Features

Turn-based racing/combat situations

Each player controls a team/gang of characters.

Racing and combat autoduel leagues run in all major towns

Highly detailed rules for movement and combat

Real time strategy for real rewards: travel, healing, training, car modifications/repairs

Detailed economic simulation: trade, piracy, starvation. The economic cycles of Darkwind take months of real-world time, and are affected by trade conditions and the amount of piracy occurring on the road.

NPC gangs controlled by AI and GMs

Cars, trucks, motorcycles

Varying security levels allows greater rewards to be earned through greater risk, and allows the game to be challenging to both newbie and veteran alike

Player ownership of production facilities and warehouses & camps

Scheduling system for attacks on player or NPC-owned installations

Contracts of work (delivery, bodyguard, etc.) available from NPCs

Psionic powers available to a small number of gifted individuals

Mutants, sometimes available as player characters

Performance-enhancing drugs with side-effects, some addictive