'Differentiation Is Key': Nyan Heroes CEO Talks Unique IP, New Playtest Features On Epic Games Store

Nyan Heroes, the hero shooter where small cats pilot giant mechs, has launched its third Open Pre-Alpha Playtest on the Epic Games Store, running until Sept. 25.

This latest version brings in new gameplay mechanics, maps, and heroes, along with the return of the Airdrop 3 event, where players can earn in-game currency by completing missions.

Originally conceived as an NFT project, Nyan Heroes has evolved into a play-and-earn model. Players can purchase NFTs that grant access to exclusive in-game benefits, such as early access to the game and land presales.

The in-game currency, $NYAN, is used for various transactions, including character minting and premium purchases

9 Lives Interactive CEO Max Fu discussed what sets Nyan Heroes apart in a competitive market and how community feedback has been essential to the game’s development.

Introducing The “Embark” Mechanic

A key addition in this update is the “embark” mechanic, which allows small Nyans to mount teammates’ mechs, enhancing team dynamics and strategy.

“The new embark game mechanic allows small Nyans to mount teammates’ mechs, playing and shooting alongside them while in cat pilot form. This mechanic gives more agency to players while in cat form and aims to promote player-to-player interactions,” Fu explained.

Standing Out In A Competitive Genre

Nyan Heroes has received positive feedback for its unique IP and innovative mechanics. In Fu’s words: “In a crowded market, differentiation is key. For us, it comes down to two things: a distinctive IP and innovative mechanics.”

“We have crafted an incredibly smooth and responsive traversal system that allows players to chain together moves to get around the map as well as use them during combat,” the CEO noted.

This system includes wall-running, wall-climbing, super jumps, and airdashing, allowing players to express their skills and creativity beyond traditional combat.

Another distinctive element is the weapon augment system, which lets players customize their Guardian's abilities based on their equipped weapon. “The goal of this system was to give more agency to the players to define their playstyle, providing endless ways to strategically play the game.”

Community Feedback Drives Innovation

Player feedback has played a crucial role in shaping the development of Nyan Heroes: “The player numbers from Nyan Heroes’ initial early access demo and subsequent playtests have been outstanding. This includes valuable player feedback and positive reactions from streamers.”

It’s worth noting that the game ranked among the top 30 most-played games on the Epic Games Store. It accumulated over 200,000 downloads during its limited two-week demo and boasts a daily active user base of 35,000. Players collectively spent around 400,000 hours in the game.

The latest playtest includes several features requested by the community, such as an in-game communication system with pings and emotes, a new game mode, and two new heroes.

“Additionally, players wanted to be able to create custom matches, and we were thankfully able to introduce a custom lobby feature that will be available for use in a ‘first-pass' state,” Fu shared.

Looking Ahead: Long-Term Vision For Nyan Heroes

As Nyan Heroes approaches its full release, Fu outlined the team's upcoming priorities. “While we will continue to add content to the game at a regular cadence, our focus after this playtest will shift to progression, retention, rewards, and economy for our next release scheduled around the end of the year,” he said.

Fu concluded: “Our North Star is to create an immersive, IP-driven shooter that could capture the imagination of players across the globe, regardless of age or gender.”

Now Read:

• No Buyer’s Remorse For NIO As EV Stock Displays Bullish Momentum

Image courtesy: 9 Lives Interactive.