As a leader in the play-to-earn (P2E) sector, Axie Infinity has demonstrated to the world the potential of blockchain gaming. NFT games based on the Axie-textbook model quickly appeared after Axie’s rise to stardom, many of which put their own spin on the concept. As a result, a diverse selection of new games has been created that appeal to a wide range of players.

In this article, I will discuss some existing and upcoming games that have sparked the interest of the community.

1. StepN

STEPN is the first fitness game in which players may earn money just by moving around rather than by playing or winning. All STEPN sneakers, whether purchased from Magic Eden or the in-game STEPN shop, may be used to enter the game. The sneakers come in many various sorts and qualities, and players will have to make strategic judgments in choosing a pair that optimizes their profits. In general, the more the characteristics and rarities, the better the sneakers.

With just 100 minutes of continuous gameplay, each user will have a maximum of 100 pairs of shoes and a restricted amount of revenue-generating gameplay (also known as “workout minutes”). On average, having three pairs of shoes (not improved) will provide a profit of ~17, counting daily maintenance costs. At current pricing, it comes to ~$55 per day! Not bad for just 45 minutes of activity, especially for the fitness freaks out there.

2. Crabada

Playing games, especially one with as high stakes as the present version of Axie Infinity, where you must win to earn, may be stressful. Not to consider the time spent watching the battles when you actively control your Axies. For those of you who are thinking, “that’s a lot of work,” we may have the solution for you.

Crabada is Avalanche’s most popular play-and-earn game. Players require at least 3 crabs to go on mining excursions, which take roughly 4 hours to accomplish if unbothered by looters. The player gains 3.75 CRA and 303.75 TUS for successfully mining without being robbed by an opponent team. So what makes Crabada unique? Right now, it simply sounds like Axie Infinity 2.0.

What distinguishes Crabada is that it is an idle game. What this implies is that the act of plundering and mining for instance are hands-free – you won’t need to be present to make every move for your crabs, they may run the show themselves. In addition, players and CRA hodlers may use the site to stake their CRA and earn rewards.

If that’s not enough to get you started, consider that the top 11 earners on Crabada combined made more than $5 million previously. However, the problem is that crabs now cost at least $1,300, which means gamers would need to shell out $3,900 to get started. Crabada has historically been a highly successful “game,” but its hefty entry cost makes participation difficult for the average gamer.

3. Ember Sword

Ember Sword is a forthcoming free-to-play MMORPG set in the eponymous digital world, which features four nations, namely Solarwood, Duskeron, Edison, and Sevrend. The gameplay is reminiscent of Runescape, a 90s internet phenomenon. Players will be able to move freely across the world to hunt and kill monsters, bosses, and competing players to level up. It is possible for players who prefer to work as master craftsmen or merchants to scout the globe in quest of unique, tradable NFT objects that can be made from common and uncommon materials.

The game contains an ERC-20 token called Ember, which can be used to buy land, collectibles, subscription plans, and more. Ember Sword does not contain any pay-to-win aspects, and any purchases made will not provide its owners an unfair edge.

What makes Ember Sword distinctive is also its approach towards world-building. It’s important to note that Ember Sword’s land (which is an NFT) is collectively owned by its players, as opposed to other massively multiplayer online role-playing games such as MapleStory, Runescape, Ragnarok, and more. Pre-alpha testing for Ember Sword will begin in 2022, when it will be made available to the public.

4. Illuvium

Illuvium is one of the most eagerly awaited P2E games for 2022. It is hailed as the first AAA blockchain-based game to hit the cryptoverse. The game sends the player on an expedition within a magical open-world, where they must explore and catch roaming animals of the planet called Illuvials. Illuvials and other in-game items are held on-chain as NFTs in the player’s wallet and therefore may be sold for profit or exchanged freely. Illuvium also features an auto-battler system comparable to the ones in DOTA Auto Chess and Teamfight Tactics. Illuvium can be compared to Pokemon, except instead of the classic turn-based combat system, it uses a 3D auto-fight in an enclosed Arena.

Also, much like Pokemon, Illuvials may come in many various classes and affinities, each with its own weaknesses and strengths that players can maneuver around in the Arena. In addition to the core game, there is also Illuvium:Zero, a construction game that adds a land component to Illuvium, enabling players to cultivate resources on their land to develop their own industrial complex.

5. Aurory

This is the narrative of two universes. Both Antik and Tokane are other realities uncovered by the elusive Satoshi Nakamoto, one of the world’s most famous cryptographic sleuths. And, in case you’re unfamiliar with the name, the hero of this amazing narrative is named Sam (check the ecosystem to see why).

It’s interesting how the narrative of Aurory shows the contradiction between centralization and decentralization, one that the cryptoverse can connect to and unite around. Slap on aspects of Pokemon and Studio Ghibli influenced aesthetics and you have one amazing bundle.

Aurory’s main gameplay is similar to that of traditional Pokemon games, in that it takes place in a large, open environment where players capture and use Nefties, creatures they find, in turn-based combat. One major distinction is that Aurory is a play-to-earn game whereas Nefty is a tradable or sellable NFT. Players can get involved in both PVE and PVP combat to win prizes.

