Play-to-earn (P2E) crypto gaming is taking the world by storm, allowing players to earn real rewards through decentralized blockchain games. With the right gameplay and tokenomics, these games provide new ways to make money while having fun.
However, the emerging P2E industry also comes with risks like pump and dumps, rug pulls and more. As a player, it‘s critical to do your research before investing time or money into any crypto game.
This guide will explore 12 top play-to-earn games across genres, highlight their earning potential, provide tips on evaluating projects, and more so you can make informed decisions. Let‘s dive in!
An Introduction to Play-to-Earn Crypto Gaming
Play-to-earn games have native crypto tokens that support in-game economies. Players can earn tokens through gameplay and interactions, which can then be sold for real-world value via exchanges.
Some popular ways P2E games generate token rewards include:
- Competing in battles/races to earn prizes
- Selling in-game NFT assets to other players
- Staking tokens to earn more over time
- Crafting/farming rare items to sell at a profit
These crypto economies incentivize players to keep contributing value back into the ecosystem. Top players can even generate full-time incomes through skilled P2E gaming.
However, most games are still early in development – don‘t expect AAA graphics and gameplay just yet. The focus right now is on the earning potential more than anything else.
Assessing Play-to-Earn Game Legitimacy
With the P2E space being so new, there are scams and risky projects to watch out for. Here are some ways to gauge legitimacy:
Evaluate the Team
- Who is leading development? Are they real people withcredibility? Anonymous teams are a red flag.
Understand the Tokenomics
- Review the token supply schedule. Unlimited or excessive token releases lower scarcity and value accrual.
- Make sure rewards align with creating real utility and value for the token. Farming schemes without purpose are not sustainable.
Assess Community Strength
- Is there an active community providing feedback and support? Social channels and Discord activity are good metrics.
- A strong community indicates players find long-term value in the game.
Start Small
- Never invest more than you can afford to lose, especially as a beginner.
- Start with free gameplay or minimum investment to test the mechanics.
Use Established Blockchains
- Games on Ethereum, Solana, Polygon etc. are less risky than smaller chains. Centralization on newer chains can allow for admin abuse.
Play and Earn
- Make sure you enjoy the actual game! Sustainable rewards require fun and engaging gameplay loops. Pure profit focus often backfires over time.
12 Top Play-to-Earn Crypto Games for 2023
Here are 12 best play-to-earn crypto games spanning a variety of genres and blockchain platforms.
1. Axie Infinity (Ethereum)
Axie Infinity stands out as the breakout pioneer of crypto gaming. Players battle with cute fantasy creatures called Axies, which are NFTs bred and traded on the Ethereum blockchain. Winning battles earns SLP and AXS tokens, Axie Infinity‘s governance token.
Axies – the core NFT assets – can be bought/sold on the Axie Marketplace or bred by owning 3 Axies. Breeding burns SLP tokens and produces new Axies ready for battle. Top Axies can sell for thousands, providing strong incentives to breed competitive creatures.
The proven tokenomic design has already allowed skilled players to generate decent incomes, especially those in disadvantaged economic regions. Axie has also stated plans to lower the barrier to entry over time for wider accessibility.
As the category leader, Axie Infinity sets the standard for sustainable P2E economics. Its continued growth provides confidence for the whole crypto gaming sector long-term.
Blockchain: Ethereum
Genre: Fantasy battle
Initial Investment: ~$300 for starter Axies
Earning Potential: $5-$20+/day, more for top players
2. The Sandbox (Ethereum)
The Sandbox offers a virtual metaverse world where players can own virtual land NFTs. Landowners can then monetize their parcels in creative ways.
For example. creative players can build games and experiences on their land parcels using the Game Maker tool. Landowners can charge admission fees to these player-created games, allowing creators to monetize their work.
Sandbox also has a native ERC-20 token called SAND that is used for governance, staking and facilitating transactions throughout the metaverse. As activity grows within Sandbox, demand for SAND increases – boosting its value.
There is a lot of creative potential within Sandbox that still remains largely untapped. Those who get involved early can claim prime virtual real estate that may accrues value over time as more players join the world.
