Ulys Quest Landmark NFT Initiative

Abstract

The Ulys Quest Landmark NFT Initiative represents a paradigm shift in the utility and value of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Moving beyond speculative digital art, this project introduces a new asset class: the perpetual digital franchise. Each Landmark NFT is a unique, on-chain license that grants its owner a lifetime commission on in-game rewards generated by real-world player activity within the Ulys Quest global gaming ecosystem. This paper details the concept, the transparent on-chain mechanics, the robust security model, and the long-term vision for this new utility-driven economy. Our model is designed to create a symbiotic relationship between our sponsors, our players, and the health of our native $QUEST token, fostering a sustainable and growing ecosystem.

1. Introduction: The Problem with Utility-Lite NFTs

The first wave of NFTs demonstrated the power of digital ownership but was largely driven by speculation and artistic value. Many projects that promised "utility" offered fleeting benefits, such as access to a Discord channel or a one-time airdrop. This model is not sustainable and has led to market disillusionment.

Ulys Quest believes the true potential of NFTs lies in creating durable, long-term value tied to the success of a living platform. The Landmark NFT Initiative is our solution: a digital asset whose value is directly and perpetually linked to the core activity of our ecosystem—real-world exploration.

2. The Ulys Quest Ecosystem

To understand the value of a Landmark NFT, one must first understand the Ulys Quest platform.

• Ulys Quest: A global, location-based mobile application that turns the real world into a massive multiplayer game. Players travel to real-world points of interest, from local parks to global landmarks, to complete quests and validate their presence via GPS.
• The $QUEST Token: The native utility token of the Ulys Quest ecosystem. Players are rewarded with 50 $QUEST for each successfully validated check-in at a quest location. $QUEST will be the primary currency for in-game activities, upgrades, and future features.

3. The Landmark NFT: A Digital Franchise Model

A Landmark NFT is not a collectible; it is a digital franchise.

Definition:

Each NFT is a unique ERC721 token on the Polygon network that represents the exclusive sponsorship license for one of the world's most iconic landmarks.

The Core Utility:

The owner of a Landmark NFT is entitled to a lifetime 20% commission on all 50 $QUEST token rewards generated by players who check in at their sponsored location. For every player who completes a quest at the Eiffel Tower, the sponsor of the Eiffel Tower NFT automatically receives 10 $QUEST.

Passive Income:

This commission is paid out automatically and in real-time by the Ulys Quest backend system. The NFT holder does not need to take any action; the rewards are sent directly to their wallet, creating a seamless, passive income stream.

Fairness and Value:

The 20% commission rate is fixed and identical for all landmark sponsors, ensuring a fair and consistent reward structure across the ecosystem. The price of each NFT, however, is unique. It is determined by the landmark's real-world annual visitor traffic, which serves as the best available proxy for its future in-game popularity and, therefore, its potential commission volume. A Tier 1 landmark like the Eiffel Tower costs more than a Tier 3 landmark because it is expected to generate a significantly higher volume of visitor rewards over time.

4. On-Chain Mechanics: Transparency and Trust

The entire financial lifecycle of a Landmark NFT is governed by a secure, audited, and publicly verified smart contract. This removes the need for trust and ensures all operations are executed exactly as promised.

The Primary Sale (Minting) Process:

• Payment: A user initiates the purchase on our official minting page, sending the full price in MATIC to the LandmarkNFT smart contract.
• The 50/50 Split: The contract immediately splits the incoming MATIC: 50% goes to the Ulys Quest treasury for operations, and the other 50% is sent to our official Presale smart contract to purchase $QUEST tokens.
• The Burn: 100% of the $QUEST tokens acquired in the previous step are immediately and permanently burned by the contract, reducing the total supply of $QUEST.
• The Mint: The Landmark NFT is created and transferred to the buyer's wallet.

This entire sequence is atomic, meaning it happens in a single, indivisible transaction. This model is designed to be maximally beneficial to the ecosystem, funding the project while simultaneously creating a deflationary event for the native token.

5. The $QUEST Token: The Engine of the Ecosystem

All commissions earned by Landmark NFT sponsors are paid in $QUEST, the native utility token of Ulys Quest. This creates a closed-loop economy where player activity directly generates passive income for NFT holders.

For full details on $QUEST tokenomics, staking, and presale, see the $QUEST Token Whitepaper.

6. Security, Governance, and Hardening

The security of our sponsors' assets is our highest priority. The LandmarkNFT contract has been built and audited to be production-ready.

• Multi-Signature Governance: The contract is owned and managed by the Ulys Quest Gnosis Safe, requiring multiple signatures for any administrative action.
• Front-Running Protection: The minting function requires the buyer to specify a `_maxPrice` to protect the user from price manipulation.
• Emergency Safeguards: The contract is `Pausable`, acting as a circuit breaker to protect user funds in an emergency.
• UUPS Upgradeability: The contract follows the industry-standard UUPS proxy pattern, allowing for secure future upgrades.
• Public Verification: The source code for the contract is fully verified on Polygonscan, allowing anyone to audit its logic.

7. Tokenomics: Scarcity and Exclusivity

To ensure the long-term value and prestige of owning a Landmark NFT, we have implemented a strict scarcity model.

• Lifetime Cap: There will only ever be 100 Landmark NFTs created.
• The Genesis Collection: This initial launch consists of the first 20 of these 100 landmarks.
• Phased Rollout: Future collections will be released in small, curated batches as the Ulys Quest platform grows.

8. The Genesis Collection & Pricing

The first 20 landmarks have been carefully selected based on their global recognition and real-world annual visitor traffic, which serves as a proxy for their future in-game earning potential. The collection is organized into three tiers to reflect this potential. (A full list of the 20 landmarks and their pricing tiers can be found in our official pricing guide.)

9. Roadmap

• Q4 2025: Launch of the Ulys Quest mobile app and activation of the commission payout system.
• Q2 2026: Introduction of a sponsor dashboard, allowing NFT holders to track their lifetime earnings and visitor statistics for their landmark.
• Q4 2026: Release of the "Heritage Collection," the next 20 Landmark NFTs.
• 2027 and Beyond: Continued expansion of the Ulys Quest platform, adding new quests and features that will drive more player traffic to sponsored landmarks, increasing the value for all NFT holders.

10. Conclusion

The Ulys Quest Landmark NFT Initiative is a pioneering step in the evolution of digital assets. By creating a direct, on-chain link between a scarce digital franchise and the real-world activity of a global user base, we are building a new, sustainable model for Web3 economies. We invite you to join us as a foundational partner in this new adventure.