Best Play to Earn Games for 2024 & P2E 101
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!
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.
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.
My Neighbor Alice
My Neighbor Alice is a multiplayer builder game set in the enchanting Lummelunda Archipelago, where players use blockchain technology to own and trade virtual lands and in-game items.
My Neighbor Alice is often compared to Animal Crossing and Minecraft because it combines the engaging social interactions and charming aesthetic of Animal Crossing with the creative building and resource management elements of Minecraft.
It operates on the Chromia blockchain which supports secure and transparent transactions.
As of 2024, My Neighbor Alice has transitioned into its Beta phase, which builds on the successful Alpha Season that attracted thousands of players and generated over 1.5 million transactions. The Beta phase introduces revamped features like player-to-player trading and expanded user-generated content, pushing towards a fully decentralized environment.
CryptoKitties
CryptoKitties is a pioneering blockchain-based game where players collect, breed, and trade virtual cats as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Developed by Dapper Labs, it was one of the first games to introduce the concept of NFTs to a broader audience.
The gameplay revolves around using Ethereum to conduct transactions (e.g., buying new kitties, paying for breeding fees, and selling or trading matured kitties). Players manage their collection of digital cats, each represented by a specific blockchain entry that confirms its ownership and uniqueness.
In CryptoKitties, each cat is unique, with its own set of traits or “cattributes” that can influence its rarity and market value. The game combines elements of strategy and trading, as players aim to breed cats with desirable traits and sell them at higher values.
Recently, CryptoKitties has undergone significant updates to enhance player experience and reduce transaction costs. The game has transitioned to the Flow blockchain, developed by the same team, which minimizes the gas fees that were once a barrier to entry due to the Ethereum network’s high costs. This move also introduces new features, such as 3D animations and improved game interactions. Additionally, CryptoKitties on Flow can now interact with other games on the platform, increasing their utility and engagement within a broader ecosystem. These enhancements aim to rejuvenate the platform and attract a new wave of players by making the game more accessible and enjoyable.
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.
Chainmonsters
Chainmonsters is a massively multiplayer online role-playing (MMORPG) game that dives into a world where players capture, battle, and trade fantastical creatures called Chainmons. This game stands out due to its integration with blockchain technology, allowing for real-time, dynamic battles and a player-driven economy based on NFTs.
The game combines traditional RPG elements with innovative blockchain features, making it a unique blend of strategy and community interaction. The choice of the ImmutableX blockchain as a foundation ensures secure and transparent gameplay.
Currently, Chainmonsters is expanding under new ownership by Spielworks, aiming to polish its features and accessibility on multiple platforms. This acquisition is set to introduce new social features and broader access across PC and mobile devices, promising an enriched player experience.
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.
Ember Sword
Ember Sword is an MMORPG developed by Bright Star Studios and anticipated to launch in late 2024. Set in the vast world of Thanabus, the game promises to bring rich and varied experiences where player choice and interaction matter most. According to the developers, the game’s environments will be diverse, each filled with unique challenges and treasures. Dynamic events and quests will adapt based on player actions, ensuring that each exploration heralds a new experience.
Ember Sword will feature a play-to-earn model, which includes partnerships like the one with OpenSea, allowing players to sell their in-game NFTs on the marketplace. This integration aims to provide real economic benefits tied to gaming achievements, but these features will become available once the game is officially released.
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.
SkyWeaver
SkyWeaver is an exciting browser-based blockchain card game. One of its key features is its player-owned marketplace, which allows players to trade their unique and valuable NFT cards.
Unlike traditional card games, SkyWeaver utilizes the power of blockchain technology to provide players with a truly decentralized and transparent gaming experience. Since each card in the game is represented as a non-fungible token (NFT), players have complete ownership and control over their cards outside of the game. Not only does this add value to the cards themselves, it also allows players to freely buy, sell, and trade them on the SkyWeaver Shop or through external platforms like OpenSea and Rarebits.
