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Hethereau Hobbies - Version 18 vs Version 19
Oct 6, 2026, 06:25 PM
Updated dated global release, availability and feature details; preserved unrelated legacy stats and content (Phase04 peer cohorts 2026-10-07)
Oct 6, 2026, 07:11 PM
Removed unrelated image (Image cleanup 2026-10-06)
11Overview22Hethereau 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 has an extensive roster of non-combat activities ranging from fishing and racing to business management and rhythm games.44These 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.66Hobbies at a Glance88ActivityTypeMultiplayerKey RewardFishingRelaxationNoFish collection, FonVehicle RacingCompetitionYesFon, racing rewardsMahjongStrategyYes (online matchmaking)FonRhythm GameMusicNoStory content, FonClaw MachinesArcadeNoCollectibles, prizesPhotographyCreativeNoScreenshots, explorationTaxi DrivingPart-time jobNoPer-trip Fon wagesBarista WorkPart-time jobNoShift Fon wagesDeliveryPart-time jobNoPer-delivery Fon wagesShop ManagementBusinessNoPassive Fon incomePink Paws HeistCooperative dungeonYes (team-based)Endgame materialsVolley StarSportYes (team-based)Event rewards, Fons through Weekly MatchGoing, Going, Gone!AuctionYesCollectibles, passive Fons from display casesShadow-n-SeekAsymmetric hide and seekYesEvent currency, shop rewards1010Hobby List1111Hobbies are grouped under the City Tycoon menu, alongside other City Tycoon activities such as Property, Cafe, the Hunter Exchange shop, and Races. The table below covers every hobby in the live game as of Version 1.3, marking which entries are multiplayer only, which support solo play, and where each one falls on the City Stamina cost tier.1313HobbyTypeSingle/MultiStamina Cost TierLinked ArticleMahjongStrategy board game (at Little Sparrow maid cafe)Multiplayer onlyLow (around 6 to 10)MahjongTetrisArcade puzzle (at the arcade)Multiplayer onlyLow (around 6 to 10)See Side Activities and Mini-GamesSuper SoundRhythm mini-gameSingle or multiplayer (solo-capable)Low (around 6 to 10)Super SoundCity DeliveryTruck delivery drivingSingle playerHigh (around 20 per attempt)See Side Activities and Mini-GamesRacesVehicle racing across tracksSingle or multiplayerLow (around 6 to 10)RacesOwner SelectionCustomer-service mini-game (serve approaching customers)Single playerLow (around 6 to 10)See Side Activities and Mini-GamesSwift TravelTaxi / rideshare driver (pick up and deliver customers before patience expires)Single playerHigh (around 20 per attempt)Swift TravelPink Paws HeistExtraction-style bank heistSingle player in beta (co-op planned for full release)Free once the weekly currency cap is metPink Paws HeistSea AnglerFishing with bait plus mini-gameSingle playerLow (around 6 to 10)Sea AnglerVolley StarBeach volleyball, added August 19, 2026Multiplayer, team-basedCosts City Stamina; a Weekly Match mode pays Fons from the Tycoon Incentive FundVolley StarGoing, Going, Gone!Auction mini-game with collectible lotsMultiplayerCosts City Stamina; display-case income also draws on the Tycoon Incentive FundGoing, Going, Gone!Shadow-n-SeekAsymmetric hide and seek, Hiders against HuntersMultiplayerEach round costs City Stamina as of August 19, 2026; it was free before thatShadow-n-Seek1515City Stamina cost breaks down into two clear tiers. Small hobbies such as Mahjong, Tetris, Super Sound, Races, Owner Selection, and Sea Angler cost roughly 6 to 10 City Stamina per attempt, letting players fit many runs into a single session. Vehicle-based jobs such as City Delivery and Swift Travel cost around 20 per run. This reflects the longer time commitment and the larger Fon payout per trip. The cap scales with City Tycoon level, climbing through 200, 350, 500, and eventually 700 in a typical progression, and the cap can be topped off with consumable refresh items.1616Stamina gating separates progression activities from freely grindable ones. Hobbies that award progression materials or character-related rewards spend City Stamina per attempt, so daily stamina becomes the pacing currency for farming those rewards. Activities like Pink Paws Heist can be run freely once the weekly currency cap for that mode has been met, making it a valid long-session activity even after stamina is exhausted. Players using taxi runs or delivery jobs to push their