FAQ

The basics

Is Nichenaut free?

Yes. Every mode can be played for free, with no limit on how many games you play. The only things for sale are cosmetic: support packs and the battle pass premium track. They change how your astronaut looks, never how well you score. See the store page.

Do I need an account?

No. The first time you play you get a guest profile, kept on that device, with your name, rank, coins and items. Signing in with Google or Apple saves that profile to an account so it works on any device and isn’t lost if you clear your browser.

Do I need to download anything?

No. Nichenaut runs in the browser at nichenaut.app on phones, tablets and laptops. Open the page and play.

How many people can play?

A hosted party holds up to 12 players by default and up to 25 if the host raises the limit. Class mode takes up to 25 pupils. Open Orbit rooms hold up to 50 and new rooms open when they fill. The solo modes are just you.

How do I join a friend’s game?

Ask them for the four-letter room code, type it into the CODE box on the home screen and press JOIN. Or open the invite link they send you. Pick a name and you’re in the lobby.

How is the score worked out?

Every prompt has a list of right answers sorted into tiers, from Liftoff (10 points) to Supernova (100). Rarer answers score more, and points become distance from Earth. The full rules are on how to play.

My answer was right but it said Stalled. Why?

Usually the answer was too vague, a surname on its own for a rare person (those need the full name), or two answers in one. Answers that aren’t on the list are checked by AI, which is strict on purpose. If you still think it was right, tap FLAG PROMPT in the standings or use the feedback page. Lists are fixed and extended every day. In a hosted game, the host can also turn on appeals so the room can vote an answer in.

Does Nichenaut use AI?

Only to check answers that aren’t on a prompt’s list. The answer and the prompt are sent to Claude, a model made by Anthropic, and nothing about you. Prompts and lists are written and checked by people. The privacy notice has the details.

Can I write my own prompts?

Yes. A host can add their own prompts under more options, or start a custom mission where every player writes prompts and the room rates the answers.

Coins, cases and the shop

What are coins for?

Coins are earned by playing: missions pay coins and XP once you’ve answered three prompts, and there are daily spins, badges, crew rewards and pass rewards too. You spend them in the shop on looks for your astronaut (characters, helmets, visors, trails, landings, dances, banners and name tags) and on cases. Coins can’t be bought.

What are cases?

Cases hold cosmetic items of different grades, from common to very rare. You earn them by playing or buy them with coins, and each case shows what’s inside before you open it. If you get an item you already own, part of its value comes back as coins. Cases can’t be bought with money.

What is the battle pass?

Each season has a pass with tiers of rewards. Playing missions and finishing daily challenges earns pass XP, which unlocks tiers. The free track is for everyone. The premium track is a one-time payment for that season only, and nothing renews. Season dates are shown in the pass.

What are the support packs?

One-off packs that help pay for running the game, with a few cosmetic thank-yous: a helmet, a trail, a suit finish, a name tag, a banner and a supporter badge depending on the size. A bigger pack after a smaller one costs only the difference. Prices are shown in your own currency on the store page.

Can I get a refund?

Yes, a full refund within 14 days for any reason. See refunds.

Is anything pay to win?

No. Everything that can be bought is cosmetic. Scoring is the same for everyone.

Crews, friends and streaks

What are crews?

A crew is a named group of up to 24 players. Every week the crew flies an expedition together: the XP its members earn moves it through coin stages, and crews race each other for prizes. Crews have their own chat, and the captain can invite friends.

How do friends work?

Tap a player’s card after a game to add them, or search for a name in your profile’s crew tab. You can have up to 200 friends and see how they did this week.

What is a streak?

Play at least once a day to keep your day streak going. Streak freezes cover a missed day, and you earn more of them by playing.

Safety, school and phones

Is there chat, and is it safe?

Open Orbit has a room chat. It is filtered, links aren’t allowed, any message can be reported, and players who break the rules are muted or banned. Hosted rooms only have preset shouts and reactions, and class rooms have no chat at all. Names are checked too. The rules are in the terms.

Is it suitable for children and classrooms?

Nichenaut is made for teenagers and works well in class. Signing in with Google needs you to be 13 or over; younger players can play as guests with the permission of a parent, guardian or teacher. The 18+ pack is off unless an adult host turns it on, and it can never be used in class mode, solo modes or Open Orbit. Teachers can read more on the for teachers page.

It’s blocked on my school network. What can I do?

Ask your school’s IT team to allow nichenaut.app and rooms.nichenaut.app. The for teachers page explains what the site is and is the best link to send them.

Does it work on phones?

Yes, it was built phone first. It works in Safari, Chrome and other modern browsers on iPhone, Android, tablets and computers. For a big group, a laptop on a TV makes a good shared screen.

What happens if I lose connection?

Your seat and your points are kept for a short while, so reopening the page usually puts you straight back into the same game.

Contact

How do I get in touch?

Use the feedback page for ideas and problems, or email robberttorfs@gmail.com. Schools that want the site reviewed or allowed on their network can use the same address.