Top 10 Play-to-Earn NFT Games

NFT Games: New Business Possibilities

In traditional gaming models, players purchased in-game items through microtransactions, but these assets remained confined to the game ecosystem with no real-world value. Even in premium-priced titles, monetization through character and weapon customization generated approximately $65 billion in 2022. Games that weren't entirely free-to-play issued in-game currencies for monetization purposes. For example, Roblox, with 43 million daily active users, exclusively utilizes Robux as its in-game currency.

However, the emergence of NFT games has fundamentally transformed gaming economies. In NFT games, in-game items are issued as NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), allowing players to own, trade, and exchange these assets. The economic system of NFT games primarily consists of two major components:

• NFTs:
  • In-game items are issued as NFTs on the blockchain
  • Players can own, buy, sell, and exchange NFTs freely
  • Rare and valuable NFTs can be traded at premium prices
  • Ownership is verified and secured through blockchain technology
• In-Game Tokens:
  • Function as the primary currency within the game ecosystem
  • Used for purchasing items, receiving rewards, and participating in governance
  • Enable players to contribute to game operations and development
  • Can often be exchanged for other cryptocurrencies or fiat money

Unlike traditional games, NFT games empower players to become true owners of their digital assets, enabling them to generate economic value by actively participating in and contributing to the game's economy. This paradigm shift represents a fundamental reimagining of the relationship between players and game developers.

Play-to-Earn and Tap-to-Earn Models

Play-to-Earn (P2E) and Tap-to-Earn (T2E) have emerged as innovative earning mechanisms leveraging blockchain technology and NFTs. These systems have been integrated into NFT and blockchain games, creating entirely new economic ecosystems within gaming environments.

Understanding Play-to-Earn (P2E)

Play-to-Earn is a revolutionary model where users earn cryptocurrencies or NFTs by actively playing games. In this system, items and characters obtained within the game can be traded as NFTs and converted into real-world currency, creating genuine economic value for players.

• Example: In games like Axie Infinity, players can earn income by raising monsters and engaging in battles. The NFTs acquired can be sold to other players, generating substantial revenue. Some players have even built sustainable income streams through strategic gameplay and asset management.
• Key Features: Particularly in developing countries, Play-to-Earn games have become viable income sources, with numerous cases of players earning their living expenses through gameplay. This model creates a strong connection between entertainment value and practical economic benefits, fundamentally changing how people perceive gaming.

Understanding Tap-to-Earn (T2E)

Tap-to-Earn offers a simpler mechanism where users earn rewards by tapping within apps or performing basic operations. For instance, Notcoin is a click-based game within the Telegram app where users tap animated coins to earn cryptocurrency. As of June 2024, the game boasts over 40 million users worldwide.

• Example: Representative applications include those that reward users for completing simple tasks or performing specific actions. These platforms often integrate social elements and daily challenges to maintain user engagement.
• Key Features: The appeal lies in its accessibility—even people without time for extensive gaming sessions can earn rewards through minimal effort. The low barrier to entry has made T2E popular across diverse demographics and age groups.

These innovative business models transcend traditional gaming and app boundaries, establishing earning ecosystems that generate real economic value. The ability to earn rewards while enjoying entertainment has garnered support from a broad audience, making these models particularly attractive in the evolving digital economy.

How to Earn Money in NFT Games

NFT games distinguish themselves from traditional games by offering players genuine opportunities to generate economic value through gameplay. There are three primary methods to earn money in NFT games:

• NFT Trading: Players can sell NFTs acquired within the game on various marketplaces to earn cryptocurrency or fiat money. Rare and highly sought-after NFTs can command premium prices, with their value fluctuating based on game popularity, demand dynamics, and overall market conditions. Successful traders often study market trends and timing to maximize their profits.

• Gameplay Rewards: Players earn tokens or NFTs through active gameplay participation. Reward mechanisms include completing daily missions, participating in special events, achieving victories in player-versus-player (PvP) battles, and reaching specific milestones. These earned rewards can be sold on marketplaces or utilized within the game ecosystem to enhance the player's experience and earning potential.

