Everyone said that Blockchain would revolutionize the world of video games a couple of years ago, but it seems like nothing big has happened yet. Or has it?
Well, apart from a couple not not-exactly Triple-A titles, it seems like we are on a break with Parallel. A game released in 2021 is now dominating the world of play-to-earn games or games that come with their own tokenomics and NFTs.
This is definitely one of the most popular games that is built on top of the Ethereum blockchain, but what is it about? Well, it is a blend of sci-fi action with trading cards, which is kind of expected for an NFT game.
So, if you are looking for some new crypto casino games, you can either choose online crypto casino games or games like Parallel.
The game offers a mix of competition but also collectibility, which makes it unique and desirable. But if you are coming across your first NFT game, you might be confused about how it works.
So, let’s break it down.
How Does Parallel Work?
As we mentioned before, Parallel is a trading card game (TCG) that was released during the NFT craze in 2021. But this is no basic NFT game where you just collect cards. Instead, players are entering the dark and futuristic world where they have to choose between the five fractions, Augencore, Kathari, Earthen, Marcolian, and Shroud.
So, how does it work? Well, NFT can be minted or purchased from a marketplace using ETH. You are tasked to build a deck from a pool of NFT-based cards (each coming with unique in-game advantages and factions).
For example: Earthen heal and defend, Marcolians hit hard and fast, Kathari swarm with clones. Matches are a chess match of wits—30 health per player, energy to play units or effects, and a goal to grind your opponent to zero.
It’s free-to-play on PC via the Epic Games Store (since June 2024), with a mobile app hitting iOS and Android on March 18, 2025—accessible yet layered with depth.
Parallel Tokenomiks and NFTs
We need to dive deeper in order to understand how this game works. As you already know, Parallel has combined blockchain technology into its core. Cards are basically NFTs minted on Ethereum and Base (Coinbase’s Layer-2 network), meaning that they are not stuck in the developer’s database, but you actually own them, which gives you the ability to do whatever you want (sell, trade, or hoard).
During the NFT boom, the market was absolutely crazy! And there was a rare “Masterpiece” card that sold for a whopping $1.1 million in ETH back in 2021. Of course, the NFT market crashed ever since, and nowadays, most cards hover anywhere from $5 to $500 depending on the rarity.
But what’s important about this game is that it has its own token, PRIME, which fuels rewards and in-game perks. For example, if you win a ranked match, you earn a sprinkle of PRIME (valued anywhere from $0.5 to $2).
Plus Studios take a 10% cut on NFT sales, half funding prize pools, half padding their coffers. So, this is not a pay-to-win game just because you can do great even with free decks, and you can earn money in the process from selling NFTs or winning in the game.
Gameplay
When it comes to the actual gameplay, don’t expect something like Destiny 2. I know the trailer and promos for the game look amazing, but most of the game is in 2D and since it is a card game, it is basically a thinker’s game without a lot of button-mashing frenzy.
Each game starts with five cards, mulligan if you dare, and manage energy to summon units, trigger effects, or cast upgrades.
Units hit the field fatigued (no first-turn attacks), forcing you to plan ahead. Factions feel distinct—Augencore’s tech-heavy buffs versus Shroud’s eerie tricks—keeping matches fresh.
It was the Planetfall expansion in 2023 that changed the game forever, as it introduced mid-game tactics, that balanced the rush-or-turtle meta.
So, it is kind of like “Hearthstone with a sci-fi edge,” but darker, grittier, and less forgiving. Plus, it is a blockchain game with real NFTs and a way to involve real money in the process.
Esports and Pro Tournaments
I know that most NFT games are too niche, and developed by low-end studios, but not Parallel. This is a huge game that has its own Pro League Championship. In fact, the championship was organized a couple of days ago in March 2025 in Las Vegas, and we got to see Hearthstone pro Jaromír “Jarla” Vyskočil who won $100,000 after a six-month qualifier grind.
There is a $1 million up for grabs for Season 2 which starts on March 7, 2025, and $2 million for 2026, so the game continues to advance and improve.
You know it is a good game when the chat is spamming “//” which is the logo of the game.
Expanding the Universe: Beyond Cards
The good thing is that Parallel Studios isn’t stopping at this TCG glory. In fact, they’ve teased Parallel: Sanctuary (formerly Project Tau Ceti), which is a 3D shooter on Base’s B3 network, with NFT avatars.
This means that they are moving from a Heartstone-like game to a game more focused on the gameplay and kind of similar to Overwatch but with crypto.
On top of that, there is Colony, which is an AI-driven survival sim on Solana, that raised $35 million in 2024.
So Parallel Studios is pushing the boundaries of blockchain technology, and it is the best thing that we need in the world of video games.