Pi Network Updates: Node Fixes, Gaming Partnerships & More

Pi Network has released several important updates that affect its infrastructure, developer ecosystem, identity verification system, and real-world usage. These changes include a new Pi Node software update, a gaming partnership backed by Pi Network Ventures, progress in Know Your Customer verification, and the results of its 2025 hackathon. 

Pi Node 0.5.4 Update

Pi Network released Pi Node version 0.5.4, now branded as Pi Desktop, to address operational problems reported by Node operators in version 0.5.3. Pi Desktop is the main application used by Pioneers to manage Node operations, mining activity, and access developer tools such as Pi App Studio.

According to Pi Network, the update focuses on reliability and consistency. Several issues that affected Node mining rewards were fixed, including problems related to automatic updates and block container creation. In earlier versions, automatic updates could interrupt Node sessions, which reduced uptime and affected reward calculations. Block container errors also caused problems in how Nodes stored and processed blockchain data.

Node mining rewards in Pi Network depend on measurable factors, including:

• Node uptime over time
• Whether required network ports remain open
• Active participation in blockchain validation

By resolving these issues, version 0.5.4 helps Nodes operate more consistently across different systems. This reduces downtime and improves the accuracy of reward tracking, which is important for users who contribute computing resources to the network.

How Does Open Port Verification Affect Node Bonuses?

One of the key changes in Pi Desktop 0.5.4 is an improved system for verifying open network ports. Open ports allow Nodes to communicate with other peers, which is required for transaction propagation and blockchain synchronization.

The updated verification system tracks open ports more accurately. This directly affects Node bonuses, which are additional rewards on top of base mining rates. In earlier versions, some users lost bonuses because port status was misreported.

Pi Network has stated that this improvement is an important step toward enabling future migration of Node mining rewards to Mainnet.

User Experience Improvements

Pi Desktop 0.5.4 also includes several user interface changes aimed at reducing friction. Approved external links can now open directly within the app. Previously, users had to copy links manually into a browser, which interrupted workflow and caused confusion, especially for developers.

Pi App Studio is now easier to access. It has been moved to the top navigation bar of Pi Desktop, replacing its earlier placement inside the Utilities tab. This change makes it simpler for developers to move between Node management and app development tools.

A display issue in Pi App Studio has also been fixed. In earlier versions, previews of deployed apps sometimes failed to render. This made testing difficult. With the fix, developers can now view app previews correctly before full deployment, which shortens development cycles.

Pi Network Partners With CiDi Games

Last month, Pi Network announced a strategic partnership with CiDi Games, a Web3-focused gaming developer. The deal includes an investment from Pi Network Ventures, marking its second known deployment after backing OpenMind AGI.

The partnership aims to integrate Pi cryptocurrency directly into games. CiDi Games plans to build an H5 Game Platform using HTML5, which allows games to run smoothly on mobile devices and browsers. This fits Pi Network’s mobile-first design and large global user base.

Key elements of the partnership include:

• In-game payments using Pi
• Reward systems tied to gameplay
• Peer-to-peer transactions between players
• An open framework with APIs for other developers

This approach builds on earlier Pi experiments such as FruityPi, which combined Pi payments with advertising revenue through the Pi Ad Network. By focusing on lightweight games, Pi aims to support large user volumes without relying on external blockchains.

Pi Network Ventures operates a $100 million fund designed to support companies that expand the Pi ecosystem. Its investment in CiDi Games reflects a strategy of pairing funding with operational support.

CiDi Games brings experience in game development and platform management. In return, Pi provides access to a verified user base, technical support, and an existing wallet and payment system.

Pi Improves its KYC system

Pi Network relies on a Know Your Customer process to verify users before they migrate to Mainnet. Validators, who are trained community members, review identity documents and liveness checks. Since the system launched in 2021, validators have processed hundreds of millions of tasks.

Recently, Pi added artificial intelligence tools to its Standard KYC process. This technology was first tested in Fast Track KYC earlier in 2025. The AI now handles part of the review process and has reduced the human review queue by about 50 percent.

The AI system works conservatively. Cases it cannot confidently approve are sent to human validators. This improves speed while reducing data exposure, since sensitive details are already redacted before review.

Progress on Validator Rewards Distribution

Pi Network is continuing work on distributing rewards to KYC validators. The first payout is targeted for completion by the end of the first quarter of 2026. This delay reflects the complexity of processing data from hundreds of millions of validation tasks across multiple phases of the program.

Reward calculations must account for task type, accuracy, and changes made during beta and scaling stages. Pi Network has said the goal is to establish a system that can handle future reward cycles reliably and securely on Mainnet.

Pi Network 2025 Hackathon

Pi Network announced the winners of its 2025 hackathon on December 11. The event ran from August 15 to October 15 and focused on building fully functional Mainnet apps.

More than 215 submissions were received, with over 2,100 developers participating from more than 100 countries. A prize pool of up to 160,000 Pi was distributed among top projects.

Top winners and their focus

Blind_Lounge took first place with a privacy-focused social and dating app. Users interact anonymously and reveal identities only with mutual consent. Pi payments are required for profile creation, which limits spam and ensures users are KYC verified.

Starmax placed second by offering a loyalty program for merchants. Businesses can reward customers who spend Pi using QR code scanning, replacing traditional loyalty cards.

RUN FOR PI earned third place with a runner game that integrates Pi into gameplay. Players use Pi for boosters, competitions, and rewards, tying entertainment directly to transactions.

Conclusion

The latest Pi Network updates show steady progress across infrastructure, identity verification, developer tools, and ecosystem partnerships. Pi Desktop 0.5.4 improves Node reliability and reward accuracy. Gaming initiatives supported by Pi Network Ventures aim to increase real usage. KYC enhancements and validator reward planning address long-standing bottlenecks. Hackathon results highlight practical Mainnet applications already in use. Together, these updates focus on strengthening existing systems rather than introducing untested changes.

Resources 

1. Pi Network on X: Posts (November 2025 - December 2025) 

2. Pi Network Blog: Pi Node Version 0.5.4 Update

3. Pi Node: Pi Node – one step closer to user-centric decentralization

4. Pi Network Blog – CiDi Games Partnership

5. Pi Network Blog: KYC AI Integration and Validator Rewards Update.

6. Pi Core Team on X: Status Update on KYC Validator Rewards.

7. YouTube Shorts: Brief Video on KYC Validator Rewards Progress.

8. Pi Network Blog: Hackathon 2025 Winners Announcement.

9. Pi Apps GitHub: Community Developer Guide on Mainnet Listing Requirements.