The gaming world is witnessing the explosion of the Play-To-Earn NFT games model, where players not only immerse themselves in virtual worlds but can also earn valuable digital assets. This trend combining entertainment and finance is strongly attracting the community.
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What are Play-To-Earn NFT games?
Before diving into the specific list, let’s understand this concept better. Play-To-Earn (P2E) is a business model within the gaming industry, especially for games built on blockchain technology. In Play-To-Earn NFT games, players can earn rewards with real-world value through gameplay. These rewards are often cryptocurrency or in-game items in the form of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens).
NFTs are unique digital assets that represent ownership of virtual items such as characters, land, equipment, artwork, and more. Players can trade, buy, and sell these NFTs on specialized marketplaces, thereby generating income. The Play-To-Earn NFT games model grants true ownership to players, turning the time and effort they invest in the game into tangible economic value.
The top 6 Play-To-Earn NFT games
Here is a list of P2E NFT titles currently drawing significant attention from both the gaming community and investors:
Axie Infinity
It’s impossible to discuss Play-To-Earn NFT games without mentioning Axie Infinity. Often described as “Pokemon on the blockchain,” Axie Infinity allows players to collect, breed, battle, and trade cute virtual creatures called Axies (which are NFTs).
How to earn: Players earn Smooth Love Potion (SLP) tokens by completing daily quests and winning Player vs Player (PvP) battles. SLP can be sold on exchanges. Additionally, players can breed new Axies and sell them on the Marketplace. The governance token, AXS, is another valuable asset players can earn through high-ranking gameplay or staking.
Highlights: Deep tactical gameplay, a massive community, and a strongly developed economic ecosystem.
The Sandbox
The Sandbox is a decentralized virtual world (metaverse) where players can create, own, and monetize their virtual experiences and assets. The game is built using Voxel graphics (similar to Minecraft).
How to earn: Players can purchase and own LAND (virtual land as NFTs), then build structures, games, or experiences on it and charge others access fees. They can also create ASSETs (items, characters as NFTs) using the VoxEdit tool and sell them on the Marketplace. The main token is SAND, used for transactions, governance, and staking. The Sandbox is a prime example of creative Play-To-Earn NFT games.
Highlights: Empowers maximum user creativity, significant metaverse development potential, collaborations with numerous famous brands.
Illuvium
Illuvium is an open-world RPG (Role-Playing Game) boasting impressive AAA graphics, built on the Ethereum blockchain (using the layer 2 solution Immutable X to reduce gas fees). Players explore a vast alien world, hunting powerful creatures called Illuvials (NFTs).
How to earn: Collect and battle using Illuvials. Strong and rare Illuvials hold high value in the market. Players can also participate in tournaments and complete quests to earn the ILV token. ILV is used for governance and receiving revenue shares from the game.
Highlights: High-quality graphics, engaging auto-battler combat, a vast open world to explore. Illuvium promises to be a blockbuster Play-To-Earn NFT games title.
Alien Worlds
Alien Worlds is a decentralized NFT metaverse where players compete to mine the scarce resource Trilium (TLM). The game features a science fiction setting across multiple planets.
How to earn: Players use Tools (NFTs) to mine TLM on LAND (NFTs). TLM can be used to upgrade tools, participate in the governance of Planet DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), or be sold on exchanges. Players can also earn NFTs through mining activities.
Highlights: Relatively simple and accessible gameplay, integration of DeFi and DAO elements, runs on multiple blockchains (WAX, BSC, Ethereum).
Decentraland
Similar to The Sandbox, Decentraland is one of the pioneering decentralized metaverses, allowing users to create, experience, and monetize content and applications. Users interact within a 3D virtual world.
How to earn: Own LAND (NFTs) and develop them into user attractions (virtual shops, museums, casinos, etc.). Create and sell wearable items (Wearables – NFTs) for avatars. The main token is MANA, used for purchasing LAND, items, and participating in governance voting. Decentraland serves as both a social space and a potential Play-To-Earn NFT games platform.
Highlights: One of the oldest and most developed metaverses, a dynamic creative community, strong focus on social experiences.
My Neighbor Alice
If you enjoy relaxing farming and building games like Animal Crossing, My Neighbor Alice is an interesting Play-To-Earn NFT games choice. The game allows players to buy virtual plots of land (NFTs), build, collect items, and meet neighbors.
How to Earn: Own and customize plots of land. Craft, collect, and trade in-game item NFTs. Complete quests to receive rewards. The main token is ALICE, used for transactions, staking, and governance.
Highlights: Cute graphics, relaxing gameplay suitable for a wide range of players, strong emphasis on community and building elements.
Potential and challenges of Play-To-Earn NFT games
The Play-To-Earn NFT games model offers compelling earning opportunities for gamers, fostering new in-game economies built on player activity. Crucially, it grants players true digital asset ownership, empowering them within these virtual spaces like never before.
However, this emerging market carries inherent risks, primarily the significant price volatility of cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Players must acquire relevant knowledge and carefully consider their investment of both time and money, assessing potential returns against these market fluctuations.
Play-To-Earn NFT games are reshaping how we view video games, turning them into platforms for both entertainment and economic value creation. The six games highlighted above represent just a fraction of the constantly evolving P2E ecosystem. For updates and deeper analysis on promising NFT game projects, be sure to follow Best Trading Bot!