Big Time: A Beginner’s Guide to Time-Traveling GameFi Riches

Time Travelers, Treasure Hunters, and Token Tycoons: Your Beginner’s Guide to Big Time

John: Welcome back to the blog, everyone. Today, we’re diving into a GameFi title that’s been making some serious waves in the community: Big Time. It’s an ambitious project aiming to blend traditional AAA gaming experiences with the innovative possibilities of Web3.

Lila: Hi John! I’ve heard the name “Big Time” buzzing around. For our readers who might be new to GameFi (games incorporating blockchain technology) or even just complex RPGs, what makes Big Time stand out? Is it something a beginner can actually get into?

John: That’s an excellent starting point, Lila. Big Time is designed with a surprisingly low barrier to entry for a Web3-enabled game. It’s a free-to-play, multiplayer action RPG. Think fast-paced combat, exploring diverse environments, and teaming up with friends, all wrapped in a compelling time-travel narrative.

Lila: Free-to-play is always a good sign for accessibility! And time travel? That sounds intriguing. How does that theme play out in the game?

Overview & Key Features

John: The core premise is that history is collapsing, and players, as time travelers, are recruited to fight across various eras to correct historical anomalies and battle forces threatening the fabric of time. According to the official Big Time website (bigtime.gg), you’ll venture through “time-shattering environments” and encounter historical figures and events in a new light.

Lila: So, you’re essentially a hero saving history! Does that mean the game world is static, or does it change?

John: One of the key features is the use of procedurally generated dungeons, which Big Time calls “Timelines” or “Adventure Instances.” This means that each time you enter a dungeon, its layout, enemies, and even some of the potential rewards can be different. This adds a huge amount of replayability.

Lila: Oh, that’s clever! It keeps things fresh. What about the actual gameplay – what do you *do* as a player? Are there different roles or classes like in other RPGs?

John: Absolutely. Big Time features a flexible class system. Players aren’t locked into a single class forever; they can collect different “Timepieces” which allow them to switch between classes. As of their Pre-Season launch, the classes detailed on bigtime.gg include:

• Time Warrior: Your classic frontline fighter, excelling in close-quarters combat and durability.
• Chronomancer: A magic-user focusing on ranged attacks, crowd control, and manipulating time itself.
• Shadowblade: A stealthy assassin type, dealing high burst damage and relying on cunning tactics.
• Quantum Fixer: The quintessential support class, focused on healing allies and providing buffs.
• Techblade: A newer addition combining melee prowess with technological gadgets and summoning capabilities.
• Battlemancer: Another more recent class, focused on powerful area-of-effect (AoE) spells and sustained magical damage.

Each class has its own unique abilities and playstyle, encouraging players to experiment and find what suits them best, or switch based on what their team needs.

Lila: Being able to switch classes by finding new Timepieces sounds like a great way to encourage exploration and trying different playstyles without having to start a new character from scratch! What’s the combat like? Is it slow and tactical, or more action-packed?

John: It’s definitely on the action-packed side. The combat is designed to be fast-paced and engaging, requiring players to actively dodge, attack, and use their abilities strategically. And since it’s a multiplayer game, you can team up in parties of up to six players to tackle tougher challenges and dungeons together. Cooperation is often key to success.

Lila: Six-player co-op sounds like a blast! So, great combat, cool classes, and endless dungeons. What’s powering all this on the technical side?

Technical Elements

John: Big Time is built using Unreal Engine, which is a powerful and widely used game engine known for enabling high-fidelity graphics. This allows for visually impressive environments and character models, contributing to the game’s immersive quality.

Lila: So it looks good then? That’s definitely a plus for drawing in players who are used to traditional high-quality games, not just crypto enthusiasts.

John: Precisely. The aim is to deliver a polished gaming experience first and foremost. The procedural generation technology for the dungeons is also a significant technical aspect. It ensures that the adventure instances players explore are varied and offer unique challenges each time, which is a complex system to implement effectively.

Lila: And what about the multiplayer aspect from a technical standpoint? Running smooth co-op for six players through dynamically generated worlds must be demanding.

John: Indeed. Robust server infrastructure and netcode (the code that handles communication between players and the server) are crucial for a seamless multiplayer experience. While specifics of their server architecture aren’t usually public, the game has been undergoing various phases of early access and testing, which helps developers refine these systems. The goal is to provide a stable and responsive environment for players to team up and explore together.

