Top NFT games are taking the world by storm, and 2023 is shaping up to be a big year for the industry. If you want to join in on the excitement, this blog is for you! We’ve researched and compiled a must-play list of the top NFT games of the year.
These games are enjoyable and allow you to own a piece of digital history in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). As the world becomes increasingly digital, NFTs are a powerful way to connect people with their favorite things.
With the growth of blockchain technology and the increasing popularity of NFTs, it’s no surprise that the best NFT games are making their mark in the gaming world. So, buckle up and get ready for an adventure unlike any other as we dive into the best NFT games of 2023.
What are NFTs?
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are a type of digital token that use blockchain technology to establish unique ownership of a digital asset. NFTs can take many forms, such as digital art, collectibles, virtual real estate, and more.
They offer a solution to the challenge of creating decentralized digital collectibility and ownership in a world where digital copies can be easily replicated. The non-fungible property of NFTs means that each token is one-of-a-kind and cannot be swapped for another token with the same value.
Unlike cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, where each unit is interchangeable, NFTs are unique and have their own distinct metadata, even if they are part of a series with multiple versions.
How Do NFT Games Work?
NFT games are a new and exciting development in the world of NFTs. These games utilize NFTs in their rules, mechanisms, and player interactions, allowing players to own, trade, and profit from NFTs in a gaming environment.
For example, players may have unique NFT avatar or digital items that they can trade with other players. The play-to-earn model also allows players to earn income from their NFTs in the game.
To implement NFTs in a game, developers use smart contracts, which are self-executing pieces of code stored on a blockchain. These smart contracts define the rules for the NFTs used in the game and allow for the creation, swapping, and implementation of NFTs within the game environment.
A prime example of NFT games is CryptoKitties, where the game is structured by a small number of main contracts. For example, the geneScience contract determines the random mechanics that generate new cats.
Initially, the game developers kept the code secret, leading players to create tools to analyze the odds of specific traits in cats. With this information, players could optimize their chances of developing a rare breed worth more money.
List of Top NFT Games in 2023
When it comes to choosing NFT games, it’s important to consider your personal preferences and goals. Not all NFT games are created equal, and they come in a variety of genres and styles.
Some NFT games are play-to-earn, meaning you can earn rewards by playing the game, while others are just for pure entertainment and free-to-play NFT games. To help you make an informed decision, here are some of the top 11 NFT games you should consider playing in 2023.
Axie Infinity
Axie Infinity is one of the most popular NFT games, boasting over 2.8 million daily active players. This play-to-earn game allows players to earn AXS tokens by playing, which can then be used in the platform’s governance.
Players start by buying three digital pets called Axies and raise them to create generations of creatures. Each Axie leaves its genetic imprint on its descendants, passing down its characteristics, weaknesses, and strengths.
The ultimate goal is to create a rare breed of Axies with unique traits to get a good price for them on the Ethereum NFT marketplaces. According to the Axie Infinity website, the most expensive Axie ever sold was for $820,000, and $3.6 billion worth of transactions have taken place in their in-house marketplace.
Alien Worlds
Another top NFT game is Alien Worlds, which has over 1.1 million users, according to Statista. This play-to-earn game involves earning Trilium (TLM), which is used to gain control in the Planet Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (Planet DAOs) and for accessing additional gameplay. P
Players can participate in council candidate elections or run for the planetary council and go on missions to discover NFTs, which can be used for mining Trilium or for fighting battles and going on missions. NFTs come in different levels of rarity and shininess, determining their value in the game.
Gods Unchained
Gods Unchained is a trading card NFT game based on the play-to-earn model. This free-to-earn NFT game gives players complete ownership over their in-game items, meaning they’re free to sell, trade, or use their cards as they wish.
New players receive 140 free cards at the beginning, which they can use to learn how to play the game. Each card has unique powers and is categorized based on rarity, tribe, mana cost, god, and set.
Some cards allow players to summon creatures, give health to others, draw additional cards, and more. Players can collect cards by buying them from other players or by winning PVP games. The goal is to build decks to combat different tactics to outsmart opponents.
In PVP matches, players win by dropping their opponent’s life to zero first. They are then rewarded with experience points for every win, and once the experience bar is filled up, they receive a new pack of cards and move up to the next level.
The Sandbox
The Sandbox is a voxel-based NFT platform that enables users to create and animate their own assets, which can then be turned into NFTs and uploaded to the marketplace. The platform provides a unique experience where users can monetize their creations and offer them to the broader community.
The Sandbox’s metaverse comprises 166,464 pieces of digital real estate called LAND, which players can purchase and use to host games, build housing, or develop multiplayer experiences.
The platform’s utility token, SAND, can be used to purchase in-game items and support the development of the platform. The Sandbox offers a unique opportunity for players to earn rewards through playing games, creating assets, and participating in the platform’s ecosystem.
