Awaken Your Totems! Cycle 3 Begins: Feed, Earn, and Prepare for Life in Upland!

As we count down to the arrival of Life in Upland, it’s time to fire up Totem Cycle 3! Kicking off on Friday, May 9th and running through Sunday, June 8th, this 30-day cycle is your next opportunity to dive deep into Totem gameplay.

Whether you’re a returning Totem keeper or new to the ecosystem, now’s the time to strategize, earn, and prepare for what’s coming next.

Totems are the first step toward Life in Upland, and they tie directly into the foundation of the game: property collection, trading, and development. With Totem-enabled Nurseries on the horizon, this system will soon expand even further, giving players new ways to interact and develop their properties by bringing Life and participating in a growing, utility-driven economy.

What Are Totems?

Totems are unique, interactivemap assets powered by Protem, a token built just for them. Each Totem has its own personality, defined by traits and behaviors, that mimics Life itself, the major Upland feature launching later this year.

Totem Cycles are timed events where players can activate their Totems and feed them with Protem to unlock additional Protem. The better you manage your spend, amount, frequency, and timing, the higher your potential returns. Don’t have a Totem yet? No problem. You can still find one on the secondary market, where players trade and sell Totems.

What’s Coming with Life?

When Life officially enters Upland later in 2025, Totem holders will unlock the new utility of Totem-enabled Nurseries.

These properties will be unique to Totem holders and will enable all players to spend $SPARKLET to create random seed Legits, while the Metaventure owner earns compensation.

What’s New in Cycle 3

Cycle 3 follows the same rules and mechanics introduced inCycle 2, so seasoned players will feel right at home. No changes have been made to the algorithms, meaning your strategy remains key. Feed your Totems consistently, on time, and in alignment with their unique earning patterns to get the most Protem back.

Protem Sale: Don’t Miss Out!

With Totem Cycle 3 starting and Life just around the corner, there’s no better time to stock up on Protem and prepare for action. Whether you’re optimizing your existing Totem or getting ready to make your first moves, the upcoming limited-time Protem sale is your chance to fuel your gameplay, and get more bang for your buck while you’re at it..

Remember, this opportunity is available for a limited time, so don’t miss out!

Registration Opens: Thursday, May 8th at 9 AM PT
Sale Period: Friday, May 9th — Monday, May 12th (ends 9 AM PT)
Bundle Prices: $10 — $300
QTY: 15–100 bundles

Bonus: Every Protem purchase also includes an equivalent value in UPX!

Now that you’re up to speed on what Totems are and what’s ahead with Life, let’s take a closer look at how Protem works and how to make the most of it during Cycle 3.

Activation and Spending Cycle

The journey of each totem begins with the Activation and Spending Cycle. At the start of a cycle, players have a crucial 5-day window to make their initial spend and activate their totem. This period is key; if you don’t activate your totem within these first five days, it remains inactive for the entire 30-day cycle.

During this initial phase, if a totem hasn’t been activated, its status will display “In Cycle, not yet activated.” However, once you activate your totem, the status updates, letting you track the remaining days of the 30-day cycle.

Note: If you don’t see the status update, reload the page and it should pop.

Remember: No Late Activations

Keep in mind that timing is critical. Missing the 5-day activation window means losing the chance to participate in that cycle.

Earning Cycle

Upon activation with your first spend, your totem enters its 30-day Earning Cycle. The rewards you accrue during this period depend on how you manage your spend, following your totem’s unique earning curve.

Individual Cycle Timings

Every totem operates on a 30-day cycle, which starts on the day a player activates it during the initial 5-day activation period. Consequently, the end dates of these cycles are staggered; they don’t all conclude simultaneously but will finish within a 5-day range, based on their respective activation dates.

Getting Started

To begin nurturing your totem, you will need to “feed” it by spending Protem on it. To feed your totem, access it on the full NFT screen. Click the green Spend Protem button and enter the amount of Protem you wish to spend. Remember, once spent, Protem cannot be recovered.

Your totem will generate Protem in return over the span of the entire cycle.. The goal with totems is to maximize the amount of Protem returned from your spends. This process involves fine-tuning the quantity and frequency of your Protem feeds to align with the distinct characteristics of each totem.

When you make your first Protem spend, you will receive hints to help you maximize returns. For example, spending too little Protem will trigger a “Try spending more next time” prompt. If you overspend, you’ll be notified that you’re not spending efficiently, and spending too frequently will prompt a warning to adjust your frequency.

Every totem functions according to one of seven optimal spending frequency models, varying from 0 to 50 hours. optimal spend is Protem spent in a time window that sits in the middle of the interval.

Moreover, each totem is assigned an spend score from 0 to 100. This score, visible to players when they go to spend on their totems, indicates how efficiently a player is managing their Protem in terms of both frequency and amount to optimize returns from their totem.

Output

In Upland, each Totem comes to life with its own ‘Output’ curve, shaping how you earn Protem rewards. There’s a variety in how these curves behave — some dish out rewards immediately, while others build up to a bigger payoff over time. And yes, some curves bring a bit more unpredictability to your game, spicing things up with their volatility.

Now, let’s break down the 11 types of output curves, representing the 11 lifeforms, with 6 archetypes of the earning journey you’ll encounter in Upland.

The archetypes are:

Linear: Here, your rewards grow consistently over time — it’s a direct, predictable climb, much like walking up a gentle slope.

Hockey Stick: This curve plays the long game. Initially, it’s all slow and steady, but wait for it… suddenly, your rewards skyrocket, mirroring the sharp turn of a hockey stick. It’s a game of patience with a potentially big payoff.

Wave: Get ready to surf! Rewards on this curve rise and fall, creating a wave-like pattern. It adds an element of timing and rhythm to your strategy, as you aim to catch the high points for maximum rewards.

