2021 is undoubtedly the year of NFTs. One particular sector pushing the technology’s phenomenal growth is the gaming industry. Recently, play to earn games built on the blockchain are giving rise to a new type of gameplay called ‘Play to Earn’ where players are rewarded with the time they invested playing these games.

As specialized website NFTEvening describes it, the players fully own their in-game characters or items, and they can do what they want with it. They can sell it, earn from it, or use it, compared to 99% of the games today where digital items you purchased in-game can’t be sold anywhere else without running into some terms of service violations.

In this regard, we are giving you a rundown of all the games you should play to earn Crypto.

1. Axie Infinity

Of course, first on the list is the biggest play-to-earn game Axie Infinity. It is a Pokémon-inspired universe where anyone can earn tokens through skilled gameplay and contributions to the ecosystem. In this online game, players duel by pitting a trio of NFT collectible creatures against each other.

There are three elements governing the game’s ecosystem: Axis, SLP and AXS. Firstly, Axie Infinity is a battle game between Axies. Each Axie is unique and exists as an ERC-721 Non-Fungible Token (NFT). Meanwhile, Smooth Love Potions (SLPs) are earned by playing the game and can be used to breed new Axies. Lastly, AXS is the platform’s native governance token. So AXS holders have the power to vote on key decisions like game functionalities and how treasury funds should be spent.

Two weeks ago, Sky Mavis launched the long-awaited AXS Staking feature for Axie Infinity. This allows users to lock up their AXS on the Ronin sidechain to earn rewards. Within a week, active wallet interactions surged by 92%. Initially a governance token, AXS now also offers passive income through staking.

Axie Infinity remains the top P2E success story. As one of the leading play to earn games, it continues to shape blockchain-based gaming. A new investment valued Sky Mavis at nearly $3 billion—almost half the worth of major studios like Square Enix or Ubisoft, achieved with a single game still not in beta.

Meanwhile, the Axie NFT marketplace generated over $1B in revenue last quarter—outpacing Take Two Interactive and approaching Electronic Arts in sales volume.

2. Gods Unchained

Gods Unchained NFT card game is the biggest trading card on the blockchain following a play-to-earn model. The free-to-play tactical game is built on Immutable X, the layer-2 blockchain solution developed by game studio Immutable.

Gods Unchained describes itself as the ‘trading card game that pays to play’. One of the major aspects of the game is that it gives players complete ownership of their in-game items. This means that the assets have real-world value and can be sold or traded. Since its launch in 2018, the game has facilitated the exchange of cards worth over $7 million.

To start playing, you have to set up an account and create a deck of cards. Each card is an NFT and comes with various powers: attacking, supporting, disrupting, or defensive. Once your deck is ready, you have to use these cards to battle others. A player who has a deck that tactically combines all the powers will have the upper hand during a battle. Once you starting leveling up, you will receive card packs. In these packs, you may receive rare cards, which are more valuable. You can sell these on the marketplace.

3. Lost Relics

Lost Relics is a Diablo-inspired play-to-earn action-adventure role-playing game powered by Enjin Blockchain. The game challenges players to travel through dungeons, vanquish monsters and discover some of the rarest items.

In Lost Relics, players encounter two item types: virtual and blockchain-based. You can trade virtual items on the Royal Emporium—the game’s marketplace—or purchase them with in-game gold. Some items exist in limited quantities, while others are unlimited. However, if your character dies while carrying a virtual item, you’ll lose it permanently.

On the other hand, the Ethereum blockchain manages the game’s blockchain items. Players can find these items by defeating monsters, opening treasure chests, or exploring high-level dungeons. You can trade them as NFTs on platforms like OpenSea and Enjin’s market. If you die during a dungeon run while holding one, the item returns safely to your inventory.

4. Splinterlands

Splinterlands is a trading card and top NFT game that runs on the Hive Blockchain. The gameplay is similar to Magic the Gathering and Hearthstone, where players build up a collection of cards with various statistics and use them to battle other players. All cards in Splinterlands are player-owned NFT assets.

The game starts with players choosing the cards then the system will match them with an opponent with a similar ranking. They can also collect cards and other items such as potions and skins to improve the look of their deck. As for rewards, it is awarded to players during tournaments, matches and missions.

5. Three Kingdoms

The Three Kingdoms combines a piece of history with modern technology because it is the first play-to-earn metaverse and NFT project based on the ancient Chinese classic. The website description is straight as an arrow: build the best kingdom, battle and siege with enemies.

The Three Kingdoms is a third-generation NFT game. The team asserts that first-generation NFTs provide idle gaming experiences that focus on digital collectibles. Meanwhile, second-generation NFTs are successful play-to-earn concepts that GameFi often adopts. However, it only offers limited ways to earn NFTs.

The Three Kingdoms just secured $3.2 Million in funding, which brings it a step close to its promise of ushering in a “New Era of Play-to-Earn Gaming.”