NFT games refer to games built on blockchain technology that integrate financial elements and empower players with ownership of in-game assets, allowing them to earn money while playing (play-to-earn).
In this article, I will compile a list of the top NFT games in the market currently, so you can choose to play and earn effectively.
Additionally, if you’re new to this, you can join Gamefinity’s Telegram channel to stay updated on playing games to earn money.
What is an NFT game?
NFT games are blockchain games that allow players to participate in playing to earn money. With a combination of gaming and financial aspects, the GameFi model is also known as play-to-earn.
Typically, players can earn cryptocurrency and NFT rewards by completing tasks, battling other players, and achieving various levels in the game.
Unlike traditional video games, most blockchain games allow players to transfer in-game items out of the virtual world. This enables players to trade their items on NFT markets and sell cryptocurrency on cryptocurrency exchanges.
The GameFi ecosystem uses cryptocurrency, non-replaceable tokens (NFTs), and blockchain technology to create a virtual gaming environment.
All players can earn rewards by participating in activities within the game. Rewards can exist in token or NFT form, allowing players to move various assets outside of the game for trading on cryptocurrency exchanges or NFT marketplaces for sale.
1. Axie Infinity NFT Game
In 2021, the game Axie Infinity emerged globally as a play-to-earn game and remains a landmark in the current Play-to-Earn game lineup. To achieve this, the development team continuously updates and expands their ecosystem.
Axie Infinity is a monster-battling game where you collect cute creatures called Axies to battle each other in matches.
You can start playing Axie Infinity for free or invest a small amount of capital. Currently, Axie Infinity is available on both Android and iOS operating systems.
2. Pixels NFT Game
Pixels is an NFT farming game with pixel art graphics, developed on the Ronin blockchain with over 900,000 players.
When you join the game, you’ll engage in activities like farming, completing missions, processing materials, and interacting with other players in the vast world of Pixels.
In Pixels, you can earn money through two main methods:
1. **Sharecroppers**: You can rent out your NFTs to other players for them to play with. You earn passive income based on the productivity generated by other players, in addition to fixed rental fees.
2. **Playing the game, selling materials, and completing tasks**: This allows you to earn tokens $BERRY and $PIXEL.
Pixels operates on a dual-token economic model, distinct from past games of this nature, as both $BERRY and $PIXEL have an unlimited supply.
Pixels, an NFT game with pixel art style, has been developed for over 2 years and moved to the Ronin network in 2023. It boasts over 900,000 players and emphasizes community development and player ownership through NFTs, gaining attention from the Web3 Games community.
3. Shrapnel NFT Game
Shrapnel is a sci-fi extraction shooter game where players truly own their in-game assets. It’s a free-to-play multiplayer game suitable for both solo and group playstyles.
Shrapnel is designed for shooting enthusiasts and provides a player-centric environment akin to Roblox but geared towards adults.
Shrapnel aims to be the first AAA 3D FPS game on the blockchain, offering an incredibly engaging gaming experience.
Players can play this game for free on the Epic Games Store and earn NFTs and token rewards by completing missions.
4. Heroes of Mavia
Mavia is an NFT strategy tower defense game on the mobile platform, featuring AAA graphics and highly detailed gameplay.
Heroes of Mavia is an NFT strategy tower defense game similar to the popular strategic game Clash of Clans. In this game, players build their bases and armies on a fictional island called Mavia. Each player acts as the commander of their base on the island, aiming to develop their headquarters and strengthen their armies.
The game has achieved over 1 million downloads on iOS and Android platforms since its launch on January 31, promising to become one of the most played NFT games.
5. Big Time NFT Game
Big Time is a free-to-play multiplayer action RPG developed by Big Time Studios, which previously raised $21 million in funding.
Big Time offers players a choice of 6 character classes to start with:
- Time Warrior: Close-range combat with high damage.
- Chronomancer: Long-range spellcaster utilizing magic.
- Shadowblade: Close-range stealth and speed.
- Quantum Fixer: Support role with healing abilities.
- Battlemancer: Close-range damage dealer using elemental attacks.
- TechBlade: Combines long-range damage with healing allies when needed, merging aspects of Shadowblade and Quantum Fixer classes.
In the game, you can earn money by crafting, buying, selling, and trading NFTs with other players. Additionally, you can earn $BIGTIME tokens through combat missions.
6. Illuvium
Illuvium, developed since 2020, is an open-world RPG adventure game that combines mechanics commonly found in popular Auto Battler games.
Illuvium is acclaimed as the world’s first Interoperable Blockchain Game (IBG), beloved for its stunning graphics and unique development direction compared to most other projects in the market.
Built on Immutable X with extremely low gas fees, Illuvium offers the best possible experience for gamers. The expansive world of Illuvium is populated with creatures akin to Pokémon called Illuvials, which players must capture to use in future battles.
The primary token within Illuvium is $ILV, which can be earned through gameplay activities, purchased from exchanges for in-game use, or utilized within the game ecosystem.
