Blockchain technology, NFTs, and cryptocurrency are everywhere. The same is true of the industries integrating them. One such industry is the gaming industry, where crypto games are popping up all over the place. Aside from offering some unique experiences, these games also offer players the chance to earn actual money while playing.
Crypto gaming is an exciting addition to the gaming industry. Not only does it appeal on a financial scale, but it also has the chance to bring forth many unique games that stand out from the traditional ones on the market. Keep reading if you are interested in learning more about crypto gaming and the top games around.
What Is Crypto Gaming?
There are quite a few blockchain games on the market, and many of them integrate cryptocurrency. The same is true of NFTs. With that in mind, any blockchain game that utilizes crypto is technically a crypto game. But it is common to see crypto and NFTs used in tandem. You might even see the terms used interchangeably.
It all works through the seamless integration of crypto and NFTs into blockchain games. And that is where things get interesting. Because crypto and NFTs are involved in these games, they stand out from their traditional counterparts.
The key difference is that crypto gaming offers players tangible rewards for their effort and achievements, and the rewards come in the form of NFTs or crypto. NFTs give users assets with actual value, which go beyond the usual bragging rights that might come with an in-game accomplishment. They can even be used on other platforms.
At the same time, cryptocurrency can be used within the games. But more than that, it offers players the chance to earn money. The same can even be said of the NFTs, with both allowing players to earn while playing. This new play-to-earn model is not only popular, but it brings new elements into games.
The Benefits of Crypto Gaming
The benefits have already been touched on above. The main thing is that playing crypto games comes with the opportunity to earn cryptocurrency and NFTs. In turn, those things can be converted into fiat currency or kept in a crypto wallet. Here is a further breakdown of what all can be achieved through crypto gaming:
- Asset Ownership: There is something to be said about actually owning something you have earned in a game. Moreover, it is a direct opposite of previous digital rewards, which belonged to the publisher.
- Transferable Assets: The assets you earn, both crypto and NFTs, are not tethered to the game you earned them on. In fact, they can go to other platforms and be used there, meaning your time investment is more valuable. It provides an entirely new take on gaming and presents many opportunities.
- Financial Incentive: Earning money by playing video games is a dream of many. While there are ways to do it, they usually involve streaming or becoming a professional. Now, even casual gamers can earn real money while playing games.
Perhaps one of the most exciting things is what it could do to the gaming industry as a whole. While plenty of gaming studios are making traditional games, a breath of fresh air is welcomed. In fact, it has already attracted the interest of various creators, including AAA companies.
The Play-to-Earn Model
Making money by playing video games is not a new concept. After all, streaming and pro-gaming were mentioned above. There are even certain rare items that one can obtain in a game and sell for real money. However, the play-to-earn model used by crypto games is a little different.
Take, for example, a traditional game. It might be worth money if you received a rare item, but you do not own it. Therefore, you lose it if you delete your character or the game shuts down.
Things are different with crypto gaming. If you earn something through a crypto game, you have full ownership of that piece of currency or NFT. That means that even if the game shuts down or you no longer wish to play it, you still have those assets.
Disadvantages and Risks
While crypto gaming does offer unique possibilities, there are some disadvantages as well. For one, some of the games cost a significant amount to get started in. Some popular games have access barriers, requiring players to invest in game-specific cryptocurrency before joining.
Being able to affect your gameplay experience with currency also poses a risk to the health of the game. It is a problem seen with things like gold farming in traditional games. Eventually, that was replaced with the companies selling the gold themselves. It might even cause many competitive crypto games to be pay-to-win games.
Additionally, there is the risk of scams. Since these games involve cryptocurrency and NFTs, the scams can cost people a lot. Moreover, the space is not as regulated as the traditional gaming industry.
Another thing to remember is that crypto is rather volatile, to begin with. The value of cryptocurrency is known to change drastically. While that can be an opportunity, it can also lead to your coins losing value.
How to Get Started
The first thing you might want to do is take a look at the games out there. The crypto space develops quickly, so new games are coming out all the time. Once you have figured out what game or games you are interested in, follow these steps:
- Figure out which wallet is accepted
- Put the right currency in the wallet
- Fulfill any other prerequisites
For most blockchain games, the first step is acquiring a crypto wallet. After all, you are earning coins and more from these games, so there needs to be a place to store them set up and ready to go. Additionally, not all wallets are compatible with all games, with some having requirements for the cryptocurrency protocols used.
