HyperPlay, a Web3 native game launcher with a built-in crypto wallet, has announced its early access launch.
The online game launcher was built in collaboration with crypto wallet provider MetaMask, aiming to integrate players’ crypto wallets with game libraries such as the Epic Games Store, GOG (formerly Good Old Games), and the HyperPlay Store itself.
The new platform, founded by a former MetaMask operator led by JacobC.eth, does not charge commissions to developers and instead plans to rely on crypto services such as swaps and bridges to monetize the platform.
Today we’re excited to celebrate the early access alpha launch of https://t.co/tXbk7iBEWb , a game launcher that brings Web3 wallets to native games.
We collect @EpicGames store, @GOGcomand our own store for overlays @MetaMask to the gaming experience. pic.twitter.com/s7pGX9I8qg
— HyperPlay @ ETH Denver 2023 (@HyperPlayGaming) March 1, 2023
Users of the newly launched alpha version of the platform can create new MetaMask wallets in the interface and can even import existing wallets via the “import” button.
Speaking to Cointelegraph, JacobC.eth said that this wallet could be layered on top of the game, allowing users to quickly confirm transactions while playing.
According to the March 1 announcement, HyperPlay has launched a platform with 21 Web3 titles, including The Sandbox, Other World, Bionic Owl, DeFi Kingdoms and Moonblasters. In addition, it is connected to the Epic Games and GOG stores, allowing players to start games they have from other platforms that use them.
We live on @HyperPlayGaming!!! https://t.co/yeex4uX1MT pic.twitter.com/i2GnY2MiFi
– Another World (@anotherworlddao) March 1, 2023
The founder of the platform told Cointelegraph that a new game aggregator is needed because Web3 games are being deplatformed and overtaxed by major stores, as explained:
“Today, Web3 game developers are being deplatformed by Apple, Steam, Google, and the legacy Web2 stores also force developers to receive a 30% tax on every action in the game that occurs in the economy, so we want to create a more competitive market between game stores .
related: The Unity game engine adds MetaMask functionality
He also said that the platform could offer players a universal wallet that would not require them to alt-tab out of the game every time they make a transaction, stating:
“We created Hyperplay as a native desktop application that allows players to send wallets to every game they play, and we want to make interoperability, permissionless extensibility, and great UX the standard for Web3 games.”
JacobC.eth confirmed that HyperPlay is in an alpha build and may not be stable. The team hopes to get feedback from playtesters and improve the product as it moves towards a public launch in the future.
According to a recent DappRadar report, game transactions made up almost half of all blockchain activity in January. However, Web3 games are still struggling to achieve mainstream adoption due to the complex onboarding process. Square Enix recently announced that it will make a large investment in the space, as it considers blockchain technology to be important to the gaming industry in the future.