OpenSea launches Shipyard: A new tool for NFT developers
OpenSea has unveiled “Shipyard”, an open-source collection of Solidity contracts specifically designed to aid NFT creators and developers in their work. However, the new venture received mixed reactions on social media, as several crypto community members are still keen on boycotting OpenSea over the cancellation of artist royalties.
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Shipyard: Facilitating NFT creation
NFT smart contract developers have traditionally leaned on various templates from renowned libraries such as OpenZeppelin and Solmate. These templates provide a framework for crafting safe and efficient code in the burgeoning world of digital assets.
Shipyard is now a viable alternative to OpenZeppelin and Solmate. According to OpenSea, the new library provides a more streamlined process for those venturing into NFT creation:
“We created Shipyard to better unify and supplement these tools, specifically for NFT creators and developers. (…) Our hope is that Shipyard can serve as a hub for NFT-related development — making it easier for technical creators to start building their own NFTs.”
Features for devs
Shipyard’s unique proposition is its integration of multiple top-tier NFT libraries and implementations. This amalgamation allows for the creation of a vast range of NFT projects. Furthermore, it promotes a collaborative spirit by featuring an open repository where developers from across the globe can contribute.
Another standout feature is the platform’s array of tools tailored for developers. These tools encompass capabilities such as dynamic on-chain metadata, enabling smoother transfer of NFTs, and specialized encoders and decoders. These encoders and decoders are specifically designed to implement Seaport Improvement Proposals (SIPs), streamlining the building process on Seaport.
The platform not only facilitates creation but also aims to introduce shared standards and best practices. By doing so, OpenSea aspires to broaden the horizons of the NFT community, enabling more individuals to learn and innovate.
OpenSea warmly invited the NFT developer community to participate, stating: “If you’re an NFT developer, we hope you’ll join in as a contributor!”
Boycotting OpenSea
While OpenSea’s announcement of Shipyard was seen as a significant step forward for NFT developers, it hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing for the company on social media platforms. The crypto community, ever-vocal and passionate about issues surrounding artist rights and royalties, has not forgotten OpenSea’s past controversies.
In August, OpenSea faced significant backlash for canceling artist royalties, a vital mechanism to ensure that artists continue to benefit from the appreciation of their work. Two months later, the boycott OpenSea movement is still very much alive on social media, with user @mrdejean expressing the sentiments felt by many as a response to the announcement on Twitter (X):
“You lost the greatest source of creativity when you rugged artists of their royalties and a chance to build on their God-given talent. Without creatives, there is no OpenSea…”
As the NFT space continues to evolve, tools like Shipyard are pivotal in fostering growth, collaboration, and innovation among creators and developers. Let’s see if it can get any traction among NFT developers or if it will fall into obscurity due to the protests against OpenSea.
