Top 5 NFT Games with Play-to-Own Models

NFT gaming has witnessed exponential growth, merging immersive gameplay with blockchain tech. Among these, 5 games stand out for their play-to-own models: Axie Infinity, The Sandbox, Pixels, Illuvium, and Sunflower Land.

Understanding Play-to-Own vs. Play-to-Earn

Before exploring these games, let's differentiate between 'play-to-earn' and 'play-to-own.' The play-to-earn (P2E) model focuses on accumulating digital tokens or assets through gameplay, rewarding players for their in-game activities.

Conversely, play-to-own emphasizes true ownership of in-game assets, such as characters and items. This model grants players full control and legal rights over their in-game properties, allowing them to trade, sell, or use these assets outside the game. Unlike P2E, play-to-own is more aligned with mainstream gaming values, rewarding players based on quests, achievements, and other milestones, and addressing concerns about integrating blockchain tech in gaming.

1. Axie Infinity: The Pioneer of Web3 Gaming

Axie Infinity is a trailblazer in crypto gaming, known for its creature-based gameplay. Players breed, raise, and battle Axies, with each Axie being a unique NFT. While initially a P2E game, Axie has evolved in recent years, expanding its ecosystem with a focus on asset ownership. 

The game now exemplifies the play-to-own model by allowing players to own, trade, and monetize their in-game creatures. Sky Mavis has granted commercial rights to select NFT owners, allowing them to turn their Axies into physical items like t-shirts, posters, mugs, and more. 

NFT Axies are gateways to other Axie mini-games, such as Raylights, a "lightweight" version of land game that allows you to earn AXP, which can be used to evolve Axie characters, and Defenders of Lunacian Land (DoLL), where players fight against waves of enemies to earn $SLP. With a host of Axie titles to choose from, players can dive into various experiences and unlock utilities for their NFTs. 

2. The Sandbox: Digital Real Estate and Creativity

The Sandbox is a virtual world where players use voxels to create, own, and monetize content. It stands out in the play-to-own space by offering digital real estate (LAND) as NFTs, empowering users to have a stake in the game's universe and profit from their creations. 

With open publishing, LAND owners can publish and advertise their unique experiences. LAND holders will also receive CATALYST, an ERC-1155 token that allows them to mint published ASSETS, making it possible to sell their work. 

For free players, they can always join a host of virtual events, such as the recent "Season's Greetings," to compete for $SAND tokens. Stack enough SAND, and you'll get to mint an NFT avatar, unlocking a bigger prize pool. 

3. Pixels: A Blockchain Farming MMO

Inspired by Stardew Valley and Runescape, Pixels is a blockchain farming sim with over 150k daily active users. Its impressive traction is mainly attributed to its vibrant gameplay and shared economy, with the option to play as your NFTs. 

Built with play-to-own mechanics, Pixels is also free to play, allowing anyone to create their farming empire. The gameplay revolves around gathering resources and customizing virtual plots where players can interact with and earn rewards. It migrated to the Ronin chain in 2023 and has fostered a stronger community. 

The game is now running a play-to-airdrop campaign, in which the top 7,000 players will secure their share of $PIXEL tokens by completing in-game tasks, earning badges, and accumulating points.

4. Illuvium: A New Standard for RPGs in Web3 Gaming

Illuvium offers an open-world adventure where players capture and train creatures, known as Illuvials. Each Illuvial is a unique NFT, emphasizing the play-to-own model by allowing players to own a part of the game's world and engage in a story-driven experience.

Illuvium has 3 interoperable games: Illuvium Overworld, where players explore an alien landscape and capture rare Illuvials in different regions; Illuvium Arena, where players assemble teams of Illuvials to compete in various modes, and Illuvium Zero, where players build and manage digital complex and earn from resources. 

5. Sunflower Land: Farming with a Blockchain Twist

Lastly, Sunflower Land is a blockchain farming sim known for being among the first to adopt the play-to-own model. Players manage their farms, grow crops, and raise animals, with each asset represented as an NFT. This game combines the tranquility of farming with the appeal of blockchain tech and digital ownership.

Final Thoughts

Axie Infinity, The Sandbox, Pixels, Illuvium, and Sunflower Land are some of the games altering the Web3 scene with their play-to-own models. They each offer unique experiences, from creature battles in Axie Infinity to limitless possibilities in Pixels and the serene farming in Sunflower Land. These games not only provide entertainment but also integrate blockchain tech in a way that involves player ownership and engagement, setting them apart from the P2E models.