In a promising debut, the crypto-powered title Nyan Heroes from 9 Lives Interactive catapulted into the top 30 most-played games on the Epic Games Store, drawing over 200,000 downloads during its limited pre-alpha run. The success of this mech shooter, boasting feline aviators and Unreal Engine 5 prowess, signals potential in the growing landscape of blockchain gaming.

In this article, we will cover how Nyan Heroes achieved significant success with its two-week pre-alpha demo, ranking among the Top 30 most-played games on Epic Games. With over 200,000 downloads and a daily active user base of 35,000, players have collectively spent 400,000 hours immersed in the game.

We will also cover how the game has garnered attention globally, with 1.3 million registrations for its Missions feature. Lastly, Nyan Heroes attracted 641,000 unique wallets, indicating a strong engagement from the gaming community.

Pre-Alpha on Epic Games

Players got to test the pre-alpha and earn exclusive Meow points, which will later converted into $NYAN tokens, the in-game currency for Nyan Heroes. The weekend of March 29th-31st marked a special occasion, with double points up for grabs, making it the perfect time to jump in and start earning. To get started, players simply had to download the game via the Epic Games Store and connect their Epic account. Additionally, connecting a Solana wallet is essential for receiving rewards. 

Meow Points and $NYAN Token

Earning Meow points is straightforward; players got to accumulate them by completing in-game missions available in daily, weekly, and event formats. Moreover, engaging in social tasks such as joining Discord and following Nyan Heroes on Twitter offers additional Meow points.

Holders of select NFTs, including Eth Lizards, Genopets Habitats, and Madlads, can also claim bonus points. Plus, owning Nyan Hero NFTs, available on Magic Eden, contributed to Meow points as well, with the current floor price sitting at 3.355 SOL tokens.

Fresh $3 Million Finding

Singapore-based game development studio 9 Lives Interactive, previously known as Rude Robot Studios, recently announced securing $3 million in funding for their project, Nyan Heroes. The investment round was spearheaded by Mechanism Capital, with participation from various other notable investors, including Sfermion, 3Commas Capital, Momentum 6, Kosmos Ventures, Devmons GG, and CSP DAO.

The funds obtained will be directed towards advancing the development of Nyan Heroes, an innovative hero shooter game poised to merge distinctive gameplay elements with cat-themed characters and blockchain technology, aiming for widespread adoption among gaming enthusiasts.

More About 9 Lives?

Established in 2021, 9 Lives Interactive boasts a team of accomplished industry professionals hailing from renowned gaming studios such as Electronic Arts, Bungie, and Ubisoft.

Additionally, the studio benefits from the guidance of senior advisors affiliated with Riot Games and Twitch, leveraging their extensive experience in crafting top-tier multiplayer shooter and live service titles such as Halo, Destiny, Fortnite, Marvel’s Avengers, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six.

Max Fu CEO and creative director of 9 Lives Interactive, expressed enthusiasm about their flagship project, stating: “Our objective is to deliver an immersive gaming experience tailored for fans of team-based shooters across all demographics. Nyan Heroes leverages cutting-edge technology, including the Unreal Engine 5 and blockchain integration, to facilitate genuine asset ownership within a flourishing creator economy.”

More About Nyan Heroes?

In Nyan Heroes, players engage in fast-paced battles across various maps and objectives. The game's unique twist lies in the agility of its cat-piloted mechs, allowing for dynamic movements like climbing, scaling, and bouncing off walls.

Players can choose from a diverse range of pilots and weapons, each offering distinct abilities and stats. Even when facing destruction, players aren't entirely out of luck, as they can launch their cat from the mech to continue the fight or attempt to re-integrate with their mech and return to battle.

Pre-Alpha Success

Max Fu CEO and creative director of 9 Lives Interactive, expressed optimism despite acknowledging areas for improvement during the pre-alpha phase. Fu highlighted the team's focus on delivering a polished gameplay experience and assessing its fun factor. The pre-alpha spanned from March 26th to April 9th, showcasing the game's core mechanics while acknowledging existing bugs.

Nyan Heroes stands out with its blend of traditional gaming elements and blockchain integration. Although lacking NFT functionality in the current build, plans are underway to introduce on-chain and off-chain asset trading in the game's marketplace after the second major update this year. Fu emphasized the inclusive approach, assuring players the option to enjoy the game sans blockchain interactions.

Future Roadmap

Looking ahead, 9 Lives Interactive eyes an early next year release for the PC version, with robust customization options and asset trading. Fu's satisfaction extended beyond the web3 community, noting a significant portion of players as non-web3 enthusiasts.

The pre-alpha success prompts a relaunch strategy on the Epic Games Store, aiming to widen accessibility and engage a broader audience. This move aligns with Epic Games' previous support for crypto gaming ventures like Shrapnel, Illuvium, and Star Atlas.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Nyan Heroes' two-week pre-alpha demo has made a significant impact within the gaming community, achieving impressive milestones. Ranking among the Top 30 most-played games on the Epic Games Store and amassing over 200,000 downloads, 35,000 daily active users, and approximately 400,000 hours of gameplay, Nyan Heroes has proven its appeal and engagement.

Moreover, with 1.3 million registered users for missions and 641,000 unique wallets linked to the game, Nyan Heroes has demonstrated strong potential for future success in the gaming market.