Do you want to make money online in the comfort of your own home? Are you looking for extra income opportunities but don’t have the time or energy to take on a side hustle? If so, Play to Earn (P2E) games might be just what you need! P2E games are an incredibly fun way to supplement your income while playing great video and mobile games.
In this blog post, we’ll review some of the best Play to Earn in the industry and cover a few key terms about P2E that will help you get up and running successfully. So if earning real-world rewards through online gaming is something that interests you, keep reading!
Table of Contents
- What Are Play to Earn Crypto Games?
- How Do Play-to-Earn Games Work?
- What Is In-Game Currency?
- Best Play to Earn Crypto Games
- Lucky Block (LBLOCK)
- RobotEra (TARO)
- Decentraland (MANA)
- Axie Infinity (AXS)
- The Sandbox (SAND)
- Star Atlas (ATLAS)
- Splinterlands (BAT)
- Illuvium (ILV)
- Town Star (TOWN)
- Alien Worlds (TLM)
- Forest Knight (KNIGHT)
- Zed Run (ZED)
- How to Earn Money with Crypto Gaming
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ
- Are there any legit play-to-earn games?
- What P2E games can I play to earn money?
- Are there free play to earn games?
- How do P2E games make money?
- Can you get rich in NFT games?
- What is the most profitable play-to-earn game?
What Are Play to Earn Crypto Games?
Play-to-earn games return value to players by allowing them to earn cryptocurrency for doing everything from pet-themed games to 3D metaverse gaming platforms and even fitness games. It is up to the user to decide what to do with their earnings — they can transfer these assets to the real world at any time and sell them for cryptocurrency or real money on their own terms.
How Do Play-to-Earn Games Work?
Play-to-Earn games provide gamers the opportunity to monetize their gaming experience.
Players can obtain potentially valuable in-game assets in P2E games. That might be anything, including cards, skins, or a particular kind of cryptocurrency. The more players participate, the more resources they can gather. In traditional games, these assets are typically only valued within one particular game. They do, however, have real-world worth in a play-to-earn gaming model.
A model of blockchain gaming economics. Source: The Block Research
In P2E games, players can earn NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and other cryptocurrency. Scores are determined based on in-game actions like winning matches or meeting objectives. Typically, players are rewarded with tokens that can be sold for real-world money or used to participate in various forms of staking.
Because they offer both monetary and time value and incentivize gamers to invest more time into the gameplay, Play-to-Earn games have quickly become popular among dedicated users. Furthermore, these types of games help bridge the gap between game development studios and gamers by providing sustainable economic models for each party.
What Is In-Game Currency?
The term “in-game currency” refers to any money spent within the game. Gold, points, coins, or credits are some other names for it.
In the traditional approach, there may be two different currencies available in video games: soft currency, which can be earned, and hard currency, which can only be bought. Currency acquired with real money usually has a higher worth than the one acquired through gameplay.
Blockchain games often implement this model, too. However, in play to earn space, earned currency also has a real-world value. Developers have 2 options to choose from here. First, they can take an existing popular currency and build game economics around it. Otherwise, developers can design a brand new native cryptocurrency for the game — those are usually built on the Ethereum blockchain.
Supply and demand dynamics linked to the game’s popularity pose a significant danger to cryptocurrency gaming tokens. In-game items and currency may no longer be in demand once players stop playing, rendering tokens useless.
Best Play to Earn Crypto Games
We looked at the market for the top play-to-earn games today and selected more than a dozen that boast the finest cryptocurrency incentives. So, without further ado, let’s review each game offering cryptocurrency payments to players.
Lucky Block (LBLOCK)
The Ethereum-based lottery platform Lucky Block gives players a chance to win exclusive incentives and prizes as well as generate passive income from dividends on NFT holdings. It seeks to create a completely decentralized crypto gaming platform where “everyone wins.”
LBLOCK, a native token of Lucky Block, is used to buy lottery tickets on the platform and to pay out competition prizes.
Additionally, as an incentive to invest and have a stake in the project, holders of LBLOCK or one of the platform’s NFTs receive a cut of each jackpot scored: 10% of each jackpot is redistributed back to their investor base as profit, and an additional 2% goes to another set of daily drawings — the NFT prize pool.
Some experts believe that Lucky Block may have a bright future in the sector, given a limited number of decentralized crypto sweepstakes formats that also use a play-to-earn model.