As players progress in the game, they have the opportunity to grow their ranking and win new cards. This creates a sense of excitement and motivation to keep playing and improving.
Wizardia
Wizardia is an engaging play-to-earn role-playing strategy game set in a mystical metaverse. With a focus on turn-based combat, players utilize wizards, represented as unique NFTs, to engage in battles that combine player-vs-environment and player-vs-player elements. These wizards can be enhanced and leveled up through gameplay, adding depth to the strategic elements of the game.
The game integrates NFTs deeply into its core mechanics, allowing players to trade, sell, and upgrade their wizard NFTs within the game’s marketplace. Additionally, players can earn $WZRD tokens and other in-game assets by participating in various in-game activities like duels and tournaments, which also offer opportunities for earning passive income through staking and transaction royalties.
Wizardia distinguishes itself with high-quality art and a commitment to creating a captivating gameplay experience that appeals to both casual gamers and more serious players. The development team’s focus on sustainable tokenomics and community-driven features promises a robust and evolving gaming environment.
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.
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.
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.
What Are Play to Earn Crypto Games?
Play-to-earn crypto games add a fun twist to gaming, allowing players to earn rewards in exciting ways, from pet-themed adventures to 3D metaverse platforms and even fitness games. It’s totally up to you how to use your earnings—you can cash them out into the real world anytime, trading them for cryptocurrency or real money whenever you choose.
How Do Play-to-Earn Games Work?
Unlike traditional games, play-to-earn games turn your gaming time into potential money-making sessions.
Players can scoop up all sorts of cool in-game assets, like cards, skins, or specific in-game tokens. The more you play, the more you collect, and these aren’t just virtual trophies—these items actually carry value in the game’s ecosystem.
In these games, scoring points might come from winning matches or completing challenges, and you’re often rewarded with NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and other cryptocurrencies. These tokens aren’t just for keeping score—they can be sold for real cash or used in different types of staking. Because of their blend of fun and financial perks, play-to-earn games have quickly become a hit. They offer a smart way to make your gaming more rewarding and build a bridge between game developers and players, creating a thriving economic model within the game’s marketplace.
What Is In-Game Currency?
“In-game currency” refers to any form of money you use while playing—think gold, points, coins, or credits. Usually, games have two types of currency: soft currency you can earn and hard currency you buy. The currency you purchase tends to be more valuable than what you earn through gameplay.
Blockchain games often stick to this setup, but with a neat twist in the play-to-earn space: the currency you earn also has value in the real world. Developers either adopt a popular existing currency and integrate it into their game’s economics or craft a brand new cryptocurrency, typically based on the Ethereum blockchain.
The popularity of the game can make or break the demand for its tokens and currency. If the buzz dies down and players move on, those once-coveted items and tokens might lose their sparkle, becoming less sought after.
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.
What is P2E in gaming?
Play-to-Earn (P2E) gaming is a model where players can earn real-world rewards, often in the form of cryptocurrencies or NFTs, by participating in game activities. These rewards can either be used within the game environment or traded in external marketplaces. It’s a way for players to potentially earn income from their time spent gaming.
What is the most successful P2E game?
Axie Infinity is considered one of the most successful P2E games. In 2022, it gained significant attention for becoming the first NFT series to exceed $4 billion in sales, showcasing the vast potential and appeal of integrating blockchain technology with gaming.
Are P2E games free?
It varies! Some P2E games are free to start, offering players a chance to earn without an initial investment. Others might require purchasing a starter kit or in-game assets before you can begin earning. This initial cost can sometimes be offset by the potential earnings from gameplay.
How to make money in P2E games?
Making money in P2E games typically involves earning in-game currencies, tokens, or NFTs through various activities like battling other players, completing quests, or trading assets. Players can then sell these on various marketplaces for real money. Success usually depends on strategy, time investment, and sometimes an initial financial investment.
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.
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.
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