Neo News Today has launched Neo HODLers, a browser-based bullet heaven game, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Neo’s MainNet launch on Oct. 17. The game features a two-week leaderboard competition with a 250 Neo X GAS prize pool distributed among the top 10 players.

Neo HODLers is designed to be accessible to anyone, regardless of blockchain experience. Players can begin immediately at neo-hodlers.ndapp.org without creating an account or connecting a cryptocurrency wallet. Wallet connection is optional and only required for GAS prize eligibility, a deliberate onboarding approach that introduces the Neo ecosystem gradually rather than requiring blockchain familiarity upfront.

Gameplay

Neo HODLers is a Survivors-like game in the bullet heaven genre. Players navigate an arena while their equipped weapons automatically fire at approaching enemies, who attack through direct contact and ranged abilities.

Each stage consists of 15 blocks with boss encounters, and completing all blocks advances the player to the next stage at increased difficulty. Stage progression continues indefinitely, with players choosing when to bank their run. Every attempt contributes toward a cumulative leaderboard score, even runs that end in death count toward a player’s total.

Leaderboard rankings are based on total points accumulated across all runs, rather than the highest score in a single session.

Operators

Playable characters are known as Operators, each representing a different variation of the GasBot character. Four are available at launch:

  • Neo Ranger: Available immediately to all players.
  • Neo Protector: Unlocked by clearing 15 blocks in a single run with Neo Ranger.
  • Neo Runner: Unlocked by clearing 15 blocks in a single run with Neo Protector.
  • Ant OG: Unlocked by connecting a Neo X wallet.

Each Operator features different weapons and abilities. The Ant OG references AntShares, Neo’s original name before its 2017 rebrand. Additional Operators are planned for future releases.

Players can also unlock new arenas, upgrade abilities, and complete daily and weekly tasks to earn in-game credits for further Operator development.

Leaderboard competition, prize pool

The inaugural competition runs from Oct. 17 through Oct. 31, with 250 Neo X GAS awarded across the top 10 positions. First place receives 75 GAS, second receives 50, and third receives 35, scaling down to 5 GAS for ninth and tenth place.

Players must connect a Neo X wallet to qualify for GAS rewards, though wallet connection is not required to begin playing or accumulating leaderboard points. Players who start without a wallet can connect one at any time before the competition closes.

Accessibility, accounts

Neo HODLers supports several levels of participation. Players can start immediately with progress stored locally in their browser. Signing in with an email address enables cross-device progress saving. Connecting a Neo X wallet unlocks the Ant OG Operator and qualifies players for leaderboard prizes.

The initial version does not include native blockchain gameplay integration. This is intentional, prioritizing accessibility for the broadest possible audience. Additional blockchain integration is planned for future versions.

GasBot beyond Discord

The game expands the GasBot character beyond its established role as NNT’s Discord tipping and trivia application, which allows users to send and receive cryptocurrency tokens through supported platforms. NNT originally launched GasBot for Reddit in October 2021 to mark Neo’s fifth MainNet anniversary, later expanding to Discord in November 2022.

Anniversary context

Neo Hodlers joins several community initiatives marking the 10th anniversary of Neo’s MainNet. NGD launched the Neo 3650 AI art campaign in September, a five-day quiz challenge ran in early October, an X Space community conversation was held on Oct. 15, and NGD opened the Neo Time Capsule, a campaign inviting community members to leave messages for the future that will be encrypted and sealed on NeoFS until Neo MainNet’s 20th anniversary in 2036. Neo’s MainNet has operated continuously since Oct. 17, 2016.

Neo HODLers can be played at the link below:
https://neo-hodlers.ndapp.org

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