A complete guide for P2E games development

P2E games have become the primary topic in the gaming community after the popularity of blockchain. Moreover, many investors and entrepreneurs are interested in making their play-to-earn games after knowing the potential to make profits from such games. 

But what are P2E games? Why can adding blockchain technology to your play-to-earn game give better results and improve the gaming experience? Let’s understand in detail. 

What are P2E games?

Play-to-earn games are games in which players earn real rewards. The rewards can be in the form of money, tokens, NFTs, etc. Players can get rewards based on their performance in the game. 

The game allows players to trade their digital assets with other players. P2E games use blockchain technology to make them available to distribute their exclusive NFTs and crypto coins among their players. 

Let’s understand how blockchain helps play-to-earn games to create unique rewards and how games are distributed among players through blockchain. 

How does blockchain improve the play-to-earn gaming experience?

Since the introduction of blockchain, many games have been released in the market, getting a better response from players worldwide.

Most of the play-to-earn games are mostly modified versions of free-to-play games based on blockchains. Blockchain technology in free-to-play games expands the opportunities to create many exclusive digital assets such as NFTs, crypto coins, etc.   

Moreover, there are many benefits of adding blockchain technology to play-to-earn games, which are given as follows:

• Blockchain offers a decentralized server for hosting games that are inexpensive and more stable than centralized servers. 

• The game can create its rewards based on NFTs. It is easier to make and distribute NFT rewards than other digital assets.

• Blockchain helps games distribute rewards efficiently among their players by sending rewards to the address of players’ crypto wallets.

• Earning money by playing games encourages players to spend more time on games which results in better engagement within the game. 

The rewarded players can trade those digital assets with other players in exchange for cash. So, if you want to make a play-to-earn gaming model, then adding blockchain technology to your games will be good for you.  

Understanding the business model of Play 2 Earn games will help give you a better idea of starting your own game.

The business model of play-to-earn games

Many games come with their exclusive NFTs and crypto coins. Whenever players engage or complete any task within the game, the game offers their crypto coins or NFTs as a reward to the players. 

The games which are free to play use blockchain technology to create their unique NFTs. The games can distribute these NFTs among their users as rewards.  The players join the game through digital platforms that the game supports.   

The players can earn rewards based on completing the targeted achievement by playing play-to-earn games. Moreover, the players can stake NFTs to get more NFTs in return. 

Later the players can sell that digital asset to other players in exchange for money. The game uses smart contracts which execute the reward system on certain conditions for distributing digital assets to its players. 

However, there are many factors that you must consider before making play-to-earn games. 

Important factors for the P2E games

These are some essential factors to help you make a better strategy and plan for your game from its development to its launch. 

1. Marketability

The factor will decide how appealing your game is to attract a large audience. Targeting and checking the demographics of your gaming audience at the time of game development determines the potential to make profits from your game. 

2. Monetization

This measures how likely the users will spend and purchase the products within your game. Making your game more monetizable by offering different digital assets helps game owners make more money.  

3. Minting Power

The factor measures how much your game can charge for each issued NFT from the players. The better the potential of charging NFTs, the more profit the company can generate.  

4. Economic Sustainability

The sustainably determines the earning potential that users can make money from your game. Greater economic sustainability helps you to attract more players to your game.  

5. Perceived Longevity

Longevity determines how long players will stay in your game. Having more longevity of the players on the game will help game owners to maintain a significant user base on their game.

6. Retention

Retention helps calculate how much time a player will spend on the game. Also, retention determines how frequently the players will return to the game. A higher retention rate helps the game owner make their gaming community more extensive and profitable.

You can check the reasons for investing in play-to-earn games, which will give you a better idea of how much return you can get on your investment.

Why should you invest in play-to-earn games? 

The play-to-earn games market is growing continuously, giving entrepreneurs better business opportunities.

Here’s a quick sneak peek into a few stats:

• According to Statista, the global gaming market is expected to reach around $270 billion by 2025.
• Millions of users are moving towards play-to-earn games to make more money.
• Consumer spending in the United States has grown up to 8% in 2021.
• The gaming market has generated around 180.3 billion dollars in 2021. 

