection
HighIPFS/Arweave URIs or baseURI cannot be maliciously altered post-mint
Transfer Hook Validation
CriticalAll NFT transfers trigger proper game state updates and validation
Cross-Contract State Consistency
CriticalAsset ownership synced between game logic and NFT contracts
Marketplace Integration Security
MediumApproved marketplaces cannot bypass game mechanics or locks
Asset Locking Verification
HighItems locked in-game cannot be transferred or sold externally
Inflation Control Mechanisms
CriticalToken emission rates have hard caps, decay mechanisms, and economic sustainability
Vesting Schedule Enforcement
HighTeam/investor allocations properly locked with gradual, transparent release
Burn Mechanism Verification
MediumToken burns are irreversible, properly accounted, and economically sound
Supply Oracle Manipulation Protection
MediumCirculating supply calculations resistant to flash loan and oracle attacks
Reward Rate Limits
CriticalPlayers cannot exploit loops or bugs to claim excessive rewards
Activity Validation Requirements
CriticalOn-chain proof required for all reward-eligible player actions
Anti-Farming Mechanisms
HighCooldowns, diminishing returns, or stake requirements prevent reward farming
Sybil Resistance
HighMultiple account creation doesn't multiply rewards unfairly
Staking Lock Period Enforcement
MediumCannot unstake immediately to avoid economic consequences
Voting Power Calculations
MediumGovernance power properly weighted, capped, and manipulation-resistant
Flash Loan Protection
HighStaking rewards and voting cannot be manipulated via borrowed tokens
Compound Interest Rate Limits
CriticalStaking yield calculations prevent infinite token generation
Price Manipulation Protection
HighOrders cannot be front-run or have prices manipulated by MEV
Fee Calculation Accuracy
MediumTrading fees computed correctly without overflow/underflow vulnerabilities
Royalty Enforcement
MediumCreator royalties properly distributed on secondary sales
Order Expiration Handling
MediumStale orders automatically expire and cannot be executed
Atomic Swap Guarantees
CriticalTrades either complete fully or revert entirely with no partial states
Escrow Fund Security
CriticalUser deposits properly segregated and withdrawal-protected
Dispute Resolution Mechanisms
LowClear mechanisms for handling failed trades or fraud claims
Settlement Finality
HighCompleted trades cannot be reversed or disputed post-execution
Cross-Chain Bridge Validation
CriticalCross-chain asset transfers require multiple confirmations and proper validation
Replay Attack Prevention
CriticalBridge transactions cannot be executed multiple times across chains
Move Verification
CriticalAll game actions validated on-chain with proper state transitions
Cooldown Enforcement
HighTime-based restrictions cannot be bypassed via external calls or reentrancy
Resource Consumption Validation
HighActions that consume resources properly decrement balances atomically
State Machine Integrity
CriticalGame states transition only through valid paths with proper validation
Anti-Cheating Measures
HighPlayer actions verified against game physics and rule constraints
Timing Attack Resistance
MediumBlock timestamp dependencies handled securely without manipulation risks
MEV Protection for Game Actions
MediumMiners cannot extract value by reordering player transactions
Fair Play Enforcement
HighNo single player can monopolize limited resources or unfair advantages
Private Information Protection
MediumHidden game data remains secret until proper reveal mechanisms trigger
Multi-Signature Admin Controls
CriticalCritical admin functions require multiple signatures and transparency
Timelock Protection
HighMajor parameter changes have delay periods before execution
Emergency Pause Functionality
HighGame can be paused in crisis without asset loss
Role Separation
MediumDifferent admin roles with minimal necessary permissions
Player Authentication Security
MediumPlayer identities verified without relying solely on msg.sender
Delegation Control Mechanisms
MediumAccount abstraction and proxy permissions properly restricted
Session Management
LowTemporary playing permissions have appropriate time limits and scope
Oracle Redundancy
HighMultiple price sources prevent single point of failure
Data Freshness Validation
MediumStale price data rejected with appropriate time windows
Circuit Breakers
HighExtreme price movements trigger protective mechanisms
Oracle Manipulation Resistance
CriticalPrice feeds cannot be manipulated via flash loans or coordinated attacks
External API Integration Resilience
MediumGame continues functioning if external services fail
Upgrade Authorization
CriticalOnly authorized entities can upgrade contracts with proper governance
State Migration Safety
CriticalPlayer assets and progress preserved through contract upgrades
Gas Cost Optimization
LowCommon player actions cost-effective for target user base
Batch Operation Support
LowMultiple actions can be batched to reduce transaction costs
Need a Professional GameFi Security Audit?
Gaming protocols face unique vulnerabilities that traditional DeFi audits miss. From tokenomics exploits to NFT manipulation, get your GameFi project audited by specialists who understand play-to-earn mechanics and gaming economies.