• Play-to-Earn (P2E) Model: Many NFT games implement the Play-to-Earn model, where players receive cryptocurrency rewards for their gameplay activities. While most games require an initial NFT purchase to begin playing, the earned currency can be converted to cash or utilized in other compatible games. This creates an interconnected economy where skilled and dedicated players can generate sustainable income streams.

NFT games represent an emerging form of entertainment that combines enjoyment with earning potential, attracting significant attention from both gamers and investors. The industry continues to evolve with new mechanisms and opportunities for players to monetize their time and skills.

Recommended NFT Game ①: Axie Infinity

Axie Infinity is a groundbreaking Play-to-Earn (P2E) game inspired by popular Japanese titles like Pokémon and Tamagotchi digital pets. This metaverse platform operates on the Ethereum blockchain, utilizing NFTs to represent specific characters, land parcels, and other in-game assets.

Launched in March 2018, Axie Infinity pioneered the entire NFT gaming sector. The Vietnam-based team led by Trung Nguyen and Sky Mavis created an addictive NFT game that many now use as a legitimate income source. The game has demonstrated how blockchain gaming can provide economic opportunities, particularly in regions with limited traditional employment options.

In Axie Infinity, tactical ability-based combat is central to gameplay. Players control teams of three Axies—fantastical, round creatures with unique characteristics and abilities. These Axies are tradable NFTs, and players who win battles receive Smooth Love Potion (SLP) as rewards. SLP serves as an in-game resource and tradable token used to breed Axies (NFT pets), similar to Pokémon evolution mechanics.

Game Economy

Three digital assets effectively drive Axie Infinity's multi-billion dollar economy:

• Smooth Love Potion (SLP) for breeding Axies and maintaining the game's population dynamics
• NFT Axies – the core of economic activity. Prices range from $60 to over $300 on the Axie Infinity NFT marketplace, depending on rarity, stats, and breeding count
• Axie Infinity (AXS) Token – the native governance token of the blockchain game, sometimes referred to as Axie Infinity Shard token

While AXS and SLP tokens can be earned through gameplay, players can also stake AXS to participate in voting on game development proposals and fee structures. Similar to depositing money in a bank, staking AXS means locking tokens in a liquidity pool. In return, players receive additional AXS tokens as rewards, creating an incentive mechanism that supports the entire ecosystem.

There are 270 million total AXS tokens, with 21% held by Sky Mavis as a funding mechanism. For Play-to-Earn distribution, 20% of AXS tokens are allocated over a 4.5-year period, ensuring sustainable token economics and long-term game viability.

Recommended NFT Game ②: The Sandbox

The Sandbox is a user-driven metaverse game platform built on blockchain technology. Players can purchase virtual land called "LAND," create games, design avatars, sell items, and engage in various activities to play, create, and earn income. The expansive metaverse space consists of 166,464 LAND parcels where players can interact with others, embark on adventures, and build their virtual presence.

Land ownership enables diverse applications including game creation, avatar deployment, and item placement. Notably, even users without programming knowledge can easily create 3D games using the Game Maker tool, democratizing game development within the metaverse.

• VoxEdit: A comprehensive toolset for creating voxel objects and minting them as NFTs, allowing artists and creators to monetize their designs
• Marketplace: A trading platform for voxelized and tokenized assets, facilitating peer-to-peer transactions
• GameMaker: Enables users to build their own games based on The Sandbox's ruleset, providing extensive customization options

The metaverse land (LAND) can be purchased with "SAND" or "ETH" and is traded on NFT marketplaces and platforms like OpenSea. Acquired LAND represents virtual real estate displayed on the Ethereum blockchain. Due to its limited quantity, LAND possesses high scarcity value, and prices are expected to appreciate alongside growing demand in the metaverse market.

Game Economy

"SAND" is The Sandbox's native token, functioning as the central element throughout The Sandbox metaverse. All transactions between users utilize this token.

