Gaming has become one of the largest industries in the economy, with millions of people entering the gaming space every year due to rapid improvements in technology and the creation of high-quality content. A new form of gaming has emerged that has the potential to attract even more users by offering something the traditional gaming industry couldn't: a chance to earn while having fun.
The rapid development of games based on blockchain technology and the Play-to-Earn (P2E) model has led to a proliferation of new projects in the crypto market. While all blockchain games share standard features such as rewards and ownership of in-game assets, there are some differences regarding specific game requirements.
The P2E feature represents a significant shift in how game studios treat players. Before the advent of P2E, players had only the opportunity to pay-to-play. The traditional pay-to-play gaming model requires players to purchase the game to start playing and purchase in-game items for a better gaming experience. However, with the rise of P2E, the power is being shifted back to the hands of the gamers.
As blockchain technology evolves and more high-quality P2E games are developed, the gaming industry is poised for more significant growth and innovation. Players can now earn rewards for their time and effort in-game, creating a more equitable and engaging gaming experience. The future of gaming looks brighter than ever, with the potential to revolutionize how we think about entertainment and income generation.
How to Choose a Play-to-Earn (P2E) Game
When selecting a P2E game, most players first consider the gameplay, the project's credibility, overall presentation, and attention to detail. If you want to enter the blockchain gaming world, it's recommended to:
Read the game's white paper and developer profiles
Examine the in-game economy and community management
Research the payment structure, as it can vary widely between games
Players new to P2E games may feel confused about which games to try first. Most stick to established and popular blockchain games with a functioning in-game economy and community management. These games offer a risk-free way to get familiar with P2E gaming.
Are P2E games free?
Many Play-to-Earn (P2E) games have their in-game economies and token economies. Players earn tokens by completing tasks and engaging in player-versus-player (PvP) battles. These tokens can be used to make in-game purchases, unlock capabilities, or even earn extra cash by selling them on crypto exchanges or trading with NFTs on NFT marketplaces. NFT marketplaces allow the trading of characters, skins, weapons, and other in-game items.
However, most P2E games are not entirely free. Some require initial payments to start playing, typically through purchasing in-game currency or items. These games often use cryptocurrency as the primary payment form, and players must purchase or exchange cryptocurrency to play. Additionally, some games require buying NFTs to participate, such as Axie Infinity, which requires buying three Axies to start. The high demand for the game has driven up the price of Axies, making it a significant initial investment for many players.
To address this issue, Axie Infinity introduced a scholarship program, where they lend players three Axies in exchange for 50 percent of their in-game earnings. However, this program is not easily accessible due to the need for significant trust between parties. Other blockchain games may offer free gameplay with the option to purchase additional in-game assets or cryptocurrency to enhance the experience. These purchases usually use cryptocurrency, but some games offer traditional payment methods. In summary, while some P2E games are free, the best features or assets may be locked behind a paywall or require significant time and effort to access.
Free Play-to-Earn Crypto Games
In blockchain gaming, play-to-earn (P2E) has gained significant traction. However, the initial cost of entry can be a barrier for many new players looking to explore this exciting space. Fortunately, several free-to-play P2E games allow you to dive into crypto gaming without any upfront investments or purchases.
1. Gods Unchained
Gods Unchained is a trading card game that has gained significant popularity as one of the most popular free-to-play blockchain games. As a new player, you will be given a set of 140 cards to start your journey in the game. These cards are a welcome gift and do not sit on the blockchain, meaning they cannot be sold. You can use this starter deck to compete against other players with equivalent rankings in player-versus-player matches to earn Flux, the in-game currency.
Once you have earned Flux, you can forge two replica trading cards and mint them on the Ethereum blockchain, making them non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that you can trade. The minting process may seem complicated at first, especially if you are new to the world of NFTs. If you are unsure what minting means, we suggest reading our article "Making Your NFTs" to understand the process better.
Gods Unchained's free-to-play model and the ability to own in-game assets as NFTs make it a unique and compelling blockchain-based trading card game. The concept of actual ownership over digital assets was impossible in the traditional gaming industry. As the crypto gaming industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see more innovative and engaging free-to-play options like Gods Unchained emerge, allowing players to explore the world of blockchain gaming without any financial barriers.
2. Coin Hunt World
Coin Hunt World is a free-to-play, play-to-earn mobile geo-location game that allows players to explore the natural world and earn cryptocurrency. The game is currently available on Android and in beta on iOS.
The gameplay involves traversing real-world areas to gather blue keys, which are then used to open blue vaults. The player is prompted with a trivia question and four answer choices when a vault is opened. If the player answers correctly within the given time limit, they are rewarded with a prize box.