Much of Illuvium’s mysterious world has yet to be fully revealed, as the developers aim to preserve secrets for players to discover in the future.
To excel in Illuvium, it’s advisable to have a certain amount of capital to purchase NFT Lands and various Illuvials.
Read more: Latest guide on playing Illuvium for newcomers
7. Life Beyond
Life Beyond is an MMORPG-style FPS game with a third-person perspective. In Life Beyond, players are citizens of the planet Dolos, a distant world orbiting a remote star. During the initial alpha phase, players work to clean and protect the land for the first settlement. Along the way, they encounter hostile wildlife, including giant insect-like creatures and extraterrestrial beings.
In Life Beyond, the game’s primary currency is $DOLS. During gameplay, players undertake tasks either solo or in groups to gain experience and rewards. Through in-game activities, each player contributes to larger community goals, unlocking new events and rewards.
Players can choose from 4 character classes, each with different weapon options. They can try these out in solo missions or team up for bigger rewards.
Most player assets in Life Beyond are in the form of fungible tokens (FTs) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Players can engage in adventures with friends or solo, completing various available challenges. Each new era brings new gameplay, levels, and global objectives.
Life Beyond is currently available on PC, with future plans potentially including releases on other devices. Its gameplay encompasses shooting, exploration, crafting, building, trading, and social establishment with an economic system, ruleset, and other intriguing elements.
Considered one of Animoca Brands’ flagship gaming projects, Life Beyond promises to deliver a fresh experience for global fans of Web3 games.
8. Wreck League
Wreck League is an NFT-based fighting game developed by Nway, with support from Animoca and Yuga Labs. The gameplay of Wreck League is reminiscent of traditional fighting games like Street Fighter and Bloody Roar. It’s designed to be compatible on both mobile phones and PC platforms.
Wreck League integrates four collections from Yuga Labs (Bored Ape Yacht Club, Mutant Ape Yacht Club, Bored Ape Kennel Club, and Otherside Kodas) into the game’s storyline as part of a licensing agreement.
There will be two versions of Wreck League: the web3 version will require ownership of NFT Mechs to participate, while the web2 version will be free to play and won’t require NFT ownership. Both versions will feature similar gameplay while incorporating essential game elements such as daily missions, battle pass, and an in-game store. The web2 version will serve as a bridge to the web3 game community.
This NFT game is highly appealing as it’s developed by major players in the web3 gaming sector, offering gameplay accessible to all types of gamers.
9. The Beacon
The Beacon is an NFT roguelike fantasy game that blends social MMO-style gameplay with NFTs. It is developed by Treasure DAO (MAGIC), the largest gaming ecosystem on Arbitrum.
The Beacon is an NFT roguelike fantasy game that combines social MMO-style gameplay with NFTs. It is developed by Treasure DAO (MAGIC), the largest gaming ecosystem on Arbitrum.
The game features beautiful and relatively easy-to-play graphics. The Beacon uses high-fidelity pixel graphics to attract both Web3 users and traditional gamers (who may not have much knowledge of blockchain).
To start playing the game, you need a character called a Founding Character – these are NFT characters within the game. Upon entering the game, you use skills to move your character and defeat monsters in dungeons. Completing dungeons rewards you with NFTs (which could be costumes, character expressions, or decorative items) that can be sold to others on the marketplace.
Additionally, The Beacon project frequently organizes tournament events where players compete to clear dungeons for rewards in the form of NFTs or $MAGIC tokens.
Emerging since late 2022, The Beacon is considered the NFT gaming project with the highest number of players within the Arbitrum ecosystem to date.
10. Crazy Defense Heroes
Crazy Defense Heroes is a genre of NFT income card game that only requires a smartphone (Android or iOS) to start playing, without initial fees like Axies and other games.
Developed by Animoca Brands, Crazy Defense Heroes offers a diverse range of game products. This developer’s games vary greatly in genre, design, and effects, providing customers with many choices.
Crazy Defense Heroes primarily focuses on tower defense strategies. Your mission is to destroy cities and fill them up from one city to another. It’s a collectible card role-playing game that combines defensive strategies for a unique gaming experience.
Built on blockchain platforms like Ethereum, Polygon, and Binance Chain.
Summary
Above are the top NFT games currently, as compiled here. In the future, I will add more promising projects to this list, so you can bookmark this article by pressing Ctrl + D and revisit it later.
Previously, only professional gamers or some “rent-to-earn” players could earn money. Now, NFT games open up a new world where all players can earn money within the game.
You may hear about NFT Gaming, Web3 Games, play-to-earn games, blockchain games, NFT games, GameFi, etc. These terms all refer to games built on blockchain technology.
There are many NFT games worldwide today with various genres and different play requirements. Some projects may require players to have capital (money) before starting, while others allow you to start playing for free. However, to earn more money, it’s advisable to invest some time or a small amount of capital.
The downside of Free-to-Earn NFT game projects is that you may earn less money, and if you want to earn more, you may need to invest in purchasing NFTs to play.