Play-to-Earn Gaming: Can You Earn by Playing Crypto Games?
Gaming is one of the biggest markets globally with over 3.32 billion people gaming actively in the world. For billions of people, this has been a model to have fun, relax, and rid themselves of stress. However, with the recent emergence of the Play-To-Earn gaming model, gaming is becoming more than just a source of entertainment—it’s a way to generate income.
Key Takeaways
Learn what P2E gaming is and how it works
- See The Benefits of Play to Earn Gaming
- Learn about the top 5 play-to-earn gaming games or platforms to watch in 2025
What is the Play-to-Earn Model?
As the latest revolution within the gaming space, P2E is redefining how people view gaming. Play to earn is a gaming model in the modern, digital blockchain space, where the players enjoy the fun associated with playing games, while also earning rewards.
P2E gaming first came to light in around 2014, when Counterparty, an NFT trading card game was introduced in the crypto space. However, the popularity of this model came way later in 2017, with the launch of Crypto Kitties. Later, others like Axie Infinity and Sandbox joined the bandwagon.
Typically, these games are free-to-play and involve player-versus-player (PvP) combat. By engaging with the play-to-earn game and succeeding in PvP combat, players will earn in-game items that are NFTs, an amount of crypto tokens, or a share of a prize pool of both NFT and cryptocurrency rewards.
In P2E gaming, the gameplay itself embeds opportunities for participants to generate wealth. Among the various options include:
- Winning battles
- Completing quests
- Collecting in-game collectibles
- Attending events
- Creating content
- PvP matches
How Does the Play-to-Earn Gaming Work?
The functionality of the Play to earn model involves a combination of various technologies including blockchain, and smart contracts. In fact, blockchain technology is the heart of the P2E model.
In traditional gaming, gamers do not fully own their in-game assets. On the contrary, in blockchain-based P2E gaming, gamers have true ownership of in-game assets and, hence can trade, hold, and even sell.
The self-executing codes, known popularly as smart contracts also play a huge role in the functioning of P2E gaming networks. Smart contracts enable a highly transparent distribution of rewards, merged with secure transactions. When someone completes a task, a smart contract is triggered to deposit tokens directly into a player’s wallet.
The merger of blockchain and smart contract technologies enables P2E games to function effectively, giving a proper gaming experience. Depending on the game, players earn NFTs, cryptocurrencies, tokens, and other valuable in-game assets while playing.
Finally, A blend of blockchain and smart contracts enables interoperability in gaming. Here, players can list items, characters, or tokens on global marketplaces, converting their achievements into real-world value.
P2E Games Features
- True ownership of your digital assets— The assets a player acquires are truly owned by them. Be it a unique NFT avatar, a rare sword, or even other items, blockchain is their home, and control is fully with players.
- Transparency and Security– With blockchain technology, players enjoy transparency like never seen before. This transparency is accompanied by tamper proofs, meaning players will not suddenly lose assets.
- Community-Driven Economies— P2E games often empower their players to participate in game governance. With DAOs at its heart, players can vote on game updates, tokenomics, or new features, fostering a collaborative ecosystem.
- Opportunities for Creators— Both developers and players benefit. Developers earn through token sales, while players monetize their time and skills. Some games also enable players to create and sell in-game content, adding a new layer of creativity and earning potential.
Benefits of Play-to-Earn Games
P2E gaming offers more than just entertainment. It brings a world of benefits encouraging economic empowerment and inclusivity to all players in the globe.
Among the popular perks associated with P2E gaming actually include:
Empowerment Through Ownership
In traditional gaming, players spend hours without gaining any financial returns. However, in the P2E blockchain gaming mechanism, players have the ability to own assets hoarding real world value. This helps blur the lines between leisure and work.
Accessibility for Developing Economies
In regions where traditional job opportunities are lacking, P2E comes as the ultimate replacement. Imagine thousands, perhaps millions of players earning income, sometimes even exceeding the local wages through simple gameplay.
Axie Infinity, despite being at the center of massive controversy recently, was in its early days seen as a viable job for many Filipinos.
New Economic Opportunities
Another advantage arising from P2E gaming is the diversity of income-earning opportunities. You don’t just earn from simple gaming. You earn from trading NFTs and cryptos, creating content, and even influencing. All these opportunities arise from simple P2E gaming.
Democratization of Gaming
Now, the power dynamics of gaming are shifting. Players have the capability of gaining financial benefits just like publishers do in traditional systems. This in essence ensures that every stakeholder within the gaming ecosystem can contribute and reap rewards from the game.