? We kindly remind you to do your own research (DYOR) before investing in any asset. What instruments can be used in your research? YouTube videos from experts, reviews and assessments from the community, social media like Twitter, Reddit, TG channels, etc. The security of your funds is your responsibility! DYOR to outsmart the scammers!
RobotEra (TARO)
The RobotEra universe, one of the best NFT games available, offers an opportunity to create everything users can imagine and start a new era with other robots. It relies on non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to maintain transparency and make in-game asset trade simple.
Players can stake TARO tokens for incentives, sell advertising spots, and mine materials to build robot companions that can be sold in the built-in NFT marketplace.
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Decentraland (MANA)
Decentraland is a virtual world that allows users to buy, build, and explore in a completely decentralized environment. It is set on the Ethereum Blockchain and provides an immersive 3D experience with a unique visual identity featuring vibrant squares of land that can be bought, sold, leased, or developed. Decentraland gives users the freedom to place anything they desire, such as shops, casinos, apartments, or landscapes, within their property after purchase.
Based only on its level of popularity, Decentraland is one of the top P2E games. However, this Ethereum-based platform offers more than just entertainment, which is why it has garnered that reputation. Big businesses like Samsung and Atari adopted Decentraland to promote their products.
Decentraland’s operations are governed by MANA and LAND tokens. MANA is a virtual currency used to buy LAND and other game items in the platform’s built-in marketplace. At the same time, LAND is utilized as an NFT to prove the user’s ownership of a virtual asset.
Axie Infinity (AXS)
Axie Infinity, one of the most well-known play-to-earn games available right now, allows users to gather adorable digital animals called “axies.” Axies can battle with one another or breed with other axies to earn the game’s native token, known as “Smooth Love Potion,” or SLP for short.
Sky Mavis, a video game studio based in Hanoi, Vietnam, launched Axie Infinity in 2018. This NFT game demonstrated its supremacy in the Play To Earn games sector by reaching 2.7 million users at its height.
The Sandbox (SAND)
The Sandbox is a popular Play to Earn gaming platform that is styled after voxel games like Roblox and Minecraft. However, unlike these two games, the Sandbox provides players with true ownership of their in-game creations in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and rewards them for their participation in the ecosystem.
To create a circular economy among all user types who will interact with the platform, including players, artists, curators, and virtual land owners, The Sandbox employs 3 different crypto tokens – SAND, LAND and ASSETS.
Star Atlas (ATLAS)
Users can explore space and exchange NFTs of planets, stars, and other objects in the astronomy-based P2E game Star Atlas. Each planet or star has distinctive characteristics that set them apart from one another throughout the game. Players can even find new planets when flying through this virtual cosmos at warp speed.
Two tokens are essential to the functioning of this blockchain-based video game: the governance token POLIS and the utility token ATLAS. By putting their ATLAS tokens on the line, players can gain POLIS.
Splinterlands (BAT)
Splinterlands is a crypto card game released in 2018 on Hive chain.
The project’s gameplay revolves around acquiring the native token, Dark Energy Crystals (DEC), through fights, NFT card trading, and other activities. The level of the player’s opponent and the capture rate attained in each battle are taken into account when calculating rewards.
Illuvium (ILV)
Illuvium is an NFT monster collection and autobattler sci-fi adventure game that allows players to explore seven alien worlds. The game, marketed as the “first truly AAA Web3 experience,” allows users to train and fuse their fantastic creatures (called Illuvials) to increase their power.
Players who complete PVE missions and accomplish specific achievements are given ILV tokens. Released in 2022, Illivium has already held various competitions and events with prizes.
Town Star (TOWN)
Gala Games’ Town Star is a Play-to-Earn (P2E) town strategy game. Players fight against one another in the farming game Town Star in order to gather TOWN tokens and NFTs.
Town Star’s official Twitter account announced on October 20, 2022, that anyone could now purchase NFTs right on the Gala Games Store using Visa and Mastercard.
Alien Worlds (TLM)
The basic idea behind the futuristic sci-fi crypto game called Alien Worlds is to play, mine, and upgrade to create an immersive gaming experience. It centers around NFT alien species that players can catch and employ to mine or discover various goods. The chances of winning increase as players make more enhancements. To get started, players need land, mining equipment, and TLM deposits.
Alien Worlds’ players earn Trilium (the game’s native token) by fighting, accomplishing missions, and acquiring unique digital items with the help of mining equipment. The TLM token can be used to trade NFTs with other players or to win fights and solve quests.
