Yuga Labs, the innovative force behind the renowned Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT project, unveiled a tantalizing preview of Otherside, their upcoming metaverse world. The exclusive event hosted around 40 NFT owners and enthusiasts who were among the first to explore a portion of Otherside. The focused test centred on capturing the unique Bored Ape vibe within the 3D space and gathering feedback to fine-tune the experience.
Michael Figge, Chief Creative Officer at Yuga Labs, highlighted the challenges in building a game world populated by thousands of players. The company opted for smaller-scale playtests with dedicated participants to streamline the process. By limiting the event to a select group, Yuga Labs could cover more ground and better understand what resonates with the community, leading to accelerated development.
Otherside is grounded in Yuga Labs' popular Bored Ape profile pictures (PFPs) and boasts NFT-based land plots, allowing NFT holders to build and collaborate within the persistent online world.
During the event, guests could explore Otherside and witness the familiar Bored Ape clubhouse in stunning detail, causing excitement among Ape holders as they saw their NFT avatars in the virtual realm. Adding personalized avatars marked a significant shift from previous online playtests, where players used generic and identical avatars.
Yuga Labs intends to release playable Otherside avatars for all 10,000 Bored Ape Yacht Club characters, granting NFT holders the freedom to control their Apes in the metaverse. The introduction of avatars enhances user engagement and strengthens Yuga Labs' intellectual property, setting the stage for further expansion.
In the gameplay walkthrough, guests explored the expansive Otherside island, participating in various activities such as running, dancing, and flying around the virtual playground. The island featured nods to previous Yuga Labs content, including a race car, outhouse, and intriguing puzzles, adding depth and excitement to the immersive landscape.