What Is Pixels?

Pixels is a free-to-play web3 game on the RONIN Network. Like other farming games, Pixels players can farm resources, cook food, trade goods, and own their own plots of Farm Land which they can build on. Pixel also offers community building features like the Guild system and Pixels Reputation. Each user is assigned a Reputation Score based on their actions in game, where a higher reputation score translates to more in-game benefits.

Key Takeaways

• Pixels is an idle farming blockchain-backed web3 game, with a Free-to-Play option, utilising their main token BERRY.

• Pixels is now powered by the RONIN Network.

• Participating in gameplay and earning BERRY will allow players to advance further and faster in the game, as they can buy more items and level up their skills faster. 

• Players have the option to buy their own FARMLAND NFTs on OpenSea, as well as Pixel Pet NFTs on MAVIS MARKET.

Pixels Beta Release and Migration to the RONIN Network

The Pixels team has developed a game, with a Free-to-Play option. Since launching its "Chapter 1" release in September 2022, Pixels has since migrated on 31 October 2023 to the RONIN Network launching their BETA version. 

“[The] move to the Ronin Network was a strategic partnership to align [Pixels] with the most successful Web3 gaming companies to-date, allowing the Pixels team to benefit from their depth of knowledge and guidance in the space.”

According to @Ronin_Network’s X (Twitter) as at 12 September 2023 Pixels has “100K monthly active wallets, 5K DAU, and 1.5M monthly transactions”.

Therefore players can login to the game via their RONIN wallets and earn BERRY with their RONIN Wallets.

Additionally, with the migration to the RONIN Network, the Pixels team launched the Pixels 30-DAY CARNIVAL and 225 limited edition Pixel Genesis Pets NFTs.

Players can adopt up to 200 Pixels Pets NFTS by earning GAME TICKETs at the CARNIVAL and redeeming GAME TICKETS for PET COUPONs, which can hatch PixelsPet NFTs. Note: Players must own a Pixel FARM LAND, a GROWTH LAB and POTIONs to hatch the Pixels Pet NFTs. Pixel Pet NFTs can also be bought/sold on the MAVIS MARKET.

Source: https://roninchain.com/blog/posts/pixels-is-live-on-ronin 

What Is Pixels Gameplay Like?

Pixels has built itself to become a social platform, which has taken a lot of inspiration from Stardew Valley and other MMOs. Gameplay includes integrated NFT PFP collections, idle game features, much like Axie Homeland, Bitmate, Animal Crossing, and so on. Players are given ONE avatar to farm resources, cook food, buy/sell/trade goods, own their own plots of FARM LAND, own their own Pixels Pets NFTs, etc. There are also community building features which can be found from their recently launched Version 1 of the Guild System. 

The game aesthetics are very cute and you can personalize your own Pixels avatar. It was very fun to be able to recognize some of the avatars from various NFT projects. 

You will enjoy this game if:

• You love the community spirit;

• You enjoy idle games and personalizing aesthetics (your avatar and FARM LAND);

• You enjoy competing to be listed on the BERRY MIllionaires Leaderboard;

• You enjoy owning your own land, decorating it, levelling it up and hosting players at your land. 

The following Beginners’ Guide will help set out the map, tell you where you can find the NPCs, what skills/gameplay you can expect at each location. We will color code key words based on the following color scheme: (1) BLUE for LOCATIONS/LANDMARKs, (2) GREEN for NPCs (Non-Playable Characters), (3) RED for SKILLS, and (4) PURPLE for in-game ITEMS.

1. Beginners Tutorial and Quests

Pixels has a beginners tutorial via the form of QUESTs, which introduces the skills and locations to new players. Players first meet BARNEY when the game starts; he is the first NPC who will teach players the basics of FARMING.