Lila: That makes sense. It’s good they’re focusing on the core game experience. Now, let’s get to the part many of our readers are curious about – the crypto side. How do NFTs and blockchain fit into Big Time?

NFT & Blockchain Usage

John: This is where Big Time truly steps into the GameFi arena. The game incorporates a player-owned economy, primarily through Cosmetic Collectibles (NFTs). These are unique digital items that players can truly own, trade, or use in-game.

Lila: NFTs… I know the term, Non-Fungible Tokens, meaning they’re unique digital assets. But it can sound intimidating. Are these NFTs essential to play or enjoy the game?

John: That’s a common concern, and Big Time addresses it well. The game is fundamentally free-to-play. You don’t *need* to buy or interact with NFTs to download the game, play through the story, team up with friends, or experience the core action RPG gameplay. The NFTs are optional elements that offer additional utility, customization, or economic opportunities for those interested.

Lila: Okay, that’s a relief for many, I’m sure! So, what kind of NFTs are we talking about in Big Time? You mentioned cosmetic ones.

John: Yes, Cosmetic Collectibles are a major part. These are items like unique armor skins, weapon skins, and other decorative items that allow players to personalize their characters. They don’t typically offer direct gameplay advantages (to avoid pay-to-win scenarios) but are highly sought after for their rarity and aesthetic appeal. Beyond cosmetics, there are also “Utility Collectibles.” The most significant ones are:

• SPACE NFTs: These represent ownable pieces of a personal metaverse or “pocket universe” within Big Time. According to bigtime.gg, SPACE allows players to expand their personal area, install crafting stations (Armory, Forge, Time Warden), and even place portals to specific adventure instances for themselves and their friends. Different rarities and sizes of SPACE offer varying capacities.
• Hourglass NFTs: These are crucial for the “Play-to-Earn” aspect. Equipping an Hourglass while playing allows players the chance to find the game’s utility token, $BIGTIME, when defeating enemies or completing objectives. Hourglasses have a limited amount of active time and come in different rarities, affecting their token-earning potential. There are also “Cracked Hourglasses” which are consumable and don’t require $BIGTIME to recharge.

Lila: SPACE sounds like player housing on steroids, especially with the crafting and portal features! And Hourglasses are the key to earning the actual $BIGTIME token? So, that’s the main in-game crypto-currency?

John: Correct. $BIGTIME is the primary utility token for the game. It’s used for various in-game activities like crafting Utility Collectibles (including Hourglasses and refining SPACE upgrades), speeding up crafting timers, repairing high-tier equipment, and accessing special “Prestige Portals” which offer more challenging content and potentially better rewards. The supply of $BIGTIME is player-driven, meaning it primarily enters circulation through players actively using Hourglasses. (Source: Big Time Tokenomics page on bigtime.gg)

Lila: That’s a comprehensive system. What about the underlying blockchain technology? Which blockchain does Big Time use, and how do players actually get these NFTs or the $BIGTIME token?

John: Big Time has developed its own patented “Vault” technology. This system is designed to be crypto-agnostic and allows for a self-custodial experience that’s very user-friendly. Essentially, it means players can manage their in-game digital collectibles without needing extensive prior crypto knowledge or even setting up an external wallet initially to just play and acquire items. When it comes to the NFTs themselves, they are minted on the Ethereum and Polygon blockchains, providing security and transparency. (Source: bigtime.gg FAQ, openloot.com)
NFTs can be acquired in several ways:

• Dropped as loot in-game from enemies or chests (especially cosmetic fragments).
• Crafted by players using workshops installed in their SPACE and resources gathered in-game.
• Traded with other players on the official marketplace, OpenLoot (openloot.com).

$BIGTIME tokens are primarily earned by players who own and use Hourglasses during gameplay.

Lila: So, the Vault tech makes it easier for traditional gamers to jump in without a steep learning curve for crypto wallets. And OpenLoot is their dedicated marketplace? That sounds like a good ecosystem.

Getting Started

John: Precisely. The focus is on a “game-first” experience. For players interested in trying Big Time, the first step is to head to the official website, `www.bigtime.gg`. There, you can find information on how to download the game launcher. As of early 2024, the game is in its “Pre-Season” phase, which is a form of early access. Access methods have varied, sometimes requiring passes (like Silver, Gold, Jade) which were sold or given away, but they are moving towards wider accessibility.