SAND serves as The Sandbox's governance token with multiple use cases:

• Purchasing In-Game Items and Avatars: Buying items and avatars sold on the marketplace, enabling character customization and personalization
• LAND Acquisition: LAND represents virtual space plots that can be purchased with SAND, creating opportunities for virtual real estate investment
• Game Creation: Accessing premium features of the Game Maker tool for enhanced game development capabilities
• Governance: Participating in proposals and voting on game operations, giving players a voice in platform development
• Staking: Depositing SAND to earn rewards, creating passive income opportunities for token holders

SAND is required for all types of transactions—playing games, changing avatars, purchasing land, and trading assets all necessitate SAND ownership. This creates consistent demand for the token and establishes it as the lifeblood of The Sandbox economy.

Recommended NFT Game ③: Gas Hero

Gas Hero is a social and strategy game developed by Find Satoshi Labs, deployed on the Polygon chain. Players navigate a post-apocalyptic world, confronting AI forces intent on destroying humanity while controlling special characters called Gas Heroes. The game incorporates community-driven elements, requiring players to employ strategic thinking while nurturing various heroes and battling other players.

New players receive four free Gas Heroes to build their base and engage in combat. Subsequently, players collect additional Gas Heroes to battle AI enemies and other players. Successful missions yield various items that can be traded on the marketplace. Each hero possesses different rarity levels and lifespans, with a unique "death" system implemented after certain periods, creating dynamic gameplay and economic implications.

Game Economy

GMT Token Utility

• Native In-Game Token: GMT functions as the primary currency within Gas Hero, facilitating all major economic activities
• Use Cases:
  • Purchasing in-game items and upgrades
  • Boosting Gas Heroes' abilities and performance
  • Participating in special events and tournaments
• Exchange Trading: GMT can be bought and sold on exchanges like certain major platforms, maintaining value outside the game ecosystem
• Leadership Rewards: Players elected as leaders in in-game organizations receive a portion of organizational tax revenue in GMT, creating governance incentives

Players utilize Gas Hero NFTs to engage in PvP and PvE battles, strategically strengthening heroes while progressing through the game. The organizational leader election system and associated reward structure effectively motivate player engagement and community building.

Recommended NFT Game ④: Decentraland

Decentraland is a web-based 3D virtual world platform operating on the Ethereum blockchain. As the first platform of its kind, it was founded in 2015 by Ariel Meilich and Esteban Ordano. The initial ICO occurred in 2017, with public launch in February 2020.

The platform has hosted numerous notable events over recent years, including a MetaMask party celebrating 10 million active users and a Super Bowl event at Miller Lite's "Metaverse" dive bar. Famous artists such as Ariana Grande, Travis Scott, Marshmello, and Justin Bieber have successfully hosted virtual events on the platform, demonstrating its appeal as a venue for digital entertainment.

Game Economy

The governance token MANA serves as the central token for economic activities within Decentraland. MANA is Decentraland's governance token with multiple applications:

• LAND Purchase: Acquiring virtual space plots (LAND) within the metaverse, establishing digital real estate ownership
• Item and Avatar Purchase: Buying items and avatars sold on the marketplace for personalization and self-expression
• Governance: Participating in proposals and voting on game operations, enabling community-driven platform development

MANA is used when buying and selling LAND (land) and items within Decentraland. It is already listed on numerous exchanges, supporting Decentraland's economic ecosystem and providing liquidity for participants.

As a user-driven platform, Decentraland's MANA value may potentially increase as the economic sphere becomes fully established in the future. The platform's success depends on continued user adoption and the development of compelling virtual experiences.

Recommended NFT Game ⑤: STEPN

STEPN is a "Move-to-Earn (M2E)" blockchain game released in late 2021. Users purchase NFT sneakers on the STEPN mobile app, and their daily walking, running, and jogging activities are recorded. Upon accumulating certain step counts, users earn cryptocurrency GMT or GST. This revolutionary game system combining exercise with token earnings created significant market excitement. While the initial STEPN movement has stabilized, it represents an innovative fusion of gaming and physical activity. With rising health consciousness and metaverse proliferation, future growth remains anticipated.

