Top 23 Play-to-Earn Games: Projects for Earning Real Money

You don’t have to commute to an office to earn money. Today, there are many alternative ways to generate income. One of the most compelling options is play-to-earn games, which let you monetize your leisure time.

Play-to-Earn Games: Top 23 Picks

If you’re looking to earn through gameplay, here’s a curated list of leading GameFi projects. Each game features unique earning mechanics and varying entry requirements.

Hamster Kombat

Hamster Kombat is an engaging clicker game on Telegram where users earn in-game coins by tapping the hamster image. You can use these coins to purchase upgrades that boost your earnings and unlock new opportunities for progression.

The game has attracted 250 million players, making it a contender for the Guinness World Record for fastest growth. This remarkable success demonstrates the strong appeal of simple yet rewarding earning mechanics.

The developers delivered on their promise, launching an airdrop of HMSTR in-game tokens. While activity slowed after the initial surge, the game continues to attract attention as the team remains committed to platform expansion and introducing new features.

OKX Racer

OKX Racer, according to its creators, offers an exciting adventure in predicting Bitcoin price movements. Players guess whether the coin’s price will rise or fall in the near term.

Accurate predictions earn points and build streaks for bonus multipliers. Special boosts amplify the effect of correct guesses. The platform also rewards users for inviting new players and completing special challenges.

To start earning, activate the platform’s bot and place your first bet. Recently, the game rolled out its v2 update, featuring weekly leaderboards and USDT prizes, which have significantly increased player motivation.

The Whale App Bot

Whale is a new Telegram app from Wirex, allowing users to earn rewards for participating in various in-app activities. The core concept transforms user attention into a valuable resource rewarded with bonuses.

You can earn WXW tokens by inviting friends, joining educational events, completing tasks, and interacting with the app. Accumulated coins unlock exclusive airdrops and higher game levels with increased rewards, driving regular engagement.

Whale is integrated with Wirex’s infrastructure, letting users spend earned crypto at more than 80 million merchants worldwide. WXW tokens can be spent directly using the service’s card. The app aims to provide a fair and engaging platform where user attention is converted into real money, bridging digital and physical economies.

Blum

Blum Crypto Bot is a dynamic Telegram game created by former senior executives of a major international crypto exchange. In this tapper, users earn crypto by farming BP coins, joining drop games, and completing various tasks.

Earning BP is simple: tap the app button several times a day to collect your coins. You can also join a fun drop game, adding randomness and excitement to the earning process.

The game features a referral program, allowing users to earn by inviting others. For each friend and their activity, the system credits bonus coins. Completing tasks such as surveys or promoting the platform on social media earns additional BP coins.

The team has announced plans to list the $BLUM token in the first quarter of this year, with the exact distribution date to be announced later.

Zavod

ZAVOD is a clicker game integrated into the MDAO Telegram wallet. Users earn ZP tokens by completing virtual work tasks. Players can upgrade their virtual factories to boost productivity and earnings.

You can collect ZP and reinvest them to level up, unlocking new features and improving your game position. The higher your factory’s level, the more tokens it generates per unit time, encouraging long-term play.

To start playing, submit an application to MDAO. Once approved, you’ll access virtual factories and start earning coins immediately.

The game includes social features: join or create unions to receive bonuses and compete. By inviting friends, you earn 20% of each new member’s earnings, making the referral program highly attractive.

City Holder

City Holder is an innovative Build-to-Earn game where players construct and manage their own cities, compete with others, and earn CITY tokens.

You decide which buildings to construct and upgrade to attract more residents. Each building has unique attributes that affect city growth. Competing raises your ranking and league standing, earning extra CITY tokens for achievements.

Even amid crises and disasters in the game world, City Holder lets you create and manage your own safe haven for steady income. Developers plan for CITY tokens to be tradeable on major crypto exchanges, ensuring liquidity.

Splinterlands

Splinterlands is a blockchain card game on Hive, where players battle monsters for rewards. Users can participate in quests, tournaments, and ranked matches. Recently, the game has seen 36,000–38,000 daily active players and over 55 million monthly battles.

The game offers a full Russian translation and comprehensive training resources for newcomers, streamlining the learning curve.

Cards are the main source of income—they can be traded for crypto on various platforms. In-game, cards enhance character abilities, which is crucial for winning battles.

Splinterlands supports both mobile and desktop play for flexibility. Game cards are traded on NFT platforms. In addition to trading profits, players can compete in ranked seasons or daily tournaments for cash prizes.

Fun fact: Splinterlands was previously known as Steem Monsters before rebranding to strengthen its market position.

Chainmonsters

Chainmonsters is a cross-platform online RPG where players catch digital monsters, battle others, and trade assets. Integrated with the Flow blockchain, it ensures secure, transparent transactions. Launched in Early Access on Steam, Chainmonsters has drawn a broad audience.

You can earn by selling collectible items as NFTs. Each monster and item is unique, creating value for collectors and active players.