Once you have a wallet, you need to put some coins in it. Moreover, the coins used by the game can differ. Some games have unique coins, while others do not. Regardless, it is a good idea to do your research beforehand and make sure you do not get hit with any surprises.
Finally, you need to fulfill any prerequisites. While it might be as simple as making an account or connecting your wallet, there might be other requirements as well. For instance, performing an initial purchase or having a minimum number of a certain type of coin to start playing.
Top 10 Crypto Games
There are many different crypto games on the market. Some use the play-to-earn model, while others are educational in nature. They even cover a variety of genres, meaning you can likely find something that piques your interest. Below, you will find ten of the top crypto games on the market, spanning multiple genres.
Alien Worlds
Alien Worlds came out in 2021, and it has already received a lot of attention. In fact, if you are talking about how many users games have, few even come close. But there is a good reason for that. Alien Worlds is an interesting game, even if you do not consider the crypto aspect.
In Alien Worlds, players can mine for Trillium, the game’s fungible token. That Trillium can then be staked to vote in planetary elections. There are also collectible NFTs, missions, and more. Plus, there are new features planned, including things to do with owning land, fighting, and quests.
While Alien Worlds is by no means a simple game, it is unique. Moreover, you can start for free. You might want to spend to upgrade your tools, but it is entirely possible not to. As for blockchains, it is built on the WAX blockchain with BNB chain integration.
Splinterlands
Collectible card games are quite popular. Think Hearthstone or Legends of Runeterra. Splinterlands is in the same vein, though it does have some unique aspects. For instance, the cards you collect while playing have an actual value. Moreover, they can be traded and sold easily.
Splinterlands also offers rewards at every turn, with quests, ranked games, and tournaments all offering prizes. The prizes include cards, packs, potions, and even crystals that serve as a tradeable digital currency for shop items. The games are quick, too, which is one of their selling points.
Beyond the game itself, players can expect to interact with other platforms quite easily. Additionally, a Hive cryptocurrency wallet is automatically created for them when players register. Though, it also has cross-compatibility with WAX, Tron, and Ethereum.
Axie Infinity
There are a lot of reasons Axie Infinity stands out among the many crypto games out there. One, it is fun. Moreover, because it is fun, it has proven that crypto games are indeed capable of delivering on all fronts. They can be fun, rewarding, and work on all levels. It also looks pretty good, which is important when you consider its purpose.
Axie Infinity can be summed up as a monster-breeding RPG. You raise Axies, adventuring and battling in the arena with them. Then, you can breed them to create powerful offspring that inherit traits. The Axies you create can then be traded, so it is all about creating rare breeds. They are also introducing a land aspect into the game.
The best part is that the game is completely free at its core, allowing you to experience the content in a relaxed manner. Though, Axie growth is limited in that case. The tokens for the game are AXS and Smooth Love Potion (SLP).
Bomb Crypto
Bomb Crypto is a game built using the Unity game engine. It is also a very popular choice among crypto games, boasting a large user base. However, getting started requires some steps to be completed. While their site will walk you through the specifics, you need to have a Bomber Hero to start playing.
Needing a Bomber Hero means this game does have a cost for entry. However, it is lower than many other games out there. You can also get more than one, though only so many can be used at a time. After getting your Bomber Hero, you can get started with a treasure hunt. There are even houses and hero upgrades available.
The process for starting involves BUSD, which is then converted into the BCOIN token. The tokens are needed for many in-game activities and purchases. They can also be found within the game, so it is a true play-to-earn game.
Gods Unchained
Gods Unchained is another collectible card game. It focuses on strategic gameplay and building decks of unique cards. The genre might not be anything new, but it is an incredibly polished card game. In fact, it is led by Chris Clay, the former game director of Magic: The Gathering Arena. Therefore, the team is clearly experienced.
There is no initial investment needed to play Gods Unchained. In fact, you can get the full experience without paying anything. Of course, cards can be bought and sold, but it has no direct impact on matches within the game. That means that any player has a chance to play, win, and earn while playing Gods Unchained.
Cards for Gods Unchained can be bought and sold through the Immutable X marketplace. The game has its own native $GODS tokens, while Ethereum can also be used during marketplace transactions.
