Mark Rydon is a co-founder of Aethir, a decentralized cloud infrastructure platform developed to meet the demands of blockchain-based gaming and AI. With a background in technology and entrepreneurship, Rydon has contributed to the development of Aethir's cloud services, offering an alternative to centralized infrastructure providers. His work focuses on addressing the infrastructure needs of Web3 applications, particularly in the gaming sector.^[1][4][5]

Education

Mark Rydon holds a diverse academic background with degrees from The University of Queensland. He earned a Bachelor of Business Management, specializing in International Business, where he was involved with various activities, including participation in Kings College. He also completed a Bachelor of Science, focusing on Environmental Science and Geology, further broadening his interdisciplinary knowledge.

In addition to his university education, Rydon attended The Southport School and Bangkok Patana School, institutions that contributed to his foundational learning and global perspective.^[1]

Career

Rydon has held various roles in technology, blockchain, and entrepreneurship. Since August 2021, he has been a co-founder of Aethir, working on decentralized cloud infrastructure for gaming and AI industries. His efforts at Aethir aim to address hardware limitations and improve user experiences by offering decentralized solutions for Web3 applications.

In addition to his work at Aethir, Rydon has served as an advisor to NOTA Club since June 2022, supporting its goal to connect gamers globally. He assists in developing the platform to foster engagement between gamers, streamers, and key opinion leaders (KOLs).

Rydon is also a partner at Flux Capital, a venture capital fund that focuses on blockchain infrastructure and Web3 technology. Since November 2022, he has contributed to identifying founders developing solutions in these sectors and providing capital and guidance to help them succeed.

Since February 2022, Rydon has been a partner at Gaas Global LTD, a company focused on blockchain infrastructure and GPU mining ecosystems. His role involves assisting clients with investments in decentralized computational power networks.

Earlier in his career, Rydon co-founded the Beijing Ducks and Shenzhen Pirates Rugby Clubs, fostering connections between local and international players. He also co-founded Teach & Play, a platform connecting educators with opportunities in China, and Kulture Athletics, Inc., a company developing stretchable sensors for biometric data tracking.

Rydon has also worked with Bechtel Corporation, contributing to major engineering projects, including the Wheatstone Project in Australia, where he managed contracts and system completions.^[1][4][5]

Interviews

Mark Rydon on Decentralized Cloud Gaming #01

In an interview published by Hackernoon on October 23, 2023, Mark Rydon, CEO and co-founder of Aethir, shared his perspectives on the future of decentralized cloud gaming and the innovations his company is bringing to the industry. Rydon began by describing how his passion for video games was shaped during his youth, influenced by classics like "Counter-Strike", "Starcraft", "Warcraft 3", and "World of Warcraft". These early experiences fueled his enthusiasm for gaming and ultimately guided his professional journey.

Rydon’s career started in engineering, where he worked on large-scale infrastructure projects. This experience sparked his entrepreneurial spirit, leading him to launch a biotech venture. After three successful years in biotech, he returned to infrastructure, this time focusing on cloud-based solutions, which eventually led to the creation of Aethir. According to Rydon, Aethir was born out of the potential he saw in Web3 and the challenges it presented.

In the interview, Rydon discussed the concept of decentralized cloud gaming, which he views as a transformative shift in how games are developed, refined, and delivered. By leveraging cloud computing, this model removes traditional hardware limitations, making gaming more accessible to a wider audience. Developers benefit from real-time updates, innovative revenue streams, and reduced distribution costs. However, Rydon acknowledged that this approach also presents challenges, particularly in terms of connectivity and initial investment. Despite these hurdles, he emphasized the significant potential of decentralized cloud gaming to reshape the global gaming industry.

Rydon went on to explain Aethir's mission, which is to provide a decentralized cloud infrastructure (DCI) specifically designed for gaming and AI solutions. Aethir is built to handle intensive GPU computations, allowing even high-end games to run smoothly on a variety of devices. The platform enables seamless updates, ensuring that all players experience the latest versions of games without delay.

He also highlighted how Aethir facilitates real-time updates in cloud-hosted games. For example, in games like "Fortnite" and "World of Warcraft", new content can be introduced without requiring players to download or install updates individually. This process streamlines game maintenance and enhances the overall user experience.

Rydon identified several key benefits of decentralized cloud infrastructure for developers. These include the ability to roll out instantaneous updates, mitigate piracy, overcome device limitations, create new revenue models, and reduce distribution costs. He explained that by offloading heavy computations to the cloud, Aethir allows high-end games to be played on lower-end devices, making titles like "Red Dead Redemption 2" and "Cyberpunk 2077"accessible to a broader audience.

In terms of piracy prevention, Rydon noted that Aethir's model, which hosts game execution on cloud servers rather than on user devices, effectively eliminates traditional piracy methods. This approach, similar to platforms like Google's Stadia or Nvidia's GeForce Now, prevents users from accessing game files, thereby enhancing security.

Rydon also discussed the flexibility of revenue models in cloud gaming, suggesting that subscription-based services similar to Netflix could open up new monetization opportunities for developers. He pointed out that cloud gaming significantly reduces distribution costs, as players can access content via micro-clients instead of full downloads. This not only streamlines distribution but also allows developers to bypass platform fees and regional restrictions.

Concluding the interview, Rydon emphasized the importance of frameworks like Aethir in the rapidly evolving landscape of cloud gaming. He believes that Aethir's innovative approach has the potential to redefine the global gaming industry, making it more inclusive and enhancing the overall gaming experience. ^[2]

Mark Rydon on Aethir infrastructure #02

In an episode of the DePINed Podcast released on July 25, 2024, Mark Rydon, CEO and co-founder of Ather, discussed the company's efforts to address the global scarcity of computational power, particularly in the context of AI advancements, and its impact on decentralized cloud gaming. Rydon highlighted how Ather is connecting enterprise-grade GPUs to tackle this shortage, offering a unique approach to rewarding providers and transforming the landscape of decentralized computing.

Rydon emphasized the growing global demand for compute power, especially in AI, and explained how Ather is strategically positioned to meet this need. He noted that the company’s partnership with Nvidia plays a crucial role in enhancing developer access and funding opportunities, further solidifying Ather’s place in the tech landscape. This collaboration, according to Rydon, not only boosts Ather’s credibility but also provides essential resources that foster innovation and expand market reach.

Ather’s tokenomics model was another key point of discussion. Rydon explained that the system is designed to reward GPU owners for their idle capacity and operational contributions, creating a stable and incentivized network. This deflationary token system, he argued, could drive sustained growth for Ather, attracting more GPU providers and strengthening the overall utility of the network.

The introduction of the Aether Edge device was highlighted as a significant innovation, making it easier for users to join Ather’s global compute network. Rydon pointed out that this device simplifies the process of integrating into the decentralized computing ecosystem, making it more accessible to a broader audience and promoting community engagement.

Rydon also discussed the economic implications of Ather’s model, noting that by allowing independent providers to profit, the company is fostering a diverse and adaptable ecosystem that can meet various computational needs. He suggested that as the crypto market evolves and Bitcoin potentially rises, Ather is well-positioned for future success, making it a compelling opportunity in the decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) space.

Throughout the podcast, Rydon emphasized Ather's commitment to revolutionizing cloud gaming and AI training by providing more accessible participation models and enhancing supercomputing capabilities. He concluded by expressing optimism about the future, stating that Ather’s innovations are paving the way for a more decentralized and efficient computing landscape.^[3]