In the fast-paced world of blockchain development, choosing the right platform can make or break your project. That's the key takeaway from a recent thread by the team behind Addicted, a Solana-based game where players build their own drug empires. After years of grinding on Ethereum and its layer-2 solution Base without much traction, they switched to Solana six months ago—and the results were explosive.

The team at Pandemic Labs, creators of Addicted (@addicteddotfun), shared their story openly. They launched multiple products on Base over four years, but nothing really took off. Then, on Solana, their game Addicted raked in $3.5 million in revenue within 48 hours, even surpassing Pump.fun's 24-hour revenue at the time. Pump.fun, for those new to the space, is a popular Solana platform for launching meme tokens quickly and easily.

So, what makes Solana the go-to choice for builders like them? Let's break it down based on their insights.

Solana's Open Door vs. Ethereum's Closed Party

One major gripe with Base and Ethereum is the "inner circle" vibe. The Addicted team felt like outsiders at a exclusive dinner party. They launched over six products on Base but got zero support from the ecosystem. Instead, Base promoted their favorites like Zora (an NFT platform) and Farcaster (a decentralized social network), even launching their own memecoin which now sits at a modest $2.5 million market cap.

Solana flips this script. It's builder-first, without judgment on what you're creating. The team arrived with no connections or track record, yet the Solana Foundation provided massive support, helping their product gain visibility and succeed. This inclusive approach fosters real growth, especially for consumer-facing apps aiming for product-market fit (PMF)—that sweet spot where your product meets actual user needs.

The Culture That Drives Innovation

A chain's attitude shapes its entire ecosystem, and Solana's is all about openness and collaboration. On Ethereum and Base, builders often waste time networking to get into the "cool kids" club rather than focusing on development. The Addicted crew was shocked by how responsive and helpful Solana builders are—they reply quickly, offer genuine assistance, and uplift each other. Shoutout to Meteora, a dynamic liquidity pool project on Solana, as a prime example.

This "culture" isn't just buzz; it's why Solana attracts innovative projects. Unlike the top-down decision-making on Ethereum, where trends are dictated by a few, Solana lets experimentation thrive naturally from users and communities.

Bridging the Gap Between Builders and Users

Ethereum and Base often see a divide: builders shun speculation, chasing "serious" products for non-existent users. But crypto thrives on community-driven hype, including meme tokens that can go viral overnight.

Solana embraces this. It supports wild ideas and helps builders iterate. That's why top consumer apps flock there: Pump.fun for meme launches, Axiom for advanced trading, Moonshot for token launches, Helium for decentralized wireless networks, Believe for social features, Jupiter for DEX aggregation, Collector Crypt for NFTs, Phygitals for physical-digital hybrids, Vector for AI tools, and Bags for portfolio management. The list is growing, signaling Solana's dominance in real-user applications.

What's Next for Addicted?

The team isn't stopping. Season 2 of Addicted is coming—a massive survival game billed as the biggest in crypto history. They'll keep dropping viral games, all on Solana. If you're a builder still on Base or Ethereum L2s, their advice is clear: switch to Solana to unlock your potential.

For meme token enthusiasts and blockchain practitioners, this thread highlights Solana's edge in fostering quick wins and community support. It's a reminder that in crypto, the right ecosystem can turn years of effort into overnight success. Stay tuned to Pandemic Labs for more updates, and if you're diving into Solana projects, check out tools like Pump.fun to launch your own meme token ideas.

This shift isn't just about tech—Solana's speed and scalability are bonuses. It's about an ecosystem that empowers builders to find true PMF without gatekeeping. If you're building in crypto, Solana might be your next move.