Lila: Okay, so check the official site for the latest access details. Are there any specific system requirements players should be aware of?

John: Yes, like any modern PC game, there are minimum and recommended system specifications. These are typically listed on the support or FAQ section of the Big Time website. Generally, you’ll need a decent dedicated graphics card (GPU), a modern processor (CPU), and a good amount of RAM. As of my last check on bigtime.gg’s FAQ:

• Minimum Requirements: DirectX 11 or 12 compatible Graphics Card (GeForce GTX 1060 / Radeon Rx 580), Quad-core Intel or AMD processor, 2.5 GHz, 8 GB RAM.
• Recommended Requirements: GeForce RTX 2060 Super / Radeon RX 5700 XT or better, Quad-core Intel or AMD processor, 3.5 GHz or faster, 16 GB RAM.

It’s always best to check the site for the most current information as these can be updated.

Lila: Good to know. And a crucial question for many: do I need a crypto wallet set up from the very beginning?

John: No, and this is a key aspect of their onboarding strategy. Thanks to their proprietary Vault technology, players can start playing, collecting non-NFT items, and even earning certain in-game assets without needing to create or connect an external crypto wallet. The wallet interaction becomes necessary only when you want to withdraw NFTs or tokens from the game’s ecosystem to trade them on an external marketplace like OpenLoot, or to bring assets in. This significantly lowers the barrier to entry for traditional gamers.

Lila: That’s fantastic! It really makes it “free-to-play and easy-to-start.” Now, what’s the general vibe around the game? What are people saying?

Reputation & Reviews

John: Given that Big Time has been in various stages of early access and is now in its “Pre-Season,” formal reviews from major gaming publications are still somewhat limited. However, there’s a lot of community buzz and feedback from players who have participated in these early phases.

Lila: And what’s the sentiment like? What are the common points of praise or criticism?

John: On the praise side, many players highlight:

• Fun Core Gameplay: The action combat and RPG mechanics are generally well-received as engaging and enjoyable.
• High Production Value: The graphics, art style, and overall polish are often cited as being higher than many other GameFi projects.
• Innovative Economy: The player-driven economy with NFTs like SPACE and Hourglasses is seen as a unique and interesting approach to Web3 gaming. The concept of earning $BIGTIME through active play is a big draw.
• Experienced Team: The strong background of the development team (which we’ll discuss later) inspires confidence in the project’s long-term potential.
• Free-to-Play Accessibility: This is consistently praised as a good way to attract a broad player base.

Lila: Those are strong positives! What about any concerns or criticisms that have surfaced?

John: As with any game in active development, especially one in early access or a preseason phase, there are areas for improvement. Some common points of criticism or concern from the community include:

• Bugs and Performance: Early access versions naturally come with bugs and performance optimization challenges. The team actively works on these based on player feedback.
• Grind: Like many RPGs, progression can sometimes feel grindy, particularly when it comes to acquiring resources or rare items. Balancing this is an ongoing process.
• Economy Balancing: The player-driven token economy is complex. Ensuring it remains balanced, sustainable, and fair for all types of players (free-to-play, collectors, investors) is a significant challenge that requires continuous monitoring and adjustment. Concerns about inflation or the value of in-game assets are common in the P2E space.
• Learning Curve for Economy: While the core gameplay is accessible, fully understanding the intricacies of the NFT economy, crafting, and tokenomics can take time for newcomers.

It’s important to remember that Big Time is an evolving project. The developers actively engage with the community on platforms like Discord and regularly release updates and patches to address issues and add new content.

Lila: That’s a fair assessment. It sounds like the foundation is strong, and the team is working to refine the experience. This might be a good time for a quick Q&A to clarify some of these Web3 aspects for our readers.

Q&A

Lila: Okay John, let’s dive a bit deeper.
Q1: You mentioned blockchain. For someone totally new, how does Big Time actually *use* blockchain technology without making it too complex for the average gamer?

