Watch the demo on YouTube — 90-seconds of in-app usage with commentary
CTRL+N is a fast-paced, skill-based mobile action game with hand-crafted pixel art — developed with a passion for indie games and code itself. Tap to dodge, compete against your fellow degens, unlock new playable characters (keys), flex your rank roles in the community, and have fun.
- Select Character — Choose from unlockable keyboard keys (characters with unique audio signatures)
- Play — Tap to dodge procedurally-challenging obstacles (birds, trees, hazards); higher score = better rank
- Compete — Compare scores on global/friend leaderboards; earn rank tiers (Bamboo → Iron → Bronze → Gold → Platinum → Diamond)
- Progress — Unlock new key characters, achievements, cosmetics, and audio packs
Key Mechanics: One-button tap, real-time competition, cross-chain asset integration via Matrica
- Energy System: 5 free matches per session/day (TBD); Energy regenerates over time or via $SKR purchase
- Achievement System: Unlock badges and titles (free + purchasable cosmetics)
- Character Unlocks: Earn new playable characters and abilities through gameplay
- Rank Tiers: Progress through competitive ranks (Unranked → Bamboo → ... → Diamond)
- Profile Customization: Equipped character, avatar, bio (cosmetics via $SKR)
- Cross-Chain Asset Integration: Unlock bonuses, characters, and abilities by validating existing NFT traits/assets via Matrica (Ethereum NFTs, Solana collections; Bitcoin Ordinals coming soon)
- Keyboard-Based Audio Identity: Each playable character is a key from a keyboard; gameplay includes dynamic keypress sounds that vary by equipped audio pack
- Unlockable Audio Packs: Players unlock different keyboard audio packs through gameplay progression or $SKR store purchases
- Authentic Keyboard Recordings: Each audio pack contains keypress sounds recorded from actual mechanical/membrane keyboards with distinct acoustic signatures
- Per-Keyboard Variety: Multiple packs available (Cherry MX Red, Cherry MX Blue, Topre, Membrane, etc.) — each with authentic keycap click/clack characteristics
- Audio Feedback Loop: Tie visual character identity (the "key") directly to audio feedback, reinforcing the keyboard theme and adding personality to each play session
- Swipe Mechanics: Advanced input system for complex maneuvers
- Unique Player Abilities: Character-specific gameplay mechanics and power-ups
- Level Expansions: Day, Night, Snow, ???, Miami [Bonus], ??? (3-6 additional levels already planned)
- Global Leaderboards: Real-time competitive ranking
- Friend Rankings: Compare scores with friends
- Achievements: Visible badges and milestones
- Cosmetics: Character skins and visual items
- Cross-Platform: Solana Seeker (Android) (iOS/browser Q3/Q4) via Godot, Python, and JS/TS
- Desktop Support: Python 3.12 + Pygame for development/testing
- Cloud Saves: Profile tied to login
- Matrica OAuth (primary): Multi-chain social login (Discord, X, Telegram + all major Web3 wallets -> including native solana mobile wallet)
- Solana Wallet Adapter (secondary, coming soon): Direct wallet signing via Mobile Wallet Adapter 2.0
- Energy System: Tracks playtime, regeneration, and purchases
- SKR Integration: In-game store powered by Solana Mobile token
- Website Companion: Enhanced leaderboard metrics, detailed player stats, achievement tracking (coming Q3 2026)
- Instant Restarts: Quick retry loops for skill development
CTRL+N profiles can be optionally minted as NFTs on Solana (or inscriptions on Bitcoin), giving players enhanced security and portability:
* = TBD
- Cost: $1-5* (+ network fees) one-time (optional to mint)
- Benefits:
- Enhanced security: Profile backed by on-chain assets
- Portability: Use profile across compatible games
- Permanence: Leaderboard history immutably stored
- Composability: Future games can read CtrlN achievements/progress
- Leaderboard Participation*: Required to compete in seasonal leaderboards (free-to-play players can still play; profile data saves locally and to database with less frequent syncs, but not on-chain)
Future Expansion: Bitcoin Ordinal profiles planned for a future iteration, allowing players to mint profiles as Bitcoin NFTs alongside Solana options.
-
Account Data
- Public portfolio (score, rank, cosmetics)
- Achievements and unlock history
- Timestamps and progression milestones
-
Character Ownership
- Equipped character NFT (if any)
- Unlocked character collection
- Visual metadata (colors, animations)
-
On-Chain Metadata: Profile data stored on blockchain with NFT/Inscription protocols
┌─────────────┐
│ Player │
└──────┬──────┘
│
├─ Login: Matrica OAuth (primary) or Solana Wallet (secondary)
├─ Profile created/loaded
│
├─ Energy System: 5 free matches per session
├─ Store: Purchase $SKR for playtime/cosmetics/power-ups
│
├─ [OPTIONAL] Mint Profile as NFT
│ ├─ Cost: mint/inscription cost + $1-5*
│ ├─ Unlocks: Leaderboard participation, portability, cross-game play
│ └─ NFT metadata on Solana/Bitcoin blockchain
│ └─ Character unlocks, achievements, cosmetics
│
└─ Leaderboard: Ranked participation requires minted profile NFT
- Minimalist Style: Clean pixel-art characters and obstacles
- Responsive Feedback: Particle effects, screen shake, sound cues
- Playable Key Characters: Keyboard keys with distinct visual personalities and audio signatures; unlockable variants
- Dynamic Obstacles: Birds/trees/etc, platforms, and hazards that escalate in speed/complexity
CtrlN was created by a single developer with support from artists/OG members of the CelKeys community:
- Celshade (Developer/Founder): Game design, programming, player sprites, effects and animation, UI design, infrastructure, marketing, partnerships, and community administration
- psy. (Artist): Level backgrounds and obstacle art/animation
- MomoBones (Artist): Concept art and logo design
- SuckMyLegHair (Player Experience): Feedback/QA on features/designs/roadmap
- McMoney (Inspiration): The legend that pushed me (Celshade) to build this
Vision: Proof-of-concept that indie games can achieve quality production through focused individual development and collaborative community partnerships - built on crypto rails.
