# Ukiyo
Ukiyo is a side-scrolling MMORPG that transports players into a visually captivating world. With its parallax scrolling, depth of view, and immersive visual effects, Ukiyo aims to create a magical and engaging environment. The game combines classic MMORPG elements with a modern twist, offering a nostalgic yet refreshing experience. Players can customise their characters, master various skills, engage in combat, and form friendships as they explore the mysteries of this enchanting realm. Ukiyo caters to a variety of playstyles, providing options for solo quests, collaborative adventures, and competitive PvP battles. Embark on a journey where magic, adventure, and camaraderie intertwine in this unique gaming experience.
# Our Vision
* We aim to fill the gap in the Web3 gaming space by developing a high-quality, immersive MMORPG that brings excitement, enjoyment, and entertainment to the world of NFT gaming. Our passion for MMORPGs drives us to create a visually stunning game that offers a truly immersive experience.
* We strive to create a game that is intrinsically fun, similar to traditional games where players engage for the core value of entertainment. By focusing on enjoyable gameplay, we ensure that any monetary values derived from the game are in addition to the primary goal of providing an entertaining experience.
* Ukiyo will implement a play-and-earn model that allows players to have true ownership of their valuable in-game assets. We recognize the effort players put into earning items and progressing in the game, and we want to provide them with the ability to retain and obtain value from their achievements in a decentralized manner.
* Our goal is to create a sustainable economy within Ukiyo that rewards both players and investors. We understand that many players seek to trade valuable items or accounts, regardless of whether it's officially allowed by the game. By integrating blockchain elements into the core gameplay, we enable players to securely and directly benefit from the value they generate through their efforts.
* Ukiyo will be a community-centric project, fostering social connections among players. We believe that a significant portion of enjoyment in MMORPGs comes from the social aspects of the game. By prioritizing community engagement and soliciting feedback at every stage of development, we aim to create an experience that resonates with our players' desires and expectations.
* We are committed to delivering a game that combines the best aspects of traditional MMORPGs with the benefits of blockchain technology. Our vision is to create a world where players can immerse themselves in a beautiful, engaging game while having the opportunity to earn and retain value from their dedication and achievements within the Ukiyo ecosystem.
# Tokenomics
This section has been presented ahead of the gameplay features to provide a general introduction to the blockchain aspects that will be implemented in Ukiyo. Each gameplay component incorporating blockchain elements will have its own section within the whitepaper, offering further detail on how these elements will apply.
Preface: The lack of utility is one of the key concerns affecting the long-term viability of blockchain games. Moreover, games that are solely built to create a play-to-earn economy without focusing on playability may struggle to retain player interest once early investors start withdrawing funds.
MMORPGs are inherently designed for long-term playability, provided the game continues to evolve and implement new features. Ukiyo's core ethos is to explore different approaches to address the typical sustainability challenges faced by blockchain games.
#### Our Solution Comprises
1. A comprehensive approach to in-game blockchain integration, with our native tokens serving as the key mechanism to unlock numerous additional game features, achieved by integrating token utility into fundamental gaming mechanics.
2. Ensuring that the value derived from retaining tokens outweighs the motivation to withdraw and convert to fiat. Certain in-game milestones can only be attained by utilising (burning) the acquired tokens. Consequently, players who withdraw tokens early on will be unable to progress through these hoops and experience various in-game features.
3. Adding a minimum level threshold for players to be able to withdraw Ukiyo Tokens from the game. This creates a cohesive ecosystem where players must first generate value and properly experience the game before extracting profits.
# Ukiyo token
*Note: We have temporarily omitted the token ticker/code to avoid scams.* This is the primary token of the game, which will power most of our core blockchain integrations. \
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The Ukiyo token will be the driving force behind the game's ecosystem, providing value and utility through its seamless integration into various aspects of the game. As the primary token, it will power most of our core blockchain features, creating a robust and engaging experience for players.
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**Sustainability and Token Economics**
The Ukiyo token is designed with a focus on sustainability and long-term value creation within the game's ecosystem. Our approach revolves around ensuring a high utility and burn rate for the token, which is directly tied to its usage in the game's core features and progression systems. Players will need to actively engage with the game and make meaningful progress to earn significant amounts of Ukiyo tokens, which will be essential for continued advancement, as they are required for various in-game activities, upgrades, and purchases.