John: That’s an excellent question. At its core, Big Time uses blockchain primarily to guarantee true ownership of specific in-game items – the NFTs like unique cosmetics, SPACE, and Hourglasses. Think of it like this: in a traditional game, if you “own” an item, it’s really just data on the game’s server, and the company ultimately controls it. With blockchain, when you own a Big Time NFT, it’s recorded on a public, decentralized ledger (like Ethereum or Polygon). This means *you* truly own it, like a physical collectible. You can hold it, sell it, or trade it independently of the game developers if you choose.
Big Time simplifies this for the average gamer through its “Vault” system. You don’t need to be a crypto expert to get started. You can play, collect items, and even earn some NFT fragments without ever touching a complex crypto wallet initially. The blockchain aspect runs in the background, ensuring your valuable digital items are secure and verifiably yours. When you *do* want to trade these items outside the game, on a platform like OpenLoot (their official marketplace), that’s when you might interact more directly with wallet functionalities, but by then, you’re opting into that deeper engagement. So, the core gameplay remains familiar RPG action, while blockchain powers the unique ownership and economic layer for those who want to explore it.

Lila: That makes it much clearer!
Q2: And the in-game currency, $BIGTIME. Is it just for buying cool stuff, or does it have a bigger role? How do you earn it, and what can you do with it?

John: $BIGTIME is much more than just a currency for cosmetics; it’s the lifeblood of the game’s crafting and progression economy for utility collectibles. As stated on their official tokenomics page, its primary utilities include:

• Crafting Utility Collectibles: You need $BIGTIME to craft and recharge Hourglasses, which are essential for earning more $BIGTIME. It’s also used in recipes for other utility items.
• Speeding Up Crafting Timers: Players can spend $BIGTIME to expedite the crafting processes at their Armory, Forge, or Time Warden workshops in their SPACE.
• Accessing Prestige Portals: These are special, high-difficulty dungeons that require $BIGTIME to enter. They offer unique challenges and the potential for rarer rewards.
• Refining and Upgrading: It’s used for refining raw materials and potentially for upgrading certain types of NFTs, like SPACE components.

You primarily earn $BIGTIME by actively playing the game while an Hourglass NFT is equipped and has active time. When you defeat enemies or complete certain objectives in adventure instances, $BIGTIME tokens can drop if your Hourglass is active. It’s designed to be an “active earning” model rather than passive. The game also features non-token resources gathered through gameplay, but $BIGTIME is the specific cryptocurrency with these distinct utilities.

Lila: So it’s deeply integrated into the advanced gameplay loops.
Q3: Trading NFTs sounds like it could be risky. How does Big Time handle NFT trading, and what platform do they use? Is it safe for beginners?

John: That’s a valid concern, as the broader NFT space has seen its share of scams. Big Time addresses this by having an official, dedicated marketplace: OpenLoot (accessible via openloot.com). This platform is specifically designed for trading Big Time NFTs and items from other games that partner with OpenLoot.
Using the official marketplace is the safest way to trade. Here’s why:

• Verification: Items listed on OpenLoot are verified, so you know you’re buying legitimate Big Time assets.
• Secure Transactions: The platform handles the smart contract interactions for trades, reducing the risk of direct peer-to-peer scams that can happen on less regulated platforms.
• Transparency: You can see transaction history, item properties, and current market prices, helping you make informed decisions.

For beginners, it’s crucial to:

• Only use the official OpenLoot marketplace linked from the Big Time website. Avoid unsolicited links or offers from strangers.
• Understand what you’re buying. Research the item’s utility and current market value.
• Secure your account. Use strong, unique passwords and enable any available two-factor authentication (2FA).

While no online trading is entirely without risk, using the game’s designated platform significantly mitigates many common dangers. Big Time’s Vault system also helps by allowing players to manage their assets within the game’s ecosystem until they are ready and comfortable with external trading.

Lila: That’s good advice. Using official channels is key. Now, who are the masterminds behind this ambitious project?

Developer Info

John: Big Time is being developed by Big Time Studios, a company that has brought together a truly impressive roster of talent from both the traditional gaming industry and the Web3 space. This is a significant factor in the project’s credibility and ambition.

Lila: Oh, like who? Anyone our readers might recognize?