This lean structure allows for rapid iteration while maintaining artistic quality and community involvement.
- Primary: Casual mobile gamers (18-35) seeking quick, skill-based (but relaxed) action
- Secondary: Mobile streamers & competitive skill-based speedrunners
- Tertiary: Web3 gamers/developers seeking optional blockchain profile verification & cross-game portability
- Base Game: Free-to-play with energy system
- 5 matches per session (free playtime)
- Energy regenerates over time (configurable timers)
- Optional paid energy/fast-regen via $SKR
- Cost: $1-5* (+ network fees) one-time
- Benefits: Enhanced data security, portability across games, leaderboard participation
- Not required: Players can enjoy full game without NFT Profile
All premium purchases use $SKR (Solana Mobile Token):
- Cosmetics: Character skins, effects, avatars
- Playtime: Additional energy/matches
- Power-ups: Temporary gameplay enhancements
- Audio Packs: Unique audio signatures for key mechanics
- ?? Pass (future): Seasonal TBD
Current: v0.1.1 Demo (Public Prototype) — Download on GitHub Releases
| Status | Description | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Demo (NOW) | Single level, core gameplay, auth integrated. | April-May 2026 |
| Alpha (v0.2.0+) | Store system, cosmetics, broader feature set. | May-June 2026 |
| Beta (v0.5.0+) | Full monetization, NFT minting UI, save data stable. | July-August 2026 |
| Release (v1.0.0) | Tournaments, portability, cross-platform optimization. | Q3-Q4 2026 |
Phase 1: Demo → Soft Launch (Q2 2026)
- Public demo on GitHub Releases with Matrica OAuth integration
- Level 1 (Day-Time) with core gameplay and energy system operational
- In-game leaderboards and $SKR cosmetic store live
- Community feedback gathering
- Seeker dApp store launch
Phase 2: Alpha → Full Launch (Q3-Q4 2026)
- Level 2 (Night-Time) with unique mechanics
- Solana NFT Profile minting available ($1-5* SOL + network fees)
- Website companion with enhanced leaderboard metrics and player stats
- Global iOS/Android release
Phase 3: Web3 Expansion (Q4 2026+)
- Level 3 (Snow) with expanded audio pack ecosystem
- Leaderboard expansion/goals
- BTC (ordinal) Profile minting available ($1-5* BTC + network fees)
- Cross-game character portability (trilogy foundation)
- Web3 Native — Leverages Matrica's multi-chain asset verification (Solana, Ethereum, Bitcoin) for cross-blockchain integration
- Optional Ownership — Play free, or mint profile as NFT for portability & permanence
- Verified Community — Discord roles tied to on-chain assets prevent farming and boost trust
- Creator-Friendly — Documented, verifiable progress visible on leaderboards
- Trilogy Architecture — Shared portable profiles across 3 unique games with distinct mechanics
- Quality + Indie Ethos — Hand-crafted pixel art (no AI), solo developer model with community collaboration
- First Month: 1K downloads
- DAU/MAU: 30% day-1 → 8% 30-day retention
- Average Session: 3-11 minutes
- ARPU: $2-5/month (energy purchases + cosmetics)
- NFT Adoption: 10-15% of players opt to mint profile (optional)
CTRL+N is a skill-based mobile action game where each playable character is a keyboard key with a unique audio identity. Players earn 5 free daily matches in the Day-Time environment, then optionally purchase playtime, cosmetics, and audio packs via $SKR. Those seeking permanence can mint their profile as an NFT ($1-5* SOL/BTC TBA), unlocking leaderboard participation and cross-game portability.
Core differentiators: Hand-crafted pixel art, authentic keyboard audio feedback system with unlockable packs, optional Web3 (not mandatory), multi-chain asset verification, and a trilogy of games with distinct mechanics.
Monetization: Free-to-play base + energy/cosmetics/audio ($SKR) + optional NFT profiles (SOL/BTC).
Vision: Web3-ready game built on audio identity and player choice.
| Phase | Timeline | Deliverables |
|---|---|---|
| Soft Launch | Q2 2026 | Level 1 (Day-Time), Matrica OAuth, Energy system |
| Global Launch | Q3 2026 | Level 2 (Night Time), Solana NFT Profiles, Store, Unique abilities |
| Level 3 Release | Q4 2026 | Level 3 (Snow), Unique abilities, Swipe mechanics |
| Level 4 & Ecosystem | Q1 2027+ | Level 4 (Tron Grid/Miami), Trilogy games, Cross-game portability |
Investors: Ideally, no seed/investor rounds outside of grants, donations, and in-game purchases
Partners: Integrate CTRL+N profile NFTs into your games
Players: Join the beta and mint your first profile NFT
Website: celkeys.io (site available, but no game on there yet)
Email: celkeys@proton.me
Twitter: @CelKeysNFT
Discord: https://discord.gg/ckey (core server gated; game section closed coming soon)