Top 10 Play-To-Earn Crypto Games
Blockchain technology has enabled a new era of games, known as play-to-earn games. Play-to-earn games are a popular topic among gamers, cryptocurrency investors, and tech junkies. These games utilize several blockchain technologies to deliver unique, never-before-seen gameplay. In these gameplays, players can perform tasks such as monetizing in-game assets, interacting with other players from across the globe over the blockchain, and so much more. In this article, we will look at what exactly play-to-earn games are and also at some of the best games currently on the market.
Disclaimer: We want to emphasize that this is not financial advice. Cryptocurrencies operate in a volatile market, where values can drastically fluctuate in a blink of an eye. It is imperative to conduct thorough research and seek guidance from a qualified financial advisor before investing.
The Rise of Play-To-Earn
The concept of "play-to-earn" has emerged alongside the rise of metaverses, opening up new opportunities for individuals to earn cryptocurrency through their interactions within virtual environments. This phenomenon is at the core of Game Finance, often referred to as GameFi, where players engage in blockchain-based games within the metaverse and earn cryptocurrency rewards in return. This dynamic has become a tangible avenue for individuals to generate income, particularly as more individuals gravitate toward the metaverse in response to various restrictive lockdown measures.
The surge in popularity of play-to-earn models has ignited a competition among projects within this sphere, each vying to establish a metaverse that captures the largest share of the market. This competition has led to the development of metaverse platforms that offer players an increasing array of opportunities to earn rewards, thus augmenting their potential earnings. This intensified race to create a superior metaverse experience is propelling the growth of play-to-earn games as a substantial source of income for participants.
As this race unfolds, metaverse platforms are likely to evolve to provide even more lucrative avenues for individuals to engage and earn. With the continued expansion of the metaverse ecosystem, the viability of play-to-earn games as a legitimate income stream is poised to gain momentum.
What Are Play-To-Earn Games?
A play-to-earn game is any video or online game that harnesses cryptocurrency technology to reward players with something that has both virtual-world and real-world value. The rewards that are given in these games usually come in the form of non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, which are cryptographically unique tokens that can be used to prove ownership of digital content such as images or music.
Now that we have taken a look at what play-to-earn games are and how they grew in popularity during the draconian lockdowns, let’s now take a look at some of the best play-to-earn games that are currently on the market.
The Best Play-To-Earn Crypto Games
1. Axie Infinity
Axie Infinity is currently the most popular play-to-earn game in the market. The gameplay involves breeding various monsters, called Axies, and pitting them against each other in either the virtual arena or in adventures. Each Axie is a unique NFT and has its own genetic code. Players can interbreed Axies to breed even stronger creatures as well.
Players can also win two tokens while playing. These tokens are Axie Infinity Shards (AXS) and Smooth Love Potions (SLP). The former is a governance token and the latter is needed to breed new Axies. Players can offer their creatures up for sale on a native NFT marketplace. The better the genetic code of the creature, the more valuable it is.
One thing to note however is that Axie Infinity is not completely free to play as users will need a few ETH to buy their first Axies.
2. The Sandbox
The Sandbox is an open-world game built on top of the Ethereum blockchain. It’s similar to the popular game Minecraft. In the game, players create their own worlds, organizing adventures in the social hub, and create their own games within the virtual world. All of this can then be monetized. One of the most important resources in the game is LAND. Each piece of LAND is also an NFT and represents land ownership in the virtual world.
Another important aspect of the game is SAND, which is the in-game currency. Players can earn it by completing tasks or playing games within The Sandbox. Some games will require players to pay SAND first before they can participate in the game. Players also need to hold SAND if they want to create and monetize their own games. SAND earnings made during the game can then be converted into Ether (ETH).
3. Splinterlands
Another blockchain-based card game on the list, Splinterlands, not only allows players to collect cards, but also items, skins, and virtual lands. All of these items are NFTs that can be traded or exchanged with other players. Should players win their card battles, they will also win the in-game currency called Dark Energy Crystals (DEC). Players can also earn DEC by completing challenges in-game. Lastly, cards can be burned to obtain more DEC, which can then be exchanged for other items.
Spliterlands is also not free to play. It will cost beginners around $10 to get started with a starter pack that includes their first cards. Players can also earn the game’s governance token, Splintershards (SPS), during battles which they can then stake to participate in voting.
