The 12 Best Play-to-Earn Games In 2023

You’ll hardly believe how fun some of these Play-to-Earn games are…

And that you can get paid to play games made by developers from Call Of Duty, Fortnite and Ubisoft…

But suspend your disbelief for just a moment.

Because by the end of this article, I predict you’ll drop everything, and pick up at least one of these Play-to-Earn games.

What are Play-to-Earn Games?

Play-to-Earn games (or blockchain games) are a new kind of video game that reward YOU to play.

These games let you own your in-game items (like characters, skins, and weapons)…

And earn crypto coins for playing.

They do this by turning in-game items into a tradable NFT.

But most of the games on this list are free to play.

P2E games are especially popular in developing countries like Brazil and the Philippines…

Some have even left their jobs!

Because they earn just as much playing these fun games.

I know, sounds too good to be true. But it’s 100% legit. 

Game developers from Zynga games, Atari, Ea, Ubisoft, Fortnite and more are making fun Play-to-Earn games…

And as long as you’re armed with the right education (like how to use a crypto wallet), you can do it too.

Types of Play-to-Earn Games

  • Metaverse Games like Decentraland or The Sandbox…
  • Strategy Games like Plants vs. Undead or Axie Infinity…
  • Racing Games like Silks, Riot Racers, or Pegaxy (a horse racing game)…
  • Multiplayer Online Battle Arena like Thetan Crush or Planet Quest…
  • Sports Games like Sorare or Blockchain Brawlers…
  • Trading Card Games like Gods Unchained or Splinterlands…
  • Adventure Games like Alien Worlds or Zeal…
  • And Puzzle Games like Quantum Nosesis or Town Crush…

Benefits of Play-to-Earn Games

You pour hundreds of hours into your favorite games and what do you have to show for it?

With Play-to-Earn games, you WILL have something to show for it.

In these games, you own your skins, characters, and weapons. 

Can sell them to other players…

And earn crypto.

In other words…

When you level up and acquire skills in these games…

It’s worth something IRL. 

Now let’s dive into the good stuff.

Here’s our list of the best Play-to-Earn games to play in 2022…

Here’s 12 Exciting Play-to-Earn Games in 2023

1. Illuvium

Illuvium is a high production, role-playing game set to release in late 2022 or early 2023.

You are a hunter from a space colony that has crash landed on an alien planet. And you explore to figure out what has happened on this planet.

You mine, fight wild deity-like creatures called Illuvials and catch them with shards (which are kinda like Pokéballs)…

And the game becomes an autobattler when you fight against other teams of Illuvials (like how Pokémon becomes a turn-based game when you battle). 

This is where skill and strategy comes in.

Every Illuvial you catch is your property and nobody can take it away from you.

You can sell your Illuvials on the IlluviDEX for Ethereum.

Or level them up and evolve them.

There will be a free to play option with no money attached to it that’s just as fun as the paid version…

And an online ranked arena where you play against different players all over the world.

2. Big Time

The developers behind this PC game have contributed to games like Fortnite, Call of Duty and Overwatch…

Big Time is a free-to-play, multiplayer action RPG game with fast-action combat and adventure.

You team up with players to explore and battle through time and space.

Hunt monsters…

Decorate your avatar and personal time machine with NFTs. 

You can pick up rare NFT loot and tokens as you fight and defeat enemies.

Collect in-game items and tokens.

Produce NFTs, or just hang out with friends. 

It will be free to play when it releases Q1 2023. 

However, you can purchase an early access pass on Open Sea, go into Big Time’s NFT marketplace and buy a pass, or watch streamers on Twitch and get free Ruby passes. 

3. Star Atlas

Star Atlas is a metaverse-meet-crypto space exploration game.

It’s another high production game. And made to be a thriving metaverse where players can be space travelers, engineers, scientists, aviators, and more. 

Players can join 1 of 3 factions, and build guilds that travel on spaceships to claim & mine planets for resources. 

There are two game modes to choose from: PvE (Player vs. Environment) and PvP (Player vs. Player). 

ATLAS is the in-game currency used for transactions and in-game missions. 

4. Blankos Block Party

Blankos is a free-to-play, multiplayer game that rewards you for your creativity.

You can design your own game experiences and mini-games for others to play…

Complete quests to earn in-game currency (MLA), and accessorize your own Blankos characters (Blankos).

Blankos are minted as NFTs that can be sold via the game’s marketplace.

5. Guilds Of Guardians

Guild of Guardians is a mobile, multiplayer, fantasy, action RPG where players build their dream team of ‘Guardians’ and compete in a guild to earn rewards.

In this game you progress through dungeons, and every dungeon has a level that is unique.

