Skip to main content

Magic Auction

Magic Auction is a PaperMC plugin that implements an engaging, container-bidding auction minigame. Inspired by TV storage auctions, 4 players compete across escalating rounds to bid on mystery containers containing hidden items.

Core Game Cycle​

Each auction session proceeds through distinct phases:

  1. Auction Starts (exactly 4 players).
  2. Preview Phase: Item masking and glass properties are shown in the GUI, with a live countdown timer.
  3. Bidding Phase: Players submit bids via an Anvil GUI.
  4. Bidding Graph: Standings and bids are displayed in a color-coded live progress graph.
  5. Round Evaluation:
    • Highest Bid >= BIN Threshold: The highest bidder wins immediately -> Winner Reveal Phase (5s delay + item reveal) -> Auction Ends.
    • Highest Bid < BIN Threshold:
      • If rounds remain -> Proceed to the next round with a lower overbid multiplier.
      • If all rounds are completed -> Auction Ends with no winner.

1. Preview Phase​

  • Players are shown a chest interface with container items.
  • Items are initially hidden/masked behind colored glass panes based on their properties (rarity, size, type).
  • A live action bar countdown (color-coded green, yellow, red) shows the remaining preview time.

2. Bidding Phase​

  • Players enter their bids through an Anvil GUI.
  • The GUI displays their current balance and the current round's overbid multiplier.
  • Players have a set amount of time to bid; if they timeout, their bid defaults to $1.

3. Bidding Graph Phase​

  • Once all bids are submitted, a animated bar graph displays the standings.
  • Standings are color-coded:
    • Green: Winning bid (meets the BIN threshold).
    • Yellow: Highest bid that failed BIN, or second-highest (blocking) bid.
    • Red: All other bids.
  • Displays a live multiplier indicator and player heads.

4. Round Evaluation (The BIN Mechanic)​

To win the auction instantly (BIN - Buy It Now), the highest bidder's bid must satisfy the BIN threshold: Bid >= Second Highest Bid * Round Multiplier (If only one player bids, the arena's base-price serves as the second-highest bid floor.)

Each round features an overbid multiplier that decreases over time (making it easier to win in later rounds, but with less mystery).

5. Winner Reveal Phase​

  • When a player wins, the reveal GUI opens.
  • The items remain masked for a 5-second suspense delay before being revealed one-by-one to their true identities.
  • Virtual item worth is credited to the winner's economy balance. Physical items trigger custom commands or drop clean items into the winner's inventory.

Features & Mechanics​

  • Deterministic Seed System: Optional seed input ensures reproducible item layouts and shuffled event configurations.
  • Round Events: Random reveals (revealing item types, sizes, or rarities) that occur before rounds start to influence bidding decisions.
  • Simulated Bot Players: Fill empty matchmaking slots or test the game using simulated bots with human-like bidding delays.
  • Robust Economy Integration: Native support for Vault and PlayerPoints via YueMi Libs.