At the outset of the year, we invited community members to write some lore for the chance to win some packs and other prizes. The awesome folks at Scholar & Scribe and DreemPort managed three contests over a short period.

Using winning and runner up entries as inspiration, we've locked in official lore (aka canon) for Rise of the Pixels going forward. You can read it below. But first: bonus prizes.

🤩 Bonus prize pot: 130 $HIVE 🤩

Following community feedback around the value of writing lore, we've added 130 $HIVE to the prize pool and are disbursing it as follows:

• @kei2 wins 35 $HIVE for two winning entries (here & here) and for entering all three contests! 🔥
• @alonicus wins 20 $HIVE for their winning entry
• @wrestlingdesires wins 17 $HIVE for entering twice and a runner up entry
• Users @bruno-kema, @stuartcturnbull, @rukkie, and @trashyomen each get 10 $HIVE for runner up entries
• @dwixer gets 8 $HIVE for entering into two contests
• Users @grindan and @tengolotodo get 5 $HIVE for their single entries

 
@jfuji will be sending the $HIVE out shortly after this post is published. Congratulations again to the winners, and thank you to everyone who submitted valid entries to the contests.

📚 Canonized Lore

The following is now canon in the RotP universe and may be used to affect in-game elements going forward:

Lore canon: The Rift is discovered by low ranking Org members doing routine maintenance and scanning. They use VR tech to scour through a mundane visual representation of deep web data: towering grey blocks with flashing surfaces. There is one red flashing zone that looks out of place, and the workers assume it’s a mistake made by colleagues. After some bureaucratic miscommunication, Dr. Nia Eze—a supervisor—pieces together what’s really happening.

Lore canon: The Organization was founded by three siblings: Irun, Dominic, and Alysson. Orphaned at a young age, the trio relied on each other growing up. Practically raising themselves, they became business partners in adulthood. Irun was an early adopter of artificial intelligence. Dominic specialized in anthropology, and Alysson was a master programmer. These expertises led them to explore and map what they called the Deep Web, searching for answers to humanity’s past, present, and future among our massive digital footprint.

Lore canon: Fusion among Pixelians is based on digital genetics. Traits are combined and typically enhanced through inherent optimization routines coded into Pixelian bodies. Earth’s government is concerned that too much exposure to this phenomenon will create cults of people who wish to become Pixelian, so much care is taken to shield the reality of fusion from Earthlings who are not participating in the current cultural exchange program... but the leaks have already begun.

~

You'll notice elements from many of our contestants' entries fused into these short tales. If these ideas make it into the game in any material way, the users who contributed to them will be credited!

Where can I learn more about Rise of the Pixels?

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