Dark Country is a blockchain-based collectible card RPG with an American Gothic theme. Developed by Immortal Games, the alpha version has been available on PC since December 2020, with mobile and 3D versions planned. The dynamic gameplay is supported by a Play-to-Earn model: players earn SDM tokens and NFT cards through PvP battles and quests. The game runs on a multichain architecture, supporting WAX, Flow, and Immutable X, ensuring low fees, high liquidity, and cross-chain asset exchange. The ecosystem includes Lands, Heroes, Spirits, as well as mechanics for staking, card blending, and tournaments, creating a deep experience and an active community.
- Gameplay and Core Mechanics of Dark Country
- Card Classes and Collections in Dark Country
- SDM Token and Project Economy
- Lands: Territories, Influence, and Guild Wars
- Conclusion
Gameplay and Core Mechanics of Dark Country
In Dark Country, players face off in card battles using custom-built decks. The game is turn-based, where success depends on strategic thinking, card choice, and understanding of effects. Each match begins with selecting initial cards, then players take turns casting spells, summoning creatures, and activating hero abilities. The goal is to reduce the opponent’s hero health to zero.
Card types:
- Creature — units that fight on the battlefield;
- Spell — instant or continuous magic effects;
- Item — equipment or traps that enhance strategy.
Players use mana as a resource, which grows each turn and unlocks stronger cards. Each creature has attack and health stats along with keywords: Frenzy (can attack immediately), Fortify (extra defense), Oneshot (instantly destroy a target). Players participate in daily quests, tournaments, and ranked matches. Additional mechanics include hero leveling, spirit bonuses with global effects, and the blending system — combining two cards to generate a new one, often of higher rarity. This encourages continuous deck evolution and tactical refinement.
Card Classes and Collections in Dark Country
The card system in Dark Country is built around four unique collections: Standard, Exodus, Cultist, and Vampire. Each has its own strategic identity and visual theme. Standard features basic cards with straightforward mechanics; Cultist focuses on sacrifices and curses; Vampire revolves around life drain effects; and Exodus includes advanced combat tools. Cards are categorized by type, rarity, and class — including Heroes and Spirits, which are separate from the regular deck.
Key card characteristics:
- Rarity: from Common to Mythical;
- Type: creature, spell, or item;
- Abilities: active or passive effects;
- Mana cost: determines play pacing.
Players can build decks around aggressive, control, or hybrid strategies. Heroes are a separate NFT type, acting as the leader of a deck. They have levels and classes and can be upgraded by staking SDM tokens. Spirits grant constant or situational effects during battles and often turn the tide of combat. A key gameplay mechanic is blending: two cards of equal rarity can be fused into a new one. This keeps the ecosystem dynamic and balanced. Cards are obtained via boosters, in-game rewards, or marketplaces.
SDM Token and Project Economy
SDM (Shadow Dimes) is the core in-game token of Dark Country’s economy. It’s used for staking, buying NFTs, entering tournaments, leveling up heroes, and land rentals. SDM is available on WAX, Flow, and Immutable X blockchains. Players earn tokens through PvP battles, completing missions, and activity on owned lands. Token distribution is based on player engagement and asset usage within the ecosystem.
The main use cases for the SDM token are presented in the table below:
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Hero progression | Leveling up and enhancing combat abilities |
| Tournaments | Entry to paid tournaments with prizes |
| Quests and rentals | Payments to quest participants and land renters |
| Booster purchases | Acquiring booster packs with new cards |
| Staking and farming | Participation in liquidity pools and yield returns |
The economy is built on a reward distribution model: active players receive rewards, while land and NFT holders can create conditions for passive income. The use of SDM across various gameplay aspects — from hero development to land management — maintains a healthy circulation and encourages engagement. At the same time, tokenomics remains balanced due to limited emission and a multichain architecture.
Lands: Territories, Influence, and Guild Wars
Lands are unique NFT assets that form the foundation of Dark Country’s economy, political structure, and community interaction. Players can acquire land, upgrade it, and invite others to complete quests. Depending on rarity (Common, Rare, Epic, Legendary, Mythical), lands provide various bonuses. Higher rarity lands yield greater rewards and take priority in guild-related events.
Landowners earn income based on the activity on their land: PvP battles, quest completions, rentals, and tournament participation. Players who interact with a land receive SDM rewards paid by the owner. The more active the land, the higher its influence in ranking systems, affecting the size of daily reward pools. Lands also serve as the core of the guild system. Players can form communities and participate in Guild Wars — large-scale competitions for control and resources. Constructed buildings (taverns, forges, halls) grant strategic advantages and improve the land’s infrastructure. Owning land is a strategic decision that offers stable income and influence in the game world.
Additionally, lands encourage long-term player involvement in the ecosystem. Owners gain access to exclusive events and can influence map development. This turns lands into full-fledged management assets within the game’s metaverse.
Conclusion
Dark Country blends card-based mechanics, crypto-economics, and strategic management. Players can not only engage in combat but also invest in heroes, cards, and land, creating a complete in-game ecosystem. The game operates across three blockchains, ensuring accessibility and flexibility. Its robust leveling system, in-game SDM token, and asset ownership model establish a sustainable economy. Tournaments, quests, guilds, and Guild Wars offer diverse gameplay scenarios. With its dark setting and rich mechanics, Dark Country stands out among Web3 card games. The upcoming mobile version, 3D mode, and land expansion are expected to grow the player base and strengthen the project's position in the future.
