What's Big Time?

At its essence, Big Time is a multiplayer RPG that invites players to engage in battles against various monsters. By conquering these foes, players can earn valuable NFTs (non-fungible tokens).

"Delve into ancient enigmas and futuristic societies while you fight your way through the ages. Gather exceptional and legendary NFT items to customize your avatar and personal time machine, where you can socialize with friends."

Players can trade these virtual assets, enabling not just enjoyment but also the potential for earnings. As a play-to-earn (P2E) game, Big Time encourages individuals, even those unfamiliar with blockchain technology, to collect NFTs, including characters, tools, and time machine designs.

Big Time Studios aims to popularize blockchain gaming and introduce more players to the crypto world in an engaging manner.

The Team Behind Big Time

Leading this innovative venture are Ari Melich, former CEO of Decentraland, and Thor Alexander, the VP of Production at Decentraland. They founded Big Time in April 2020, bringing together a team with backgrounds in major gaming companies like Epic Games (Fortnite), Riot Games (League of Legends), Blizzard Entertainment (World of Warcraft), Electronic Arts (Fifa series), and Decentraland.

While the team's extensive experience in developing AAA games doesn’t guarantee success, their previous work on major franchises suggests a project worth following.

Why the Excitement?

The development of this game fits into a broader vision. Big Time Studios intends to help gaming companies incorporate NFT technology into their systems, enabling players to buy and sell in-game items without leaving the gaming environment.

Imagine trading in-game assets in Minecraft, for instance; what was once a closed system without real ownership is evolving into an ecosystem with genuine economic value. NFTs provide players with true ownership of their items.

Although interoperability with other gaming platforms hasn't been confirmed yet, the parent company, Decentraland, is working towards this. Their Vault technology serves as a custodial and transaction solution, which could eventually connect various gaming platforms.

With approximately 3.24 billion gamers worldwide, the fusion of video games and NFTs may significantly contribute to the mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrencies. This integration will familiarize people with crypto until it becomes a regular part of their lives.

Moreover, Big Time Studios plans to securely store players' NFTs off-chain in a patented private database. These items can be brought on-chain whenever needed, simplifying inventory management akin to traditional games.

For those who have struggled with lost keys to their crypto and digital assets, this feature enhances accessibility and user-friendliness.

Additionally, the project has attracted substantial backing, raising $21 million from major investors like FBG Capital, Digital Currency Group, and Sound Ventures, the latter being associated with Ashton Kutcher.

With such backing and innovative technology, the chances of success seem promising. Nonetheless, only time will reveal the outcome.

Gamers as Players and Investors

Big Time operates partially as a play-to-earn game. To participate, players must purchase a VIP pass that grants early access. However, these passes come at a hefty price, ranging from $1,490 to $6,499, with little information provided about what each option entails. The website states that those who pay $1,490 will be among 8,000 early players, while those who pay $6,499 will join a pool of only 1,000.

After acquiring the right to join the game, players enter the play-to-earn phase. Early access allows them to obtain limited-edition collectibles that are expected to increase in value over time. This strategy leverages scarcity, as only 12,000 players can participate and certain NFT items are assumed to be more valuable for early adopters.

Given the historical sales of NFTs, the initial players may reap significant rewards for their investments. Notably, the game will not have an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) or token pre-sale, making it community-driven. Once the initial phase concludes, gamers will drive the ecosystem, with tokens earned primarily through gameplay.

The more time players invest in the game, the greater their chances of acquiring valuable NFTs.

Gameplay Overview

Big Time combines elements from World of Warcraft, Harry Potter, and Back to the Future. Players start in the normal world but quickly venture to the end of time, where they attend a lecture by Albert Einstein, who teaches them the art of time travel to preserve history.

Using their personal time machines, players can explore different eras, battle diverse enemies (from dinosaurs to giant robots), navigate an open world, create their own pocket universe, and connect with fellow warriors.

The NFTs collected are primarily for aesthetic purposes and do not influence combat mechanics or character progression. However, they can enhance the player's universe and unlock additional features that may boost in-game earning potential.

Takeaway

The initial launch took place on December 21st, making it early to evaluate Big Time's overall success. Initial feedback on platforms like Reddit highlights some technical issues but also mentions significant NFT profits. Players have reported challenges with transaction failures for purchasing passes and some confusing gameplay mechanics. However, many gamers are already witnessing a return on their investments, with profits up to 2x!

While there is immense potential, there are also considerable risks involved. The support from prominent figures in the industry, combined with a competent development team and a visually stunning game, suggests a promising future. However, the project's ability to achieve the necessary network effect for widespread adoption remains to be seen.

With such initiatives, we edge closer to the broader acceptance of the metaverse.

If you found this article intriguing, you might also enjoy "The Superpowers of Professional Gamers" and "Amazon's Gamification of Fulfilment Centers Raises Ethical Questions."