
Axie Infinity is a blockchain game centered around NFT creatures known as “Axies”. Players collect, battle, breed, and trade these digital assets in an open marketplace. An NFT (non-fungible token) is a verifiable unique digital item, meaning in-game pets and items truly belong to the player.
Developed by the team at Sky Mavis, Axie Infinity initially launched on the Ethereum blockchain and later integrated its own Ronin network to lower transaction fees. The game ecosystem features battle modes (PvP/PvE), a breeding system, and marketplace trading, with player activity and asset value recorded on-chain to create an open economy.
Axie Infinity operates through a combination of “on-chain assets + gameplay rewards.” On-chain assets refer to your Axies and some items being NFTs, recorded on the blockchain ledger. Gameplay rewards mean you can earn tokens or items by battling or completing tasks.
In battles, players form teams of three Axies, using their attributes and skill cards in turn-based strategy matches. Victories yield in-game rewards that can be used to breed new Axies or traded on the marketplace. Breeding works like a recipe: you spend tokens and materials to produce a new NFT, with rarity and parent traits impacting the outcome.
AXS and SLP are two main tokens within Axie Infinity. AXS is primarily a governance token, similar to shareholder voting rights; holders can participate in proposals and ecosystem decisions, and share in value through specific mechanisms. SLP functions as a utility token, used mainly for breeding, event participation, and some reward distributions.
Think of the relationship as “power and utility”: AXS supports governance and long-term value capture, while SLP powers everyday gameplay and consumption. The official team adjusts issuance and consumption rules across versions, such as reducing SLP output or increasing use cases, to help curb inflation (preventing excessive supply from diluting value).
Getting started involves three steps: setting up your account and wallet, acquiring assets, and engaging with gameplay.
Step 1: Prepare your wallet and account. Download and install the Ronin wallet, securely store your seed phrase (this is your key to asset recovery), then create an account on the official website and link your wallet.
Step 2: Acquire basic assets. Beginners typically need three Axies to enter standard battles. You can buy them on the official marketplace or use trial modes to learn the mechanics first. If you need tokens, purchase AXS or USDT on Gate, then exchange for desired assets. When depositing to your Ronin address, double-check network selection and transaction fees.
Step 3: Start battling and completing quests. Enter battle modes to practice team setups and card combinations; participate in daily missions and seasonal events to accumulate rewards. Further explore breeding and marketplace trading to assess costs and returns.
The key lies in balancing “output, consumption, and value expectation.” Axie Infinity sustains its economy by controlling reward issuance (output), setting up breeding and item consumption (burning), as well as market trading fees and event sinks to manage supply and demand.
For example, if SLP output becomes excessive, prices tend to fall, impacting player motivation. The team adjusts seasonal rewards, quest payouts, and breeding formulas to increase SLP consumption, compressing net supply. AXS is more closely tied to long-term governance and ecosystem incentives, avoiding direct linkage with short-term rewards to reduce gameplay volatility.
Sustainability also relies on intrinsic “entertainment and competition” value. When players participate for fun, social connection, or esports rather than just earning, the economy becomes less dependent on “play-to-earn” dynamics and more like a collectible strategy game.
Axie Infinity’s boom was fueled by strong “play-to-earn” incentives and low-fee network infrastructure. Around 2021, many players and guilds joined as gameplay rewards could be exchanged for real-world value, driving user growth and active trading.
The cooldown resulted from multiple factors: reward inflation and market corrections reduced return expectations; changes in player demographics led to weaker new demand; plus security incidents and macro trends affected overall confidence. In March 2022, Ronin’s cross-chain bridge suffered a hack; afterwards, the team strengthened validators and security protocols while rebuilding the network and ecosystem. These turning points shifted the project from “rapid growth” toward “steady reconstruction.”
Ronin is Axie Infinity’s dedicated blockchain network designed for “low transaction fees and fast confirmation,” optimized for high-frequency gaming interactions. Think of it as a custom-built highway with toll booths for this game, ensuring smooth transactions.
Regarding security, there has been a cross-chain bridge hack in the past (see previous section). Since then, the team has expanded validator numbers, implemented stricter permissions and monitoring, and partnered with security firms for audits. No network can guarantee absolute safety; best practices include diversifying holdings, using hardware wallets or cold backups, and staying informed about official updates.
Participation generally involves token trading, cost management, then entering gameplay. Gate offers spot trading for AXS and SLP; users can deposit USDT or fiat currency, then buy required tokens on the spot market.
After trading on Gate, withdraw tokens to your Ronin wallet address as needed—always confirm network selection, minimum withdrawal amounts, and fees. For fund management, use Gate’s price alerts and conditional orders to time buys/sells efficiently; check if Gate’s Earn or events sections offer compliant AXS-related products before participating after assessing risks and terms.
Risk warning: Token prices are highly volatile; game rules and rewards may change; cross-chain transfers and withdrawals involve operational risks. Only download wallets or access marketplaces via official links to avoid phishing sites or fake support agents.
Axie Infinity is a Web3 game combining NFT ownership, token incentives, and strategic gameplay—its core is “assets owned by players; gameplay drives value.” AXS serves governance functions while SLP supports utility consumption; Ronin provides low-fee high-frequency infrastructure. The onboarding path includes wallet setup, asset acquisition, and battle practice. Sustainable economics depend on dynamic balance between output/consumption plus intrinsic entertainment needs. Before participating, evaluate token volatility, rule changes, and security risks—use trading/risk controls effectively and stay updated on official adjustments or community developments.
You can earn SLP tokens through gameplay in Axie Infinity, which can be exchanged for real profits on exchanges. Earnings depend on your skill level, the quality of your Axies, and market conditions. Initial investment is needed to purchase Axies—start with a low-cost team if possible and pay attention to SLP price fluctuations to avoid extended payback periods.
Starter funds mainly go toward buying three Axies; costs range from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on their level and rarity. New players can choose budget-friendly Axies to get started quickly, upgrading after accumulating SLP. Platforms like Gate make it easy to buy AXS or SLP for asset management.
Axie NFTs are tradable on the official marketplace or platforms like OpenSea; prices are set by market supply/demand. To buy, you’ll need Ethereum or assets on the Ronin network—beginners should purchase ETH or WETH via Gate first before bridging to Ronin for lower fees.
The scholarship system allows players without startup capital to borrow someone else’s Axies for gameplay; earnings are split between player and owner. This is beginner-friendly but requires finding trustworthy sponsors—make sure you understand the sharing ratios and duration before joining to avoid unfavorable terms.
Axie features an adorable pixel-art style with core turn-based strategic battles requiring thoughtful team composition and counter strategies. Unlike traditional mobile games, each Axie is an independent NFT asset—freely tradable for real value—so in-game assets genuinely belong to players. This ownership aspect has fueled its play-to-earn phenomenon.