Sharp Step: This curve initially offers rewards at a steady pace, then unexpectedly “steps” up to a higher rate. The sudden sharp step adds a dynamic twist to the earning trajectory.

Mild Step: In this curve, rewards begin at a consistent rate, then take a more mild step up at some point. The increase is slight, offering a modest yet noticeable lift in earnings.

Static Llama: Exclusive to the rare, one-of-a-kind Llama Totem, this output features a stable and consistent earning pattern.

Each output curve in Upland adds a unique twist to the gameplay, ensuring a rich and varied experience as you navigate your totems. Part of the game’s allure is figuring out which output curve you’re dealing with. Embrace the challenge of discovering and mastering the distinct attributes and rewards each curve offers, as you connect them with different Life Forms.

Collection Caps

Currently, There’s no limit to how much Protem can accumulate on your totem. Under normal circumstances, this caplimitsthe amount of Protem you can accumulate; once it’s reached, no more Protem is added until you collect the existing amount.

Keep in mind, we can activate this cap at any time during the cycle, and it will be applied in future cycles. So, it’s wise to regularly collect your Protem to avoid hitting this limit and missing out on further accumulation.

Penalties

Keep in mind, in Upland’s totem gameplay, both excessive & insufficient spending carry penalties that can impact the returns from your Protem. Let’s explore the penalties involved, concentrating on the outcomes of missing Protem spend in an interval

Missed Spend Penalty

The penalties vary depending on the trait variation your totem possesses:

Variation 1: For each spend opportunity you miss, future intervals suffer a yield reduction. The penalty increases cumulatively, meaning if you miss more intervals, the reduction in yield becomes more significant. Reaching a 100% penalty is possible, which effectively renders your totem inactive for the remaining cycle.

Variation 2: Every time you miss a spend opportunity, the life cycle of your totem shortens by one interval. This means that the totem will stop producing rewards sooner than it would have if all spend opportunities were utilized.

Variation 3: You can miss up to five spend intervals without any penalty. However, upon missing the sixth, your totem stops yielding rewards immediately, ending the cycle prematurely.

Variation 4: This is the most lenient variation. There are no penalties for missed spend intervals , making it ideal for players who might not be able to spend consistently.

Spending Mechanics and Penalties

Apart from missed spends, there are penalties associated with how you spend on your totem:

Overspending: If you spend more than the optimal amount in a given interval, the excess amount doesn’t contribute to increased yields. Essentially, this excess spend is wasted.

Underspending: If you spend less than the optimal amount, the yield you receive for that interval is reduced. The penalty is calculated using a formula that proportionally decreases the yield based on how much less you spend compared to the optimal amount.

Multiple spends in an interval: only the highest amount will be taken into account, as well as its timing, within the interval. All other spend is lost.

Timing Penalties

Each totem has a unique optimal spending interval, decipherable through hints given when feeding your Totem. Spending within this window yields maximum returns. Spending outside this timeframe, either early or late, reduces the yield for that period. This system prompts players to strategically identify and follow their totem’s specific spending schedule for the best results.

Impact of Penalties

The penalties in Upland’s totem gameplay add a strategic layer, requiring players to carefully consider their spend decisions and timing. Understanding and navigating these penalties is key to maximizing the yield from your totem and enhancing your overall gameplay experience.

Understand Totem Traits: Life Form, Style, Color, Scale, and Totem Base.

The essence of each totem lies in its traits, which are central to its identity. Every totem is characterized by five distinct visual traits, with each one corresponding to a specific attribute that shapes the totem’s overall nature.

These traits — Life Form, Style, Color, Scale, and Totem Base — come in various forms, giving every totem a unique set of characteristics. This diversity not only affects the appearance of each totem but also influences its behavior and the Protem rewards it can yield.

For a detailed understanding of each trait, we invite you to visit our wiki for more comprehensive information.

Totems, Protem, and the upcoming arrival of Life are more than just new features, they’re powerful extensions of Upland’s foundation in property trading, development, and collections.

Whether you’re managing a single Totem or building a network of active properties, Cycle 3 is your chance to experiment, optimize, and prepare. So get your Protem ready, activate those Totems, and take your next step toward Life in Upland.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What Are Totem Cycles in Upland?

Totem Cycles are periods when players can activate their totems, feed them with Protem, and receive rewards in return.

How Can I Get Protem?

Protem can be purchased at the Upland store during each cycle, starting Friday, May 9th.

What Happens If I Don’t Activate My Totem in Time?

If you miss the 5-day activation window at the cycle’s start, your totem will remain inactive for the entire 30-day cycle.

What Determines the Rewards from My Totem?

Rewards depend on how you manage your Protem spends, following your totem’s unique earning curve over a 30-day cycle.

Can Alcatraz Users Participate in Totem Spending?

No, users in Alcatraz are not eligible to participate in totem spending.

What Happens If I Sell My Totem Mid-Cycle?

If you sell your totem mid-cycle, any uncollected Protem stays with the totem, and the new owner can continue the cycle.

How Do Output Curves Affect My Totem’s Rewards?

Totems have various output curves (Linear, Hockey Stick, Wave, Curve) that influence the timing and amount of Protem rewards.

Is There a Limit to Protem Accumulation on a Totem?

Initially, there’s no collection cap, but it can be introduced at any time and will be present in future cycles.

What Penalties Exist in Totem Gameplay?

Penalties for missing spending windows or incorrect spending include reduced yields, shortened life cycles, and potential early cycle termination.

How Do Totem Traits Affect Gameplay?

Each totem has traits like Life Form, Style, Color, Scale, and Base, influencing its behavior and the Protem rewards it yields.

Additional Questions

If you have more questions about totems or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to our support team at [email protected]. We’re here to help!