How to Play Big Time: Complete Beginner's Guide (2026)

Big Time is a free-to-play multiplayer action RPG where you team up with friends to battle through procedurally generated dungeons inspired by different historical eras. Developed by Big Time Studios (founded by former Decentraland and Epic Games veterans), the game runs on Ethereum but handles most transactions through the Open Loot marketplace. What sets Big Time apart from most blockchain games is its "cosmetic-only" approach, meaning tradeable items are purely cosmetic and do not affect gameplay balance. The game has recorded over $443 million in marketplace volume, and as of 2026, it continues receiving updates including PvP modes and seasonal leaderboard events.

Getting Started

What you need before playing:

• A Windows PC: Big Time is PC-only, available through the Open Loot Launcher. No Mac or console support.
• Open Loot account: Required for the game launcher and marketplace. Free to create.
• A decent gaming PC: Big Time is a real-time action RPG with meaningful system requirements. 8GB RAM, dedicated GPU (GTX 1060 or equivalent minimum), and SSD recommended.
• No crypto needed to play: The game is genuinely free-to-play. You only need crypto (ETH/BIGTIME tokens) if you want to participate in the NFT economy.
• Initial investment: Zero for gameplay. To earn BIGTIME tokens, you need SPACE NFTs and Hourglasses, which start at roughly $50 to $200 depending on rarity.

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Visit bigtime.gg and create an Open Loot account.
2. Download the Open Loot Launcher and install Big Time.
3. Launch the game and create your character. Choose your starting class: Time Warrior (melee DPS), Chronomancer (ranged magic), Quantum Fixer (support/healer), or Shadowblade (stealth DPS).
4. Complete the tutorial dungeon. It teaches combat basics, class abilities, and the pocket watch system.
5. Equip a Pocket Watch to gain the ability to swap classes during gameplay. This is Big Time's signature mechanic, so you are not locked into one class.
6. Start running dungeons solo or with up to five other players. Matchmaking is available, or you can invite friends directly.

Core Gameplay Loop

Dungeon Crawling: The core experience. Enter procedurally generated dungeons themed around historical periods (ancient civilizations, medieval castles, futuristic labs). Fight waves of enemies, solve light puzzles, defeat bosses, and collect loot. Dungeons scale in difficulty and reward.

Class Switching: Using Pocket Watches, you can switch between all four classes mid-game. This creates dynamic team compositions where you might tank a boss fight, then switch to healer when your team needs support. Mastering class switching is the key skill gap.

Personal Metaverse (SPACE): Your personal hub area that you expand using SPACE NFTs. Attach functional buildings like Forges (craft cosmetics), Armories (craft gear upgrades), and Time Wardens (manage Hourglasses). Think of it as your base of operations.

Loot and Crafting: Dungeons drop materials and Cracked Hourglasses. Materials are used in Forges and Armories to craft cosmetic NFTs and gear. The crafting system ties gameplay to the NFT economy.

PvP: A PvP mode launched in late 2024, adding competitive arena combat alongside the PvE dungeon core.

The daily loop: run dungeons (15 to 30 minutes each), collect materials and drops, craft or sell items, expand your Personal Metaverse.

Earning Mechanics

• BIGTIME Token Drops: The primary earning method. When you have a charged Hourglass equipped during dungeon runs, BIGTIME tokens can drop as loot. No Hourglass = no token drops.
• Cosmetic NFT Crafting: Use materials from dungeons to craft cosmetic weapon skins, armor skins, and emotes in your Forge. Sell these on the Open Loot marketplace.
• SPACE NFT Value: SPACE comes in five rarity tiers. Higher-rarity SPACE allows more functional buildings and has appreciated in value. The Open Loot marketplace handles all trading.
• Hourglass Economy: Hourglasses are consumable and they run out of charges. Crafting, upgrading, and recharging Hourglasses is an economic activity in itself.

Realistic expectations: Without SPACE and Hourglasses (which cost $50 to $200+ to start), you earn zero crypto. With them, active players running multiple dungeons daily can earn modest BIGTIME token returns that fluctuate with market price. The majority of value is in crafted cosmetic NFTs rather than raw token farming. Big Time is a real game first, so play it because you enjoy action RPGs, not solely for earning.

Beginner Tips and Strategy

1. Play for fun first, earn later. Big Time is a genuinely enjoyable action RPG. Spend your first 10 to 20 hours learning combat, experimenting with classes, and running dungeons without worrying about the NFT economy.
2. Master at least two classes. The Pocket Watch system rewards versatility. Time Warrior + Quantum Fixer is a strong starter combination (DPS and self-healing).
3. Run dungeons with a full group. Six-player groups clear faster, survive harder content, and split more loot. Use the matchmaking system or find a guild.
4. Do not buy SPACE until you understand the game. SPACE NFTs are a significant investment. Play for several weeks, understand the crafting and Hourglass systems, and then decide if the earning loop appeals to you.
5. Focus on crafting efficiency. If you do invest in SPACE, learn which cosmetic NFTs are in demand before crafting randomly. Check Open Loot marketplace prices and trends.
6. Participate in seasonal events and leaderboards. These offer bonus rewards and are the most efficient earning periods.

Common Issues and Solutions

"The game runs poorly": Big Time requires a decent gaming PC. Lower graphics settings, ensure drivers are updated, and close background applications. An SSD significantly improves load times.

"I cannot find groups for dungeons": Use the in-game matchmaking or join the Big Time Discord for group-finding channels. Activity peaks during US and EU evening hours.

"My Hourglass is not dropping tokens": Ensure the Hourglass is charged (not depleted) and properly equipped in your Personal Metaverse. Check that you are running content at a sufficient difficulty level, because very low-level dungeons may have reduced drop rates.

"Open Loot transactions are slow": The marketplace occasionally experiences delays during high activity periods. Wait and retry. If a transaction appears stuck, contact Open Loot support.

"Is Big Time pay-to-win?": No. All tradeable NFTs are cosmetic only. A free-to-play player with no NFTs has identical gameplay power to someone with $10,000 in cosmetics. The earning system (SPACE/Hourglasses) is separate from combat effectiveness.

FAQ

Is Big Time free to play? Yes, the core game is completely free. You can run dungeons, level classes, and enjoy the full PvE/PvP experience without spending anything. The NFT economy is optional.

What blockchain is Big Time on? Ethereum, with the Open Loot marketplace handling most transactions. You do not need to interact with Ethereum directly. Open Loot abstracts the complexity.

Do I need crypto to earn in Big Time? You need SPACE NFTs and Hourglasses, which cost real money (or BIGTIME tokens) to acquire. Without them, you can play but not earn crypto. Think of it as a premium earning tier on top of a free game.

Can I play on Mac or console? PC (Windows) only as of 2026. No Mac, Linux, or console versions have been announced.

What is the maximum team size? Six players per dungeon party. Most content is designed for groups of four to six, though solo play is possible for skilled players on lower difficulties.

Is Big Time worth playing in 2026? As a free action RPG, it is a solid game with satisfying combat and the unique class-switching mechanic. The dungeon crawling is genuinely fun. If you also want to dip into the NFT economy, the cosmetic-only approach means gameplay integrity is never compromised. Recommended if you enjoy Diablo-style loot games.