These numbers speak volumes about how investing in games can give you better returns and why it is the perfect time to invest in them. 

As the use of blockchain in games on a massive scale is in the beginning stage, it would be best to enter early in the decentralized gaming market because of limited competition. 

Also, you can check how blockchain gives a better way to improve the gaming experience:

1. Better chance of attracting large players

Earning rewards and converting them into money by playing games can be the main aim for many players. Even those not interested in playing games will come to make money by earning rewards such as NFTs and cryptocurrencies.    

2. Required less marketing 

Blockchain games are already on the top of the search list on every platform. Many Streamers give special attention to these games by reviewing this kind of game on their channel due to their large popularity. Even almost every gaming community is discussing these games, giving a better opportunity to promote these games with less marketing budget.

3. Creating better profits for game owners

The game owner can introduce their exclusive crypto tokens to attract many crypto investors. Having a significant investment in the exclusive gaming token can create more wealth for game owners, providing them with more availability of funds to use for upgrading their games.  

Now, let’s check the top best play-to-earn games to get some ideas for your game. 

The top gaming platforms covering millions of users globally

Let’s check the details of all these games.

1. Axie Infinity

Axie infinity rewards its players with its official currency known as Smooth Love Potion (SLP) tokens. The SLP tokens have a trading volume of around $2.6 billion.

Founded in	2018
Active users	2.7 million
Native Token	AXS
Founded by	Nguyen Thanh Trung
Blockchain	Ethereum Network

2. Alien worlds

The alien world game is a virtual simulation of Earth’s economy. Trillium(TLS) is the official token of this game. Users can perform different game missions of Alien Worlds to mine TLS tokens. 

The game takes players to 2055, where everything can be tokenized through NFT, allowing players to purchase many tools to improve their mining efficiency. 

Founded in	2020
Active users	700K
Native Token	TLM
Founded by	Sarojini McKenna
Blockchain	Ethereum, WAX, Binance Smart Chain

3. Splinterlands

Splinterlands are trading card games that allow users to play together to earn rewards. The players can collect rewards by completing game missions that come in Splinterlands. The reward consists of NFT-based digital cards that are available to trade with other players to make money.

Dark Energy Crystals (DEC) is the exclusive token of the Splinterlands game, distributed among players as a reward. 

Founded in	2021
Active users	260K
Native Token	DEC (Dark energy crystals)
Founded by	Matthew Rosen
Blockchain	Hive

4. Farmers World

The game is also based on NFT, allowing its players to earn tokens as a reward. The game allows its players to own and cultivate their farms. 

The game takes inspiration from a popular Facebook game known as Farmville. The players can cultivate fish, poultry, and trees along with farms. The game allows players to visit other farms to compete with different farm owners to collect resources. 

Founded in	2021
Active users	150K
Native Token	FWW (Farmers World Wood)
Founded by	G.JIT JAPAN
Blockchain	WAX

5. Star Atlas

The game has its virtual world. The game takes players to 2620, where they can compete and collaborate. Star Atlas consists of different gaming activities such as buying land, constructing cities, trading with other players, etc. The game supports two cryptocurrencies, ATLAS & POLIS. 

Founded in	2021
Active users	N/A
Native Token	ATLAS & POLIS
Founded by	Michael Wagner
Blockchain	Solana

6. The Sandbox

The Sandbox can be considered one of the oldest games on this list. The game was relaunched based on NFT in 2021. The Sandbox consists of a virtual world where players can build, own, and monetize their created assets in the gaming world. The game also consists of digital lands that can be monetized and sold in its official token, known as SAND. 

Founded in	2012
Active users	300K
Native Token	SAND
Founded by	Arthur Madrid
Blockchain	Ethereum

Let’s check how you can improve your game with the following development practices.

Practices to follow for developing engaging P2E games

You can follow these best game-making practices to increase the chances of your game performing well in the market. Moreover, following best game development practices helps you save unnecessary time and costs on your game development. 

