Crypto games go far beyond gaming itself. You can play them for fun and earn cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoins. Crypto gaming will also help you earn in-game assets or NFTs and then trade them for crypto coins, thus getting financial funds that can be easily spent on real-world products and services.
How do blockchain games work? What are the Bitcoin Faucet Games? How to step into it and start earning money? What risks should be considered? Learn all the answers from the guide below. If you read it till the end, such terms as ‘play-to-earn mechanics’ and ‘NFT trading’ won’t confuse you anymore.
Table of Contents
What Is Crypto Gaming?
Crypto Gaming is a blockchain-based ecosystem in which users play and run various activities using cryptocurrencies and blockchain tech. An important feature here is that you can use in-game funds and assets for trading within the chosen game, as well as beyond its boundaries – that is, at the secondary markets. On decentralized platforms, you achieve full control over your assets and can manage them securely and without the limitations of traditional fiat money gaming portals.
How It All Started
The story of blockchain gaming started in 2017 when Axiom Zen launched CryptoKitties. That was the first play-to-earn game in which users created virtual cats – their non-fungible tokens or NFT. They could sell them, breed the creatures with pets created by other users, etc. Eventually, one of those kittens was sold for $100,000 that same year!
Still, the industry went through ups and downs. The most notorious case might be the Axie Infinity game, which was introduced in 2018. It engaged players into buying and improving NFT items, then selling them and earning enough money to live worry-free. After years of success, this billion-dollar startup was hacked in 2022. The game publisher lost millions of dollars, and the platform suffered a disastrous decline.
However, the introduction of blockchain technology in gaming continues, and the play-to-earn market grew to a record $154.46 billion in 2023. According to expert forecasts, it’ll continue to advance, and only mobile gaming’s growth rates can compete with the expected CAGR for crypto gaming.
How Crypto Gaming Work?
Crypto games are fully based on Web3 blockchain technology. Thanks to it, in any play-to-earn game, all attributes – like weapons, skins, characters, etc. – are included in the blockchain in the form of digital tokens called NFT. Once you own one, you can sell or exchange it for crypto coins or other NFTs.
Take RollerCoin as an example. In this crypto game, you can create and develop your own mining empires. Among others, you can enjoy 8-bit mini-games within RollerCoin and gain profits from them. The idea is simple:
- You choose a mini-game.
- Get hashrate.
- Divert hash rate to mining pools.
- Receive block rewards in return.
These building blocks, in turn, are loaded with Bitcoin or Ethereum amounts, which you can unlock and immediately withdraw to your crypto-wallet. In fact, you play for free and enjoy both the gaming process and earning crypto coins.
What Is NFT in Play-to-Earn Gaming?
An NFT stands for a non-fungible token. In blockchain gaming, this is a game attribute registered as your ownership within the blockchain. It can be a unique digital masterpiece. However, in terms of trading, your NFT is a secure and easily transferable item. It can be sold and used as a sort of digital currency through the blockchain.
Who Can Create an NFT?
Literally, everyone can make an NFT. You do not need to obtain special skills or plunge into sophisticated principles of how crypto gaming works. It’s enough to have a crypto wallet to create an NFT and sell it online. Your helpful assistants here are Bueno, NFT-inator, and other websites.
How You Can Create an NFT?
NFT items can be created in your favorite play-to-earn games and on any digital platform. You can turn images, gifs, videos, and such likes into your intellectual property in the form of NFT. In simple words, the process involves the following actions:
- Choose a medium or a game.
- Select a blockchain.
- Open your crypto wallet (NFT-friendly platforms include CoinBase, MetaMask, and others).
- Opt for a crypto market and connect it to your wallet.
- Use an NFT generator to simplify the creative process.
- Follow the instructions to create an NFT.
- Upload your NFT to the chosen marketplace.
- Indicate the price and sell the NFT.
Pay attention to the fact that when you sell an NFT, you convey the ownership but not the intellectual rights. As soon as you create an NFT, you achieve a lifetime certificate that proves your intellectual property.
Popular Games Based on Blockchain Mechanic
As soon as we know how crypto gaming works, it’s time to introduce a list of the best crypto games to play in 2024. There are plenty of observable NFT games based on play-to-earn mechanics. Their genres are limitless:
- Role-playing.
- Action.
- Cards.
- Educational games.
- Strategies.
- Puzzles, and more.