Aurory appears to be a stunning game with Ghibli-style calm, based on gameplay footage shown in trailers. Aurory may be the perfect entry point into the world of blockchain Tokane for Pokemon players interested in a play-to-earn counterpart.

6. Pegaxy

Have you ever dreamed of owning a renowned horse like Seabiscuit or maybe the legendary Pegasus? Now is your chance. Pegaxy could be the thing for you – without any of the normal bother associated with horse raising. For as much as 200 USDT, you can get your hands on a magnificent winged horse named Pega, which you may use to compete in races to contend for the top 3 slots. Pegas exist in numerous sizes, forms, and stats, but the basic rule of thumb is greater stats = better.

Pegaxy also has an unique trustless leasing mechanism in place to support the scholar-owner transactional connection. In the game, players can breed, rent, sell and of course, race their Pegas. Each race will take on average 2 minutes to finish, with the top 3 victors collecting VIS rewards. What counts in a race is how well your Pega lines up to the Track. For instance, a Pega with high Fire attributes will be more likely to do well on a Fire track. With further updates planned, I expect the game’s player population to continue to increase in the coming months and years as well.

7. Genopets

The move-to-earn strategy is back. Just like STEPN, you move, you earn. But what Genopets is doing distinctively is that it provides a Pokemon-esque gamified advancement mechanism. A more powerful Genopet NFT may be created using the in-game prizes that you acquire by moving about the game world and interacting with other Genopets.

The Genopets website also stresses the need of working out your “mind and spirit” in addition to your muscles. In the demo, for example, hatching a Genopet takes channeling your “cognitive exertion,” and the emerging Genopet is one that best compliments your spiritual being. Crystal mints, the ingredients required to build Genopet Habitats (i.e., lands), can only be obtained through a series of cipher riddles, which users must solve in order to access them.

In terms of fundamental gameplay, Genopets and STEPN appear to be almost identical, with the exception of a few design differences that may appeal to various segments of the fitness community. However, who says you can’t run both in the background throughout your workout?

8. Thetan Arena

Like other MOBA games, Thetan Arena provides players with a wide range of heroes to choose from, including anything from assassins to tank commanders to sharpshooters. Beginners will be given a free marksman hero named Raidon. This hero will help you gain experience and unlock new goodies. These benefits may either be cashed out or reinvested into paid heroes or loot boxes to improve your earning potential.

Like its mobile non-play-to-earn equivalent, Brawl Stars, Thetan Arena likewise offers several game modes, with each mode having unique victory conditions that demand for different strategies. MOBA is an established and tested formula that has a big following of (often vociferous) supporters. If you appreciate a fast-paced, action-packed, skills-based challenge contrasted to the traditional, more peaceful play-to-earn games, certainly give Thetan Arena a try.

9. DeFi Kingdoms

Defi Kingdoms may be seen as a DeFi protocol environment wrapped in the guise of a 16-bit adventure game, which is a little tongue in cheek. As with previous Defi protocols, the cost to start is simply the amount you are prepared to commit, and so can vary dramatically from individual to individual.

However, the real fun comes once you secure a Hero from Agent Selina (i.e., secondary marketplace for Hero NFTs). These are characters that may work in several professions (i.e., miner, gardener, forager) for rewards, go on Adventure and Profession missions, and ultimately combat each other or other opponents in future versions. For instance, mining will give your Hero Mining profession experience points, which should boost your wealth as well as your stamina. Several more NPCs can be encountered in-game, like Vendor Zaya (NFT item shop), Banker Ian (JEWEL staking), Druid Lisa (Hero minting), and many more thereafter.

Defi Kingdoms is a good place to start if you’ve never used any DeFi protocols before, owing to the steep learning curve. Even for the DeFi professionals, DeFi Kingdoms is a lovely game that provides unique gamification of what is normally a drab, mercenarial affair.

10. Bomb Crypto

The source of inspiration for this game is obvious. In Bomb Crypto, players construct and control a squad of Bomber Heroes. Like traditional Bomberman, these heroes may be deployed in a confined arena where they will start arbitrarily planting bombs to mine for BCOIN. The abilities of heroes (strength, speed, endurance, bomb quantity, bomb range) impact their efficiency in unearthing treasures. For instance, a higher speed indicates that the hero will be able to sprint about in the arena faster. The basic rule of thumb is the rarer the hero, the greater the numbers.

Running around across the arena depletes your hero’s stamina, and once it hits zero, you must rest your hero to replenish it – a process that may be accelerated by building a house for your heroes to rest in.

Bomb Crypto swiftly garnered popularity for its simplicity, inexpensive cost-of-entry, and not to mention the 90s nostalgia with its Bomberman-inspired aesthetic.

Closing thoughts

Axie Infinity’s monopoly over play-to-earn is gone. Crypto games are now diverse and imaginative, with AAA titles like Illuvium and Aurory in development. In 2022, there will be far too many games to cover in one article. Whether you’re a crypto veteran or not, these are games you should keep an eye out for!