Don’t Die, a free-to-play blockchain roguelike developed with support from Avalanche, is set to open its first public playtest on October 16. The game blends dice-building, turn-based battles, and a roguelike structure that challenges players to balance luck and decision-making. Interested players can register for early access at dontdie.gg using their email.
The developers describe Don’t Die as an experiment in fair, skill-based crypto gaming that avoids pay-to-win mechanics. The playtest will give early participants a look at the game’s combat system, dice customization, and first boss encounter, introducing players to its unique risk-versus-reward structure.
Don’t Die Upcoming Playtest Details
More About Anomaly Games
Anomaly Games Inc. the developer and studio behind Don’t Die is working with Nick, a web3 industry tokenomics veteran. Anomaly has rolled out over 10 games in the last year with over 500,000 users. Long Do, Anomaly Founder & CEO, commented:
"I am very excited to roll out a game with Nick. Always looking for a game that blends new imaginative mechanics and yet nostalgic RPG vibes, Don’t Die slaps. Roll the dice, create a strong build, and rank on the leaderboard. It is this years web3 hit. Anomaly is excited to incubate ambitious games with innovative designers."
Don’t Die Upcoming Playtest Details
Don’t Die Upcoming Playtest Details
At its core, Don’t Die plays like a turn-based roguelike, but with a focus on dice as the main form of progression. Each run begins with four dice, each having four sides. After each victory, players can add a new side to one of their dice, changing its possible outcomes. These sides can introduce attacks, shields, or passive abilities, allowing dice to evolve into five, six, or more sides as the run continues.
This system forces players to make trade-offs between consistency and power. Every upgrade offers new advantages but can also introduce more unpredictability. Success depends on how players balance those risks as they move deeper into the game’s stages. Nick, Game Designer at Don't Die, added:
"Don't Die is a game about risk management and strategic choices. My personal favorite mechanic is the Low Health Bonus. The lower your health when you win a battle, the more points you get. How risky will you play? Pair this with our new shopkeeper mechanic Bub's Barter; if you're short on gold he'll let you pay with blood. Sometimes its a good thing to waste excess health to ride the edge of death for more points! Skilled players will know when taking that risk is appropriate and when that will cause your untimely death."
Don’t Die Upcoming Playtest Details
Environments Divided into Biomes
Each run in Don’t Die takes place on a board known as The Path, where every move can lead to battles, events, or rewards. Players roll to move and then face whatever lies ahead - whether that’s an enemy encounter, a campfire to recover health, or a shop filled with unusual characters and items.
Special nodes such as Obelisks present consecutive battles with valuable rewards, while Loot Dice can grant rare, game-altering bonuses. The environments are divided into themed biomes like the lava-filled La Volcano, the icy Ice Cave, and the toxic swamps, each offering new enemies and dice customization options.
Don’t Die Upcoming Playtest Details
Seasons, Earning Points, and Prizes
Don’t Die organizes its gameplay into two-week seasons where players earn points for surviving battles and progressing through the game. At the end of each season, points determine eligibility for various prize pools. These include leaderboards for top scores, sticker-based rewards, and guaranteed pools for players who meet specific performance goals. There’s also a “Deadpool” category for runs that end in failure, though the rewards there are smaller.
One standout feature is the Ultimate Prize, which is reserved for the player who manages to defeat the third boss. The system gives players multiple ways to earn rewards while emphasizing skillful play and survival.
Don’t Die Upcoming Playtest Details
Stickers, Loot Points, and Runs
Stickers in Don’t Die act as both collectibles and performance boosters. They grant Loot Points that multiply the rewards players can receive at the end of the season. For example, earning enough Loot Points can increase the reward multiplier up to ten times.
Players earn stickers by progressing in the game or referring friends. Stickers cannot be purchased outright, which reinforces the game’s focus on skill rather than spending. Each sticker is tied to a specific run, creating a record of performance and achievement within the game’s ecosystem.
NFTs, Tiers, and Checkpoints
Don’t Die uses NFTs as a way to track player runs and manage seasonal rewards. There are five NFT tiers, ranging from free to $1000. All tiers earn points at the same rate, ensuring that higher spending does not create an advantage in gameplay. Instead, the tier determines the potential value of lootboxes and other seasonal prizes.
Players can have multiple NFT runs active at once, though only one free run can be live at any given time. NFTs can also be traded between players, but only after reaching in-game checkpoints that save a run’s progress.
As the title suggests, dying in Don’t Die carries permanent consequences. When a player’s health drops to zero, that run’s NFT becomes ineligible for most reward pools, leaving only the small Deadpool prize. Checkpoints serve as safe exits, allowing players to stop a run and claim rewards early or trade their NFT before risking everything in another battle. This mechanic reinforces the game’s central theme: every decision matters, and every fight could be your last.
Don’t Die Upcoming Playtest Details
Time Crystals and Re-Rolls
Players can use an in-game resource called Time Crystals to manage bad luck or poor decisions. Two crystals allow a re-roll of a movement outcome, while eight crystals rewind progress to the previous checkpoint. This gives players a layer of strategic control in a game that otherwise relies heavily on chance. Using Time Crystals effectively can make the difference between survival and defeat.
Final Thoughts
The October 16 playtest is expected to showcase Don’t Die’s early combat mechanics, dice-building system, and the first boss battle against Ganondwarf. The developers have not detailed how much content will be available, but the playtest is meant to gather feedback on gameplay balance and user experience before broader release.
Players can sign up for the free playtest at dontdie.gg. Those who participate early can also earn extra in-game rewards through referrals and community events.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Don’t Die? Don’t Die is a free-to-play, single-player blockchain roguelike that mixes dice-building, strategic combat, and NFT-based progression.
When does the playtest start? The first official playtest begins on October 16.
How can players join the playtest? Players can register for free at dontdie.gg using an email address.
Is Don’t Die a pay-to-win game? No. The developers have stated that all NFT tiers earn points at the same rate, meaning rewards depend on gameplay performance rather than spending.
What rewards can players earn? Players earn points throughout the season that can qualify them for various prize pools, including leaderboard rewards, sticker bonuses, and guaranteed prizes.
Can players trade their NFTs? Yes, but only after reaching in-game checkpoints, which mark a run’s progress and make it eligible for trade.
Who is the first boss in the game? The first confirmed boss for the playtest is Ganondwarf, a character designed to test both player skill and dice strategy.