This creates a balanced ecosystem where players are incentivized to participate in the game, earn tokens, and then reinvest those tokens back into their characters' development and overall progress. The burning mechanism introduced through the utilization of tokens in various features acts as a deflationary force that helps to balance the natural inflation resulting from the issuance of new tokens. By aligning the interests of players and the ecosystem, we aim to create a robust and self-sustaining economy that benefits all stakeholders in the long run.
#### Utility
1. **Governance** - The Ukiyo token offers its holders voting rights, allowing them to help shape the project's future by voting on key decisions and referendums.
2. **Payment** - Main currency that powers the in-game NFT marketplace.
3. **Staking** - Ukiyo will feature a unique staking system, allowing token holders to select from an array of different rewards. \
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i) Ukiyo tokens - Traditional like-for-like staking. \
ii) Gold coins (In-game currency) - This allows investors or players with limited time to achieve good progress in-game. To avoid inflationary pressure from this method, there is a daily limit on the number of gold coins that can be awarded through staking. \
iii) Quests - There will be special quests with exclusive rewards which will require players to stake a certain number of tokens over a set length of time.
4. **Equipment enhancement** - Depending on the tier and enhancement level, a certain amount of Ukiyo tokens may be required for equipment upgrades.
5. **Quest / challenge completion** - Certain game objectives or challenges will necessitate the use of Ukiyo tokens to be completed.
6. **Gachapon** (vending machine) - There will be a Gachapon category which requires tickets that can only be purchased using Ukiyo tokens.
7. **Guild creation** - When forming a new guild, guild leaders are required to pay a creation fee in Ukiyo tokens.
8. **Pet breeding** - Each breeding attempt requires Ukiyo tokens.
9. **Ukiyo store** - Exclusive items (cosmetics, consumables, buffs, etc) will be available in the Ukiyo store that can only be purchased using Ukiyo tokens.
#### How to earn
1. Completing quests and challenges
2. Completing dungeons
3. Completing achievements
4. Defeating bosses
5. Winning PvP matches
6. Login / activity rewards
7. Top placement in leaderboards
Please note that many of these mechanisms are subject to change and refinement as the game develops. The Ukiyo token will be strategically integrated into all the core features of the game, ensuring a strong purpose and use case within the ecosystem. As we progress through the development process, we will continuously assess and adapt these mechanisms to create the most engaging and sustainable experience for our players.
# Gameplay
Player's perspective
Ukiyo is a visually stunning side-scrolling MMORPG that immerses players in a beautifully crafted world. By utilising advanced parallax scrolling techniques and multiple layers, we create a captivating depth of view that brings the game's environment to life. Enhance your gaming experience with breathtaking visual effects that heighten the overall appeal and atmosphere of Ukiyo's magical realm.
Begin your journey by creating a fully customisable character, tailored to your unique playstyle. Explore the vast, interconnected realm of Ukiyo, from lush forests to mystical caves, as you uncover hidden treasures and engage in thrilling combat.
Master a wide array of skills and spells, craft powerful equipment, and progress through immersive storylines as you interact with memorable NPCs. Ukiyo emphasises social interaction and collaboration, allowing you to form lasting friendships, join guilds, and tackle challenging group content such as dungeons and raids.
For those seeking competition, Ukiyo offers intense PvP battles where you can test your skills against other players and climb the leaderboards.
Whether you prefer solo quests, forging alliances, or engaging in PvP combat, Ukiyo has something for everyone. With its captivating visuals, rich social features, and engaging gameplay mechanics, Ukiyo is the ultimate destination for MMORPG enthusiasts seeking a fresh and nostalgic experience.
Prepare to lose yourself in the enchanting world of Ukiyo, where magic, adventure, and camaraderie intertwine to create an unforgettable journey.
# Quests and challenges
The main storyline in Ukiyo takes players through an immersive experience filled with various quests and challenges, providing a clear direction for those who wish to progress further. However, players are also free to explore the world at their own pace, discovering a multitude of optional side quests and challenges that offer interesting storylines and valuable rewards.