John: Definitely. The leadership team, as listed on their website (bigtime.gg/about), includes:

• Ari Meilich (CEO): He’s one of the co-founders of Decentraland, one of the most well-known metaverse projects. His experience in building successful Web3 platforms is immense.
• Thor Alexander (CPO – Chief Product Officer): Thor has a long and storied career in game development, with experience at major companies like Epic Games (Gears of War, Fortnite), Zynga, and he also worked on Decentraland.
• Matt Tonks (CTO – Chief Technology Officer): With experience at companies like Electronic Arts (EA) and Zynga, Matt brings deep technical expertise in building scalable online games.
• Ken Harsha (Lead Artist): An industry veteran with credits on major franchises like Call of Duty and Medal of Honor, known for his artistic leadership.
• Carlo Arellano (Art Director): Carlo has worked on blockbuster games like God of War and World of Warcraft, contributing to their iconic visual styles.
• TJ Wagner (Lead Designer): With experience on games like Medal of Honor and as a design lead at Riot Games (League of Legends), TJ brings extensive game design knowledge.
• Martin Sweitzer (Lead Engineer): Previously at Epic Games, working on titles like Fortnite and Gears of War, Martin has strong engineering credentials.

This is just a part of their team, which includes many other veterans from companies like Blizzard, EA, Riot, and Epic Games.

Lila: Wow, that’s a powerhouse team! It’s like an all-star lineup of game developers. What’s their overall vision for Big Time with all that expertise?

John: Their stated vision is to create a top-tier, AAA-quality gaming experience that seamlessly integrates Web3 elements like NFTs and player-owned economies. They emphasize “gameplay first,” aiming to make a game that is genuinely fun to play, attracting both traditional gamers and those interested in the Web3 aspects. The idea is to lower the barriers to entry for Web3 gaming and show that blockchain can enhance, rather than complicate, the player experience.

Lila: That’s a great goal. Are they working with any notable tech partners? And what about their roadmap – what can players look forward to in the future?

John: OpenLoot (openloot.com) is a key partner, serving as their primary marketplace platform and NFT management solution. As for the roadmap, Big Time Studios usually shares updates through their official blog, social media channels (like Twitter/X and Discord), and during community AMAs (Ask Me Anything sessions). Historically, their roadmaps have included phases like:

• Different tiers of early access passes.
• Introduction of new classes and game mechanics.
• The launch of the $BIGTIME token and its associated economy (Hourglasses, crafting).
• The current “Pre-Season” phase, which is a major step towards a full launch, allowing a wider audience to play and test the economy.

Future plans generally revolve around adding more content (new dungeons, storylines, enemy types, cosmetic sets), expanding the world, introducing new features, further balancing the economy, and eventually moving towards a full global launch. It’s best to follow their official announcements for the most up-to-date roadmap information.

Summary

John: So, to sum it all up, Big Time is a highly ambitious multiplayer action RPG that aims to bridge the gap between traditional AAA gaming and the emerging world of Web3. It offers fast-paced combat, a flexible class system, procedurally generated dungeons for high replayability, and it’s free-to-play, making it accessible to a wide audience.

Lila: And on top of that solid gaming foundation, it layers in a player-owned economy with cosmetic and utility NFTs like SPACE and Hourglasses, plus the $BIGTIME token, all managed with user-friendly tech. With such an experienced team behind it, it definitely seems like a project to watch in the GameFi space!

John: Indeed. It’s an evolving world, and Big Time is certainly pushing the boundaries of what a GameFi title can be. Whether you’re a seasoned RPG veteran or new to blockchain gaming, it offers multiple layers of engagement.

Lila: It sounds like it’s worth checking out, especially since you can try the core game for free. Thanks for the deep dive, John!

References

• Official Big Time Website: https://www.bigtime.gg
• Big Time FAQ: https://bigtime.gg/faq (for system requirements, team info, etc.)
• Big Time Tokenomics: https://bigtime.gg/tokenomics (Details on $BIGTIME token – specific URL may vary, check main site)
• OpenLoot Marketplace: https://www.openloot.com

Related Links

• Big Time Official Discord: (Usually linked on their website)
• Big Time Official Twitter/X: (Usually linked on their website)

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. The cryptocurrency and NFT markets are highly volatile. Always Do Your Own Research (DYOR) before participating in any GameFi project or investing in digital assets. The game is currently in an early access / preseason phase, and features may change.

GameFi, NFT, Play-to-Earn, Big Time, Action RPG