The RNDR Token is a decentralized economic network that transforms GPU computing power into 3D assets, such as graphics cards. Its aim is to enable the creation, sharing, and monetization of any 3D object or environment through the Ethereum blockchain protocol. The RNDR Token is powered by groundbreaking cloud rendering technology, creating a distributed global network comprised of millions of peer-to-peer GPU devices.

1. Project Overview

RenderToken.com (RNDR®) is a high-performance distributed GPU rendering network built on OctaneRender®, the worlds fastest, most advanced GPU-accelerated, unbiased, physically correct renderer, developed by OTOY Inc. This network facilitates a marketplace between compute and virtual asset (NFT) node operators and requesters.

Leading visual effects studios, artists, animators, designers, architects, and engineers have used OTOY’s Oscar-winning technology, providing unprecedented creative freedom, new levels of realism, and new economics in cloud-based content creation and distribution.

OTOY® was founded in 2008 and has since grown to four offices with over 60 employees, headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The public token sale for RNDR took place in October 2017, and the RNDR network launched and has been fully operational since April 2020.

2. Project Introduction

Conceived in 2009 by OTOY, Inc., RNDR is an ERC-20 compatible utility token used for paying for animation, motion graphics, and VFX rendering on the distributed RNDR network. With the capabilities of OTOY’s OctaneRender, the RNDR network can produce cinematic-quality renders in a fraction of the time traditional studios and artists require.

Users can register their workstations on the network and receive RNDR tokens for completing jobs. Rendering tasks are distributed across multiple computers running a simple client application, similar to Folding @ home or SETI.

The tokens earned can later be used to fund rendering projects, all of which are encrypted on the network. Studios also have the option to use Tier 1 nodes hosted on Microsoft Azure’s highly secure infrastructure for their network projects.

Our Vision: A Photon-Driven Economy

Independent artists or studios often struggle to track the media they create. Protecting assets after theft has become a retrospective process through copyright and trademark law. The current rendering business is too slow compared to the rapidly growing digital environments globally.

Blockchain technology (and thus RNDR) provides content creators with a three-point solution:
Rights protection (e.g., non-fungible tokens - NFTs)
Profitability
Empowering individuals

RNDR’s vision is to transform distributed GPU computing power into a decentralized economy of connected 3D assets where any object or environment can be created, shared, remixed, and monetized via the blockchain. Brendan Eich, RNDR advisor (creator of JavaScript, co-founder of Mozilla, founder of Brave and BAT token), stated:

“The project will revolutionize how 3D assets and their respective digital rights are transferred and distributed between people and entities. OTOY is transforming its cutting-edge rendering expertise into a decentralized network to cater to a broader audience.” For creators, RNDR opens up pathways for creative works never before possible in the industry. RNDR also has real-world implications for the entire media landscape. Ari Emanuel, Co-CEO of Endeavor and RNDR advisor, commented:

“Entertainment, news, media, platforms, and payments will be transformed by blockchain,” adding that his goal is to drive “media through the RNDR network.”

Inspired by "Life After Television" (written by George Gilder, a member of the OTOY advisory board, in 1990), Jules Urbach outlined his vision from the early stages of the network and subsequent non-fungible digital assets (NFTs) and conservation of authorship, in the life after automation: the rendering economy:

“The first principle of the ‘rendering economy’ is that the resonance of genuine human thought, creativity, and imagination is the fundamental unit of currency.”

“The Render Token and its encompassing network are designed to realize the feasibility of this system as early as possible. Initially, by saving substantial costs in distributed rendering, guiding the rendering economy in its early stages. Then, in subsequent phases, through the semantic web of value and authorship encoded within the blockchain itself.”

As of April 2020, the RNDR network has fully launched its rendering platform, which can be joined at know.rendertoken.com.