4. Alien Worlds
Originally launched on the WAX blockchain, Alien Worlds now also runs on the Ethereum and Binance Smart chain. According to the project’s website, it is a decentralized metaverse on the base that is centered around a number of planets that players can colonize. The planets can also join together to form federations and explore the universe together. The option to fight other factions is also available in-game.
On each planet, players can mine new NFTs and a cryptocurrency called Trilium (TLM), therefore creating new tokens. Among other things, players can use these tokens to participate in voting in the “Planetary DAO”. Furthermore, they are also used to take control of other planets. Lastly, TLM can be exchanged for WAX and then sold as well.
5. Gods Unchained
Gods Unchained is a blockchain-based collectible card game. Players can build decks of cards and compete against other players with them. These cards can also be won from or traded with other players. A ranked system is used to ensure that players with comparable skills compete against each other.
Valuable cards in the game are NFTs and can be traded in the game’s NFT marketplace using the game’s native cryptocurrency, GODS. It can also be earned in tournaments. Once earned, users can then decide if they want to cash out their GODS through a supported cryptocurrency exchange or use the earnings to better their card collection.
6. CryptoBlades
CryptoBlades is a blockchain RPG game built on the Binance Smart Chain. Players create their own characters and give them a fantasy costumes. This character is then immortalized into an NFT on the Binance Smart Chain. Similar to Axie Infinity, the game is not free to play. Newcomers will have to convert some Binance Coin (BNB) into SKILL Token for the character.
The characters compete with each other in virtual battles, allowing players to earn more SKILL in the process. Players can then use the newly acquired SKILL to unlock new traits, as well as forge and improve weapons. The SKILL Token is also a payment means for the decentralized marketplace, and characters and items can be sold for SKILL.
7. SolChicks
SolChicks is one of the most popular play-to-earn games and is built on the Solana blockchain. In this fantasy game, the main characters are all little chicks dressed as knights and mages. Each chick is a unique NFT with its own properties, design, and attributes. The chicks can also be bred using “Shards of Love” (SLC) Tokens. These tokens and other NFTs can be obtained by completing in-game tasks.
Overall, the concept of SolChicks is similar to the previously mentioned Axie Infinity. However, the project is still in development. There are plans to create an independent metaverse for SolChicks. Until then, players can play the game in PvE and PvP mode.
8. Thetan Arena
Thetan Arena is a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game. This is a genre that continues to captivate millions of players. In a nutshell, Thetan Arena offers an arena in which multiple players can compete against each other to take over the enemy base. All player characters, equipment, and items are NFTs.
Unlike the other games discussed in this list, Thetan Arena is completely free to play. Players are able to earn Thetan Coin (THC). This can then be used to purchase additional NFTs or can be sold on the marketplace.
9. MetaWars
In MetaWars, multiplier strategy and role-playing elements are combined as players explore the vastness of the universe and go to war with other factions in space battles. An ecosystem of its own is created within the virtual world in the process. The focus of the game is on the exploration and colonization of space. Players cooperate with each other and battle other enemy factions.
The players receive collectible NFTs and their own cryptocurrency called WARS, which can be staked. WARS serves both as governance tokens and as currency for the native marketplace. Furthermore, players can ensure their own ships with the token. The NFTs earned can be sold on the marketplace.
10. Zed Run
For anyone that has ever wanted to own a racehorse, Zed Run is the perfect game for you. With Zed Run, you can own a digital NFT-based racehorse. The gameplay is focused on the racing and breeding of the fastest digital horses, which can be traded on the marketplace.
The minimum requirements to get started are that a player must at least own one virtual racehorse. These horses can be purchased with Ethereum on the popular NFT marketplace, OpenSea. Over time, an entire racing stable can grow. Furthermore, owners can breed the horses with each other or auction valuable animals in the marketplace.
Conclusion
With the growing popularity of metaverses, and the ability for people to now earn cryptocurrency from playing them, comes the birth of the term: play-to-earn. This is the basis of Game Finance, or GameFi for short. These games allow players to play blockchain games, in the form of the metaverse and earn cryptocurrency. A play-to-earn game is any video or online game that harnesses cryptocurrency technology to reward players with something that has both virtual-world and real-world value. In these gameplays, players are able to perform tasks such as monetize in-game assets, interact with other players from across the globe over the blockchain, and so much more!