City Tycoon level will typically dedicate the daily high-tier stamina budget to Swift Travel or City Delivery, and use remaining low-tier stamina on Super Sound, Races, or Sea Angler.1818Several hobbies double as Part-Time Jobs, most notably Swift Travel (taxi duty) and City Delivery (truck runs), and they anchor the working-life loop in Hethereau. Casual side diversions such as the arcade Claw Machine sit outside the City Tycoon menu but still occupy the same leisure layer, giving players a steady option for burning coins between stamina-gated runs.2020Fishing2222Fishing 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.2424Fishing 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.2726Vehicle Racing2928Racing 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.3130The 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.3332At Gamescom 2025, a "Racing Championship" booth event let attendees experience the racing system firsthand, indicating that the developers consider it a show feature.3534Mahjong3736Mahjong 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.3938During 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.4140Rhythm Game4342NTE 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, pitched in the same comedic underdog register as the anime "Bocchi the Rock!"4544The 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.4746Claw Machines4948Arcade-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.5150The claw machine UI and mechanics are being improved for the launch version based on player feedback from the Co-Ex Beta.5352Photography and Drone5554NTE 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.5756Beyond 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.5958Part-Time Jobs6160Three 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.6362Taxi Driving6564Players 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.6766Barista Work6968Players 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.7170Delivery7473Players 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.7675Shop Management7877A 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.8079Pink Paws Heist8281The 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.8483The 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.8685Spacetime Projector Missions8887A 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.9089Public Transit9291While 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.9493Crime System9695Hethereau 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.9897Getting 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.10099NPCs 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.102101Companion Activities104103Characters 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.106105Upcoming Improvements108107The launch roadmap confirmed several improvements to hobbies and life simulation features for the April 29, 2026 launch. They are recorded here as the original commitments; the Version 1.3 section further down covers what has actually shipped since.110109AI opponents for mahjong (solo practice mode)Improved claw machine UI and mechanicsEnhanced photo mode with additional effectsBetter furniture placement controls and more housing interactionsAdditional companion interactions, including inviting Chiz to activitiesFirst-person perspective for companion hand-holding sequencesImproved AI opponents for racingUGC (User Generated Content) gameplay is in planning stages for post-launch112111Version 1.3 Changes (August 19, 2026)114113Version 1.3 "Rising from the Moonlit Fog" was the largest single change to Hethereau Hobbies since launch. Volley Star was added to Hethereau Hobbies. The previous limited-time activities Going, Going, Gone! and Shadow-n-Seek also joined the hobby list, and the way stamina and payouts work across all of them was reworked.116115New and Promoted Hobbies118117ActivityWhat ChangedDetailVolley StarAdded as a hobbyBeach volleyball played in teams, with spikes and dives. It also ran as a limited-time event from August 19 to September 30 paying out the "Summer Glow" avatar frame, the "Imaginist Court" namecard, Annulith, Fabricated Dice, Fons, Floe Cinema Tickets, Elite Hunter Guides, and Chaotic Dye.Going, Going, Gone!Promoted to a permanent hobbyThe Version 1.2 auction mini-game stayed on and gained