The prize boxes can contain Bitcoin, Ethereum, or in-game items such as Cubies and resources. The rewards are based on the rarity of the vault, with different colors representing different levels of rarity.
Coin Hunt World has over ten thousand trivia questions and answers divided into categories like art, food and drink, geography, and sports. Players can also submit their trivia questions to be included in the game.
The game is currently available in the US and Canada, with plans to expand to other regions. UK players are expected to be able to withdraw their earnings via gift cards by Q2 2023 also to allow crypto withdrawals.
3. Blockair
In the dynamic world of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, BlockAir emerges as a pioneering force, seamlessly blending GameFi and SocialFi to create a revolutionary gaming experience. This Fly-to-Earn GameFi project on the Polygon blockchain offers a unique combination of interactive gameplay, financial incentives, and community engagement.
BlockAir is a play-to-earn game that merges the exciting gaming elements with the lucrative opportunities of decentralized finance (DeFi). Players can earn rewards, interact with a vibrant community, and invest in valuable non-fungible tokens (NFTs) within a dynamic and immersive virtual environment.
4. Splinterlands
Splinterlands is a free-to-play blockchain-based trading card game that allows players to collect, battle, and earn rewards. It is similar to Gods Unchained in that players with comparable rankings are paired up for matches, using their collected cards to compete against each other.
The key difference between Splinterlands and Gods Unchained is that Splinterlands is built on the Hive blockchain, while Gods Unchained uses the Ethereum blockchain. In Splinterlands, players can buy, collect, and trade cards called Splinters, which they use to build decks and battle opponents. The winner of each match earns more cards, which can then be traded on the game's NFT marketplace.
New players are given a set of cards to start their collection. Players can earn additional cards and unlock more powerful ones by winning matches and completing daily quests. Players can also obtain cards through airdrops and purchase card packs from the in-game shop.
Splinterlands has been around since 2018 and has undergone significant updates and expansions to become a leading blockchain trading card game. The game combines the collectability and resale value of physical card games with the convenience and speed of a digital game.
5. Sandbox
The Sandbox is a unique blockchain-based metaverse allowing players to create, own, and monetize virtual experiences. Built on the Ethereum blockchain, The Sandbox offers an immersive gaming environment where players can make 3D games and applications using the platform's native token, SAND.
One of the key features that sets The Sandbox apart from other free-to-play games is its Game Maker tool. This user-friendly system enables players without coding experience to create their 3D games within the metaverse. The Sandbox also offers multiple ways for players to earn, including roles as artists, game makers, and landowners.
Players can create and monetize their virtual assets using the platform's VoxEdit tool, which allows for the creation of unique voxel models. These assets can then be traded on The Sandbox's NFT marketplace, allowing creators to earn from their creations.
The Sandbox has attracted partnerships with major brands, such as Paris Hilton, Gordon Ramsay, and Snoop Dogg, who have created branded experiences within the metaverse. These partnerships showcase The Sandbox's potential to offer its players diverse content and experiences.
The Sandbox is a pioneering blockchain-based metaverse that empowers players to create, own, and monetize their virtual worlds and games. Its unique features, such as the Game Maker tool and NFT marketplace, set it apart from traditional free-to-play games and offer a glimpse into the future of user-generated content in the metaverse.
6. Guild of Guardians
Guild of Guardians is a new fantasy game on the Ethereum blockchain that is currently being developed. It is a cooperative, dungeon crawler game focusing on group play rather than PvP battles. Players gather in teams to enter dungeons, fight monsters, and collect rewards and experiences.
The game has taken a mobile-first approach, completed several rounds of NFT releases, and launched its native token, GOG. The game will have a system of rewards for GOG token staking, funded by token usage. Additionally, the Guild of Guardians has partnered with Esports to launch rare, limited-edition heroes.
Guild of Guardians is a free-to-play game, but players who own NFTs will have certain benefits when playing. However, the game does not involve a pay-to-win feature, as the in-game development is focused on skills and strategy. Each player will receive a free band of heroes at the start, which cannot be sold. As players progress, they can advance their teams and obtain additional rewards that can be sold for in-game currency or minted and sold on the game's NFT marketplace.
Final Thoughts
Fortunately, free-to-play blockchain games are on the rise, providing a risk-free entrance for new players in the crypto scene. These games offer a more accessible and less intimidating way for individuals to explore the world of blockchain gaming. Free-to-play blockchain games have made it easier for new players to join the community and earn rewards without the fear of financial loss by eliminating the need for initial investments.
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