There are monsters, bosses, traps… and much more! 

And completing these dungeons will earn you resources, currency and equipment. 

Gems are the in-game currency, and are worth real money. You can trade them with other players.

You can use gems to acquire/enhance heroes, and create equipment. 

This helps you complete the next set of challenges.

So if you like collaborative, multiplayer games, this is a fun free-to-play game.

6. Splinterlands

Splinterlands is a play-to-earn trading card game that gets more exciting as you build your deck.

You’ll receive a limited number of trading cards to start for free.

You can use these cards to battle monsters and experience the game.

DEC (Dark Energy Crystals) is the game’s main currency.

Players earn DEC by winning against opponents, claiming reward chests, and ranking in weekly tournaments.

If you want to earn rewards, you’ll need a Summoner’s Spellbook (around $10)

If you don’t want to buy cards, you can rent high-level cards from the rental market to work your way up.

As your level goes higher, you unlock card abilities that help you complete quests faster to earn rewards.

7. Gods Unchained

Gods Unchained is another free-to-play tactical card game that allows you to own your cards and mint new ones as NFTs.

You can create an account on their website and receive a welcome deck of cards. And use it to get familiar with the game.

The welcome set also contains core cards you can forge into Meteorite NFT Cards.

You can sell NFT cards in the marketplace, or trade them with other players.

You earn rewards in expansion packs when you rank in the game…

And earn the biggest rewards from in-game events.

Gods Unchained uses its native token GODS.

The developers designed the game so you can rise the ranks with basic cards without spending too much.

8. The Sandbox

The Sandbox is a free to play virtual reality world that was built by former employees of EA, Sony and Ubisoft.

This is another game that rewards you for your creativity.

There are 166,464 unique plots of land in this metaverse. And land owners can build things like museums, art galleries on their plots…

You can even host live events like private parties or concerts in the Sandbox. And choose to monetize this experience by charging admission fees to visitors.

There’s a creative tool called VoxEdit that allows you to create avatars, vehicles, plans, animals, tools and other objects…

A marketplace you can sell these on for SAND (the native currency)…

And even a tool called Gamer Maker that lets you develop 3d games without code!

9. Decentraland

Decentraland is another free to play metaverse that lets you own and build on virtual real estate.

Land owners can build on, or rent out their land for others to use.

Only 90,000 plots of land will ever exist in this metaverse.

You can earn MANA (the native currency) through rent, casinos and even ticket sales for live events like virtual concerts that happen in Decentraland.

You can also create and customize your own avatar…

Play games…

And hang out with other players.

This is a decentralized platform, so there’s no governing authority that makes the rules.

Instead its community owns the game and builds on it together.

10. Crypto Blades

CryptoBlades is an online role-playing and fighting game that lets you level up and create epic gear.

There are four elements: earth, fire, lightning and water…

All characters, weapons and enemies are assigned a part. And the elements increase or decrease the chances of success in battle.

SKILL is the primary token of CryptoBlades.

You earn SKILL from bosses, staking, PVP and raids…

And you use SKILL to recruit characters, forge weapons and make purchases.

You can also trade your characters and weapons on the marketplace.

11. Thetan Arena

Thetan Arena is a MOBA style game, like League of Legends or DOTA 2.

You can download it now on iOS.

You don’t need to pay anything to play this game. But if you buy an NFT, you’ll be rewarded with Thetan coins after a match.

Heroes have different rarities and different skins. The higher rarity ones give you more Thetan coins per battle won.

You have a limited amount of battles per day. And the better the hero, the more battles you’ll have.

Each hero has a lifetime amount of battles they can earn Thetan coins…

It’s possible to earn even if you play for free. You’ll get rewarded when you advance in ranks instead of per win.

12. Axie Infinity

Axie Infinity is a play-to-earn battle royale with a turn-based battle system like Pokémon.

You own pets called Axies that you can customize, breed, and battle them against each other for SLP (Smooth Love Potion).

You must own 3 Axies play (around $20 now).

After that you can breed, trade and customize your Axies.

There are 2 modes: Adventure and Arena.

Only the strong will survive in Arena mode (this is PvP)…

Adventure mode is recommended for beginners. You can level up your Axies there through daily quests. And earn a limited amount of SLP per day.

You can also earn Axie Shards (AXS) in Adventure mode.

AXS holders can vote on the direction of the game’s development. This includes updates, and the usage of the game’s treasury.

Conclusion

By now I hope you’re beginning to see the potential of Play-to-Earn games…

We’re in an exciting age where gamers finally are rewarded for their time in video games.

The industry is still young, but it’s growing fast, and has a lot of potential.

So now’s a great time to get in early, own, and get paid to game!