Other than the first few QUESTS, subsequent QUESTs are not automatically triggered – also do not expect hand holding, as this is an adventure/exploration style game. Players have to randomly approach NPCs to trigger more QUESTs. Usually players would be then told to find particular particular NPCs and have to do a bit of ‘treasure hunting’. For example, players would be given a vague location (e.g. “SW of Terravilla”) on where to find the NPCs. When stuck, do not fear, the Pixels community is a great resource for guidance and are eagered to help you progress in the game. 

2. Navigating the screen

The following are the key gameplay buttons available to you to navigate the game. 

Pixels gameplay runs on 2 main points/tokens, which are key to managing while playing Pixels, (1) ENERGY, and (2) BERRY. 

Note: You can customise your Avatar on the (6) Player tab. 

3. ENERGY – Your Most Important “Limited” Resource in Pixels

You need ENERGY for nearly everything in Pixels. For example:

• It takes 2 ENERGY to start 1 cycle at the APIARY (BEE HIVE) to get 3 POTS OF HONEY;

• It takes 2 ENERGY to sow seeds, 0.5 ENERGY for each time you water the seed, and 1 ENERGY to shear the plant – i.e. on average it takes 3.5 ENERGY to harvest a crop; 

• It takes approx. 8 ENERGY to start 1 cycle at the MINE to get 3 IRONITE;

Every activity saps your ENERGY and therefore you need to manage your ENERGY while playing Pixels. Without ENERGY you will not be able to do much, and at 1 ENERGY your avatar will move pretty slowly. 

ENERGY slowly regenerates throughout the game, however waiting solely for ENERGY to regenerate can take ages. You will gain 19.8 ENERGY per hour; that's approximately 475 ENERGY per day. Thankfully, there are more efficient ways to boost ENERGY.

• Boost ENERGY at the SAUNA: The easiest place to gain ENERGY. Each cycle gives you approximately 240 ENERGY points per day – it can be pretty slow, but it is still better than nothing, although you must remain online. Once you’ve restored all the allocated 240 ENERGY for the cycle, LUKE will tell you when to return. If you come back earlier, you will still be told how much longer you'll have to wait before you can reenter.

• Note: If you are a VIP, you can walk into the VIP SAUNA room to gain 480 ENERGY every 8 hours; again, you must remain online. You can buy Pixels VIP Status using RON, and the VIP BOOTH can be found towards the bottom left of the Terravilla Town Square. 

• Boost 50 ENERGY with an ENERGY DRINK: each ENERGY DRINK will give you 50 ENERGY. You can get ENERGY DRINKs via 3 main methods:

  • Buy ENERGY DRINKs at 250 BERRY / ENERGY DRINKs at THE BUCK’S GALORE;

  • If you are lucky you can get free ENERGY DRINKs when you try your luck redeeming GAME TICKETs at the CARNIVAL's DRUNKEN GOOSE TRAILER; or 

  • If you keep your chat open, some players may offer to ‘trade’ (sell) ENERGY DRINKs at a cheaper price to you. 

• Boost ENERGY by consuming foods or drinks that you cook yourself or buy from other players; you can gain ENERGY from consuming foods and/or drinks. You can refer to the Pixels DATA website ENERGY table to know how much ENERGY each food and/or drink yields: https://Pixelsdata.xyz/energy/. 

• Boost ENERGY by attending parties: check the EVENT CALENDAR for parties, when the crowds gather for the said party ENERGY will be given to attendees. These are an example of the parties held previously.

4. BERRY – Your In-Game Token in Pixels

“The more BERRYs you have, the more Pixels experiences you can discover”

- RONIN 

BERRY is Pixels’s in-game utility token used to buy resources and SPECKs. There is an uncapped supply, based on an inflationary model, to allow for Free-to-Play. The primary burn will be spending BERRY in the game loop, and Pixels will manage the supply via a few levers;

• Controlling regeneration supply of resources;

• Controlling regeneration times of resources; 

• Controlling the inputs required to craft/harvest/etc. resources/items; 

• Controlling the number of outputs each craft/harvest/etc. per cycle;

• Controlling the ENERGY/effort to craft/harvest/etc.;

• Controlling in-game store buying/selling prices; and

• Controlling/removing/limiting in-game items.