Game Economy

STEPN's economic system revolves around two types of tokens: GST and GMT.

• GST: In-game currency used for sneaker repairs, level-ups, rentals, and other maintenance activities
• GMT: Governance token used for staking, governance participation, and minting NFT sneakers

Players purchase "NFT Sneakers" and earn GMT by accumulating daily walking, running, and jogging activities. The earning rate depends on sneaker attributes, energy levels, and movement efficiency.

Additionally, players can earn GST by lending NFT sneakers to other players, creating passive income opportunities. Buying and selling NFT sneakers on the marketplace enables earning both GST and GMT, with prices fluctuating based on sneaker attributes and market demand.

Recommended NFT Game ⑥: Illuvium

Illuvium is a rapidly rising NFT game gaining significant popularity. This innovative project fuses RPG gaming with DeFi (Decentralized Finance) on blockchain technology. Players explore fantastical worlds, encountering spirit-like creatures called Illuvials, which they can capture, nurture, and battle.

In Illuvium, players explore to collect monsters, challenge battles against other players and NPCs, and manage captured monsters as NFTs on the blockchain. Players can manage their monster collections, conducting sales and trades with complete ownership and control.

Game Economy

Illuvium's economic system centers on two token types: ILV and sILV.

• ILV: Governance token used for in-game economic operations, staking, and NFT purchases, providing holders with platform governance rights
• sILV: In-game currency used for Illuvial strengthening, item purchases, and various gameplay enhancements

Illuvium (ILV) tokens drive the NFT game's economic aspects, offering all standard DeFi benefits including governance, yield farming, and staking opportunities.

sILV tokens have no staking lockup period and can only be used for in-game purchases, while staked ILV tokens have a one-year lockup period. The dynamic interaction between these two tokens ensures economic stability and high liquidity, creating a balanced ecosystem that benefits all participants.

Recommended NFT Game ⑦: Shrapnel

Shrapnel is an AAA first-person shooter game developed by Seattle-based Neon Machine. According to developers, early access began in 2024, with full release scheduled for 2025. Shrapnel is set in a future world where an asteroid collides with Earth's moon, sending fragments raining down and creating a 500-kilometer-wide catastrophic zone on Earth. This region, called "the Zone," serves as the battlefield where players join the Mercenary Extraction Force, collecting resources while combating other operators.

Within the game, players engage in gunfights with other operators while collecting resources, and can recover defeated enemies' equipment as NFTs. Collected resources and loot can be used as equipment in subsequent game sessions or traded on Shrapnel's marketplace. This enables players to assemble increasingly powerful equipment as they progress, preparing for future battles. Beyond combat, players can create vanity items within the game, converting them to NFTs for sale to other players.

Game Economy

About SHRAP Token

• SHRAP is Shrapnel game's official token, issued as an ERC-20 token on Avalanche C-chain, ensuring fast transactions and low fees
• Primary Uses:
  • Purchasing in-game items and boosts to enhance gameplay experience
  • NFT minting and marketplace transactions for player-created content
  • Governance function, allowing players to vote on content and improve its visibility within the ecosystem
• Tradable Platforms: SHRAP can be traded on exchanges including Kucoin, Crypto.com, and Trader Joe, providing liquidity and accessibility

Shrapnel combines AAA-grade game quality with Web3 technology, offering a novel gaming experience where players can actually trade items obtained in-game as NFTs, bridging traditional gaming excellence with blockchain innovation.

Recommended NFT Game ⑧: Star Atlas

Star Atlas is a next-generation MMORPG game featuring cinematic graphics powered by Unreal Engine 5. Players navigate vast outer space, competing with various races and factions while expanding territories in an epic space opera setting.

The game offers diverse game modes including third-person shooting, spaceship combat, and fleet battles. Requiring player cooperation, competition, and strategic thinking, the game has garnered significant attention for its depth and complexity.