1. Design highly scalable games

Different platforms are available where you can launch your games, such as mobile, desktop, iMacs, gaming consoles, etc. 

Having your game distributed on various platforms will help you get more players in less time. An excellent user base creates a better revenue stream by engaging within your published game. 

It will be better to focus on a few platforms at the start and can later expand your game’s reachability to different gaming platforms.   

2. Introduce the tokenomics model

Tokenomics allows players to transfer and trade cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and other digital assets within the game. It may be hard for game developers to introduce tokenomics within your game. 

Therefore, you may require blockchain developers to integrate the tokenomics model within your game. Also, tokenomics allows players to vote and participate in different activities to help improve the game. 

3. Better selection of blockchain platforms

Choosing the most suitable and reliable blockchain platform is the other best step you can take in your game development. To select the best blockchain platform, you can check the features and parameters such as translation speed, transaction fees, sustainability, NFTs support, etc. 

4. Making attractive graphics

Have you noticed that almost all games performing well in the market come with eye-catching graphics? That’s why having good pictures, such as better visuals of characters, scenes, game UI, etc.

`Instead of purchasing expensive game-making software, you can check top free game development tools to create and publish your play-to-earn games and make greater returns on your investment. 

The play-to-earn (P2E) revolution is shaking up the gaming industry, offering exciting opportunities for both developers and players. But where do you begin when crafting your own P2E masterpiece? Fear not, aspiring game creators! This guide breaks down the key steps to developing a P2E game that not only entertains but also stands out in a crowded marketplace.

A Step-by-Step Guide to P2E Game Development

The play-to-earn (P2E) revolution is shaking up the gaming industry, offering exciting opportunities for both developers and players. But where do you begin when crafting your own P2E masterpiece? Fear not, aspiring game creators! This guide breaks down the key steps to developing a P2E game that not only entertains but also stands out in a crowded marketplace.

1. Forge the Foundation: Concept and Game Design

• Know Your Tribe: Who are you building this game for? Identifying your target audience – hardcore strategists or casual RPG enthusiasts – is crucial for designing an experience that resonates.
• Crafting the Core: Design the fundamental gameplay loop – the repetitive actions players will take to progress and earn rewards. This loop should be balanced, rewarding, and most importantly, fun! Think “grind” with a satisfying payoff.
• Tokenomics: The Engine of Earning: Develop a sustainable economic model with clearly defined token types and their uses within the game. This creates a sense of value for players and fuels the P2E aspect.
• NFTs: Beyond Digital Art: Decide how NFTs will be integrated into your game. Will they represent powerful characters, unique items, or virtual land parcels? Define their functionalities and rarity levels to create a compelling collection system.

2. Building on Blockchain: The Tech Stack

• Choosing Your Platform: Not all blockchains are created equal. Select a platform that aligns with your game’s needs, considering factors like transaction fees, scalability, and the availability of development tools.
• Smart Contracts: The Unsung Heroes: Develop secure smart contracts to govern in-game transactions. These contracts automate processes and ensure fair play. Rigorous security audits by reputable firms are essential to build trust with your player base.
• Seamless Wallets: Integrate a user-friendly crypto wallet solution that allows players to manage their in-game assets securely and easily. Frictionless transactions are key to a smooth player experience.

3. Bringing Your Vision to Life: Game Development

• Engineered for the Future: Select a game engine (Unity or Unreal Engine are popular choices) that supports blockchain integration and development tools compatible with your chosen platform.
• A Player-Centric Interface: Design a user interface that facilitates seamless interaction with the blockchain elements of your game. Prioritize security best practices to prevent hacking and exploits. A user-friendly interface is crucial for both experienced and new players.
• The Power Behind the Scenes: Focus on robust back-end development, ensuring smooth communication with blockchain nodes and managing game state updates. Security of user data and assets is paramount.

4. Testing and Security: Protecting Your Creation

• Unveiling the Flaws: Subject your smart contracts to rigorous testing by a qualified team to identify and address any vulnerabilities or unexpected behaviors. Security audits are crucial for building trust with your player base.
• Real-World Trials: Conduct extensive alpha and beta testing with real players. This helps unearth bugs, fine-tune the game’s economy, and ultimately deliver a polished gameplay experience that keeps players engaged.