Crypto gaming platforms differ in designs and feature sets. They also enable different levels of engagement and creativity. Here are the TOP 5 blockchain games that are ready to open brand-new worlds before you.
Sandbox
Sandbox is the game that gave the name to a separate genre. Here, you can build a castle, city, etc. The game supports the highest level of interaction and grants unprecedented freedom to players. In fact, they determine their missions themselves. The key option of this crypto gaming platform is the ability to create and trade NFT items.
CryptoKitties
CryptoKitties will provide you with a unique Genetic Algorithm. Your goal is to create new pet breeds from two parental kittens. The game is a perfect source of engaging experiments and unexpected results. Turning your kitties into saleable NFTs is an easy task, and who knows, maybe your blockchain schmoopy will bring a million-dollar gain.
Star Atlas
Another fascinating metaverse is Star Atlas. Here, you do not only explore space galaxies and create new worlds, but you can also step into conquests and fight for your political power. This crypto game is based on a dual-token system. with ATLAS as an in-game currency. Use it to buy planets, spacecraft, and other assets necessary to develop your Star Atlas dominion.
Sorare
Sorare is a unique football game. Your mission here is to create your own football player cards and gather a team for the current week. As it comes to an end, the performance of real players will be applied to your team statistics, thus bringing you certain ratings and points. They will help you earn special rewards. Each card can be turned into an NFT, which is based on Ethereum.
RollerCoin
RollerCoin is one of the fastest-growing play-to-earn games in the industry these days. This mining strategy allows you to create your own mine. It is not real, in fact, but your benefits can be pretty tangible. The more powerful your mining project is, the more crypto rewards you earn. The game includes multiple extras, like mini-games, with the ability to earn more rewards.
Advantages of Crypto Gaming
Did you know that many experts call blockchain gaming the future of online games in general? This is how gamblers will play tomorrow, crypto pros say. However, NFT and play-to-earn mechanics are ready to provide benefits today. Let’s look at the main factors that explain why you should switch from common gaming to these standalone ecosystems.
Exciting Earning Opportunities
The uniqueness of crypto gaming platforms is that they offer special opportunities for earning money. You remain engaged in your in-game activities and make a profit from them! Although your created world and its attributes are virtual, your benefit from selling NFTs may be in real-world currencies.
Safe Ownership of Assets
The blockchain nature of play-to-earn games allows users to turn their in-game masterpieces into NFT items. Once created, such a token is your own creature forever, and your intellectual rights are protected by the decentralized nodes. Unlike common digital objects, NFTs are harder to steal. You can sell your tokens for crypto coins and use the profit to purchase real-world goods and services.
Improved Gaming Experiences and Creativity Options
The best crypto games represent separate universes, usually called metaverses. There, you can construct systems of any type and complexity. Blockchain entertainment enables absolutely unique interaction between users, with unpredictable results and exciting experiences. What is more, you’ll play in an advanced ecosystem with transparent rules. The game truth will be ensured by smart contact technology.
Who Is Crypto Gaming For?
This guide is addressed to crypto gaming newbies. However, all users can find their own reason to join a fitting play-to-earn metaverse. Who can benefit from this type of entertainment the most? First of all, cryptocurrency enthusiasts who seek new, engaging methods of earning money with crypto coins. Blockchain technology may also interest players who are fed up with the limitations of traditional gaming.
FAQ
What Is Play-to-Earn, and How Does It Work?
Play-to-earn games offer tasks and missions, by completing which, players can earn assets and other tradable rewards. They can be sold on various platforms, so users can convert their virtual items into real cash.
What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Crypto Gaming?
The major benefits of crypto games are unique, high-quality gaming experiences and the ability to earn profits. The key disadvantage is related to one of the advantages, which is unprecedented freedom for users. This can lead to issues with scams, fraudulent websites, etc. Crypto activities may partially or fully be prohibited in certain territories.
How to Start Playing Crypto Games?
You choose a game. You need a crypto wallet with available cryptocurrencies. Sign up with the crypto gaming platform that hosts the chosen game. After this, you can start playing, creating NFTs, and earning money.
Security & Risks: What to Expect?
When dealing with crypto games, you should bear in mind specific risks. First of all, they are related to all crypto coins’ volatility. Although decentralized systems offer the highest standards of security and privacy, you need to acquire a certain technical base to protect your activities and assets against fraudsters and scams within or beyond the chosen game.