BERRY is live on on the Katana DEX. 

For more information: https://docs.pixels.xyz/economics/tokens/usdberry# 

Since the migration to the Ronin Network, BERRY has reached a new high, although the price has stablized since.

Source: https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/berry-pixels 

5. PIXEL – The Premium Token in Pixels

PIXEL is the premium token that will be used in Pixels – usage of the PIXEL token has not been confirmed yet, and more information on the utility will come in the coming weeks/months.

In the meantime, speculations include PIXEL tokens being used to mint new land, speed up build times, temporarily boost ENERGY, buy special items, unlock new/special skins, unlock XP, upgrades, SKILL enhancers, new receipts and cosmetic enhancements that are outside of the core gameplay loop. 

6. Pixels Terravilla Map

The table below will describe the locations, which NPCs you can find at each LOCATION and if there are any skills/actions/gameplay you can do at the location. 

7. Pixels SKILLs

The table below lists the skills available for gameplay in Pixels, currently there are approximately 15 SKILLs to be leveled up on.

Source: https://pixelsdata.xyz/skills/#google_vignette 

The BERRY quoted at the prices below are the prices you will find to buy the items at BUCK’S GALORE; you might be able to get better pricing in trades with other players. 

For more information: https://pixelsdata.xyz/skills/ 

8. Pixels Basic Quests

The following list are the QUESTS which I have triggered, however the last few have not been completed. Click the ‘for more information’ link below for the extensive QUESTs list. 

For more information: https://pixelsbase.xyz/quests.

Tips: https://web3triads.com/quests/limited-quests/ 

9. Other Gameplay

Besides completing quests, players can also earn BERRY by selling items or exploring the Carnival. 

9.1 Shop: Earn BERRY Selling Items at THE BUCK’S GALORE

Make profits by selling items that you create at THE BUCK’S GALORE. As a beginner, you can make the following profits from selling items at THE BUCK'S GALORE below: 

For more information on things you can buy and/or sell: https://pixelsdata.xyz/shop/ 

9.2 CARNIVAL: Things to Do

The CARNIVAL was created to celebrate the successful migration to the RONIN Network. The CARNIVAL games are still open, however the redemption trailers are now currently closed, so players cannot redeemGAME TICKETS at the moment. 

There are 9 main activities to do at the CARNIVAL. 

Tip: Make sure to have a backpack slot for GAME TICKETS or an empty slot – some games you have to collect the GAME TICKETs on the spot and will not be allowed to do so if there are no available backpack slots. 

9.3 Buy, Decorate, Invite and Level up Your Own NFT FARM LAND

You can buy your NFT FARM LAND on OpenSea, develop and decorate it to your liking. There are currently 5,000 lands in total – a limited supply.

Source: https://www.pixels.xyz/ 

Here are the benefits of owning your own NFT FARM LAND:

Source: https://pixelsdata.xyz/farm/ 

Key Information about Land Plots:

• There are three types of lands, REGULAR LAND, WATER LAND and SPACE LAND. 

Source: Youtube - Player_w3: “Everything you need to know about NFT Farm Land in Pixels”

• Each type of land comes in two sizes: LARGE LAND PLOTs and SMALL LAND PLOTs (100 BERRY). 

• Other than the generic seeds and resources, each land allows players to harvest special resources and seeds specific to the land type. 

  • WATERMINT can only be planted in WATER LAND PLOTS.

  • SALT BLOCK can only be drilled in WATER LAND PLOTS.

  • ASTRACACTUS can only be planted in SPACE LAND PLOTS.

  • VOITONIUM can only be drilled in SPACE LAND PLOTS.

