Amplifying Ultra Players’ Experience and Our Development with Electron
In the coming weeks, Ultra will start testing our all-new Electron client, an open-source framework for building cross-platform desktop applications, in an effort to improve productivity and enhance the experience on the Ultra platform.
What is Electron?
Electron is an open-source framework that has gained significant popularity in recent years for its ability to simplify the development of cross-platform desktop applications. Born out of the need to bridge the gap between web technologies and native applications, Electron has become a go-to choice for developers looking to create applications that work seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.
Some of the applications that are built using Electron include Slack, Twitch, Discord, and Skype, just to name a few.
Why we’re migrating the Ultra client to Electron
Enhancing productivity
At the core, migrating to Electron will greatly enhance our development team’s level of productivity and stability when it comes to releasing builds and maintaining code. With an Electron client, we will reduce the time spent on updates, as well as the number of builds required to launch features.
For users, this means you can expect to see faster and more frequent development updates, which will enhance your overall experience as the Ultra client matures.
Enabling cross-platform compatibility
One of the primary advantages of Electron is its cross-platform nature. It allows developers to create desktop applications that work seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Linux without requiring extensive platform-specific code.
This opens the door to having the Ultra platform available on other operating systems, which we know has been highly requested since the launch of the wallet-only client.
Fostering a more application-based experience
The shift to Electron will shape an Ultra application-centric experience, departing from the browser-like platform that our users are currently familiar with.
This transformation involves eliminating tabs and having app links open in the user’s browser, not within the client. This change simplifies navigation and bolsters security by reducing potential threats like phishing.
What you’ll notice with Ultra’s new client
Although many technical enhancements will accompany the transition to Electron, players may not observe these improvements. Nonetheless, here are some differences you might notice in the Electron client:
No more tabs
While Ultra has always had tabs in the client, these will no longer be available in the Electron client. This means you will stay in one tab, no matter what you click on or which app you use. This simplifies the navigation between the apps within the platform, making a more in-app experience, rather than a browser-like one.
Removing tabs also aligns with the feedback received from our players during the testing of both Ultra Games and the Uniq Marketplace.
Opening links
Right now, players are able to open external links from right within their client. With the Electron client, links will be opened in the default browser on a user’s PC instead.
This change will help transform Ultra into a true application experience rather than a browser-like interface while ensuring a consistent and cohesive look and feel throughout the application.
This also has security benefits as it reduces the risk of phishing attacks. By leaving the client to the browser, players have more awareness of the address they’re visiting.
Client updating while using Ultra
In the current client, updates for Ultra are downloaded upon launching the client, temporarily hindering platform access until the update is completed.
In contrast, with Electron, updates for Ultra are seamlessly downloaded while you’re actively using the client. Once the update is ready, you’ll receive a prompt to install it and restart Ultra.
The Migration Process
Like our other core apps, the migration process will begin with a closed beta phase where we invite our players to test the Electron themselves. Participants will have the chance to win UOS and Uniqs for their efforts.
Closed beta phase
The closed beta for the Electron client will begin on the 25th of September. Here, we invite our community to test the client and provide valuable feedback. This phase is crucial as it will help ensure a seamless and stable transition to Electron. Users who provide feedback will have the chance to enter a raffle with a prize pool of $200 worth of UOS and will each receive an exclusive Uniq.
Holders of Uniq’s Ultra Power: #4, #5, #13, and Elemental Souls: Fire and Collective Soul will automatically be granted access to the Electron client. Uniq holders who provide feedback will receive two raffle tickets instead of one.
If you wish to join the closed beta testing of the Electron client, please submit your application here.
About Ultra
Ultra is the first entertainment platform providing all key games industry services under a single roof, easily accessible through a single login.
Built around our PC games distribution store, Ultra provides access to countless centralized and decentralized services: Discover, buy, play and sell your games and in-game items, watch live-streaming feeds, interact with your favorite influencers, participate in contests, compete in tournaments, and much more.
Ultra has been built to provide endless value for players, a fair playing ground for developers, and a whole new world of opportunities for the games industry.
For more information, visit ultra.io and onultra.io and follow along on Twitter, YouTube, Telegram, Instagram, and Discord.
