With the blockchain gaming industry forecast to hit a whopping $65.7 billion valuation by the end of 2027, finding the best NFT games to earn money is on the forefront of many gamers’ minds.
However, with the industry already brimmed with projects offering Play-to-Earn (P2E) prospects, finding the most exciting opportunities amongst them is often a difficult feat.
Thankfully, this article is here to do the work for you. This is because we’ve researched a long list of the top NFT games over the past six (or so) years, to ultimately identify 5 leaders in the space.
So without further ado, here is our list of the 5 best NFT gaming projects for earning money. As you will later learn, each has been selected for a number of carefully considered reasons.
As previously stated, our top 5 list of the best NFT games comes after diligent research into the blockchain gaming industry.
Here it is in greater depth:
Quick Info
Pikamoon is a 3D P2E NFT game set in the mystical world of Dreva (a virtual world of the all-encompassing Pikaverse metaverse). Its industry leading gameplay falls under the widely-popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) gaming genre – a type of game that’s achieved unprecedented global success thanks to the likes of League of Legends and Dota 2.
Forming the premise behind the game’s gameplay is Dreva’s rich storybook of lore – where without giving too much away, Pikamoon manifests at a time where Dreva is plagued by conflicts between its 6 elemental regions – Earth, Rock, Water, Fire, Air, and Thunder.
Here, it’s up to players to dictate the power dynamics of Dreva, which they do through competing in multiplayer Player-versus-Player (PvP) and offline battle scenarios using a clan of Pikamoon NFTs.
Being P2E, the game’s native PIKA ($PIKA) token is distributed after battles have concluded. PIKA then holds purchasing power within the Pikamoon Store, as it can be used to buy in-game upgrades such as magic boosts, health potions, and weapons. Pivotally, each of these upgrades have tangible impacts on each NFT’s in-battle powers – therefore meaning PIKA is an investment vehicle for reaping even more P2E rewards.
With regards to earning real world rewards, both PIKA and Pikamoon NFTs can be traded and sold across crypto exchanges and NFT marketplaces.
When considering who should sit at the summit of our list of the best NFT games, the powers of PIKA swayed us in the direction of Pikamoon – something that’s also occurred on other ‘top crypto lists’.
This is because the token is currently in its third and final Presale Phase, therefore providing early players with an exciting opportunity to join the #PikaArmy before mass adoption takes place.
Additionally, with PIKA’s market cap being 30x smaller than its main competitors (see the tweet below), the token offers tremendous scope for growth and appreciation surges. This is bolstered by the fact that PIKA rewards can also be passively earned through staking the token.
Despite only around 24% of allocation remaining, you can still purchase PIKA Presale tokens for $0.0006.
On the purely gaming front, Pikamoon is also developed by Kevuru Games – an AAA gaming entity that has pioneered popular Web2 and Web3 titles such as Fortnite, Star Wars, Undead Blocks, and more.
Pikamoon’s Beta version is currently available for download on Android and iOS, with its full launch date TBA in 2024.
1. Install the game’s Beta version from the Android or iOS app stores.
2. Set up an account and link a compatible Ethereum crypto wallet that supports ERC-20 tokens (such as Ledger).
3. Engage in multiplayer or offline battles and be in with the opportunity to win PIKA prize pool shares.
4. Mint or purchase a Pikamoon NFT through the game’s website or an NFT marketplace when available.
5. Utilise your Pikamoon NFT clans to win battles and complete quests, earning PIKA tokens whilst doing so.
6. Exchange or sell your Pikamoon NFTs or PIKA tokens on crypto exchanges and NFT marketplaces.
7. Cash out your PIKA crypto revenue for fiat currency.
Pro Tip: Each Pikamoon’s Battle Arena prowess is directly correlated to the corresponding NFT’s tier of rarity.
Quick Info
Axie Infinity holds a distinguished reputation as an unequivocal leader in the NFT and P2E gaming world.
That being said, there’s a common query about whether the game still holds the same appeal as years gone by. These concerns spring through the fact that its popularity and player base have declined in recent times, especially in line with the 2022-birthed crypto bear market.