Blockchain: Ethereum
Genre: Virtual world
Initial Investment: ~$500 for land parcel
Earning Potential: $10-$30+/day for talented builders
3. Decentraland (Ethereum)
Similar to Sandbox, Decentraland offers a virtual world made up of land parcels as NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. Users can purchase land, build scenes and structures on them, then charge access or sell the developed parcels at a higher price.
Creators can also build games and event spaces on their land to generate revenue. For example, casinos, theme parks, stores, theaters and more can be created to attract visitors, then monetized via fees, merchandise sales, etc.
Decentraland uses the ERC-20 MANA token to facilitate all in-world transactions. With virtual real estate and experiences to offer, Decentraland creates ample income streams for creative entrepreneurs.
Blockchain: Ethereum
Genre: Virtual world
Initial Investment: ~$500+ for land
Earning Potential: $10-$30+/day for talented builders
4. CryptoBlades (Binance Smart Chain)
CryptoBlades takes inspiration from popular web-based RPGs. Players collect token rewards by winning battles using character NFTs with varying statistics and bonuses. Better characters have higher earnings potential when fighting, similar to rare cards in trading card battle games.
Players can further boost their characters by crafting new weapons and earning skill tokens. Crypto assets like characters and weapons can be traded on the marketplace to unlock more earning strategies.
With easy-to-grasp gameplay coupled with steady token rewards, CryptoBlades emerged as an appealing option for RPG fans across multiple skill levels.
Blockchain: Binance Smart Chain
Genre: RPG battle
Initial Investment: ~$20+ for starter character
Earning Potential: $5-$30+/day
5. Pegaxy (Polygon)
Pegaxy brings horse racing into the play-to-earn genre through jockey-less auto-run races.
Players own and breed NFT racehorses called Pegaxy, then enter them into races against other players for prize pools and VIS tokens based on race results. Owners can also rent out their Pega horses to other racers for additional passive income.
Similar to actual thoroughbred bloodlines, certain Pega traits produce higher-quality offspring. Valuable Pegas can be bred and sold just like horse racing stud businesses in real life.
For fans of collectibles and racing games, Pegaxy makes a fun blockchain-based side hustle. The familiar mechanics feel like a horse racing sandbox.
Blockchain: Polygon
Genre: Racing
Initial Investment: ~$500 for usable Pega horse
Earning Potential: $10-$50+/day
6. Plant vs Undead (Binance Smart Chain)
Plant vs. Undead brings tower defense-style battles to the crypto gaming scene through its PvU tokens and NFT plants, zombies and other characters.
By staking PvU and NFTs, players can earn rewards over time passively. Active revenue comes from participating in the game‘s PvP and PvE battle modes where players pit their rosters of plants and undead against others for prizes and glory.
Freemium models make Plant vs. Undead easy to start playing, while paid advantages incentivize token and NFT purchases to boost competitive standings. Look for Plant vs Undead to continue expanding its gameplay and earning elements.
Blockchain: Binance Smart Chain
Genre: Tower defense
Initial Investment: Free + optional purchases
Earning Potential: $3-$20+/day
7. Guild of Guardians (Immutable X)
Still in development, Guild of Guardians aims to bring AAA mobile RPG quality to the crypto gaming scene. Backed by Ubisoft veterans and Immutable X, Guild of Guardians shows tremendous long-term promise.
The game will feature dynamic RPG combat where players collect heroes, weapons and more to defeat enemies. Top assets will be tradeable as NFTs with true ownership, providing monetary incentives alongside fun multiplayer adventuring.
While Guild of Guardians‘ full scope remains under wraps, its pedigree and ambition make it one of the most anticipated upcoming P2E games out there today. 2023 should provide much more clarity.
Blockchain: Immutable X
Genre: RPG
Initial Investment: TBA
Earning Potential: TBA
8. My Neighbor Alice (Ethereum)
My Neighbor Alice enters the crypto gaming scene with a unique life simulation twist focused on casual gameplay. Players purchase virtual island land parcels then go about daily activities like farming, fishing, foraging and more to generate rewards.
Land ownership provides the base for all activity within the islands. Owners can also build and customize homes that will be tradeable NFTs, allowing creative players to design and sell unique real estate.
