Big Kid Studios Pty Ltd, an Australian game developer, has teamed up with Animoca Brands and Blowfish Studios to create DARKTIMES, a multiplayer Brawler Royale game that combines elements of dark fantasy with competitive gameplay. The game is set in a Nordic-inspired medieval world, integrating magic and combat into its core mechanics.
DARKTIMES Gameplay and Design
DARKTIMES is designed to offer a unique gaming experience, where players engage in both individual and team-based combat. The game features a physics-based combat system, adding a layer of unpredictability and strategy. Players can use any moving object as a weapon, making the gameplay dynamic and engaging. The game also includes a special character, the Loot Goblin, which players can hunt for additional rewards.
Economic Model and Token Integration
The game’s economy is built around the $TIMES token, managed by Social Republic Limited (SRL), a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. This token serves multiple functions within the game:
- Battle Passes: Players can use $TIMES to purchase passes that unlock higher tiers of rewards.
- In-App Purchases: The token can be used to buy items, equipment, and abilities, enhancing customization options for players.
- Exclusive Access: Holding $TIMES grants access to special events like developer chats and members-only content.
- Staking: Players can stake their tokens to earn returns, showing confidence in the game’s long-term success.
- Burn Mechanisms: To maintain the token’s value over time, a portion of $TIMES is burned during gameplay transactions.
Overview of $TIMES Token Economics
The $TIMES token serves as the backbone of DARKTIMES. The total supply of $TIMES is permanently capped at 1 billion tokens to ensure scarcity and value preservation over time. The tokens are distributed based on a predetermined vesting schedule tailored to match the developmental and operational liquidity needs of DARKTIMES.
Players can enhance the value of their holdings through staking, where they lock up their $TIMES tokens for a period to earn annual percentage yields (APY). The APY varies based on how long the tokens are staked, providing an incentive for players to commit their tokens for longer durations.
Additionally, the game rewards players with special drops and limited-edition cosmetics for holding onto their tokens. These incentives enrich the gaming experience and encourage players to retain their tokens, reducing the number of tokens actively circulating in the market. This reduction in supply, while demand remains constant or increases, can lead to an increase in the token’s value over time, securing long-term benefits for players who invest in the game’s economy.
Next, the new token burn mechanism is critical in managing the game’s economy. As players participate more actively and retain their $TIMES tokens, a predetermined fraction of these tokens is automatically burned during gameplay and other transactions.
This deliberate reduction of the total token supply introduces a deflationary effect, limiting the number of tokens available over time. Such a mechanism is designed to safeguard the token’s value, potentially enhancing its worth for those who hold it long-term.
The $TIMES token is expected to be listed before the end of September 2024. Alongside this development, there will be a coordinated marketing campaign managed by Social Republic Limited’s Rune Run, which has previously engaged a large number of players. This campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the token. Partnerships with entities like Animoca Brands are part of the strategy to ensure that the token is readily accessible to both gamers and investors.
The Future of DARKTIMES
DARKTIMES serves as the starting point for a broader initiative that aims to build a transmedia franchise. The project, which is currently in the early development stage, has a pre alpha playtest scheduled for late Q4 2024 and includes plans to extend into other media and platforms.
- Expansion to Mobile and Console Platforms: Plans are in place to make DARKTIMES available on additional platforms such as mobile devices and consoles, which would make the game accessible to a broader audience.
- Anime and Media Projects: Development is underway for anime shorts based on the game’s lore, with potential further expansion into other media forms depending on the initial reception.
- Merchandise: The introduction of both physical and digital merchandise related to the game is anticipated, aiming to offer fans new ways to engage with its world.