Splinterlands
Splinterlands is a blockchain-based NFT card game that offers players the opportunity to earn rewards as they play. Unlike Gods Unchained, players must purchase their own card pack to start playing. The cards in Splinterlands have unique stats, abilities, and Splinter/rarity levels, which can be combined to increase levels or converted to crypto.
Players can trade their cards with others or rent them out, and they can also participate in tournaments and quests to earn rewards such as magic potions, card packs, and Dark Energy Crystals. Crystals serve as digital currency that can be traded or used for purchases within the platform.
Splinterlands cards are compatible with multiple third-party marketplace platforms, including Monster Market, PeakMonsters, and Open Sea, allowing players to sell their cards on multiple platforms.
Sorare
Sorare is a fantasy football card game that appeals to fans of the sport. Players create lineups and build strategies to compete against other managers in weekly tournaments.The game uses NFT cards representing professional football players, and players earn points based on the players’ real-life performance in their deck.
The cards are sorted into four rarity levels, determining their value within the platform. Sorare is free NFT gameplay to earn, with players receiving a free starter pack upon signing up. However, players must purchase unique cards to progress in the game and climb the divisions.
Sorare offers a unique opportunity for players to own NFT cards, trade them with others, or sell them in the open marketplace.
The Walking Dead: Empires
The Walking Dead: Survivors is a multiplayer survival game set in the world of the hit AMC TV series. Players can team up with others to survive against walkers, compete with rivals, build homes, and scavenge for supplies.
The game uses blockchain technology to provide a unique experience where players can assert their dominance and lead a community of allies or pledge allegiance to someone more powerful.
Owning land in the game provides players with rewards when there’s a lot of activity within their territory, whether it’s buying and selling or fighting and killing. Players must build a strong base to attract survivors, rivals, and walkers, and they can invite other players to settle on their land and work together for survival.
Dogami
Dogami is a popular NFT game that lets players adopt and nurture a virtual pet into adulthood, unlocking its full potential in the process. With over 300 different breeds, each with unique traits, players can train, customize, and build unique traits for their Dogami NFTs.
The rarity of each Dogami is determined by four levels: bronze, silver, gold, and diamond, which affects its value in the marketplace. Players can participate in challenges to earn DOGA tokens, the local currency of the Petaverse, which can be used for various purposes, including buying clothes, breeding, purchasing consumables, and booking event tickets.
The first generation of Dogami was released on February 22, 2022, and has since been sold out, making it a highly sought-after NFT collectible.
The Parallel
The Parallel is one of the best social NFT games, offering players a metaverse filled with infinite opportunities. The game’s building blocks are Runes, which are essential for developing NFT game elements known as Paragons.
These Runes also impact different game elements, such as attributes, power, yield, and runic energy, and come in different types, including soil, stone, wood, rubber, plastic, crystal, metal, gem, onixius, Crypton, pythium, and paranium, in order of value.
The Parallel features multiple games within the game, starting with The Rune Hunter Series, a three-part game that introduces the metaverse’s storyline and play-to-earn mechanisms.
Another game, Ascension, is inspired by Netflix’s Squid Game and features 10 players who must navigate a deadly obstacle course while avoiding traps and facing off against Huge the Giant.
Illuvium
Illuvium is a play-to-earn open-world exploration game currently in beta, where players can travel through seven unique alien landscapes and collect the creatures they encounter.
These creatures, called Illuvials, possess unique abilities that can be upgraded through training, increasing their value. Players can sell or trade their Illuvials, along with other NFT items and farmed materials, on the marketplace.
The game features stunning graphics and allows players to earn ILV tokens as in-game rewards through playing, participating in tournaments and events, completing PVE quests, and unlocking special achievements. Players can also battle other players in the Leviathan Arena, where other players can wager on the outcome.
Star Atlas
Star Atlas is a strategic space exploration game where players fly their spaceships across space, building their fortune by setting up mining facilities and exploring resource-rich mining towns. In the marketplace, players can buy or sell resources to earn POLIS, the Star Atlas governance token, which gives them a say in the rules and fate of the metaverse.
Players can choose to join one of three in-game factions: ONI Region, a consortium of alien species; Ustur Sector, a collective of sentient androids; or MUD Territory, a territory governed by humankind.
As they explore the universe, players can also build custom avatars, crew, and starships, adding to the immersive experience of the game.
Benefits of Playing NFT Games
The benefits of NFT games are numerous for both investors and players. In comparison to traditional games, NFT games offer a unique set of advantages for publishers, including:
- The potential for attracting venture capital investment: With the NFT gaming market still in its infancy, investors recognize the potential for growth and return on investment. As a result, game developers and owners are eager to embrace blockchain-based gaming solutions to attract venture capitalists and secure funding for their projects.