#### **Types of quests / challenges**
* Main storyline quests
* Party quests
* Side quests
* Obstacle challenges
* Boss challenges
* Dungeon challenges
**Token Integration:**
Quests and challenges in Ukiyo feature a bidirectional token integration, serving as the game's primary play-to-earn mechanisms and contributing significantly to the distribution of Ukiyo tokens.
**Minting of tokens:**
Throughout the game, numerous quests and challenges award players with a predetermined number of Ukiyo tokens upon completion, with the number of tokens varying based on the difficulty of the objectives.
**Utility of tokens:**
Ukiyo also features special tasks and challenges that offer exceptionally rare and exclusive rewards. Many of these objectives require players to burn a specific number of Ukiyo tokens as part of the completion criteria.
# Equipment
In Ukiyo, equipment is classified into five tiers based on rarity, with higher tiers offering better base stats.
* **Tier 1 -** Common
* **Tier 2 -** Uncommon
* **Tier 3 -** Rare
* **Tier 4 -** Epic
* **Tier 5 -** Legendary
Most equipment in Ukiyo can be enhanced using power up stones. The success rate of an enhancement attempt depends on the item's tier (rarity) and its current enhancement level.
#### **Token integration**
Enhancing high-level equipment requires an upgrade fee, which can be paid using Ukiyo tokens. This serves as one of the key token utilities in the game, incentivising players to use their earned tokens to strengthen their characters. Players who do not upgrade their equipment will eventually reach a plateau, hindering their progress and limiting their access to late-game content.
# Dungeons
Dungeons offer a time-based challenge in which players enter a separate location or realm to defeat monsters within a set amount of time. There will be solo and party options, as well as numerous rewards for participating.
#### **Token integration**
The Dungeon system is a subcategory of Quests and Challenges and features a bidirectional token integration. Tokens can be earned by completing the prescribed tasks within the time limit. Additionally, there will be a special category of dungeons that offer exclusive rewards but require an admission fee payable in Ukiyo tokens.
Certain dungeons will award players with a set number of Ukiyo tokens upon completion, depending on the difficulty of the objectives and the time taken to complete them. Some higher-level dungeons will also award players with additional Ukiyo tokens if completed within a specific time frame.
# Achievements
Achievements serve as a secondary measure of character progress in Ukiyo. While not directly tied to the main storyline, achievements provide an additional element of in-game progression. Completing certain achievements also awards players with special titles that can be displayed.
#### **Activity / Loyalty based achievements**
Players who log in and spend a specified amount of time in the game will receive daily prizes. Additionally, long-term loyalty rewards are available for those who remain consistently active.
#### **Token integration**
The achievement system incorporates numerous token rewards, with a particular emphasis on higher-level objectives. This encourages players to develop their characters further to reach these milestones. The system also includes token-related objectives, with some offering exclusive NFT items as rewards.
# Cosmetic customisation
Cosmetic items in Ukiyo can be layered over existing equipment slots for aesthetic purposes. Standard cosmetics are available for purchase in the Ukiyo store, while NFT cosmetics have limited quantities and may only be obtained through special events or challenges.
The Ukiyo Founder’s NFT is a genesis collection of unique cosmetic sets. Further information about this collection can be found in the [NFT section](/nft/founders-avatar).
# Trading and marketplace
Players can buy and sell items through the open marketplace system in Ukiyo, including in-game supported NFT items such as cosmetics and pets. Each trade is subject to a transaction fee, which helps to counter the inflationary nature of gold coins.
#### **Token integration**
The Ukiyo token serves as the primary currency for the in-game NFT marketplace. Consequently, transaction fees for NFT trades are paid in Ukiyo tokens, with a portion of these fees being burned.
# Party system
Players can join forces to form a party and take on challenges and defeat monsters as a group. Each class will have its own set of team-based skills, allowing players to enhance each other's abilities while grouped together. To encourage cooperation, parties will receive additional XP.
