CaryptosHeadlines Media Has Launched Its Native Token CHT.
Airdrop Is Live For Everyone, Claim Instant 5000 CHT Tokens Worth Of $50 USDT.
Join the Airdrop at the official website,
CryptosHeadlinesToken.com
The Play-to-Earn sector has undergone a tangible transformation over the past few years, from the hype surrounding NFT projects in 2021 to the emergence of more sustainable monetization models and quality gameplay.
Despite market volatility and skepticism towards “making money from games,” the ecosystem continues to evolve. For example, according to Cryptorank, from February 2024 to February 2025, the GameFi segment has attracted more than $850 million in investments.
In this article we will explain what Play-to-Earn is, as well as analyze the criteria by which new blockchain games should be evaluated and look at the most promising projects.
What is Play-to-Earn?
Play-to-Earn (P2E; play to earn) is a type of blockchain-based gaming project that provides digital assets to users during gameplay. These assets can exist in the form of exchangeable tokens or NFTs, be used in the project ecosystem, or traded on external platforms, allowing for financial gain.
The popularity of this model has led to the emergence of many projects with different earning mechanics:
- classic P2E games, where users are rewarded for completing in-game activities;
- games with an in-game economy, where revenue is tied to asset trading and interaction between players;
- casual Telegram games, where earnings are based on simple mechanics and high involvement.
An additional impetus to the development of the sector was given by the appearance of gaming mini-applications in Telegram. Projects such as Notcoin and Catizen attracted a mass audience due to their simple interface and quick user involvement. However, in most cases, their popularity is largely due to the speculative component, and only a few have managed to build a sustainable economic model.
Despite this, the P2E industry continues to evolve. Amidst a plethora of short-term projects, there are games that rely not only on the financial model, but also on gameplay. Off the Grid is one example of how Play-to-Earn can exist in the format of a full-fledged game ecosystem, where monetization becomes just one of the elements, not the main motivation of users.
Where to look for P2E games?
You can find promising P2E projects on specialized platforms that track blockchain project activity. For example:
- DappRadar is one of the largest aggregators of decentralized applications. The service analyzes user activity in blockchain games, allows you to track trends and select projects based on various parameters: the number of active players, trading volume or popularity;
- PlayToEarn is a platform focused on the GameFi sector. It publishes reviews of new and popular games, project ratings and industry news. A convenient filter allows you to choose games by genre, monetization model and blockchain.
In addition to specialized platforms, useful information about P2E games can be found in thematic Telegram channels, Discord servers of game projects and social networks like X and Reddit.
How to choose a P2E project and what criteria to evaluate?
Do not think of Play-to-Earn as just games. They are full-fledged blockchain projects that require the same in-depth analysis as DeFi protocols, blockchains or other platforms. Therefore, the game should be evaluated on at least three criteria – product, economics, and initial investment;
Product quality
A P2E game should be interesting in itself, not just for the sake of making money. If the gameplay is boring, users will use the application only for the sake of farming, and as the profitability drops, they will simply leave, bringing down the token and the entire internal economy.
Therefore, when evaluating a product, it is worth paying attention to how engaging the process is without being tied to tokens, whether the game stands out with a new experience or unusual gameplay, as well as an original visual style.
The already mentioned Off the Grid is a full-fledged gaming project that would be able to compete in the market even without a token and additional incentives for players.
Economics and tokenomics
The P2E financial model is a complex system in which it is important to understand where the money comes from to pay users. Most play-to-earn mechanics hang on one of two principles:
- The distribution of user money, i.e. the classic “pyramid” in which newcomers pay for the profits of early entrants;
- monetization through commissions, in-game purchases, cooperation with brands, selling advertising and finding other sources of income.
It is also worth paying attention to the tokenomics of the project, in particular, the rate of issuance, the presence of mechanisms for redeeming and burning tokens or technical limitations that prevent the sale of the asset on the open market.
Initial investment
If a game requires a large investment at the start, it increases the risks. The “the more you invest, the more you earn” model often leads to rapid token inflation, difficulty attracting new players and making payments to existing players.
Therefore, it is important that the project provides mechanics that encourage real activity, not just token farming, as well as the ability to use the product with little or no investment.
In addition to the product, economics, and investment, it’s worth analyzing the fundamentals of any crypto project:
- marketing and community – how popular is the project, what are its prospects?
- team – are the developers known, do they have any successful projects?
- Security – are smart contracts and in-game transactions verified?
- Partnerships – are large investors or platforms backing the project?
Top 5 projects of the Play-to-Earn segment in 2025
Despite significant investments and development of the GameFi sector, games with the Play-to-Earn model remain high-risk, and the success of individual projects depends on the sustainability of their economic models and the quality of gameplay. Below are some of the best-known examples that have proven their viability in practice.