Gods Unchained

Gods Unchained is a play-to-earn game with no upfront investment required. Players build card decks, each card as an NFT. These can be sold on the project’s marketplace for real money.

The platform uses the GODS native token for transactions and rewards. Its global popularity shows users can overcome language barriers when it comes to earning real money without investment.

Developers recently migrated to Immutable zkEVM and launched the second Battle Pass, expanding earning potential and adding new content.

Coin Hunt World

Coin Hunt World is the crypto version of Pokémon Go. Instead of catching Pokémon, users hunt for crypto and NFTs in the real world. After a rebrand, it’s promoted as Cubieverse.

Coins and tokens found in Coin Hunt World can be traded on exchanges. The project enables users to sell earned crypto and NFTs, turning game assets into real money.

Coin Hunt World is popular for mobile gamers seeking earnings. Available only as a mobile app, it’s ideal for earning anytime, anywhere.

The Sandbox

The Sandbox is a 3D metaverse where users create games and digital assets using free tools. Described as a decentralized Minecraft, the project boasts about 5.7 million accounts and over 1,000 user-generated worlds.

Users monetize virtual goods and sell them for SAND tokens on the platform marketplace, forming a full digital economy where creativity and entrepreneurship directly affect income.

The Sandbox is among the most popular metaverses in the crypto space, judging by user mentions and activity.

DeFi Degen Land

DeFi Degen Land is an online metaverse combining gaming and token earning with NFT interaction. The project blends decentralized finance and gaming mechanics.

It supports blockchains from major trading platforms: Binance Smart Chain and Crypto.org. Upon entering, users choose a blockchain, offering flexibility and convenience.

Crypto Royale

Crypto Royale is a play-to-earn game with no upfront investment. Players compete for cryptocurrency—a perfect fit for fans of space themes and fast-paced gameplay.

Powered by the Harmony blockchain, it offers fast transactions and low fees. Winners earn native ROY tokens, exchangeable for other cryptocurrencies. Despite the English interface, intuitive gameplay makes it accessible for earning without investment.

Worldwide Webb

Worldwide Webb is a metaverse with multiplayer games. Using NFT tools, players can create everything from virtual pets to digital land and quests.

Players earn by selling created digital items and by playing built-in games. The team plans to expand tools for earning in the future.

Nine Chronicles

Nine Chronicles is an RPG where players mine the native NCG coin. Regularly upgrading your character boosts your resilience against other players.

The crypto earned in-game can be exchanged for other coins or fiat. Recently, the team shifted the network to Proof-of-Stake and launched World 9. Upcoming plans include a Guild Wars upgrade to add new cooperative features.

Black Eye Galaxy

Black Eye Galaxy is an NFT game supporting Ethereum and a major trading network. Players explore space with digital ships and NFTs.

On virtual planets, players mine resources and build new civilizations, experiencing life as rulers of cosmic empires.

The game enables earning by selling artifacts. Players sell resources mined on digital planets via the in-game marketplace.

BYG is the project’s native token, required for all operations in the Black Eye Galaxy metaverse—including purchasing ships, upgrades, and other assets.

Space Misfits

Space Misfits is a multiplayer online game on the Enjin blockchain, set in a 3D space environment.

Similar to Black Eye Galaxy, Space Misfits also lets players explore space and discover digital resources for sale.

The game uses two cryptocurrencies: SMCW for governance and BITS for in-game purchases, dividing governance and economy functions.

The platform is still in active development. These play-to-earn games are ideal for fans of sci-fi and space.

Note: The SMCW token has liquidity challenges, so consider this before joining the project.

Space Cartels Hacking

Space Cartels Hacking is designed to train logical thinking, inspired by the classic puzzle “Mastermind.” Unlike the original, this mobile game offers both an intriguing story and quality graphics.

Players aim to hack the global banking system by cracking hundreds of encrypted codes, achieved by solving thousands of puzzles of varying difficulty.

The game lets you earn real money by competing in intellectual duels, where logic and quick thinking are your chief weapons. Available on Android.

MOOW

MOOW claims to combine art, crypto, sports, and gaming in one project. Key features include:

The MOOW team created an NFT collection, each token representing an original digital artwork.

To earn in MOOW, you have to move—physical activity is monetized through a unique rewards system, offering tokens and other valuable prizes.

MOOW also features in-app games and other activities for extra bonuses.

The project’s native TAC token was listed on a major exchange several years ago, providing liquidity.

The team is now promoting Sleep-to-Earn mode, enabling users to earn even while sleeping by tracking sleep quality.

MOOW plans to add more earning opportunities to attract additional users.

Veggies Farm

Veggies Farm is a digital farm you build on your phone. Players “plant” and harvest valuable virtual assets, mine gold, and collect artifacts. Later, digital “farm produce,” represented as NFTs, can be sold or traded on marketplaces.

You can also earn by winning battles—build armies to fight rivals and defend your land.