Star Atlas leverages NFT technology, enabling players to own and trade digital assets such as spaceships and terrain. These assets are stored as NFTs, granting players complete ownership rights and creating genuine economic value for in-game items.

Game Economy

Star Atlas's token economy comprises two token types:

• ATLAS: The primary in-game currency used for item purchases, ship repairs, fuel refills, staking, and various economic activities
• POLIS: The game's governance token used for DAO voting, proposal rights, and platform governance participation

Star Atlas's game economy is based on the ATLAS governance token. ATLAS serves as the primary currency for transactions and economic activities in Star Atlas's virtual world, used by players to trade digital assets such as spaceships and resources.

Multiple methods exist for earning tokens—players can acquire ATLAS through various activities including space exploration, resource mining, spaceship construction, and trading with other players. The diverse earning opportunities create a vibrant player-driven economy.

Recommended NFT Game ⑨: SYMBIOGENESIS

SYMBIOGENESIS is Square Enix's first NFT game, a new entertainment content format where players enjoy strategic actions and story exploration on a floating continent inhabited by numerous characters (NFT collectible art).

This project integrates 10,000 unique NFT artworks with game functionality, creating a novel entertainment format. Character NFTs are produced for PFP (Profile Picture) use, released and sold sequentially across six chapters.

SYMBIOGENESIS's appeal extends beyond mere gaming, emphasizing player interaction and collaborative story construction. Players can interact with others in-game, cooperate to confront powerful enemies, and solve story mysteries together, creating a shared narrative experience.

Game Economy

As SYMBIOGENESIS is NFT entertainment, no tokens are currently issued. Players unlock the main story and individual character stories while unraveling the world's mysteries through gameplay progression.

Game utility divides into two primary play styles:

1. Progress through main story and missions to clear all six chapters, experiencing the complete narrative arc
2. Complete quests to find items hidden on the floating continent, discovering secrets and collectibles

Players can obtain items by tapping various locations on the floating continent. Finding items completes corresponding quests, providing rewards and story progression.

Items can be obtained through three methods: tapping locations on the map to discover them, searching based on hint information, or purchasing from NFT marketplaces, providing flexibility in gameplay approach.

Recommended NFT Game ⑩: Heroes of Mavia

Heroes of Mavia is a multiplayer game developed by Skrice Studios, built on the Base chain. Players construct cities, train armies, and wage war against neighboring nations while expanding territories and aiming to build the strongest empire. This city-building strategy game presents various challenges as players establish bases, fortify defenses, and strive for victory.

In-game NFTs include land, decorations, statues, skins, weapons, and construction tools among diverse assets. Players build cities and defend against other players' attacks using walls, turrets, and traps strategically. Land contains natural resources including gold, oil, and rubies, which players utilize to develop their cities. An NFT marketplace is planned for in-game implementation, enabling players to trade unique game assets. Heroes of Mavia is available for mobile devices, downloadable from the Apple Store and Google Play Store.

Game Economy

Heroes of Mavia features three tokens: MAVIA token, Ruby, and Sapphire.

• Ruby: Earned through gameplay, used for tournament entry fees and creating and trading legendary items, serving as the primary earning currency
• Sapphire: Purchased with cash, used for special purposes including completing constructions, purchasing additional builders, and activating boosts for accelerated progress
• MAVIA Token: Heroes of Mavia's only tradable token, also functioning as a governance token. MAVIA token holders possess voting rights on game improvement proposals, influencing platform development. This token is tradable on exchanges including Uniswap, Bybit, and Kucoin, providing liquidity and accessibility

Heroes of Mavia distinguishes itself as a blockchain NFT game where players not only build cities and lead armies against other players but also participate in NFT-based asset trading and governance, creating a comprehensive gaming ecosystem.

