As the developers behind HYTOPIA, we’ve been driven by one mission: to create a platform that empowers our community to bring their creative ideas to life.
From the very beginning we knew that the Marketplace would be the heart and soul of the HYTOPIA experience – a dynamic hub where creativity and innovation would meet.
When creating the Marketplace, we took a user-first approach, carefully considering every aspect of the user experience.
We knew that creators needed a seamless, intuitive interface that would allow them to showcase their work, connect with their players and monetize their creations with ease.
Navigating Collections
One of the key UX decisions we made was to develop search and filtering systems that would let users effortlessly navigate all the content in the Marketplace.
Creators will be able to categorize their work by collections, making it easier for players to discover the perfect assets to bring their visions to life.
We created a filtering system that allows players to narrow down items by criteria such as name, status, price, rarity, and the character slots the items are placed in. This gives players full control to discover the perfect item for their needs, whether they’re searching for a rare and legendary hat or a common but versatile sword.
It’s important to know that the Marketplace’s collection system was developed to give creators more flexibility in how they categorize their work. Unlike traditional NFT marketplaces, where collections are often restricted by smart contracts, HYTOPIA’s creators have the freedom to place the same items in multiple collections.
For example, a space-themed jetpack can be part of both a “Space Collection” and a “High Tech Collection,” allowing creators to organize their creations in ways that make the most sense for their own workflows and their players’ needs.
Item Bundles and Lootboxes
To give creators even more power and flexibility, we’ve included support for organizing items into bundles and lootboxes. Both of these features work in a similar way under the hood, but with a key difference in their outcome.
Lootboxes work much like in other games – creators can curate a collection of items with varying rarity levels and predetermined odds of being obtained. When players buy and open a lootbox, they’ll get one of the items randomly.
The Marketplace interface will clearly show the full contents of each lootbox and the exact probabilities, ensuring full transparency for players, all of this powered but our marketplace’s smart contracts in the background.
In contrast, bundles allow creators to package multiple items together for a single buy price. When a player buys a bundle, they’ll get all of the included items without any random element. This allows creators to offer themed collections, like a “Holiday Pack” with festive hats, weapons, and mounts, or a “Halloween Bundle” featuring spooky-themed gear.
Both lootboxes and bundles can be purchased and sold just like any other item in the Marketplace, giving creators extra avenues to monetize their work and giving players new ways to discover and buy the items they want.
Item Listings
Item listing pages have been created to show enough information for players to help them pick the perfect items for their characters while keeping them easy to read and navigate. Each item listing includes a detailed description, a 3D preview, and a list of attributes that players can use to compare items and make informed decisions.
The process for listing items in the Marketplace is designed to be straightforward and intuitive. With a single click, players will be ready to list purchased items up for sale. We’ve included price suggestions based on current marketplace trends, but players are free to set custom prices as they see fit. To prevent accidental underpricing, we’ve also implemented warnings to alert them if they’re listing an item significantly below the current lowest price.
The buying and selling process has been designed to be as seamless as possible. Players won’t need to approve or sign any blockchain-related transactions, ensuring a frictionless experience that feels more like a traditional e-commerce platform than a crypto-based marketplace. We’ve also consciously avoided the use of crypto-specific terminology, like “floor price” or “market cap,” to make the Marketplace more approachable for a wider web2 player base.
But the Marketplace is more than just a search engine – it’s a dynamic place where creators can showcase their work in the most compelling way possible. We’ve invested heavily in developing robust 3D previewing capabilities, allowing users to rotate, zoom, and even preview items on their characters before making a buy.
Fun fact: the 3D preview uses the same rendering engine that powers the game client!
Payment Integrations
To further increase appeal to a broader audience, we’ve integrated support for purchases using regular debit or credit cards, plus allowing players to use the in-game $TOPIA currency. This dual payment integration provides players with greater flexibility and reduces the friction typically linked with web3 transactions, empowering more users to explore and engage with the HYTOPIA Marketplace.
Closing thoughts
As we look to the future of the HYTOPIA Marketplace, we’re filled with a sense of boundless optimism. We are laying the groundwork for a platform that will empower creators to push the boundaries of what’s possible in this space and help bring them closer to their players
By focusing on user experience, seamless monetization and fostering a vibrant community, we’re confident that the HYTOPIA Marketplace will become a beacon of creativity and innovation in the gaming space. We can’t wait to see the amazing creations that our community will bring to life, and we’re excited to be a part of this journey with you.
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