We’ve completed another step on the Beta Roadmap by releasing version 1 of Research Projects. There is much to be discussed around balancing this system, but here’s how it works in a nutshell.

• You spend $PXL and use Developer and Designer NFTs to do research
• Research produces technology items
• Tech items are NFTs and will be tradable on the marketplace in the Main Game
• You can apply Tech items to your Games to alter the effectiveness of your work
• Doing research gives your Team Member NFT experience
• Using Tech items produces Tech Debt, which needs to be cleared occasionally
• There are Tiers of Tech (Mark I, Mark II, etc.), and not every tech you make will have the same stats (there is randomness in how good it is, and which NFT works on it matters).

 
Some of these concepts may be changed or adjusted (such as the Tech Debt idea) as we refine the Research system. But overall, it is meant to:

• Give you something else to do and look forward to other than making games
• Create interesting choices: keep your tech, sell your tech? Avoid tech? Specialize in one type?
• Add more dynamism and variables to the gameplay (e.g. some Tech has tradeoffs: it will improve one area of the game but make another worse!)

 
Here’s a quick walkthrough of how to use the Research system:

Step one: go to the new menu item

It’s on the left and should spawn a page that looks quite similar to the game making page. Note: you need to have a Studio License to do research!

Step two: Configure research

Select your research type, who’s going to do it, and which specific tech you want to work on.

 
The tech selector has details around what it costs, which platforms and which game dev elements it will affect if used. A final panel will outline all the costs and ask you confirm before initiating a blockchain transaction to start the process.

Step three: Wait for the research

The progress screen will also look familiar to those who have made games. Once the research is complete, unlike games it will become immediately available and the NFT will be minted into your wallet.

Step four: Apply the tech

Once you have tech items (either created yourself or traded for), you can use a certain amount of them in the games you make. We’re working on improving the UI so that the impact of using the items is a little more clear, but the ability to use them shouldn’t be tough to figure out—the tech menu is pretty obvious in the game development screen!

How Research Impacts Games

In Version 1—which could change based on balance needs—what Tech Items do is add a small but reliable change to the formula that determines your game rating.

It will be proportional to the amount of Dev Points spent in affected categories.

So if you spend 10 points in Engine and apply a 2% Tech Item boost, you could see a bigger effect than if you only spent 1 point in Engine.

Bonuses from Tech Items can be stacked with bonuses received from NFTs with special traits as well.

Learn more about Research

It is likely that this post will become out of date in the future, as we adjust the balance of all current and future features. The best place to find updated information will always be the Rise of the Pixels Rulebook, which you can access here.

Beta Roadmap - Updated

The following roadmap is subject to change anytime. The main goal of the Beta phase is to include the community in the game development early on. As a result of this quick feedback loop the development team can shift priorities and re-organize features.

• ✅ Join Beta: Available
• ✅ Open packs: Live on Beta Now
• ✅ Team Members fusion: Live on Beta Now
• ✅ Equip accessories: Live on Beta Now
• ✅ Game creation: Live on Beta Now
• ✅ First Rewards Testing: Live on Beta Now (keep in mind that these are not real rewards)
• ✅ Research projects: Live on Beta Now
• ⏳ Team Member training: Feb 2024
   
  

Beta information

• The Beta is a way to collect community feedback and improve the game before the official release
• None of the actions performed on this Beta website have an impact of the main game. This includes (but not is limited to) opening packs and creating games
• During the Beta you can test the gameplay with a number of packs higher than the packs actually purchased on the official shop page
• All Team Members and Accessories you receive from opening packs on Beta will not be real NFTs and will not be reflected in the actual game after the official release
• The Beta environment use a fake token named $PXL_BETA. This token is not related at all with the main PXL token that will be used in the game. You cannot withdraw the $PXL_BETA token
• After joining the Beta you will receive 2x the number of packs you purchased
• If you purchase more packs after joining the Beta, hit the Accept & Join button again to see your new packs (2x) reflected in Beta
   
  

Where can I learn more?

Please have a look at our draft Rulebook (aka whitepaper) for the most complete documentation of the game, including drop chances, mechanics, tokenomic thoughts, and more.

You can also follow @riseofthepixels, join our Discord, or the RotP Hive community to stay informed about the game’s progress and roadmap.

How to join the Beta?

If you already bought a license and some packs in the official shop page you can join the beta by following this link: https://beta.riseofthepixels.com/shop, and clicking the Accept & Join button.

1️⃣ Purchase a license or packs here
2️⃣ Go to the live Beta server here
3️⃣ Read the Beta description and click or tap Accept & Join

The Rise Of The Pixels Team

Check out the official website: https://riseofthepixels.com
Read more in the game Rulebook: https://rulebook.riseofthepixels.com
Follow us on Hive: https://peakd.com/@riseofthepixels/
Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/e7cKB3KmsS

...or if you want to experience an authentic legacy Web2 vibe you can check out our X/Twitter profile: https://x.com/riseofthepixels