Upland
Upland is a unique offering in the sense that it combines an interesting crypto game with real-world mechanics. The main purpose of the game is to buy, sell, and trade virtual property in Upland’s metaverse. However, the virtual property is based on real-world addresses, and the prices in the cities mimic real-world market conditions.
When someone plays Uplander, they do so by exploring cities. During the exploration, they gather property NFTs that can complete collections or be sold. Of course, that is only part of what the game offers. There are property auctions, treasure hunts, and hidden surprises that exist to be explored in Upland.
The token used for most NFTs in Upland is the native UPX currency. The NFTs can then be traded for UPX or USD on the marketplace. Because of this, it is a game where it is easy to get fiat currency for your digital assets.
Farmers World
Farming games are a big hit among gamers, and that is exactly what you get with Farmers World. It is built on a blockchain, but it has exactly what anyone looking for an idle adventure. Of course, there are some requirements for Farmers World, such as needing a tool to start playing. The creators recommend an axe or fishing rod.
There is a surprising amount to do in Farmers World, with more to come. The game aims to have some in-depth systems that include mining, breeding, building, cultivating food, and fighting wild animals. Moreover, there are already NFTs for various parts of the game, including tools, memberships, farm animals, and buildings.
Farmers World is very popular, and the cost of a tool can get pretty expensive, so the entry barrier is high. The game is on the WAX blockchain, and it is one of the most popular games on the chain.
Pegaxy
Pegaxy is a game that grew quickly after its launch and currently sits as one of the top crypto games around. However, it makes sense when one looks at what it is: a player versus player (PVP) horse racing game. While it might not be exactly like betting on a horse race, it does have the same feel.
But betting on races is not the only thing people can do on Pegaxy. In fact, there are a lot of ways to get involved. Players can buy their own horse and start racing, or they can rent a horse for a race. There is even the ability to race a horse for someone else for a percentage of the profit. There are even breeding, trading, and ownership routes.
Pegaxy is quite an ambitious project, but it has a lot of people interested. Despite that, it is not the easiest crypto game to get involved in. Horses can get expensive, making the barrier to entry high. But it might be worth it, especially since the people behind the game are looking to make it more skill-based and less reliant on chance.
DeFi Kingdoms
DeFi Kingdoms is a lot of things, but it is mainly a mix of decentralized finance (DeFi) and play-to-earn gaming. The result is a unique game with a lot of room for growth. There is already plenty to do, too, including utilizing Hero NFTs to accomplish quests. The NFTs are also tradable and can be leveled or combined.
The JEWEL token is the backbone of everything. It is built and traded on Harmony ONE, and it can be traded quickly and securely. Players can earn more JEWEL tokens, and while there are only a few ways at the moment, there are more coming in the future. In fact, land, buildings, and equipment are all coming down the line.
DeFi Kingdoms has a lot going for it, but one major disadvantage is the high cost of entry. It is yet another game where getting started can stop a lot of people. However, it is a great choice if you do not mind the base cost and want an interesting game.
The Sandbox
The game has been around since 2012, but it had nothing to do with blockchain when it started. It was only in 2018, after being bought by Animoca Brands, that it transitioned. Now, it stands as a beacon of creativity, where players can generate content and add to the expanding multiverse.
NFTs are used to incentivize players, allowing them to own their creations. Players can even create and sell their own in-game objects. But what it really comes down to is LAND, NFTs that represent digital real estate. Players can do whatever they want with the LAND and then rent or sell it for a profit.
The game features far more than what is listed above, and since the game’s Alpha Season 2 is here, more is on the way. Therefore, if you want to get in on the action, you need to get some $SAND and prepare for the new season.
The Investment Angle
There are a few ways to invest in crypto gaming, but the simplest way is buying NFTs. In-game NFTs grow in value with the game, though that is only if they remain rare. Moreover, you do not have to actually play the game to get involved. The same can be done with tokens and related crypto.
The only thing you have to do if you buy NFTs and tokens directly is wait for them to grow in value. It is a particularly good option if you find a great game in its early stages. Just keep in mind that research is vital like any crypto investment. The market is volatile, so you need to make sure your investment is sound.
Final Thoughts
Crypto gaming can be a mixed bag, especially if the barrier to entry is high. However, the play-to-earn model and real value of cryptocurrency and NFTs are appealing. Plus, some of the games are really well done. Therefore, while it is best to be cautious with crypto gaming, there is a good chance it keeps rising going forward.
