As its third Shorelime occasion begins, Pixels' Heidi Christine on being experimental but constant

Within the quick lifetime of web3 video games, yearly recurring in-game occasions are uncommon. Internet hosting one for 3 years in a row is sort of remarkable. 

So to see social RPG Pixels getting ready for its third yearly Shorelime occasion is about greater than anticipating frantic gameloops for twenty-four hours. It’s additionally a measure of the state of the sport itself, and its wider ecosystem.

Initially deployed on Polygon, Pixels moved to Ronin on the finish of 2023, boosting the sport’s participant metrics on each degree. Since then, it has skilled a unstable time influenced by bigger macro actions, but additionally fixed in-game experiments and intentional adjustments from the group, aiming to refine what it believes to be a successful play-to-earn mannequin.

We checked in with CMO and Head of Group Heidi Christine to get her view on the upcoming occasion, Pixels‘ neighborhood, and the way the introduction of PIXEL staking is impacting participant behaviour.

Earlier than you even take into consideration massive advertising spends, spend money on the individuals who consider in what you’re constructing.Heidi Christine

BlockchainGamer: Internet hosting in-game occasion Shorelime for its third consecutive yr, how do you make these repeat occasions thrilling and never predictable? 

Heidi Christine: We solely do that yearly. All yr lengthy, gamers ask us, “Wen Shorelime?” or “Deliver again Shorelime!” and we don’t cave. It occurs for simply 24 hours yearly, which makes it really feel actually particular. That sense of rarity retains our long-term gamers excited. 

What’s been actually cool this yr is seeing folks say, “That is my second Shorelime!” and even “Wow, it’s my third!” It deepens our reference to the neighborhood. Gamers really feel like they’re a part of one thing that stretches past simply day-to-day gameplay.

They carry the OG vibes, and that vitality will be felt all through the whole occasion.

It seems virtually all web3 video games have struggled financially, but additionally with neighborhood assist, in 2025. How has the Pixels neighborhood advanced over the past yr?

One of many greatest contributors to our neighborhood’s power is consistency. For the reason that starting, we’ve hosted weekly neighborhood AMAs each single week, with out fail. These aren’t simply one-way updates, however open dialogues with our neighborhood the place we discuss transparently about what’s taking place within the recreation, what’s coming subsequent, and even the challenges we’re going through.

This common cadence has created a tradition and expectation of collaboration. Gamers aren’t simply heard, however are actively shaping the route of the sport. Pixels strikes quick, runs frequent experiments, and shares progress in actual time. Over the previous yr, that transparency has helped us retain and develop a core group of gamers who really consider within the long-term imaginative and prescient. They’re not simply right here for short-term rewards however see the worth in what Pixels is constructing. 

And look, we’ve had powerful occasions. We’ve been by means of cycles the place issues slowed down, and we count on that’ll occur once more. Our group ready for the highs and the lows, each financially and emotionally. We’ve seen some churn. However folks nonetheless select to return again. They inform us this looks like residence, like a protected house. That type of connection doesn’t occur by chance. It’s constructed deliberately, and I attempt to defend it each day. That’s the muse of a neighborhood that may really final.

What classes do you assume different web3 recreation builders are studying from Pixels?

I consider that builders are studying that fixing play-to-earn is feasible, nevertheless it takes sensible design and actual information. Devs are watching how we use dwell recreation information to fine-tune token rewards, determine actual contributors, and hold the financial system wholesome by making it more durable for extractors to earn. 

Our novel multi-staking system can be turning heads. It reveals {that a} token like $PIXEL can characterize a whole ecosystem, not only one recreation. In lower than two months, there have been over 100 million $PIXEL staked throughout the ecosystem, with Could marking the primary time deposits outpaced withdrawals. Different tasks are undoubtedly watching to see in the event you can really make play-to-earn work, and I consider we're nearer than ever.

From a neighborhood perspective, I’d say this: don’t attempt to reinvent the wheel, however do keep open. We’re constructing one thing new right here, and that takes time, braveness, and an entire lot of experimentation. Not every part works the primary time, and that’s simply part of the method. Begin together with your neighborhood. Earlier than you even take into consideration massive advertising spends, spend money on the individuals who consider in what you’re constructing. We’d be nothing with out ours. Construct with them, not only for them.

Has the launch of PIXEL staking modified participant behaviour in Pixels itself, or is it extra of an exterior challenge?

A little bit of each! We’ve bought a various participant base, so staking has undoubtedly engaged our heavy crypto customers, nevertheless it’s additionally been a fantastic introduction to staking for our extra neighborhood and game-focused gamers. It’s turn into a shiny spot in a troublesome market, giving folks one thing to rally round and get enthusiastic about.

We just lately hit 100 million $PIXEL staked and celebrated by throwing a celebration on NFT Farm Land #1000. It was a second to hang around with our gamers, have enjoyable in-game, and strengthen these actual neighborhood bonds. Plus, it bought the phrase out past our tweets or electronic mail blast. Gamers and creators had been sharing screenshots and spreading the information on socials, which is at all times one of the best type of promo.

One other thrilling piece is how staking has opened the door for brand new video games. Our gamers find it irresistible as they’re exploring new titles, getting rewarded, and actively taking part on this rising $PIXEL-backed ecosystem.

And extra video games are on the best way. The final word aim is for the $PIXEL spent throughout these video games to match what’s being rewarded to stakers. Watching that loop play out in actual time goes to be actually fascinating.

Shorelime particulars

Operating for twenty-four hours from 3 pm UTC (4 pm BST) on twentieth June, Shoreline is an in-game occasion combining storytelling with time-limited reward loops. The mission consists of planting and harvesting Shorelimes, that are wanted as a way to craft Shorelimeades and earn Solstice Stars. Depositing one in every of these stars unlocks a thriller present, which boosts a participant’s likelihood of successful one in every of six unique Shorelime Pets as soon as the occasion is over.

For extra occasion particulars, take a look at Pixels’ official Substack.

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