Future Prospects of NFT Games

The future prospects for NFT games include the following outlooks:

• The NFT gaming market is projected to reach approximately $260 billion (about 34 trillion yen) by 2027, demonstrating explosive growth potential
• NFT games will account for a significant portion of gaming industry revenue, potentially reshaping traditional gaming business models
• NFT games will proliferate as new forms of entertainment and education, expanding beyond pure gaming into practical applications

Moreover, NFT games provide new revenue sources not only for players but also for "game developers and creators." Through NFT sales and trading, developers can earn revenue from in-game item sales and transaction fees, securing sustainable income for continued game development. This creates a mutually beneficial ecosystem for both game players and creators/developers.

NFT games attract attention as a new gaming industry trend. As technology advances, gameplay is expected to become more convenient and accessible. While current regulatory frameworks haven't fully caught up with the technology, the future prospects for NFT games remain bright and promising.

The Future Potential of NFT Gaming Industry

The NFT gaming sector represents one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving segments within the broader blockchain ecosystem. As technology matures and user adoption increases, several key trends are shaping the industry's trajectory:

Market Growth and Economic Impact: Industry analysts project exponential growth in the NFT gaming market, with estimates suggesting the sector could reach valuations exceeding hundreds of billions of dollars within the next few years. This growth is driven by increasing mainstream acceptance of blockchain technology, improved user experiences, and the proven economic models of successful Play-to-Earn games.

Technological Advancement: Next-generation NFT games are leveraging cutting-edge technologies including advanced graphics engines, virtual reality integration, and sophisticated blockchain infrastructure. These improvements are closing the gap between traditional AAA gaming experiences and blockchain-based alternatives, making NFT games increasingly attractive to mainstream gamers.

Regulatory Evolution: As governments and regulatory bodies worldwide develop clearer frameworks for digital assets and blockchain gaming, the industry is expected to benefit from increased legitimacy and reduced uncertainty. This regulatory clarity will likely encourage greater institutional investment and participation from established gaming companies.

Cross-Platform Integration: The future of NFT gaming lies in interoperability—the ability to use assets across multiple games and platforms. This creates persistent value for players' digital investments and establishes truly portable gaming identities and economies.

The convergence of entertainment, technology, and finance in NFT gaming represents a paradigm shift in how we conceptualize digital ownership and value creation in virtual environments.

FAQ

What are Play-to-Earn NFT games? How do they work?

Play-to-earn NFT games let players earn cryptocurrency while gaming. Players gain rewards through staking, earning in-game tokens, and trading NFT items. These blockchain-based games create real economic value from gameplay activity.

What are the most popular P2E NFT games in 2024?

Popular P2E NFT games in 2024 include Axie Infinity, The Sandbox, Sorare, DeFi Kingdoms, Gala Games, Alien Worlds, and Splitterlands. These games enable players to earn cryptocurrency and NFT assets through gameplay and trading activities.

Can you really make money in P2E games? What is the income level for ordinary players?

Yes, players can earn in P2E games, but income varies widely. Skilled players may earn substantial returns, while ordinary players typically generate modest daily earnings of a few dollars to moderate monthly income. Returns depend on gaming skill, time investment, and token value fluctuations.

How much initial investment is needed to play P2E games? What risks should I be aware of?

P2E game entry costs vary widely, from minimal to several hundred dollars depending on the game. Initial investment typically covers in-game NFTs or assets. Market volatility and token price fluctuations are key considerations for players.

What are the differences between popular P2E games like Axie Infinity, Decentraland, and The Sandbox?

Decentraland and The Sandbox focus on virtual real estate and world-building with user-created content. Axie Infinity emphasizes collectible pet battles and gameplay. All three use blockchain technology and NFTs, but differ in core mechanics: Decentraland prioritizes social interaction, The Sandbox emphasizes game creation tools, and Axie Infinity centers on pet-based gaming.

How to choose the right P2E game for yourself? Which game should beginners start with?

Beginners should select games with lower entry barriers and active communities. Start with top-tier P2E games offering simple mechanics, stable token economics, and proven earning potential. Choose based on your playstyle preference and available capital investment.