Blockchain technology has created an opportunity for developers to develop and launch projects based upon distributed ledger technology. As a result, we have seen the popularity of a variety of new types of projects, including play-to-earn (P2E) and move-to-earn (M2E) games increase.
What are Play-to-earn Games?
Play-to-earn games are a type of blockchain based game where players can earn rewards while they play the game. These games are typically decentralized applications (dApps) where players can experience true ownership of their digital items, and earn real-world rewards in the form of cryptocurrency or non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Examples of Play-to-earn Games
There have been a number of successful Play-to-earn games that have hit the blockchain space over recent years. These include:
• Gods Unchained – A strategy card game built upon the Ethereum blockchain
• Alien Worlds – A role-playing game where players battle for planets to harvest resources
• Axie Infinity – A Pokemon-esque game where players can collect, battle, and construct playgrounds
• Splinterlands – A collectible card game built upon the Steem blockchain
• Blockchain Cuties – A collectible game where players can own, collect, and breed various cute digital creatures.
What are Move-to-earn Games?
Move-to-earn games, by comparison, are somewhat more traditional when compared to P2E games. They involve a series of challenges and levels, where players must master core mechanics to progress and make it to the next level. The main difference is that in crypto-based M2E games, players can win real-world rewards such as cryptocurrency and NFTs.
Examples of Move-to-earn Games
Like Play-to-earn games, there are many successful examples of M2E games. These include:
• Crypto Space Commander – A space exploration sandbox simulator game
• Neon District – A tactical cyberpunk adventure game
• DreamTeam – A 3D blockchain-based strategy game
• The 4th Pillar – An online platform and a game combining tasks, mini-games, and exploration
• Beyond the Void – A sci-fi game combining card battle and real-time strategy
Benefits of P2E & M2E
Play-to-earn and move-to-earn games have a number of benefits that make them appealing over traditional gaming experiences.
• True Ownership – Players in Play-to-earn and Move-to-earn games hold real-world digital assets and are able to trade them with other players in a peer-to-peer manner.
• Digital Currency Rewards – Allowing players to earn digital currency adds an extra layer of interest and adds an incentive to play the games longer and at a higher level of skill.
• Crypto-inclusive – Players are able to purchase items and assets within the games using cryptocurrency, as opposed to in-game currency which is common in traditional gaming experiences. This gives gamers more control and flexibility over how they want to pay.
• NFTs – Non-fungible tokens enable players to build their own unique assets and collections that are unique, scarce, and highly sought-after.
• Decentralized – As opposed to centralized gaming networks and software, blockchain-based gaming experiences are decentralized – meaning that users are in often in full control of their data and assets.
• Open Platforms – Blockchain-based gaming platforms are open, meaning that game developers can create independent applications and are not bound to the rules and regulations of traditional gaming networks.
Differences Between P2E & M2E
The main difference between Play-to-earn and Move-to-earn games is the type of gameplay itself.
Play-to-earn games typically rely more heavily on the trading of digital assets, and the core gameplay can be linked to a variety of markets and platforms. Thus, many P2E games can feel like a digital economy game, rather than traditional gaming experiences.
Move-to-earn games, meanwhile, are more akin to traditional video games. The gameplay leans more heavily on core mechanics such as puzzles and challenges – with the addition of real-world rewards at the end.
With the rise of blockchain technology, we have seen the emergence of both Play-to-earn and Move-to-earn games as popular gaming experiences.
P2E and M2E games offer gamers a new form of gaming experience – one that has added incentives and flexibility such as true ownership of digital assets, digital currency rewards, and open platforms.
However, the core difference between P2E and M2E games lies in the style of gameplay, so the decision on which type of game to play depends heavily on the player’s preferences.