While much of the core gameplay remains under active development, Alice offers relaxed, community-driven world-building for simulation fans at an early stage. MANA backs the in-game economy.
Blockchain: Ethereum
Genre: Life simulation
Initial Investment: ~$200+ for land
Earning Potential: Growing ecosystem
9. Illuvium (Ethereum)
As a big-budget AAA offering for blockchain gaming, Illuvium promises to push graphics and gameplay to new heights within the crypto space. Players battle mighty fantasy creatures across beautiful landscapes in this open world RPG backed by prestigious VC funds like Andreesen Horowitz.
Illuvium offers two token reward tracks – ILV for governance and staking, and Ember for active battling/hunting. By combining world class visuals with solid tokenomics, Illuvium sets its sights on appealing to hardcore gamers in or out of crypto.
The game remains under development but 2023 should provide more visibility for its scope, artistry and earnings potential. As a leader for triple-A blockchain gaming, Illuvium makes the list.
Blockchain: Ethereum
Genre: Open World RPG
Initial Investment: TBA
Earning Potential: TBA
10. Alien Worlds (Wax)
Alien Worlds brings both NFT and DeFi elements together into its crypto earnings mix. Players battle for Trilium tokens by staking TLM token miners, fighting other players and monsters, and participating in planet governance.
Planet land plots are tradeable NFTs that possess mining power based on scarcity traits. Land owners earn daily TLM token yields based on land class. Rare monster NFTs also provision bonus TLM combat rewards.
With steady mining returns plus battle and adventure proceeds, Alien Worlds creates reliable income compounding for motivated players.
Blockchain: WAX
Genre: Sci-fi strategy
Initial Investment: ~$3 for basic land
Earning Potential: $2-$15+/day
11. Splinterlands (Hive)
As one of the longest-running crypto games to date, Splinterlands has built a thriving player base through its unique battle card gameplay. By collecting cards of monsters/summons with varying power and effects, players construct decks to battle other users or computer enemies. Winning earns Dark Energy Crystals (DEC), Splinterland‘s core currency.
True card ownership via NFTs allows buying, selling and trading of assets on Splinterlands‘ marketplace. Top cards can transact for thousands given scarcity and strength. The value appreciation potential appeals to trading card fans. Booster packs also allow earning new assets through luck as well.
With a proven track record and deep layers of strategy, Splinterlands continues to set itself apart in the crypto gaming arena, especially for CCG fans.
Blockchain: Hive
Genre: Battle Card
Initial Investment: ~$10 for starter deck & tokens
Earning Potential: $5-$30+/day
12. Star Atlas (Solana)
Offering stunning triple-A quality visuals built on Unreal Engine 5, Star Atlas looks to be one of the most graphically advanced crypto games under active development. The futuristic space MMORPG features spaceship/fleet battles alongside metaverse-like elements of crew resource management.
Star Atlas has three distinct token plays – ATLAS as the governance and platform token, POLIS for staking to earn returns, and UC (United Currency) for cosmic resource mining/trading. Multiple earning angles provides diversified incentives and roles for players.
While much of the game‘s scope remains behind the scenes for now, Star Atlas demonstrates tremendous long-term ambition across technology, gameplay depth, and blockchain integration.
Blockchain: Solana
Genre: Sci-fi MMO
Initial Investment: ~$50 for starter ship
Earning Potential: Growing ecosystem
Conclusion
The play-to-earn crypto gaming movement has tremendous momentum heading into 2023 and beyond. Once nascent blockchain integration now drives full gaming economies at scale.
However, do your own research before committing time or money to unproven projects. Focus on established games with sustainable tokenomic designs at first. Legacy titles like Axie Infinity and CryptoBlades make sound places to start your crypto gaming journey.
For fans of digital assets and gaming alike, play to earn mechanics democratize access to new income streams through decentralized participation. As adoption grows, expect innovation in earning models and gameplay variety to accelerate.
Web3 promises to reshape applications across industries, with crypto gaming staking an early claim for the entertainment world. The above games offer glimpses into the future. Now it’s your turn to play, explore and earn!
