The Parallel
Do you enjoy competitive trading card games with deep faction strategy and sci-fi world-building? Parallel is a free-to-play digital TCG developed by Parallel Studios, set 10,000 years in the future where five parallel evolutions of humanity battle for control of Earth. Available on PC via Epic Games Store and Steam, with a full mobile launch on iOS and Android targeted for Q1 2026.
What is Parallel?
Parallel is developed by Parallel Studios, founded by Kalos, which brought the game’s development fully in-house in 2024 after transitioning from an external development partner. The migration was completed by late 2024, giving the team full ownership of the codebase and deployment pipeline. The game has been in open beta on PC since early 2024 and won three GAM3 Awards in 2025, including Best Strategy Game.
Three card sets have released during the beta period: Planetfall (October 2023), Aftermath (November 2024, 90 new cards), and Deception (September 2025, 90+ new cards). The Haven set is planned for 2026. A regional Android beta ran in the Philippines in 2025, with a full global mobile launch across iOS and Android targeted for Q1 2026. Parallel Studios describes the mobile version as production-ready and positions it to compete directly with the top mobile TCGs.
How Does Parallel Work?
Each player picks one of five factions: Earthen, Augencore, Marcolian, Kathari, or Shroud, each with distinct card mechanics and playstyle. You also select a Paragon, your faction leader with active and passive abilities that shape your strategy for the entire match.
The energy system is the central decision point each turn: you bank one card face-down to gain energy, which enables playing more powerful cards later. Choosing which card to bank every turn creates an ongoing tension between tempo and resource building.
Card types cover units (combat), relics (persistent effects), effects (one-time), and upgrades (enhancements to existing cards). Modes range from unranked and AI practice matches to Ranked Ladder and competitive Tournaments for players chasing leaderboard positions. A Battle Pass runs each season with progression rewards for both paying and free players.
Digital Collectibles in Parallel
Parallel cards are ERC-721 NFTs on Ethereum and Base, tradable on the Parallel marketplace and secondary markets. Card packs from current and past sets are priced in $PRIME, Parallel’s ERC-20 utility token earned through gameplay or purchased externally. Each Aftermath pack costs 11 $PRIME. Expansion sets from older releases will have 90% of remaining card supply burned, increasing scarcity for existing holders as newer sets take over the competitive meta.
Free-to-play players receive a Pro deck on account creation through the Epic Games Store promotion and can earn cards through weekly and monthly giveaways, in-game tournaments, and Battle Pass progression without any purchase required.
Getting Started in Parallel
Sign up and download free on Epic Games Store or Steam. New players receive a free Pro deck on registration. Choose a faction and Paragon, then start with unranked or AI matches to learn the energy banking mechanic before entering Ranked. To buy card packs, acquire $PRIME through gameplay or on-chain. Connect an Ethereum-compatible wallet to own and trade NFT cards on the marketplace.
Watch Parallel in Action
Here’s the official Parallel gameplay trailer showing faction combat, card mechanics, and the sci-fi world of Earth’s future.
Where to Go Next
- Explore more NFT card games.
- Learn about blockchain gaming in our FAQ Library.
- Browse all NFT games.