seasonal Profit and Wealth leaderboards with matching quests and rewards, a venue conditions mechanic, an in-match quick chat with preset phrases, 20 new collectibles, an improved spawn algorithm, and a slightly higher spawn rate on "Eternal Heart".Shadow-n-SeekPromoted to a permanent hobbyThe asymmetric hide-and-seek mode also stayed on, but each round now costs City Stamina, which puts it on the same economy as the rest of the hobby list. Multiplayer also gained "Shadow Sweep" tracking in the same update.120119Stamina and Payout Changes121120The City Tycoon Lvl 16 perk was improved: City Stamina is now consumed at 200% speed rather than 100%. The patch notes describe an increase in consumption speed.A "Stamina Recharge" event ran from August 24 to August 31 (server time), consuming City Stamina at 2x efficiency inside Hethereau Hobbies activities.The 1,000,000 Fons pool that Pink Paws Heist paid out each cycle became the "Tycoon Incentive Fund". Weekly Match earnings in Volley Star and passive income from Collectibles Warehouse display cases in "Going, Going, Gone!" now draw from the same allowance, so the three activities share one cap rather than paying independently.Farm produce can now be sold by spending City Stamina, using crops grown at the new Stillmeadow House property.New scratchers went on sale at The Midnight Catzebo, and Fons won from them no longer counts toward Tycoon Level or the Pawbes Rich List.123122Hobby Quality-of-Life Fixes125124Swift Travel picked up passenger orders for the new locations and revised voice lines for unhappy passengers, and City Delivery picked up delivery orders for the new locations plus Auto-Drive support.Sea Angler gained a fish tank quick-lock and an F shortcut on the catch results screen that drops straight back into fishing.Races gained four new Challenge routes named Night Raptor, Chapter Nova, First Sense, and Silver Crown, plus several new Online racetracks.Pink Paws Heist gained a minimap.Photo Mode can now be used while driving or swimming, and a PC-only F7 shortcut hides the in-game UI in a single press.127126Version 1.3 Limited-Time Activities129128Two further Version 1.3 activities ran as limited-time events rather than joining the permanent hobby list. They are worth listing here because they play like hobbies and share the same reward currencies.131130ActivityWindow (UTC+8)What It IsSurf BreakerAug 19 after update to Sep 30, 05:59Timed course challenges on the water off Duskmoor. Clearing courses pays Annulith, Fons, Floe Cinema Tickets, Elite Hunter Guides, and Chaotic Dye.Shipwreck SalvageAug 28, 10:00 to Sep 30, 05:59Bottle collecting that pays an event currency called Drifting Bottle, spent in the event shop on the "Full Haul" avatar frame, the "Treasure Hunt" namecard, Annulith, Fabricated Dice, and Fons.133132Version 1.3 Phase 2 Additions (September 9, 2026)134133The September 9, 2026 Phase 2 update added "Brick by Brick" to the hobby list, added four new tracks to Races - Friends mode (players who had already cleared the prerequisites need to clear them again to unlock the new tracks), and ran two more stamina events: "Pixel Surge" from September 14 to September 21 (double rewards on Character Pixels spent in Houdinii's Magic Stage, Houdinii's Schemes, Bubble Can Factory and Rabbit Hole, up to 120 pixels a day and 840 for the event) and "Fons Rush" from September 21, 05:00 to September 28, 04:59 server time (double Fons from hobbies for up to 700 City Stamina).136135ActivityWindow (UTC+8)What It IsBreezy TourSep 17, 10:00 to Sep 30, 05:59Complete a character's Cycling Invitation to unlock their bike ride-along interaction, paying Annulith, Eternal Shell Songs, Elite Hunter Guides and Chaotic Dye. Cycling Invitations remain available afterwards through Random Encounters.Runaway EchoesSep 9 after update to Sep 30, 05:59Last-one-standing challenge with quest rewards including the "Unbroken Echo" title, Annulith, Fabricated Dice, Fons, Floe Cinema Tickets and Heterogeneous Units.138137Version 1.4 Hobby Updates139138Version 1.4 added multiplayer to Volley Star and new collectible types plus Blackbird as an Auction Assistant to Going, Going, Gone! The Stamina Recharge event runs from October 5 at 05:00 to October 19, 2026 at 04:59 server time, with City Stamina spent at 2x efficiency in Hethereau Hobbies.