9 Best Play-to-Earn Games for Real Rewards in 2025

Beam Hub is a platform where players craft, battle, and trade in a decentralized gaming ecosystem. Built on Solana, it rewards users with its native token, $BEAM, and NFTs like customizable gear and virtual “Hubs.” Beam Hub assets have cross-game utility, like a sword usable in multiple titles or a Hub that hosts mini-games. Transactions here are gas-free, thanks to Solana’s low-cost network.

The game is free to start on PC and mobile, welcoming newcomers to Web3 with intuitive tools. No coding skills? No problem. Design NFTs using Beam’s drag-and-drop creator or rent pre-built Hubs to jumpstart your journey. Use a hardware wallet like Ledger for extra security, and stake $BEAM early to earn bonus rewards as the ecosystem grows.

Beam Hub’s strength lies in its collaborative economy. Earn $BEAM by crafting rare items, winning PvP matches, or leasing Hubs to other players. Recent updates, like a mobile app launch, have broadened its reach. For smooth gameplay, update your app regularly and keep a small $BEAM balance for instant trades. Missed tournament rewards? They expire after 30 days, so stay active. And always double-check NFT compatibility, since not all Beam assets work in third-party games.

8. Notcoin – A Viral Play-to-Earn Phenomenon on Telegram

Notcoin has exploded as a viral P2E sensation, blending simple gameplay with cryptocurrency rewards on the TON blockchain. Launched in January 2024 as a Telegram-based “tap-to-earn” game, it quickly conquered over 35 million users by letting players mine $NOT tokens by tapping a virtual coin. Unlike traditional crypto games requiring complex setups, Notcoin’s accessibility, meaning no upfront costs or crypto knowledge needed, makes it a gateway for newcomers to Web3.

Notcoin turns casual gaming into tangible rewards. Thanks to TON’s secure blockchain, players own their $NOT tokens indefinitely, even if they stop playing. Its viral design fuels mass adoption, aligning with Telegram’s 900-million-user base.

The game’s initial tap-to-earn model has since evolved into an “explore-to-earn” system, where users earn tokens by interacting with Web3 projects and completing tasks like joining Telegram groups or following social media accounts. Players can convert in-game efforts into real-world value with $NOT now tradable on exchanges like Binance and Bybit. However, its meme-coin status and volatile market performance demand caution.

9. Hamster Kombat – A Viral Tap-to-Earn Game on Telegram and TON

Hamster Kombat emerged in 2024 as a viral play-to-earn clicker game, blending casual tapping mechanics with crypto rewards on The Open Network (TON) blockchain. Players become hamster CEOs managing virtual crypto exchanges, tapping to earn their native token, $HMSTR. Unlike complex P2E titles, it emphasizes accessibility and rapid progression – think Cookie Clicker meets decentralized finance, hosted directly on Telegram.

The game is free and instant to play via Telegram’s Mini App, requiring no downloads or upfront costs. Its simple onboarding introduces wallets and upgrades through daily tasks. Recent growth surpassed 300 million users, fueled by YouTube tutorials and community engagement. However, approach with caution: token value fluctuates, and the Season 1 airdrop faced criticism over eligibility limits. Always verify official channels – scams impersonating the team have increased.

Hamster Kombat’s appeal lies in its layered earning strategy. You generate $HMSTR by tapping, upgrading exchange tools (like marketing or licenses), and completing puzzles. Rare “CEO cards” boost profits, but value depends on player demand. Planned upgrades include an NFT marketplace, multiplayer battles, and a TON-based layer-2 blockchain for faster transactions. Long-term success hinges on sustaining engagement and balancing tokenomics.

What Are Play-to-Earn Games?

Play-to-earn (P2E) games allow you to earn real-world rewards, typically cryptocurrencies or digital assets, through your in-game activities. These games integrate blockchain technology to secure ownership of in-game assets as non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

You can earn by carrying out tasks, winning challenges, or trading assets within the game. This model enhances engagement by providing financial incentives and grants you ownership of your in-game assets, allowing you to sell or trade these assets outside the game. This approach merges gaming with economic activity, turning entertainment into a potential source of income.

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The Truth About Play-to-Earn Games

Let’s be honest about P2E. The hype often hides a tougher reality. Most P2E games simply don’t make players significant money. While profitable ones exist, they nearly always require you to invest upfront – buying NFTs or special assets first. Truly sustainable “free-to-earn” models are rare. Even with hours of daily play, typical earnings for most users hover around $5 to $10 per month. Grinding repetitive tasks is common, and bots often dominate these activities, squeezing out real players.

Beyond dedicated P2E crypto games, you might earn small amounts selling items or accounts in popular traditional titles like Counter-Strike, League of Legends, Hearthstone, Magic Arena, World of Warcraft, RuneScape, or Diablo. But overall, expecting substantial, easy income from playing games usually leads to disappointment.

How Do P2E Games Work?

Play-to-earn (P2E) NFT games let players earn digital currency or assets by completing tasks, competing, or trading in-game items. Unlike traditional games, these systems often link virtual achievements to real-world value. Here’s a breakdown of standard earning methods and how they are different from broader NFT platforms.

Virtual Land Ownership as Potential Revenue

Metaverse games like The Sandbox and Decentraland allow players to buy, develop, or rent NFT-based land. For instance, Samsung purchased land in Decentraland to build a virtual replica of its flagship store, while Adidas hosted a metaverse fashion show on its Sandbox property. Landowners increase value by adding structures, hosting events, or leasing space to brands.