• LARGE LAND PLOTs allow up to 60 SOIL PLOTS for FARMING, and 4 Industries. 

• SMALL LAND PLOTs allow 48 SOIL PLOTS for FARMING, and 3 Industries. 

Source/For more information: Youtube - Player_w3: “Everything you need to know about NFT Farm Land in Pixels”

9.4 Visit Other Players’ SPECKs & FARM LANDS

You can visit other players’ SPECKs & FARM LANDs to visit and farm land. Some land owners will also offer gifts and other freebies to their vistors.

9.5 Build Your Pixels REPUTATION

Source: https://twitter.com/pixels_online/status/1725645431898784181?s=20 

You can also build your in-game Pixels REPUTATION score. Pixels REPUTATION is a system that allows the Pixels team to reward and recognise the game's most loyal users – thus allowing the team to encourage certain behaviours and gameplay in Pixels to "safeguard & distinguish genuine, good players from those against guidelines.". 

Note: The Pixels REPUTATION system is still under experimentation, and the team reserves the rights to make changes where they see fit. 

Each user is assigned a Reputation Score, which is based on various data points and weighs, that have been made public in an online Google Sheet – latest 29 November 2023 sheet as shown below. Based on how you play/interact in-game, you will receive a high or low score. Naturally, users with higher score would be rewarded with more benefits, such as higher trade limit, higher withdrawal limit, use of the in-game marketplace, etc. 

For Pixels Repuration Score Public Breakdown: Pixels Repuration Score Public Breakdown Google Sheet

For more information: https://help.pixels.xyz/en/articles/8602409-what-is-pixels-reputation

9.6 Join a Pixels GUILD

On 29 Novmber 2023, Pixels released Guilds (V1), in preparation of Pixels Chapter 2's release. In Chapter 2, players must work together in Guilds, to achieve and complete larger QUESTS. 

How Do Guilds Work?

• Guild Memberships: Players will purchase memberships to join a guild - players can also choose to sell their membership back. Players are allowed to join multiple guilds and have multiple memberships in a guild.  Prices will be determined by a bonding curve. There will be a 5% tax on the purchase and sale of these memberships, that will be split between the Guild and Pixels. 

• Guild Ranks: Guild leaders can assign Guild Ranks, roles and permissions, to memebrs in the Guild. 

• Guild Handles & Guild Characters: Guild Handles can be purchased for 50,000 BERRY at dashboard.pixels.xyz. Note, Guild Handles are off-chain and non-transferable for now – however, the Pixels Team reserves the right to refund BERRY or change the Guild Handle for Guild Handle squatters. 

Source: https://dashboard.pixels.xyz/guild/create

• Guild Watchlists: Guild Watchlists allows for free sign-up for players to join a Guild. The Top 20 Guilds, in terms of largest watchlists, will received free Guild Charters and early access to in-game Guild functionalities.

Source: https://dashboard.pixels.xyz/guild

• Guild Roadmap​: There will be more Guild functionalities coming in the future months. 

Source: https://twitter.com/daily_ronin/status/1729717944412668252

For more information: https://twitter.com/pixels_online/status/1729672225790599405?s=20

General Pixels Game Tips

Now, let's look at some general game tips to get you ahead in Pixels, based on the writer's personal experience with the game.

1. Earn BERRY Faster Through Trading

TRADE TIP: Find other players to buy/sell ‘trade’ goods directly by actively participating in the chat. 

You can get better deals rather than sell at THE BUCK’S GALORE for better profits to find other players to trade items with. You can buy items for cheaper, saving your BERRY, or selling items for a bit more BERRY than what you would earn at THE BUCK’S GALORE.

Additionally, trading with other plays saves you from consuming ENERGY to create the items and you can buy resources/items more quickly than having to wait for each harvesting/crafting cycle. 

2. Check the Events Calendar Daily

ENERGY TIP: If you are lucky (in the right timezone) there may be a party to get free ENERGY. 