Forest Knight (KNIGHT)
Forest Knight is a free-to-play NFT strategy game on the Ethereum and Polygon Blockchain Networks that provides both a PvE role-playing and a competitive PvP experience.
The in-game money, KNIGHT, is at the heart of the game. The KNIGHT token can be used to buy NFT assets like lands and buildings in the market. Players can earn KNIGHT tokens for completing various game modes. Players can also stake KNIGHT to gain rewards and vote on the game’s future development.
Zed Run (ZED)
Zed Run is an NFT-based horse racing game that allows users to buy, breed, and race virtual horses. The horses are grouped into four distinct bloodlines, from the most popular Buterin to the legendary (and most expensive) Nakamoto. Rarity traits like bloodline and breeding traits like genotype affect a horse’s chances of winning a race.
Winning battles or breeding and reselling valuable horses are two ways to earn cryptocurrency. Rewards are automatically added to your in-game wallet and may be transferred to a real crypto wallet right away.
How to Earn Money with Crypto Gaming
Crypto-based games essentially reward players with modest amounts of cryptocurrency. Users earn cryptocurrency and other digital assets by completing tasks, participating in contests, or any other activities offered by the game.
In several countries, players accepted play-to-earn games as a viable source of income. Axie Infinity was one such game that went viral in the Philippines. At the time, cultivating the game’s SLP money allowed users to make up to $1,000 every month. All of this progressed to the point where the Philippine government declared that anyone who makes a living off of this game is now required to pay taxes.
The example above is the exception rather than the rule — this scheme has only been in place for a limited time, and the chances of repeating Axie Infinity today are slim. Even though some games actually reward players with some of the existing cryptocurrencies, accumulating a large quantity can take some time. In other words, the monetization process is typically lengthy, and the returns are little, but they exist.
Nevertheless, there are other ways to make money with crypto gaming. According to Zain Jaffer, founder and CEO of Zain Ventures, early investors in popular games will probably succeed, much like stock investors.
As a part of the game’s Christmas campaign in 2001, RuneScape (MMORPG online game) players were given complimentary digital Party Hats. Jaffer asserts that these party hats are now worth billions of in-game gold coins after twenty years. According to Runescape, the party hat in the most sought-after hue went for 57 billion gold pieces (around $60,000).
Final Thoughts
In the modern world, playing games can actually lead to real-life earnings. According to Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian, play-to-earn crypto games will be the only type of games most people will play in five years.
While some people may be skeptical about the earning potential of play to earn games, there are many people who have made a sizable profit by playing them. If you’re looking for a way to make some extra money, consider giving one of these play to earn games a try, and you just might be surprised at how much you can earn!
FAQ
Are there any legit play-to-earn games?
Of course, there are. You can start with any game on our list. Besides, doing extra research never hurts.
What P2E games can I play to earn money?
Your choice of the best play-to-earn (P2E) game depends on your preferences. While picking one, consider the variety of in-game activities that bring rewards, look at how quickly the rewards are distributed, consider what type of reward you prefer, and, of course, look into the project’s roadmap, team, partners, etc.
Are there free play to earn games?
Yes, there are a lot, actually. The list of free to play P2E games includes Axie Infinity, CryptoBlades, Plant vs Undead, the Sandbox, Star Atlas, Illuvium, Gods Unchained, Polygonum, Gold Fever, Coin Hunt World, and many, many more!
How do P2E games make money?
A game developer can make money from P2E games in multiple ways. However, one of the most popular options is through in-game ads.
Can you get rich in NFT games?
As history shows, yes, you can earn sizable amounts of money from NFT gaming. There is a list of money-making activities in every blockchain-based game. Additionally, you can invest in a promising blockchain game. For example, The Battle Infinity’s token presale was totally sold out in 25 days rather than the projected 90 days. Following that, it was listed on PancakeSwap, where the price pump provided early investors with 700% gains.
What is the most profitable play-to-earn game?
It’s hard to name one universal best P2E game — the blockchain gaming industry is quickly changing. Currently, RobotEra has the greatest potential for returns because it has the most earning options compared to any play-to-earn game now available on the market.
Disclaimer: Please note that the contents of this article are not financial or investing advice. The information provided in this article is the author’s opinion only and should not be considered as offering trading or investing recommendations. We do not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability and accuracy of this information. The cryptocurrency market suffers from high volatility and occasional arbitrary movements. Any investor, trader, or regular crypto users should research multiple viewpoints and be familiar with all local regulations before committing to an investment.