HyperPlay game aggregator alpha launched, has built-in Web3 wallet

HyperPlay, a Web3-native game launcher with a built-in crypto wallet, has announced its early access launch, according to a March 1 announcement from the developer.

The online game launcher was built in partnership with crypto wallet provider MetaMask, aimed at integrating players’ crypto wallets with game libraries such as the Epic Games Store, GOG (formerly Good Old Games), and its own HyperPlay Store.

The new platform, founded by former Metamask COO JacobC.eth, does not require any commissions from developers, and instead plans to rely on crypto services such as swaps and bridges to monetize the platform.

Users of the recently launched Alpha version of the platform can create new Metamask wallets within the interface, and can even import their existing wallets through an “import” button.

In a conversation with Cointelegraph, JacobC.eth said that this wallet can be placed on top of a game, allowing users to quickly confirm transactions while playing.

According to the announcement, HyperPlay has launched its platform with 21 Web3 titles, including The Sandbox, Another World, Bionic Owl, DeFi Kingdoms, Moonblasters and more. Additionally, it is connected to both the Epic Games and GOG stores, allowing players to launch the games they own from these other platforms using it.

The platform’s founder told Cointelegraph that a new game aggregator is needed because Web3 games are being de-platformed and overtaxed by big stores, as he explained:

“Today, Web3 game developers are being deplatformed by Apple, Steam, Google, and the legacy Web2 stores also force developers to accept a 30% tax on every in-game action that happens in their economies, so we wanted to create a more competitive market between game stores.”

Related: The Unity game engine adds Metmask functionality

He also argued that the platform could provide players with a universal wallet that doesn’t require them to exit a game every time they make a transaction, saying:

“We built Hyperplay as a native desktop application that allows the player to transfer their wallet to every game they play, and we want to make interoperability, permission-free extensibility and great UX the standard for Web3 games.”

JacobC.eth emphasized 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 full public launch in the future.

According to a recent DappRadar report, gaming transactions accounted for nearly half of all blockchain activity in the month of January. However, Web3 games still struggle to reach mainstream adoption due to complex onboarding processes. Square Enix recently announced that they will be making major investments in the space, as they consider blockchain technology to be crucial to the future of the gaming industry.