From Play-to-Earn to Play-and-Own: The New Evolution of Web3 Gaming Economy

Preface

In the Web3 world, NFT games (GameFi) have experienced multiple ups and downs, from the early Axie Infinity convincing players that they could make money by playing games, to reflections after the bubble burst. The Play-to-Earn (P2E) concept is still deeply rooted in players’ minds, giving rise to more innovative gameplay.

What is Play-to-Earn?

P2E refers to players earning resources, NFTs, or tokens through games and converting these assets into real-world value. Unlike traditional games where only virtual items can be obtained, Web3 games allow players to truly own these assets, enabling them to trade, sell, or even rent, fundamentally transforming asset ownership.

Currently popular NFT game recommendations

Taking Big Time as an example, this multiplayer action RPG combines NFT equipment trading, allowing players to profit without having to play for long periods. Illuvium is known for its AAA-quality graphics and deep gameplay, integrating a land system and DAO governance. Pixels offers a lightweight pixel farming experience, suitable for casual players.

The Traps and Challenges of P2E

In the past, some GameFi projects fell into a “Ponzi” model, relying on subsequent players to maintain the economy. Games that aim for long-term survival must be fun and possess asset scarcity, offering diverse roles and gameplay to avoid profit-making becoming the sole driving force. Players who truly make money understand market rules and industry trends, positioning themselves in advance.

The Next Step in Game Economics: Play-and-Own

More and more projects emphasize “Play-and-Own”; players don’t necessarily have to make money, but the assets they own belong to them and can be traded, staked, and inherited. This represents the core value of Web3 games in the transfer of user sovereignty and ownership. In the future, games will support passive income, revenue sharing from user-created content, and participation in DAO governance.

Summary

NFT games are not only entertainment but also an important medium of Web3 that integrates creation and economy. While not everyone becomes wealthy, everyone can find their own place in the decentralized gaming world and enjoy the pleasure of true ownership.