#### **Party quests**
Party quests are a series of fun and exciting challenges that include activities beyond just defeating monsters. Players will need to work together, using their wits and problem-solving skills to overcome the various obstacles that lie ahead.
#### **Token integration**
High-level party quests offer token rewards upon successful completion. Depending on the exclusivity of the rewards, an admission fee may be required.
# Guild system
Guilds can be formed by players to establish larger alliances. Guilds provide a social atmosphere for players with similar aspirations to participate in more ambitious challenges like guild quests and boss encounters. Each guild will also have access to a shared bank and storage for funds and items needed for guild events. Guilds can be upgraded to increase member capacity and enable additional features such as logo customisation.
#### **Token integration**
The guild system incorporates token integration through the implementation of guild creation and upgrade fees. These fees are payable using Ukiyo tokens, serving as a sink for the token economy.
When players create a new guild, they must pay a one-time guild creation fee in Ukiyo tokens. This fee helps to regulate the number of guilds and ensures that players are committed to maintaining and growing their guilds.
As guilds progress and wish to expand their capabilities, they can pay guild upgrade fees using Ukiyo tokens. These upgrades can include increasing member capacity, unlocking additional features, or accessing exclusive guild content.
# Ukiyo store
The in-game microtransactions are housed in the Ukiyo store, offering a wide variety of items that enhance a player's gameplay experience.
Some of these items include, but are not limited to:
* Cosmetics
* Pet equipment
* Inventory expansion
* Gachapon tickets
* Exp-protection items (prevents loss of XP in the event of death)
#### **Token integration**
The Ukiyo store features a dedicated category of items that can only be purchased using Ukiyo tokens. This exclusive section provides players with a valuable opportunity to utilise their earned or acquired tokens within the game's ecosystem.
# Pet system
Pets in Ukiyo provide various buffs depending on their type, level, and tier. They can level up and gain XP when equipped and fed as needed. With the necessary gear, pets can also collect monster drops. Through breeding, pets can advance to a higher tier.
Standard pets and NFT pets exist in the same way as cosmetics. Standard pets are available for purchase in the Ukiyo store, while NFT pets have a limited quantity and may only be obtained through special events or challenges.
Pet breeding allows two pets of the opposite gender to breed, with the possibility of producing a higher-tier offspring.
#### **Token integration**
The pet breeding system incorporates Ukiyo tokens as a key component. Each breeding attempt requires a fee that must be paid using Ukiyo tokens.
# PvP
A public arena will be available for players to duel in. Players can face one another in private matches or compete in PvP tournaments, where the winners will receive a substantial number of tokens. There is also a periodic leaderboard, and top-ranking gladiators can receive various rewards, including tokens.
# NFT
### **What are NFTs?**
According to ethereum.org - \
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"NFTs are tokens that we can use to represent ownership of unique items. They let us tokenize things like art, collectibles, even real estate. They can only have one official owner at a time and they're secured by the Ethereum blockchain – no one can modify the record of ownership or copy/paste a new NFT into existence.
NFT stands for non-fungible token. Non-fungible is an economic term that you could use to describe things like your furniture, a song file, or your computer. These things are not interchangeable for other items because they have unique properties."
### **Why use NFTs for Ukiyo?**
The primary goal of incorporating NFTs into Ukiyo is to allow players to establish control over some of the game items that they own. Our main approach is to provide a large, extensive, and feature-rich environment for the effective integration of NFTs and to ensure that they bring utility to holders.
### **Which blockchain will Ukiyo NFTs be on?**
Ukiyo will be running on the Ethereum blockchain. Any NFT collections that are sold before our alpha release will be minted on Layer 1. This allows for a simple minting process because most investors in this market are already familiar with the classic minting technique on Layer 1.
# Founder's pendant
The ultimate accessory
The Founder's pendant is Ukiyo's genesis item, which will provide holders with a plethora of rewards for being among the project's first and most exclusive investors. We will also create a governance model that will allow holders to receive progressive updates as well as make suggestions and vote on the project's direction.
### **Utility**
1. **Legendary in-game item**\
The pendant will be a Legendary in-game accessory with the highest tier stats, which will \
greatly boost the overall powers of a character.
