Working out can feel like a chore most of the time as it takes a lot of energy from you. But what if you can make some of the work more enjoyable by turning it into a game? DustLand creates an atmosphere that challenges users to get up and run for their lives (literally. Immerse yourself in a post-apocalyptic world while earning a little on the side as you burn your extra calories in this Zombies, Run! inspired game.

Background

DustLand Runner or just DustLand is a move-to-earn audio fitness game where players are in a post-apocalypse called DustLand. Needing to run and complete missions to outrun the pirates trying to take their heads. It is modeled similarly to the aforementioned game, Zombies, Run! The game is developed by Keith Rumjahn, Marc McGinley, Scott Williams, and a mysterious Game Writer. Each has experience working on titles like Far Cry and Star Wars to name a couple. 

Built on the OliveX blockchain, they have a bigger goal of making a fitness metaverse and plan to release more move-to-earn games like the DustLand Rider which is similar to Runner but with bikes. 

DustLand Runner takes place in the year 2272 when climate change and massive solar flares transformed the world. The few survivors scattered around inside rare towns of The DustLands are the only remaining signs of life. The player acts as a DustCap, a messenger working to give information and technology to survivors. Bringing hope to the last remnants of humanity.

Gameplay

You’ll need to purchase a Kettlemine NFT before you can start playing the game. Then before the player goes on their run in the real world, they must first select a quest in the game’s app. As the player runs in the real world, it moves their character inside the game and progresses the story. The game records the distance, time, and calories burned by the player as they run. They can also decide if they want to track their location or the steps they take. DustLand is also not restrictive to location so you can play this game at home or in your backyard.

Players will be accompanied by an immersive audio experience as they take their stroll. I think the ambient music and quality voice acting that’s delivered are excellent. Although I believe that having better audio equipment will help players enjoy the game more especially if you are planning on taking a jog in a particularly noisy environment.

There’s an energy system used in the game, providing 20 energy that resets every midnight. 1 energy is used per minute on the run so that creates 20-minutes of earning time while you do your morning sprints.

Earning Potential

You earn DOSE tokens as a reward for completing runs in DustLand Runner. This coin is regulated and the amount of earnings the player has will vary daily as there is a daily reward pool that is split to players who participated in the bounty run that day. DOSE can be traded or used to upgrade your character in the game. This is the game’s burning mechanic, and it will be important if you want to progress the story of the game as you need to rank up to complete the higher missions.

Final Thoughts

As technology and games keep getting better and better, it also convinces us to have a lifestyle that revolves around sitting in front of our devices most of the time so games like this are always a welcome addition to help gamify activities like running. I’m not a person who’s particularly good at exercising and I can see a game like DustLand help provide that final push to go outside and start running as not only a way to improve my health but also to earn a little in the process. I think the story is gripping enough although I have my reservations about how they will develop the story and connect it to running most of the time.

Running with music or an audiobook is not new but engaging yourself in an immersive experience like DustLand may help you run for your life, and I think that’s exciting.