Parallel

Overview

Parallel Studios is developing a trading card game called Parallel, which operates on the play-and-earn principle and utilizes NFTs. The game is being built within a decentralized ecosystem established by the Echelon Prime Foundation (Echelon). 

The game's storyline is set in a dystopian future where Earth has become uninhabitable due to a cataclysmic tragedy known as "The Event," caused by a new form of fission using anti-matter as fuel. The radiation from this event forced humanity to flee to space, splitting into three expeditions to Mars, Europa, and the outskirts of the asteroid belt.

Thousands of years later, as each parallel of humanity prospered in their respective locations, they discovered that Earth had become a planet of pure, harvestable energy due to the maturation process sparked by "The Event." The other Parallels sought to return and claim the riches of Earth's newfound energy, resulting in inevitable conflict as they had been isolated from each other since "The Event."

Despite the ruin caused by the old humanity, they unknowingly sparked the next technological age, making Earth safe for all life once again. The overall theme of Parallel is of interstellar travel and different people coming together with shared or unique values and identities, providing players with a unique and immersive storytelling experience.

Five Parallels

• Earthen: A genetic mutation that caused skin pigmentation to change allowed less than one percent of Earth's population to survive "The Event." Over time, these survivors developed the ability to manipulate nature, and Earth's radiation became stronger.
• Marcolian: Colonists who went to Mars eliminated the elites who opposed their scientific and rational thinking, and their civilization thrived. After "The Priming," they set their eyes on Earth, which they believed to be their birthright.
  
• Augencore: "The Fortitude" crew, a group of cyborgs, continued exploring the solar system for resources and discovered a small asteroid field that led them back to Earth, their former home.
  
• Kathari: Colonists on Jupiter's moon, Europa, had to genetically modify and artificially replicate their food due to a terrorist attack. Over time, they became infertile and turned to cloning. After "The Priming," the Archivists who maintained their genetic code ruled with theistic intensity, and a rebellion began.
  
• Shroud: The "New Dawn" ship sent on a multi-generational journey towards the exoplanet Kepler-1649c encountered a black hole and attempted to repurpose their propulsion system as a barrier. The plan failed, and the ship disappeared.
  

Gameplay

Parallel combines traditional TCG mechanics with modern technology to create an immersive gaming experience. The game revolves around the Parallel Studio's NFT collection, which focuses on the five factions or Parallels that make up the game's narrative. Players compete against each other using decks of collectible NFTs, and the game operates on the play-and-earn principle, with players owning the NFTs and deriving value from them through staking, card sharing, market activity rewards, and other means.

The game rewards players with PRIME tokens, which are the utility tokens of the Echelon ecosystem and can be used for value transfer, rewards currency, and governance participation. To play the game, players need at least one complete deck consisting of 40 cards, which can belong to a single Parallel or a combination of Universal cards that can be used in all decks.

The game features several modes, including The Ladder, where players face off against each other one-on-one, and Sectors, which allows players to build an initial 30-card deck and progress to the next battle if they win, with the option to replace some cards within the deck. The rookie queue is a training ground for new players, with access to immutable rookie decks that can be customized as they progress.

If you're familiar with traditional trading card games like Hearthstone, you'll find that Parallel incorporates classic TCG mechanics with its own unique twist. The game features a variety of keywords and abilities that may remind seasoned players of those classic dynamics, yet it brings fresh strategic depth and challenges to the table. Abilities like "Assault" supercharge units like the Unseen Commando after dishing out damage to opponents, while "Armed" gives units the upper hand by letting them strike first in combat. "Defender" allows units to block incoming attacks, safeguarding your key players. The "Muster" ability kicks in when a unit hits the field, ramping up your strategic options. There are also "Pacifist" units that, although they can't attack, can still defend if paired with the right abilities. "Decay" adds a layer of strategy with a ticking damage effect from Earthen cards, and "Attuned" toggles units between active and dormant states, creating timing challenges. Lastly, "Shielded" units dodge the next targeted effect, potentially thwarting your opponent's plans.

NFTs and Blockchain 

Parallel sets itself apart in the trading card game (TCG) landscape by harnessing the power of blockchain technology, which not only empowers players with genuine ownership of their digital assets but also offers unprecedented freedom in trading these assets. At the core of Parallel's appeal are its cards, which players can buy, sell, and trade on the game's dedicated marketplace using the in-game currency, $PRIME. Each card is distinct, featuring various levels of rarity and cosmetic effects.

In addition to cards, Parallel has other collectibles. Notably, Parallel Avatars represent unique characters from the game’s five factions and play a pivotal role within the expansive Parallel universe. Setting an Avatar as your profile not only personalizes your gaming experience but also grants bonuses such as an extra $PRIME upon winning matches and early access to future updates of the game.

Furthermore, the game introduces an array of Keys, each offering different in-game advantages and rewards. These Keys can dramatically affect gameplay; for example, some increase $PRIME earnings, grant access to exclusive content, or provide additional strategic options during matches. This includes the Overclock Key, which rewards win streaks with more $PRIME, and the Multifold Key, which amplifies the effects of NFTs in your deck.

How to Get Started

As we wrap up our Overview of Parallel, it's worth noting that the game has now entered its Open Beta phase, which means it’s now available for everyone to jump in and play. To get started, head over to Parallel’s Download page, sign in, or create a new account if you haven't already. Once you’re set-up, download the Parallel launcher and install the game to begin your Sci-FI TCG adventure. With the anticipated launch of the Parallel League, you might be looking for some tips on deck building and how to maximize your $PRIME earnings. Well, we got you, simply check out our Parallel Guides page for all the strategies and tips you need to dominate the game.