- Increased revenue from app stores: By offering NFT games through popular app stores such as the App Store or Play Store, developers can earn a percentage of the download fee each time a user downloads their game. The more downloads they receive, the higher their revenue potential. Additionally, in-app purchases, special events, and festive sales can provide a steady income stream for game developers.
- Transaction fee revenue: Players who sell or exchange NFTs within the game can generate transaction fees for the developers. These fees can be substantial and provide a significant source of income for the publisher.
- Complete control over earnings: NFT games offer players the ability to have full control over their assets, including any cryptocurrencies they earn from selling their NFTs. This level of control and ownership can increase player engagement and provide a regular source of income for the player.
- Unmatched security: NFT games are built on blockchain technology, providing players with a highly secure and reliable gaming environment. This impenetrable safety shield protects player assets and transactions, protecting their investments and earnings.
- Increased transparency: The rarity of an NFT directly affects its value, and NFT games built on blockchain technology help to maintain the transparency of digital transactions. This transparency helps to demonstrate the rarity of NFTs, leading to an increase in their value and attracting more investment.
- A viable profession: The potential of the NFT gaming market has not gone unnoticed, and many players have turned NFT trading from a hobby into a full-fledged profession. With the growth of the market and increased investment, NFT trading has become a viable career option for those who are able to successfully navigate the market and generate a return on their investments.
Frequently Asked Questions About NFT Games
How to Choose an NFT Game?
Choosing the right play-to-earn game is crucial for having a positive and enjoyable gaming experience. The key factor to consider is whether you enjoy playing the game. If you find the game boring or feel like you are working, it may not fit you.
To help you make an informed decision, here are some important questions to consider when selecting your first play-to-earn game:
- Does the game provide a fun and engaging experience?
- Is there an initial cost to start playing the game?
- If there is an upfront cost, is it within your budget?
- Are there any free trial options available to test the game mechanics before committing financially?
- Do you clearly understand the game mechanics and how they work?
- Are you familiar with how developers make money through the game?
- Do you understand the economics of the game tokens, including their value and how they are traded?
To get started, it may be beneficial to choose a free-to-play NFT. This allows you to test the game mechanics and get a feel for the game without any financial commitment. To make an informed decision, you can also research and compare different play-to-earn games, including their cost, NFTs, overall rating, and profitability.
Can You Make Money While Playing NFT Games?
The earning potential of playing NFT games varies based on multiple factors, including the specific game’s mechanics, the demand for the NFTs or cryptocurrencies you earn, and the price people are willing to pay for them.
The money you can make is derived from other players who value your NFTs and is realized when you sell them on a market, exchange, or auction house.
The value of an NFT can be influenced by its rarity or uniqueness as a collectible item and its in-game utility, which also contribute to speculation in the market.
Can You Lose Your Money While Playing NFT Games?
It is possible to incur losses while playing NFT games, depending on the type of game, its mechanics, and the value of the NFTs you possess.
Market forces, such as supply and demand, play a significant role in determining the value of NFTs, and their speculative nature can result in fluctuations in their worth.
As with any crypto investment, it is essential to keep in mind that there is always a risk of loss and to only invest what you can afford to lose.
What Are the Disadvantages of Playing Nft Games?
While NFT games may seem appealing, they also come with certain drawbacks.
One significant challenge is that NFTs are digital items, and their value is derived from the collective perception of the market. This means that you could potentially be spending a significant amount of money on something that is readily available for free online.
Additionally, being digital also brings the risk of bit rot, where a digital file becomes inaccessible due to obsolescence or lost login information, leading to the permanent loss of the NFT. These factors highlight the volatility and uncertainty associated with investing in NFT games.
Can You Lose Your NFTs
It’s important to remember that NFTs, as valuable digital assets, are susceptible to various risks, including theft, loss, and technical issues.
Whether you have acquired your NFTs through purchase or in-game play, you should take steps to protect your assets from potential losses. Some common ways you can lose your NFTs include:
- Sending the NFT to a wallet that does not support the token standard leads to the potential loss of the NFT.
- Falling victim to a scammer who tricks you into transferring your NFTs to their wallet.
- Invoke a malicious smart contract that can control or erase your NFTs.
- Losing your NFTs as a result of game rules or conditions.
Discover the Exciting World of Top NFT Games
The world of top NFT games has never been more exciting, and 2023 is shaping up to be a big year for the industry. As we look to the future of NFT games, it’s clear that the possibilities are endless.
With the growth of blockchain technology and the increasing popularity of NFTs, we’re likely to see even more amazing games in the coming years. From new and innovative gameplay mechanics to unique virtual experiences that blur the line between reality and fantasy, the future of top NFT games is truly exciting.
With so many amazing games to choose from, there’s never been a better time to join in on the excitement. So, why wait? Discover the amazing world of NFT games today!