Players earn MATIC tokens from Polygon in this mobile game. For extra rewards, developers recommend daily farm visits and consistent activity.

XANA

XANA is a gaming metaverse featuring the NFT card game NFTDuel, a strategy game where players build card combos and digital collections to win tactical battles.

The stronger your deck, the better your chances of victory. Daily rewards and seasonal prizes are available for top performers on the leaderboard.

Upland

Upland is a metaverse simulating the real world. Players build empires, launch businesses, hunt for treasures, and play games, monetizing their activity in multiple ways.

Each object in Upland is a digital token, sellable for real money on the marketplace. The more active and successful your strategy, the more valuable assets you can earn—and the higher your income.

Upland is a mobile play-to-earn game with no upfront investment. Developers regularly launch seasonal events, including challenges, contests, and special activities to keep users engaged.

Illuvium

Illuvium is a sci-fi adventure game focused on space exploration and creatures called Illuvials. Public Open Beta is now available for Windows and macOS, with staking launched via Illuvidex.

There are many ways to earn in Illuvium—collect Illuvials, gather resources, or participate in battles. Digital assets can be sold on the marketplace for real money.

While Illuvium has its own ILV token, developers enable earnings in Ethereum, ensuring high liquidity.

Illuvium is a mobile play-to-earn game for real money, standing out for its quality graphics and storyline, rivaling many high-budget competitors.

Play-to-Earn Games: How They Work

This market segment is called GameFi, from “game” and “finance.” The field of earning real money through games is also known as play-to-earn.

Earning mechanics vary by project concept and goals. Most play-to-earn games let players earn cryptocurrency or NFTs, which can be exchanged for fiat or other digital assets on specialized platforms.

Play-to-earn games surged in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many lost income sources during lockdown. GameFi projects helped people find new ways to earn. For example, in the Philippines, people used their free time to earn in Axie Infinity—a play-to-earn game so popular that local authorities imposed taxes on its players.

Notably, play-to-earn games became a major income source for residents of developing countries. Experts attribute this to low average wages, making gaming more profitable than traditional fixed-salary jobs.

How Much Can You Earn With Games?

Your earnings from play-to-earn games depend on your initial investment, time commitment, and skills. Unfortunately, there’s no official public data. To estimate actual income, forum posts were analyzed, focusing on Axie Infinity.

On Reddit, users report earning $7–$13 per day with regular activity. Some claim $2,000 per month, though this requires significant time. The average Axie Infinity income is about $450 per month, based on Reddit data.

To get started, forum users say you’ll need several hundred dollars up front—about $600 is typical for purchasing characters and assets. You can start with less, but experienced players note that cheaper characters are less effective. Skimping at the start can result in losses and lost investments.

In the first month, players need to recoup their investment. On average, you reach net profit after about 1.5 months of active play.

Important: Play-to-earn project income varies widely. Before choosing a game, review player feedback on forums and social media. This will help you gauge the required investment and actual payback time.

Conclusion

There’s a wide selection of play-to-earn games with no or minimal investment required. Modern projects let you enjoy gaming while earning real income.

The success of play-to-earn projects is evident—many have made GameFi their primary source of income, especially in developing countries where traditional jobs don’t always guarantee a decent living.

Play-to-earn games without upfront investment offer a great way to earn extra money online with minimal effort. With the right strategy and project choice, you can turn your hobby into a stable income stream.

FAQ

What are play-to-earn games and how do they work?

Play-to-earn games allow players to earn real money by completing tasks and in-game activities. Points earned are converted into cryptocurrency or fiat. These platforms use blockchain for transparent, secure transactions and reliable withdrawals.

Are play-to-earn games safe and what risks should you consider?

These games carry risks of fraud and hidden fees. Real earnings are typically low, withdrawals may be slow, and terms often include restrictions. Exercise caution and research reviews before participating.

What’s the average income from these projects? How can you maximize your profits quickly?

The average annual income is around $100,000. To boost profits, improve project marketing, increase sales, and attract more active players to the ecosystem.

What requirements must be met to withdraw real money? How does the withdrawal process work?

Identity and bank account verification are required. Link your bank account and confirm the details. The process takes 1–3 business days. Withdrawals are made via microloans or direct transfers, depending on the platform.

How do these games differ from traditional games? Why do they generate income?

GameFi uses a “Play to Earn” model instead of the traditional “Pay to Play.” Players earn cryptocurrency and NFTs through gameplay. Asset value rises as ecosystem demand grows, enabling monetization of gaming experience and real earnings.

How can you spot fake play-to-earn games and distinguish them from legitimate projects?

Check official sources and the project’s community. Avoid advance payments or withdrawal fees. Legitimate projects have transparent features, verified developers, and a real track record. Avoid unrealistic promises of high returns with no conditions.

Is an initial deposit required for withdrawals? Are there hidden fees?

Yes, a deposit is usually required to activate withdrawals. Legitimate platforms disclose all fees upfront. Avoid projects with unclear or hidden charges.