An ambitious space setting MMORPG on the Solana blockchain developed by Automata. The project is focused on creating a virtual universe with an open economy, in which players control star ships, participate in battles, extract resources and develop colonies. In-game property is represented in the form of NFT, which can be traded on marketplaces.
A decentralized meta-universe offering players the ability to create, own and monetize digital assets. The Sandbox uses NFT to represent land (LAND) and game objects, while in-game tools VoxEdit and Game Maker allow users to design virtual worlds. Project partners include Adidas, Snoop Dogg and other major brands.
A fantasy MMORPG from Bright Star Studios that features a decentralized game economy. Players can explore the world, mine resources, craft items, and engage in PvP battles. NFTs in Ember Sword are rather decorative or collectible items that do not affect the game balance, but can be traded on external marketplaces. In addition, unlike most P2E games, the project requires no initial investment.
A medieval MMORPG from Gala Games centered around the concept of owning and managing in-game territories. Users can purchase castles, villages and other properties, as well as engage in trading, hunting, building and caravan management, making the in-game economic model deeper compared to most other P2E games.
A mobile cooperative RPG from Immutable that focuses on strategic gameplay and character development. The game features a guild system that allows users to join together to complete quests and levels. All in-game property is represented in NFT format, and transactions are conducted through the second-level ImmutableX network.
Play-to-earn projects without initial investment
Not all Play-to-Earn projects require an initial investment. Some allow you to earn in-game assets and NFTs without having to buy starter kits or tokens. As a rule, such games are focused on attracting a wide audience and monetizing attention.
An online multiplayer game from Mythical Games, inspired by platformers and social sandboxes such as Fall Guys and Roblox. Users can create their own mini-games, participate in events, and earn exclusive NFTs. Unlike most P2E projects, the focus here is on user-generated content and collectible characters with market value.
A collectible card game from Horizon Blockchain Games, featuring deep strategic gameplay. Unlike traditional CCGs, here players can freely trade their cards represented as NFTs. The project uses a Free-to-Play model, allowing you to earn rare cards by defeating your opponents in matches.
a blockchain-based alternative to Pokémon developed by B-Side Games. Players catch, train and battle creatures called Chainmons, which are represented as NFTs. The game utilizes the Flow blockchain, providing low fees and high transaction speeds. The built-in quest system allows you to earn rare items without the need for initial investment.
An action-RPG from independent developer Cliff Cawley, in which players explore procedurally generated dungeons and hunt for rare items. The project is notable for its dynamic Diablo-style combat system and elaborate loot mechanics. In-game NFTs have real value and can be sold on the Enjin Marketplace.
The best P2E games for smartphones
The mobile Play-to-Earn segment is evolving to target a wider audience of mobile users, making them popular among both crypto-enthusiasts and traditional gamers. It’s also easier to compete in this area, which opens up more opportunities for independent developers or small studios.
A collectible card game from Splinterlands Inc. that combines elements of Hearthstone and blockchain mechanics. Players collect NFT cards, participate in battles and receive in-game tokens for victories. The project is distinguished by a developed cybersports component and regular tournaments with prize funds.
MOBA from WolfFun Games in which users fight in team-based battles using NFT heroes. The game combines traditional mechanics of the genre with blockchain to earn in-game tokens for victories. The developers regularly add new characters and in-game events to keep the community engaged.
A mobile MMORPG from Korean company Wemade that uses blockchain to create an in-game economy. Users can earn by collecting and trading resources.
Conclusion
The Play-to-Earn sector continues to adapt to new market realities, gradually shifting from speculative models to more sustainable gaming ecosystems. Despite the volatility of the crypto industry, a number of projects have managed to demonstrate viability and retain an audience, offering not only earning mechanisms, but also a quality gaming experience.
When choosing a P2E game, it is important to consider not only the earning potential, but also the sustainability of the project. The mechanics of user retention, in-game economy, content quality and community activity play a significant role. In addition, keeping the audience interested requires developers to constantly update and introduce new game mechanics.
Multiplayer role-playing games, meta-universes with user-generated content and mobile P2E games targeting the mass market hold the greatest promise in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does Play-to-Earn mean?
Play-to-Earn is the concept of allowing users to earn guaranteed income through in-game activities.
What is P2E?
It’s short for Play-to-Earn.
How do Play-to-Earn segment projects work?
P2E projects belong to the GameFi sector. The latter is characterized by financial incentives that make users invest their time and money in the product.
How are P2E games organized?
The specific mechanisms may vary, but earnings are always generated in the form of digital value that can be realized outside of the “parent” platform.
What do Play-to-Earn projects make money on?
There are several main systems: in-game currency based, non-mutualizable token based, and steaking based.
How to make money on NFT games without investment?
You should choose a project that allows you to interact with the application without an initial investment. However, investment will probably still be required at later stages.