2. **Project influence** \
Holders will have an open communication channel with our core team, allowing them to influence the project’s direction in the development of a successful game.
3. **Whitelisted for all future NFT sales**\
Holders will be whitelisted for any future NFT sale, including the Founder's avatar.
4. **Early access to the game** \
The game's alpha release will be limited to Ukiyo Champions (OG members in our Discord community) and holders of the Founder's collection. This closed game phase will include all of the fundamental elements that we have planned for the game, as well as the play-to-earn mechanics.\
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More details on early access are available in the [Roadmap](/roadmap#stage-3-game-launch-early-access-expected-by-h1-2023).
5. **Ukiyo token airdrop**\
Following the initial coin offering of the Ukiyo token, holders will receive an airdrop on a periodic basis.
6. **Unique VFX**\
Holders will be able to activate a special Founder’s pendant visual effect for their in-game character.
7. **Special gift box**\
Players will receive a weekly in-game gift box for each Founder’s pendant that they own. A gift box is a consumable that can be redeemed to receive a random selection of items.
# Founder's avatar
More than just a profile picture!
The Ukiyo Founder's avatar collection delivers enticing utilities and benefits through unique character portraits. Each NFT, when uploaded into the game, provides the player with a distinctive cosmetic set based on its traits, which can be layered on a character's equipment.
Cosmetic customisation, a core feature in MMORPGs, allows players to personalise their characters. This contrasts with the common utility of uploading NFTs into a metaverse, where users are initially restricted to the base traits of their NFTs.
We combined cosmetic customisation in MMORPGs with character-based NFTs by treating our NFTs as cosmetics. Upon uploading a Founder's avatar, players receive a full cosmetic set with pieces based on the NFT traits. They can layer this set on top of their existing equipment and further customise their character with additional cosmetics.
#### **Utility**
1. **Early access to the game** \
The game's alpha release will be limited to Ukiyo Champions (OG Discord members) and Founder's collection holders. More details are available in the [Roadmap](/roadmap#stage-3-game-launch-early-access).
2. **Ukiyo token airdrop** \
Following the initial coin offering of the Ukiyo token, holders will receive an airdrop.
3. **Founder's buff** \
A special add-on buff that boosts character abilities and stacks with existing skills or potions.
4. **Unique VFX** \
Holders can activate a special Founder's avatar visual effect for their in-game character.
5. **Special gift box** \
Players receive a weekly gift box for each Founder's avatar owned, redeemable for a random item selection.
#### **Minting Details - TBA**
# Roadmap
Considering Ukiyo's long-term vision, our development process prioritises critical gameplay elements. Acknowledging the significant time and resources required to develop a high-quality MMORPG, we have carefully analysed the development process to identify the most complex and resource-intensive components.
Through this triaging process, we focus on the essential features that enable our core concept, allowing us to create a highly enjoyable and playable alpha within a reasonable timeframe.
#### **Stage 1: Ideation and initial development (Completed)**
* *Project concept and ideation (Completed)*
* *Determine game mechanics (Completed)*
* *Artistic concept and direction (Completed)*
* *Prototype development (Completed)*
* *Initial concept art (Completed)*
#### Stage 2: Project launch (In-progress)
* *Website launch (Completed)*
* Community growth (In-progress)
* Collaboration and partnerships (In-progress)
* *Whitepaper release (Completed)*
* *Founder's Pendant NFT sale (Completed)*
* *Founder's avatar NFT sale*
* Ukiyo token offering
#### Stage 3: Game launch - early access
The closed alpha release will be available exclusively to Ukiyo Founder's NFT holders and Discord members with the Ukiyo Champion role. Limiting players during this stage allows us to prioritise and reward early supporters while ensuring manageability of the game's early state.
At this stage, most core features will be ready, and players can start earning and utilising tokens as the play-and-earn mechanics will be fully functional.
#### **Stage 4: Official launch and beyond**
The official launch date remains flexible, depending on the performance of our alpha release. Our primary focus is to establish a solid foundation before expanding game features and making it available to the public.
We will progressively work on expanding all core in-game features and introducing new content to complement Ukiyo's open-world concept and long-term vision.