The Pixels ecosystem has introduced a new staking mechanism for its $PIXEL token, marking a step toward increased community participation and decentralized governance. With this launch, players now have the opportunity to earn rewards while contributing to the long-term direction and health of the platform. Staking has been developed as a core part of the Pixels roadmap to ensure the ecosystem becomes more player-driven and sustainable. It offers a method for players and token holders to support their favorite games within the ecosystem while receiving tangible benefits in return.

PIXEL Staking Launches to Support Growth

About Pixels

Pixels, inspired by Stardew Valley and Runescape, is a blockchain-based farming MMO where players can farm, gather resources, and customize their virtual plots. The game is free to play on PC browsers and operates on the Ronin Network, blending the charm of classic farming games with the innovative capabilities of blockchain technology. During our GAM3 Awards 2024 Pixels' claimed two victories both “Best Casual” and “People’s Choice” awards, adding to its broader popularity within the web3 space.

The Role of Staking in the Pixels Ecosystem

Through staking, participants can earn $PIXEL rewards by allocating their tokens to specific games within the ecosystem. These actions are intended to allow the community to influence which games receive support, helping shape future development and activity. Players who stake also play a role in strengthening the overall network by backing games that contribute positively to the platform’s growth.

Pixels 2x GAM3 Award Winner Nov 2024

Phased Rollout of the Staking System

The staking system will be introduced gradually across four distinct phases. In the initial beta phase, only a small group of hand-selected games will be available for staking. These games will receive a fixed amount of $PIXEL rewards each month, with a large portion reserved for Core Pixels. Each game will independently decide how much of its allocation is distributed to its stakers.

In the second phase, the reward model will become dynamic. Rather than a fixed allocation, the size of a game's reward pool will depend on how much $PIXEL is staked to it. This change is designed to let community interest guide the distribution of rewards more directly.

The third phase will further open the system. Any game that meets a minimum threshold of user activity will be eligible to join the staking ecosystem. This approach aims to promote inclusivity and scalability within the platform. Finally, in the fourth phase, Pixels plans to incorporate additional tokens, such as USDC, for user acquisition purposes. However, $PIXEL will continue to be the only token eligible for earning staking rewards.

PIXEL Staking Launches to Support Growth

In-Game and On-Chain Staking Options

Players have two primary options for staking: in-game or on-chain via the dashboard. In-game staking is automatically simulated for players who hold at least 100 $PIXEL in their accounts. To qualify for rewards, players must remain active. Inactive accounts, even if they meet the minimum balance requirement, will not receive distributions. The first set of in-game rewards is expected to be distributed within the next month.

On-chain staking does not require any in-game activity or a minimum deposit. Rewards are distributed directly through the dashboard interface. Players can choose which games they wish to support by signing in through staking.pixels.xyz, transferring $PIXEL to their wallet, and allocating tokens to the available game titles, including Forgotten Runiverse, Pixels, and Dungeons.

NFT Land Ownership and Staking Power

Holders of Farm Land NFTs receive a bonus to their staking power. The total staking power is calculated by combining the amount of $PIXEL staked with a bonus derived from the number of Farm Land NFTs owned. Each NFT adds a 10 percent boost to the staked amount, capped at a maximum of 100,000 $PIXEL per NFT. This system offers added incentive for landowners to participate in staking while aligning their interests with the health of the ecosystem.

PIXEL Staking Launches to Support Growth

Reputation, Fees, and the Introduction of $vPIXEL

A new Farmer Fee will be applied when users withdraw $PIXEL from the ecosystem. The fee amount will depend on each player's reputation score, which is determined through an internal algorithm that factors in activity in quests, events, and other engagements. Players with higher reputation scores will pay lower fees, and all collected fees will be redirected back to staking participants.

To further enhance utility, Pixels will soon introduce $vPIXEL, a spend-only reward token. This new token will allow players to make transactions within the Pixels ecosystem without incurring Farmer Fees. For instance, players may use $vPIXEL to make in-game purchases such as those in Pixel Dungeon.

Economic Sustainability and Long-Term Planning

The introduction of staking is part of a broader strategy to ensure the long-term sustainability of the $PIXEL economy. By allowing the community to determine reward distribution and game support, Pixels aims to build a more resilient and adaptable web3 ecosystem. Over time, staking data will help improve Pixels' proprietary play-to-earn technology and prediction models, ultimately driving growth and supporting a wider range of games.

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Program Updates and Future Direction

Alongside the staking announcement, Pixels confirmed that the Quicksilver Kickback Beta Program has concluded. The decision to end the program was based on limited initial reward distributions. This change is expected to increase the availability of free Quicksilver and provide more flexibility for players and landowners moving forward.

The launch of $PIXEL staking marks a significant development for the Pixels platform. It offers players new opportunities to participate, earn rewards, and influence the ecosystem’s direction. With multiple phases planned for rollout, the system is designed to evolve alongside the needs of the community. This shift toward decentralization reflects Pixels' continued effort to strengthen its web3 foundation and create long-term value for all stakeholders.