That being said, these concerns are largely unfounded, as Axie Infinity continues to be celebrated as one of the top NFT games for potential earnings. Such feat is most commonly recognised thanks to the growth of its native Axie Infinity Shards ($AXS) token, which has sustained a substantially greater price level compared to its launch price.
With the early days of Pikamoon possessing similar AAA foundations, many predict PIKA to follow a similar trajectory.
Nonetheless, Axie Infinity involves players breeding, raising, and battling various Axie creature NFTs. For those aiming to earn a passive income, breeding, upgrading, and trading unique Axies on the game’s marketplace offers a viable option. This is all facilitated through transactions that require a combination of the game’s native AXS and Smooth Love Potion ($SLP) tokens.
It’s also important to note that Axie Infinity sets itself apart from many NFT games by necessitating active gameplay to fully benefit from its P2E elements. This means that it isn’t merely a platform for passive income, and that if you’re considering diving into the world of Axie Infinity, acquiring some AXS tokens and actively participating in the game is recommended.
Quick Info
Alien Worlds is an NFT card game set in a decentralised extraterrestrial metaverse.
The game is multichain in nature, as it operates across the Ethereum, WAX, and Binance Smart Chain blockchains. Its economy revolves around the Trilium (TLM) token, which serves a dual purpose: the first being a sophisticated utility asset with advanced DeFi capabilities, and the second being the game’s in-game currency.
Alien World players – referred to as ‘Explorers’ – are able to engage in a rich 2D universe, undertaking activities like mining on planets, acquiring or leasing NFT land, completing missions, and navigating planetary politics… all while collecting NFT cards and earning Trilium (TLM).
Players can also stake TLM on planets to enhance both the planet’s influence and their governance role. Here, each planet operates as a competitive DAO, allowing players to gradually gain more control and potentially alter the game’s fundamental rules as their TLM reserves grow. Additionally, mining effectiveness and TLM income are influenced by the quality and combination of tools used by the player.
Quick Info
The Sandbox is a unique voxelized metaverse that allows players to create and play in bespoke virtual worlds that are built using NFT assets. With a market capitalization of ~$1 billion, the Ethereum-based game currently sits at the summit of the blockchain gaming industry.
Think Minecraft with NFTs…that’s more or less what The Sandbox is. This is because the game allows you to build basically anything – from props, to environments, to games – which are then stored and traded as NFTs. Of course, this then means that you can sell your creations to other players, or even charge people for attending your server.
Although hosting an endless plethora of creative and money-making NFT opportunities, The Sandbox is still in its Alpha stage – therefore meaning that it’s not fully completed and may still incur a lot of changes. Additionally, some players deem the game too hard to master, as the creative scope on offer is simply too vast and complex.
Quick Info
Developed by Immutable X and spearheaded by Chris Clay – a former designer and game director of the renowned ‘Magic: The Gathering Arena’ game – Gods Unchained is a free-to-play digital card game using NFTs.
In allowing players to truly own, trade, and sell their cards as unique digital assets, the game involves strategic deck building within PvP battles. And with blockchain integrations ensuring each card’s uniqueness and real-world value, players can earn or purchase NFT cards, which can then be used in online tournaments.
A key draw of Gods Unchained is its accessibility; as players can play it without any initial investment. Additionally, the game rewards players with its native token, $GODS, which is available through ETH swaps on cryptocurrency exchanges.
Now you know the best NFT games out there, let’s take a dive into the two fundamental features of these titles; NFTs and P2E mechanics.
As a technology, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) represent a significant advancement in the ownership and authentication of unique digital assets. Utilising blockchain technology as their foundational framework, they differ from conventional cryptocurrencies through being inherently unique and unable to be exchanged on an equivalent basis (hence the term ’non-fungible’).
On the other hand, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum are both fungible and interchangeable.
Although this article focuses on blockchain gaming NFTs, the asset class of NFTs also plays a role in domains such as digital art, music, videos, and other creative works.