3. Set Timers for the Big Ticket Items

A lot of SKILLs runs on cycles. Each action/event cycle will have an allocated time to ‘harvest’, where you have to return to pick up the item and retrigger the action/event, for example:

• You have to return to the POST OFFICE after every 24 hours for the random surprise mail;

• You can have another go at the CARNIVAL'S CORN MAZE TENT game to win GAME TICKETs every 22 hours;

• You can have another go at the CARNIVAL BUMP-A-GRUMP TENT game to win GAME TICKETs every 8 hours;

• You have to return after 45 minutes to the APIARY to collect your 3 HONEY and trigger another cycle;

• You have to return after 1.5 hours to the MINE to collect your IRONITE and to reclick the MINE to trigger another round of drilling; or 

• It takes 3 hours to grow GRUMPKINs, however and you have to come back at the 90th minute to water the seeds otherwise the GRUMPKINs will die. 

Therefore, it is recommended to have timer apps have remind you when to return.

4. Interact With Other Players 

Leave the chat log open on your screen, you will never know what tips, tricks and/or trade opportunities you can get.

• BASIC TIP: Players are usually pretty helpful, they can direct you where to find NPCs.

• BASIC TIP: Join the Pixels discord, not only do you feel the community spirit but also community is very helpful with sharing tips and giving guidance on game progression. (Link: https://discord.com/invite/pixels)

• FREEBIES TIP: Some players with FARM LANDs occasionally offer freebies if you visit, bookmark and farm (etc.) on their land. 

• HARVESTING / FARM LANDS: Sometimes you can get land recommendations from other players to (1) OR (2) find a well developed land to harvest FLOUR at a WINDMILL, which you cannot do in TERRAVILLA.
  TIP: Check out the "come-farm-with-me" channel on the Pixels discord server. 

5. Interacting with NPCs

If you have time, you can click on the NPCs, other than triggering QUESTs, occasionally some NPCs may occasionally give you free items, i.e. GAME TICKETs.

Is This the Right Game for Me?

Now that we've looked at all the features of Pixels and how to get started, here's a summary of the Pixel game experience.

Pros

• Includes beginning of game tutorial which explains gameplay.

• Extensive list of things to do – play your own way, with at least 15 SKILLS to level up.

• To speed up progression and to climb up the ranks, you can spend $ERRY to buy items for an edge over your competitors.

Cons

• Spending BERRY to buy items can be costly. 

• Earning BERRY in-game can be timely and takes a lot of work. More BERRY allows players to purchase items to increase ENERGY and also purchase VIP Status; without it the gameplay is slower. Players require more strategic planning of managing their resources, especially ENERGY, for progression and to claim a space on the leaderboard.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pixels offers a vibrant and engaging experience in the world of web3 gaming. With its migration to the RONIN Network, players have new opportunities to enhance their gameplay and earn rewards. 

Whether you're a fan of idle games, design, or community interaction, Pixels provides a space for players to enjoy and compete. The game's idle farming mechanics, cute aesthetics, and a variety of activities, from farming and cooking, to exploring the games at the CARNIVAL, as well as owning and caring for their own Pixels Pets NFTs make it appealing to a wide audience. Additionally, the ownership of NFT FARM LAND adds a fun dimension, allowing players to personalise and develop their virtual spaces, as well as build their own community. 

Pixels has a large player base and continues to evolve, attract and grow, it stands as a promising addition to the web3 gaming ecosystem. So, log in via your RONIN wallet, and you can earn those BERRY tokens, and embark on your journey in the playful world of Pixels!

Additional Information Resources

• Pixels Data: https://Pixelsdata.xyz/ 

• X (Twitter): @Pixels_online

• Discord: @Pixels 

• Youtube: Player_w3 - “How to level up FAST as a beginner - Pixels Guide”

• Youtube: Legion - “How to Gain ENERGY Guide! - All the Methods in Pixels”