Revision 1

Overview

Hethereau Hobbies is the collective term for the mini-games and leisure activities available in the city of Hethereau in Neverness to Everness. Beyond its combat system and Esper Cycle mechanics, NTE features an extensive roster of non-combat activities ranging from fishing and racing to business management and rhythm games.

These activities are organized under the City Tycoon progression system and unlock progressively as the player's City Tycoon level increases. Each hobby provides its own rewards, from Fon (in-game currency) and materials to unique items and story content. Many hobbies also support multiplayer, letting players enjoy them with friends.

Hobbies at a Glance

Fishing

Fishing is a relaxation activity available at designated fishing spots throughout Hethereau. Players can cast their line and attempt to catch fish with varying rarity and behavior patterns. Different locations offer different fish species, encouraging exploration of the city's waterfront areas.

Fishing provides a calm alternative to combat-focused gameplay and rewards players with collectible fish entries and Fon income from selling catches. The activity is accessible early in the City Tycoon progression.

Vehicle Racing

Racing is a competitive activity where players drive vehicles through winding mountain tracks and city circuits. Races can be run solo against NPC challengers or in multiplayer mode where players team up with friends to race against street crews in different city districts.

The racing system features full drift mechanics, and weather conditions (rain, snow) directly affect road surface traction. Wet roads make cornering harder and change drift behavior, adding a layer of skill-based challenge that varies with conditions. AI opponents for races were being improved for the launch version based on beta feedback.

At Gamescom 2025, a "Racing Championship" booth event let attendees experience the racing system firsthand, indicating that the developers consider it a showcase feature.

Mahjong

Mahjong is a strategy game available at the Little Sparrow maid cafe in Hethereau. The game features online matchmaking, allowing players to compete against others in real-time matches.

During the Co-Ex Beta, mahjong was multiplayer-only with no AI opponents, which drew criticism from players who wanted to practice solo. The developers confirmed in the launch roadmap that AI opponents are being added so players can learn and practice without needing online matchmaking.

Rhythm Game

NTE has a rhythm mini-game where players hit notes in time with music tracks. The rhythm game is tied to a side quest storyline involving joining a band and performing, described by beta reviewers as reminiscent of the anime "Bocchi the Rock!" in tone and style.

The rhythm game provides story content alongside its gameplay rewards, making it both a standalone activity and a narrative experience that reveals character backstories and side plots.

Claw Machines

Arcade-style claw machines are found in entertainment venues throughout Hethereau. Players spend Beetle Coins to operate the claw and attempt to grab prizes. The claw machine is a light, casual activity that beta testers found surprisingly engaging, with some reporting spending tens of thousands of Beetle Coins chasing collectibles.

The claw machine UI and mechanics are being improved for the launch version based on player feedback from the Co-Ex Beta.

Photography and Drone

NTE includes a photo mode with various camera effects for capturing scenic moments. A Snow Mode featured during the Co-Ex Test allowed players to take pictures under falling snowflakes with additional visual effects.

Beyond standard photo mode, the game has a separate drone flying mechanic that allows unrestricted aerial exploration and photography. Players can fly a drone anywhere in the city to capture cinematic videos or screenshots from angles that are normally inaccessible on foot or in vehicles. The drone is not restricted by terrain boundaries.

Part-Time Jobs

Three distinct part-time job activities let players earn Fon through active gameplay. These jobs contribute to City Tycoon level progression and provide a steady income source, especially early in the game before shop revenue scales up.

Taxi Driving

Players accept passenger requests around the city and transport them to their destinations. The taxi job uses the full vehicle mechanics, meaning weather and traffic conditions affect the driving experience. Passengers may offer tips for smooth or fast rides, providing bonus income on top of the base fare.

Barista Work

Players work shifts at one of Hethereau's cafes, preparing and serving drinks to customers through a mini-game interface. Orders must be completed before the customer's patience runs out, creating a time-pressure challenge that rewards quick thinking and memorization.

Delivery

Players pick up and deliver packages across the city within time limits. Some deliveries involve fragile goods that penalize rough handling, requiring careful driving. Routes vary in distance and complexity. The delivery system is thematically connected to Sterry Express, the in-game courier organization that employs characters like Hathor and Haniel.

Shop Management

A full business simulation activity covered in detail in the City Tycoon article. Players manage inventory, set prices, and run promotions to generate passive income from their own shop. Character Life Skills can influence shop performance, adding a layer of team building to the business side of the game.

Pink Paws Heist

The Pink Paws Heist is a cooperative multiplayer activity introduced during the Co-Ex Test. It is a team-based infiltration dungeon where players plunder resources together through stealth, puzzle-solving, and combat. All characters have equalized stats in this mode, meaning success depends entirely on player skill and team coordination rather than character power or gear level.

The equalized-stats design makes the Pink Paws Heist accessible to all players regardless of progression, while the stealth and puzzle mechanics set it apart from NTE's standard combat content.

Spacetime Projector Missions

A puzzle and investigation activity where players rewind recordings of incidents to pinpoint the exact moment an anomaly appeared. These missions involve studying visual evidence and making deductions, providing a detective-style gameplay experience distinct from both combat and the other hobbies.

Public Transit

While not a hobby in the traditional sense, Hethereau has a functioning public transit system with bus and tram routes. An extensive rail network connects different districts of the city. Players can also ride a "Ghost Train" that traverses Anomaly spaces, functioning as a fast travel mechanic with a thematic twist.

Crime System

Hethereau has an active crime and wanted system that adds consequence to player actions. Illegal acts like attacking passers-by, stealing vehicles, damaging property, and reckless driving increase a visible wanted level displayed as stars. At high wanted levels, police units actively pursue the player with patrol cars, and at the highest levels, drones deploy overhead.

Getting apprehended results in detention at an in-game prison, where players wear prison clothing and spend several in-game days confined. Prison activities include community service (to reduce sentences), dining, mini-games, and trading with inmates. Players can also attempt jailbreaks by stealing a spoon and digging a tunnel while avoiding guard detection, or they can pay bail for immediate release.

NPCs in Hethereau react realistically to crime. They honk, flee, or swerve when the player engages in dangerous behavior. Vehicles can be obtained peacefully by flashing a Bureau of Anomaly Control badge, or forcefully by attacking NPCs and stealing their cars.

Companion Activities

Characters with sufficient bond levels can be invited as companions for activities throughout the city. Companions walk alongside the player, hold hands, and participate in various interactions. The City Tycoon article covers companion placement in properties. In the open world, companions add a social dimension to hobbies and exploration.

Upcoming Improvements

The launch roadmap confirmed several improvements to hobbies and life simulation features for the April 29, 2026 launch:

• AI opponents for mahjong (solo practice mode)

• Improved claw machine UI and mechanics

• Enhanced photo mode with additional effects

• Better furniture placement controls and more housing interactions

• Additional companion interactions, including inviting Chiz to activities

• First-person perspective for companion hand-holding sequences

• Improved AI opponents for racing

• UGC (User Generated Content) gameplay is in planning stages for post-launch