Upon purchasing an NFT, buyers essentially acquire a certificate of ownership for the digital item in question. This certificate is indelibly recorded on a blockchain, a decentralised digital ledger, ensuring the security and immutability of the ownership record.
When applied to the gaming sector, this now means that players can own and trade the characters that they play with, as well as other gaming elements such as weapons, cosmetic features, traits, and much more. And as showcased through the use of PIKA ($PIKA) in NFT game Pikamoon, fungible cryptocurrencies also allow players to truly own the in-game currencies of games.
The holistic ownership of in-game assets (through NFTs) and in-game currencies (through cryptocurrencies) is what forms the premise behind the Web3 gaming industry.
Play-to-Earn (P2E) games essentially offer what the name infers…which is, you can earn tangible rewards through simply a game (what we all dreamed of as a child).
The excitement behind these titles therefore extends beyond mere in-game achievements; as they also encompass the potential to reap real financial gains.
Typically, P2E game mechanics are facilitated through blockchain technology, wherein games possess their own native tokens that are built on a blockchain network. As showcased by being the second largest blockchain project in terms of market cap, the majority of play-to-earn games are built on Ethereum (ETH).
Through completing particular tasks – or for simply playing – players are able to earn this native token as a reward. In the context of NFT game Pikamoon, $PIKA is awarded to those who compete in multiplayer battle arena (MOBA) matchups.
With the advent of play-to-earn gaming, the virtual gaming experience now transcends mere entertainment. Instead – and as of 2024 – now offers players the opportunity to engage in a digital economy, rewarding their gaming time and skills with real economic value. This blend of gaming and economic opportunity marks a new frontier in the digital world, redefining the boundaries between virtual and real-world assets.
Investing in NFT gaming projects presents a unique opportunity within the intertwining landscape of digital ownership and gaming. These projects often merge the thrill of gaming with real-world financial opportunities… all thanks to the power of blockchain technology.
By investing in NFT games, you’re not just buying digital assets; you’re becoming part of an economy where in-game items have real-world value. Moreover, as these games grow in popularity, the assets – be it NFT or cryptocurrencies – could be appreciated. This therefore presents an exciting opportunity to make significant returns, all whilst playing your favourite games.
Before diving into a Play-to-Earn (P2E) game, it’s important to weigh several factors.
First, consider the game’s underlying blockchain technology and its stability, as this affects the game’s performance and the value of its in-game assets.
Secondly, evaluate the game’s economic model and tokenomics, as this ensures sustainability and potential for earning.
A game’s community and developer reputation are also crucial. Here, a strong, active community and reputable developers often indicate a promising project.
Additionally, assess the game’s genre and gameplay to ensure it aligns with your interests. After all, enjoyment is just as important as its earning potential.
Lastly, understand the initial investments required and the ease of converting in-game assets into real-world currency.
To withdraw real money from an NFT game, generally follow these steps:
Pikamoon ($PIKA) has emerged as a major player in the NFT gaming sphere. The game has rapidly gained attention due to two reasons; its AAA-grade gameplay ambitions, and the potential of its native PIKA token.
Taking a leaf out of Pokémon’s book, this Ethereum-based game is built on MOBA gameplay and play-to-earn (P2E) PIKA rewards. With a market cap substantially lower than competing GameFi tokens, Presale PIKA tokens pose the potential for stable and substantial price increases in the future.
You can earn money in NFT games by collecting and trading unique digital assets across various NFT marketplaces. Additionally, play-to-earn games offer rewards in the form of cryptocurrency for completing quests or winning battles, which you can then convert into real money.
To play NFT games, you typically require:
1. A compatible crypto wallet that aligns with the game’s blockchain network ((like Metamask for Ethereum-based games).
2. Cryptocurrency for purchasing or minting NFTs, as well as for covering transaction fees (gas fees). For instance, use ETH for Ethereum-based games and SOL for Solana-based games.
3. An account on the game’s official website or platform, enabling access to your NFTs, various game modes, and rewards.
4. A device capable of running games efficiently, such as a PC, laptop, or smartphone.
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