Build NFT metaverse with Unity on Algorand

Download and install Unity Hub to manage multiple Unity versions for projects, then install Unity 2020 with Visual Studio and build support for Android, iOS, and WebGL.

Launch Unity via Unity Hub, create a new 3D project named NFT project, save it in the Unity project folder, fetch 3D modules, and install the Visual Studio editor.

Learn how to integrate Algorand blockchain into Unity by adding the .NET Algorand SDK via NuGet, configuring Visual Studio, and resolving Unity plugin dependencies for a functioning NFT metaverse project.

Regenerate missing Visual Studio project files from Unity by selecting Visual Studio in external tools, then reopen the solution and sign in if prompted.

Learn to send a simple Algorand transaction in Unity by coding a payment from a test account to a player account, converting amounts to micro algos and setting transaction parameters.

Master NFT metaverse development in Unity on Algorand by setting up Unity, integrating Algorand, creating and transferring NFT assets, and swapping Algos, with plans to build an in-app NFT store.

Learn how to implement a generic singleton in Unity to provide a single accessible instance for interacting with Algorand components, assets, and servers, ensuring consistent access across the scene.

Create a reusable Algorand account as a scriptable object in Unity, enabling operations like obtaining the address, transferring assets, and signing transactions via an action menu item.

Implement Algorand account logic in Unity by serializing username and passphrase, creating or retrieving accounts with the v2 model, and safely obtaining the account address.

Implement Algorand account logic to sign transactions and retrieve a user's assets, including NFT holdings on the testnet, using a server connection and asset lookup by ID.

Create two Algorand accounts: player and game main, using the assets menu, assign usernames and mnemonics, and prepare to transfer NFTs from the game main account to the player.

Create a reusable Algorand server object in Unity to share the same connection across scenes, and switch between test net and main net using a configurable API address and token.

Verify API address and token are non-empty, obtain a valid server connection, and fetch transaction parameters while logging errors and throwing exceptions when connection or params fail.

Instantiate the Algorand server object in Unity by creating a green server named algo server test and configure it with the testnet API address and token.

Create a Unity asset scriptable object for Algorand NFT assets, wiring a server, accounts, and asset fields like name, decimals, total shares, URL, and rendering sprite.

Implement a Unity editor context menu to generate an NFT asset, creating it only if the asset ID is zero and retrieving Algorand transaction parameters.

Instantiate gem coin, the game currency NFT, in Unity on Algorand by setting its name, decimals, 10 trillion supply, and metadata hash, then generate on testnet and verify asset ID.

Create a Unity Algorand manager as a singleton to coordinate the testnet server, main account, player account, and game token, and implement a balance display for the player's balance.

Debug the balance update in Unity with Visual Studio by setting breakpoints and attaching to Unity to identify and fix the overwriting that shows zero instead of 11.998 algos.

Explain how to perform an atomic buy of an NFT: verify funds and opt-in, then transfer game currency to the main account and deliver the NFT in one atomic transaction.

Execute an atomic group transaction that transfers an NFT asset from the main account to a player and returns game currency in a single signed group.

Learn to import free UI assets from the Unity Asset Store, organize them in a third-party folder, and prepare a basic user interface for an NFT store in Unity.

Create the NFT store by turning the inventory item into a prefab and placing it inside the canvas, then adjust its scale and position for the store.

Modify the inventory prefab to become the NFT store by updating the text label, removing unused elements, and replacing with NFT images, then save changes back to the prefab.

Create a dynamic NFT store UI in Unity by sizing and centering a panel, adding a grid layout group, duplicating item panels, and preparing a store item prefab.

Style the panel store item in Unity as an NFT by adding a chosen image and a TextMeshPro buy button, show an owned label when owned, then save the prefab.

Create the store item component script in Unity to toggle the buy button or owned text based on NFT ownership, wiring NFT asset, ownership flag, and panel grid layout.

Code the logic to mark items as owned, toggle the owned text, and enable the buy button, using the Algorand manager to buy assets and refresh the nft store ui.

Implement the item store listing logic in Unity to refresh the UI based on asset ownership in Algorand, showing owned state and hiding buy button when owned.

Create and connect three Algorand NFT assets in Unity, configuring server, metadata, and sprites, then link them to the in-game store for a ready-to-test NFT metaverse.

Test displays of three nfts in the store and confirm they appear when you press play. The next lecture will implement the buy action and complete the store interaction.

Connect the buy button to the code by triggering the buy item function on click, update the panel store item prefab, and test the NFT purchase flow.

Debug the buy NFT item flow in Unity with Algorand testnet, ensuring token balance, asset opt-in, and transaction refresh correctly reflect ownership after purchase.

Move Algorand network tasks off the main thread in Unity using asynchronous calls, starting with Unity core routines, and explore options like C-sharp callbacks and unique task for better performance.

Improve load performance by asynchronously fetching the player's balance from the Algorand network and updating the balance UI, reducing main-thread work and leaving the rest of the system responsive.

Transfer assets back to the owner on the testnet using Algo Seiner, then verify in Unity by buying an NFT item and confirming ownership as it stops spinning.

Install Node.js and npm to power a game server using a simple node stack; download from nodejs.org, choose your OS, and verify installation via the terminal.

Install and verify Node and npm, then download and install Visual Studio Code for Mac, distinguishing it from Visual Studio used with Unity for the Node server.

Learn to initialize a node-based game server for a Unity metaverse, create a game-server folder, configure npm, and define index.js to interact with Unity and Algorand.

Install server packages with npm by adding express, express generator, and Algo SDK, saving them to package.json, and verify dependencies to enable a server that communicates with the Algorand network.

Learn to create a node express server, set up index.js, run on port 3000, and expose a /items endpoint that returns a JSON array of weapons, then test with localhost:3000/items.

Learn to call the game server from Unity to retrieve a wallet balance using a web request, coroutines, and a local host endpoint in the Algorand manager.

Demonstrate Unity displaying NFTs from the game server, verify correct sprites, fix console warnings, and instantiate Algorand NFT assets as strings to reflect backend changes.