A key distinction lies in marketplaces: Games like Decentraland have built-in platforms for trading land and assets easily within their ecosystems. OpenSea, a general NFT marketplace, supports cross-game trading but can’t always integrate game-specific features. For example, a Decentraland wearable might lose functionality if sold on OpenSea.

Gaining from Rare In-Game Items

Players often discover or craft rare items to progress in games, which can then be sold for profit. In Axie Infinity, players breed and sell Axies, digital creatures used in battles, with some fetching hundreds of dollars due to unique traits. Similarly, Gods Unchained lets players sell rare cards like the “Demogorgon” for significant sums. These items are typically traded on the game’s native marketplace, guaranteeing transactions align with gameplay mechanics and retain value within the ecosystem.

Skill-Based Earnings in Competitive Play

Some P2E games reward players based on skill rather than passive activity. For example, Splinterlands, a strategy card game, distributes cryptocurrency rewards to winners of ranked matches. STEPN, a move-to-earn app, converts users’ real-world steps into crypto tokens, with daily rewards scaling based on consistency and effort. This creates a merit-based economy where top performers earn more, encouraging strategic gameplay or active participation.

Types of Play-to-Earn Games

Blockchain gaming covers many genres, each offering its own ways to earn crypto rewards. From managing virtual farms to battling in AI-driven worlds, here’s a breakdown of popular P2E categories and their standout titles.

⛰️ Adventure & Exploration

Dive into immersive worlds where quests and combat yield rewards. Valhalla, for example, lets players conquer mythical realms and trade rare loot. Beam Hub takes this further, acting as a multi-game platform where NFTs like swords or spaceships work across titles. Earn tokens by completing story missions, winning PvP duels, or leasing in-game hubs to other players.

🗺️ Strategy & Resource Management

These games reward careful planning and creativity. The Web3 game Pixels combines farming and crafting. Players can grow Rainbow Corn, forge tools, and sell them during price spikes. On the other hand, the Sandbox challenges players to build anything on their virtual lands, exploring new territory and interacting with other users along the way.

⚔️ NFT Battles & Collectibles

Build and trade digital assets with real utility. Axie Infinity pioneered NFT-based creature battles, where players breed and sell Axies for profit. This kind of game emphasizes strategic team-building and marketplace intelligence.

🌃 Metaverse Building & Real Estate

Create, own, and monetize virtual worlds. The Sandbox and Decentraland let users buy LAND, host events, or design NFT wearables. For example, Adidas hosted a metaverse fashion show in The Sandbox, driving up nearby land value. Earn through rentals, asset sales, or staking tokens in governance pools.

📱Casual & Mobile Earning

These are quick, accessible games for on-the-go rewards. Notcoin, a Telegram-based tap-to-earn game, rewards users for simple tasks like joining communities. While lighter on strategy, these games offer low barriers to entry for Web3 newcomers.

Each category suits different playstyles. Love storytelling? Try Valhalla. Do you prefer a slow-paced strategy? Pixels delivers. You can diversify earnings and reduce risk by combining genres, like Beam Hub’s cross-game NFTs, with The Sandbox’s real estate.

Are Play-To-Earn Crypto Games Legit?

Play-to-earn crypto games are legitimate gaming powered by blockchain technology. These games let players earn real-world value through achievements, tradable NFTs, and cryptocurrencies. Unlike traditional games, P2E platforms offer true ownership of in-game assets, which you can sell or trade freely, even outside the game. Built on decentralized networks like Ethereum or Solana, they offer transparent economies where players influence value through supply, demand, and governance voting.

However, the P2E space is not without risks. Scams, like fake games or phishing schemes, can be common:

• Scams & phishing: Fake games or schemes designed to steal your crypto.
• Malicious wallets: Criminals trick players into depositing funds into harmful wallets.
• High upfront costs: Investments can be lost if a game’s economy fails.
• Volatile earnings: Crypto value changes rapidly, affecting your rewards.
• Pay-to-win mechanics: Players spending more money often gain significant advantages.
• Regulatory uncertainty & unclear taxes: Rules for crypto earnings vary widely by location.
• Hacking risks: Even legitimate platforms can be breached; secure your wallet with strong passwords and 2FA.

Research developers’ backgrounds and prioritize games with third-party security audits (like The Sandbox or Gods Unchained) to stay safe. Stick to titles with active communities and transparent roadmaps. Avoid games promising “guaranteed returns.” If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. While P2E offers exciting opportunities, approach it like investing: diversify, start small, and never risk more than you can afford to lose.

Benefits vs. Risks

Are Play-To-Earn Crypto Games Legal?

Yes, P2E games are generally legal in most places, but it’s complicated. Rules depend heavily on where you live and how the game works. If a game relies on luck (like loot boxes) to award prizes, it might be seen as gambling, which requires licenses or could be banned locally.

Game tokens also face scrutiny. If they act like tradable assets, platforms must follow financial rules (like anti-money laundering checks). Developers often base operations in crypto-friendly places (e.g., Switzerland) to reduce risks. Always check your country’s stance – laws change fast, and not every game “plays by the rules.”

What P2E Games Have Been Released This Year?

The popularity of play-to-earn crypto games has been growing rapidly. These games revolutionize traditional gaming by offering real-world value through gameplay. Unlike traditional games, they reward players with cryptocurrencies and NFTs, which can be traded or sold for fiat currency.

Here are some of the newest crypto-earning games to play in 2025:

Can You Play P2E Games on Mobile?

P2E games are typically accessible through mobile devices, with the most popular operating systems being Android and iOS.

FAQs About Play to Earn Games