POW with Nio Martinez

Nio Martinez is the lead game and blockchain Dev for Astro XP.  He is a skilled full-stack developer with expertise in the .NET Stack and smart contract development for EVM compatible chains in Web3 projects. Besides that, he is also a hobbyist game developer using Unity Engine.

  What were you doing before Web3?

I was working for fin-tech companies like Metrobank as a .NET Developer. Besides that, I also worked for fortune-500 tech companies like DXC Technology (previously known as HP or Hewlett Packard) as a a full stack .NET Developer providing software solutions for various SMEs (Small-Medium sized Enterprises).

How did you get into Web3?

I was familiar with cryptocurrencies even before it went mainstream but I did not realize its potential yet. I thought it was just another “GCash” back in the days where you can convert your real world money into something you can use to transact online.

Then I got into trading crypto and the emergence of mainstream digital art as NFTs. This is what made me go deeper into the rabbit hole realizing its potential.

But as a gamer, the popular rise of play-to-earn or GameFi space in Web3 is really what got me hooked into the space. Plus It’s a culmination of everything that I want and had been working out for myself so far! (Software/Game Developer, Blockchain Tech, Gaming)

What was your first crypto or NFT project?

I did not have enough resources or proper education specific for Web3. I mean that’s one of the main struggles of people jumping into the Web3 space.

So Llke them, my options are limited and I started out small, watching YouTube tutorials, reading documentation, signing-up to every training and beta-waitlist for a new Web3 related SDK that comes out.

To be fair in this question, I’d like to say that my first NFT project was those scrappy unfinished practice tutorial projects (some devs know what I’m talking about) like a Decentralized Exchange, NFT Marketplace, etc, Deploying 10,000 NFTs on a test network.

How would you explain what you do to someone outside of Web3?

“I create contracts…but a smart one, where transactions can be secure, transparent, and immutable”

Which creator or thought leader do you enjoy learning from?

I do have a massive list that I want to include here about creators I follow and look up to, but from what I’m seeing, most of my recent learnings did not come from creators or leaders, it’s from my peers and the community of Web3.

What is the biggest highlight of your career so far?

It’s every day that I get to contribute to my fellow builders in the Web3 space and collaborate with like-minded people that want to make the most out of the technology and build innovative solutions for the people.

What tech or crypto trend are you watching this year?

The usage of Artificial Intelligence that are popping out here and there. I’m currently keeping an eye not on the AI apps, but their APIs where you can also use and implement on your own application and use a specific AI technology. That’s what I’m after and I think it will be pretty big.

What advice would you give someone starting out in Web3?

Web3 is a very vast space with multiple sub areas such as GameFi, DeFi, Arts and Music, Private Solutions, Automation, and even Real Estate or Metaverse.

Choose one that aligns with your interests and hobbies. Once you already decided on that, start small and execute. No matter how small, no matter how puny, just execute, and repeat. Now, watch your brain muscle memory magic take place.

If you could do a TEDtalk on any topic, what would it be?

I’d probably discuss how a person liking a certain job or field of work gives a huge impact on the output of one’s execution and how far one can go if he/she loves what they’re doing.

What is the one thing you would bring if you were stuck on a deserted Island?

That would be a tangible humanoid version of ChatGPT and I’ll be like:“Give me a step-by-step instruction to survive on a deserted Island without anything but you.” LMAO

POW stands for “Proof of Work.” It is a new feature article series in The Mega Maxi to highlight the savviest builders in the Web3 space.