Top 5 P2E Gaming Networks
Axie Infinity: The Ultimate Play-to-Earn Crypto Game
One of the top P2E gaming networks in the crypto ecosystem is Axie Infinity, a platform born by Sky Mavis in 2018. The popularity of this gaming network surged exponentially between 2021 and 2022 as people began trying its Pokémon-style gaming system.
Axie Infinity’s gameplay involves collecting, breeding and battling Axies, which come as Ethereum-based NFTs. To play the Axie Infinity game, you need a compatible crypto wallet and Axies which you can buy in the marketplace.
In this game, players engage in battles, quests, and adventures, converting their successes into tokens. Players also breed Axies to create unique creatures, and then sell them in the thriving marketplaces.
The rewards come in 2 primary tokens:
- Smooth Love Potion (SLP): Earned through battles and quests; used for breeding Axies.
- Axie Infinity Shards (AXS): A governance token with a limited supply of 270 million. Players earn AXS through gameplay or staking.
Gods Unchained
Offering a blend of the competitive depth of traditional trading card games with the benefits of blockchain, Gods Unchained is the second gaming network in our list. A product of James and Robbie Furgeson, Gods Unchained was launched in 2018 within the Ethereum blockchain network.
It is a tactical card game where players collect, trade, and sell cards as NFTs. It functions in a similar style to traditional card games, where players build customized decks and try to beat their opponents. Players choose a “GOD” to lead their 30-card deck. The players then earn rewards when they win matches, unlock card packs, and participate in tournaments and events.
Native in the Gods Unchained network is the token GODS which helps in governance, purchases, and even trading.
Forest Knight: Strategic Turn-Based RPG
Forest Knight is a tactical RPG combining strategic gaming, with the strengths of blockchain tech. This game is set in the magical world called Eragoth.
The gameplay involves players building teams of heroes to fight enemies in PvE and PvP modes. NFTs and $KNIGHT Tokens play a critical part in Forest Knights play-to-earn model. After winning battles, completing missions, and progressing, you earn the KNIGHT tokens which you can use to trade NFTs, unlock features, and upgrade your heroes.
Within the game there is an inbuilt staking mechanism allowing players to earn interest on their KNIGHT holdings. This in turn bolsters the earnings.
Ember Sword: A Player-Owned MMORPG
A Sandbox MMORPG set in the world called Thanabus, Ember Sword is another battle-focused P2E game. In this game, players explore, build, and battle in a unique environment where every small action impacts the game universe. Developed by Bright Star Studios, Ember Sword expects to continue development in 2025, with releases planned for Windows and Mac devices.
The earning mechanics involve acquiring, trading, and selling in-game assets including plots of lands, or even cosmetics. Players who own land can generate revenue, and be part of a decentralized ecosystem.
Galaxy Fight Club
Finally, Galaxy Fight Club. This is a P2E game merging NFT ownership with intense, real-time player-versus-player (PvP) battles. Here, players use NFTs to engage in battles and earn rewards in $GCOIN, Ethereum (ETH), and valuable NFTs.
$GCOIN plays the role of an in-game currency for Galaxy Fight Club, helping in tasks like opening loot boxes, forging weapons, and training fighters. For additional rewards, Players can participate in weekly tournaments.
Its gameplay includes fast-paced 3v3 deathmatches where strategy and skill determine victory. Key fragments and loot boxes enhance the gameplay by rewarding players with tradable NFTs.
Conclusion
Our guide has had a keen focus on the world of P2E gaming, highlighting some of the most popular gaming platforms to watch in 2025. P2E gaming has historically been a viable employment opportunity, in some regions even helping individuals generate income exceeding the average wages.
Counterparty and CryptoKitties are the true pioneers of this model. Yet, the likes of Axie Infinity, Gods Unchained, Forest Knight, Galaxy Fight Club and Ember Sword are reshaping the space.
We are still early in 2025. More projects could arise, with even higher potential than the ones mentioned above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most profitable play-to-earn?
The most profitable play-to-earn game depends on market trends and player skills. Games like Axie Infinity, Decentraland, and Gods Unchained have been known to generate significant earnings for players. However, profits can vary based on time investment and in-game strategies.
What is the meaning of play-to-earn?
Play-to-earn refers to games where players can earn rewards, such as cryptocurrency or NFTs, through gameplay. These rewards often hold real-world value and can be traded, sold, or used within the game’s ecosystem.
How does P2E work?
P2E games reward players for completing tasks, participating in battles, or trading in-game assets. The earned rewards, often tokens or NFTs, can be exchanged for real money or other cryptocurrencies, creating an income stream for players.
Can you make money with play-to-earn?
Yes, players can earn real money through cryptocurrency or NFT rewards, depending on the game.
Are play-to-earn games legit?
Yes, many are legit, but research the game and developers to avoid scams.