We’re always on the prowl for new ways to keep CryptoKitties dynamic, fun, and at its best. Every part of the game is open to experimentation, from our breeding interface to trusting our programmers with endless snacks in the Cat Cave kitchen.

This week, we’re launching a test of a new special trait release system.

In the past, we’ve released new genes into Gen 0 Kitties through the Kitty Clock, and there’s been a bit of a buying frenzy to snatch up those genes in the hopes of breeding those coveted Diamonds. We want to play with a new way to introduce genes to the game.

We’re releasing a gene on six new Kitties

On Tuesday, July 17, at 4:15pm PT, we’ll release a gene to six newly minted Gen 0s. Those Kitties will be owned by the CryptoKitties team, and we’ll put them up to Sire.

A descending auction will control the Kitties

The Kitties will be put up to Sire using a decreasing price auction and starting at varying prices that all descend to zero. When someone successfully Sires with a cat, the cat will be placed back up for Sire (after their cooldown and a short delay). The new starting price will be 1.5 times the price of the successful Siring auction, with a floor of 0.05 ETH*, and will once again descend to zero over 24 hours.

(*edited 19/07/18. We realized 1.5 times 0 was… nothing. So we added a floor in case auction prices drop to 0.)

The Red Dot District is where the genes are at

When you Sire with a Kitty from the Red Dot District, you’ll have a 50% chance of your kitten having the new gene. If you have incredible juju (luck), and breed with the right partner, there’s even a small chance you’ll discover a mutated Cattribute from that gene at Gen 1!

The only way to access this new gene at Gen 0 is through the Red Dot District.

way to access this new gene at Gen 0 is through the Red Dot District. It will never be available on the Kitty Clock.

These six Kitties are the only Gen 0 Kitties that will ever carry this gene, making it one of the rarest in the game.

Meet the Kitties available to Sire