# Base Beat Debut Edition: Newsletter #1 > Welcome to the debut of Base Beat - your fun-sized update on the Base community. Here’s what you need to know this week: - Date: 2023-04-26 - Author: Base - URL: https://base.org/blog/base-beat-debut-edition-newsletter-1 Welcome to the debut of Base Beat - your fun-sized update on the Base community. Here’s what you need to know this week: **The Latest News from Base** - **The first Base testnet hardfork is coming up.** The Regolith upgrade is taking place on April 27th at 10 am PT. It is a planned upgrade to enhance the network’s security and reliability. 📡  Node operators will need to upgrade to [Base node V0.1.1](https://github.com/base-org/node/releases/tag/v0.1.1). We don’t expect any downtime or impact on the user experience. You can track the status of the upgrade on the [Base status page](https://status.base.org/). - **Base Builder Quest is on!** Deploy a smart contract on Base & mint a commemorative NFT by artist Andre Oshea. Learn more [here](https://base.mirror.xyz/CsHm8poSS9HqWNMvPZEZDIn8LMjiNy5PwUd7z8F6G-Q), or simply get [started with the Quest](https://quests.base.org/). Follow Andre on Twitter at [@andreoshea](https://twitter.com/andreoshea?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor) or on Instagram at [@andreoshea\_](https://www.instagram.com/andreoshea_/) - **Open Zeppelin's Defender supports Base testnet.** Benefits for builders: - Secure & automate smart contract admin - Craft automated scripts - Monitor & tackle exploits - Embrace security best practices - More on the [Open Zeppelin blog](https://blog.openzeppelin.com/base-developers-can-now-access-openzeppelins-smart-contract-security/?utm_campaign=Base&utm_source=blog&utm_campaign=Base&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social) **Curious Corner: Discord Q&A Gems** A recap of topics our Discord community was most curious about. Join us for our weekly Friday Q&As in the [Base Discord](https://discord.com/invite/buildonbase) #base-stage channel. - **What are our plans for decentralization?** We’re collaborating with Optimism to progressively decentralize Base. Our goal: Base becomes a Stage 2 rollup, per Vitalik's [vision](https://ethereum-magicians.org/t/proposed-milestones-for-rollups-taking-off-training-wheels/11571). Learn more in [our blog](https://base.mirror.xyz/H_KPwV31M7OJT-THUnU7wYjOF16Sy7aWvaEr5cgHi8I). - **How are we ensuring security on Base?** Base combines Coinbase's security expertise with an open-source foundation. We believe some of the most secure platforms are open source, with input from various teams — one great example of this is both Optimism and Base running independent security audits to strengthen and secure the same OP Stack codebase. - **What is Base’s role in the overall L2 ecosystem?** We believe that Ethereum will scale with multiple chains, Base being one of them. Learn more about the vision for the Superchain [in our blog](https://base.mirror.xyz/H_KPwV31M7OJT-THUnU7wYjOF16Sy7aWvaEr5cgHi8I). - **Why did we choose to build Base on Optimism?** We embrace the open-source, modular, MIT-licensed OP Stack for upgradability. We have also collaborated with the Optimism team around [EIP-4844](https://www.eip4844.com/) (proto-danksharding), and share a common vision for scaling Ethereum. Learn more in [our blog](https://base.mirror.xyz/H_KPwV31M7OJT-THUnU7wYjOF16Sy7aWvaEr5cgHi8I). - **Is funding available for developers?** Building on Base? Submit your project for consideration to the [Base Ecosystem Fund](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiSAod4PAbXlvvDGtHWu-GqzGpvHYfaTQR2f77AawD7GYc4Q/viewform). Need inspiration? See our [Request for Builders](https://base.mirror.xyz/lt3JR-mZ51q9eIOtGO36L3ZVzCTXmZVnbIiXz6crqzQ). - **How are we going to reduce fees on Base?** Continuing to drive down fees on Base is a top priority — we’re working  on [EIP-4844 (proto-danksharding)](https://www.eip4844.com/) to reduce Ethereum & Base fees. - **Are any analytics solutions available?** [Flipside](https://flipsidecrypto.xyz/hess/base-retention-BUjJWB) & [Artemis](https://app.artemis.xyz/dashboard/base) analytics available on Base testnet; many more to come on mainnet. - **What role does community feedback play in developing Base?** Community input helps us make Base better. Share thoughts on [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/buildonbase). - **What are our plans for the gaming and NFT verticals?** Excited about the potential of NFTs and gaming to accelerate mass adoption. Our vision is to make Base an easy-to-use platform for creators & game builders. **Base All-Stars: Spotlighting Projects & Builders** Recently at our Discord Friday Q&A, we hosted Quick Intel and Permissive. - [Quick Intel](https://quickintel.io/): Token scanner for user safety across chains. - [Permissive](https://permissive.dev/): Authorization framework with Account Abstraction (ERC-4337) for user-controlled permissions & actions. And last Friday, we hosted Thirdweb to talk about their Base-d game on testnet [Cat Attack](https://catattack.thirdweb.com/), which had 100k+ players and 1M+ transactions only 48 hours after launch. Are you a dev interested in building an onchain game, but need a simple way to get started? Check out Thirdweb’s [suite of tooling](https://thirdweb.com/solutions/gaming). **What’s Next?** Connect with Base on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/BuildOnBase) and [Discord](). Got a question about Base you’d like to have answered? Drop it in the #base-friday-questions channel in the Base Discord.