5. Building Your Community: Spreading the Word

• Forging Strong Bonds: Foster a vibrant online community through forums, Discord servers, and active social media engagement. Respond to player queries, address concerns, and build a strong sense of connection. A passionate community fuels the success of any game.
• Strategic Marketing: Develop a marketing strategy tailored to your target audience. Highlight the core gameplay alongside the P2E mechanics to attract players who value both entertainment and earning potential. Don’t forget to showcase the unique features of your game!
• Transparency is Key: Maintain open communication with your community. Share development progress updates, provide clear details about tokenomics, and outline future plans to build trust and loyalty.

Best tools for developing play-to-earn games

A large variety of free game-making software can help you save game development costs and invest that fund in graphics, marketing, and other necessary factors. Check out the best tools for making your play-to-earn games. 

1. Construct 3

Using Construct 3 is the best way to avoid coding for your game programming. 

Construct 3 is entirely GUI-based software that comes with a drag-and-drop interface. The tools have already programmed necessary classes/ functions and have converted them into different logic. 

Moreover, it supports many gaming platforms such as HTML5, Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, etc. Construct 3 provides free tutorials and documentation to help its new game developers. 

The software also comes with its exclusive asset store known as the Game Developer Asset store. The free version offers all the features that come with the paid version but are limited to upto 25 events. Later you can take a personal license that costs $99 per year, removing all the restrictions that come with a free version of Construct 3. 

2. GameMaker Studio 2 

Similar to Construct 3, GameMaker Studio 2 also comes with a drag-and-drop interface, providing better relief for developers from programming. Moreover, the platform also supports its official coding language, similar to language C. Enabling programming options provides more power to game developers to modify the game physics and other factors in different ways. 

Its first version was launched in 1992, making it more popular among game developers. It also supports many other digital platforms such as Mac, Windows, Linux, HTML 5, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and many other platforms.

3. Unity

Unity has exported many successful games, like Monument Valley, Crossy Road, etc. The platform supports both 2D & 3D game programming. 

Unlike the above-discussed gaming development platforms, Unity 3D doesn’t come with a drag-and-drop programming interface. But it comes with C# scripting language, which gives more freedom for game developers to create games uniquely. Unity comes with free documentation and free tutorials for learning about programming in Unity 3D.

Also, Unity 3D has its exclusive marketplace that offers digital products in different categories such as characters, scripts, gaming assets, sounds, GUI, etc. Unity 3D supports many game export platforms, such as Mac, HTML 5, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4, Windows, Linux, etc. 

4. Godot Engine

Godot Engine supports both 2D and 3D game development. The platform contains different gaming elements like sounds, sprites, and scripts. Also, Godot has a collection of varying gaming scenes that game developers can combine to make an overall scene of the games. 

The Godot Engine also supports a drag-and-drop scripting system, giving a fast way to develop games. 

5. Unreal Engine 5

The Unreal Engine 5 supports artificial intelligence, cinematic tools, and post-processing effects. These advanced features will be helpful for you if you plan to make the AAA games on a more significant level. 

The world’s most popular games, like PUBG and Fortnite, are also developed on this platform. The platform provides free learning resources like tutorial videos and documentation to help developers to create games on the Unreal Engine platform. The platform is better suited for creating 3D games. 

Moreover, the platform has many other advanced features such as:

• Hot reloading
• Live debugging
• Instant asset pipelines & game previews

6. Defold

The platform Defold supports both 2D and 3D game development and comes with a code editor to add custom logic and create different gaming scenes by dropping assets straight into the game.

 

The Defold gives excellent support to publish games on gaming platforms such as Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Linux, Windows, HTML 5, and much more. 

Defold is best optimized for 2D game development. So Defold will be your better choice if you want to create 2D games. 

Enable blockchain technology to your app with Idea Usher

Adding blockchain technology to your Play 2 Earn games can better distribute rewards among your users through NFTs and cryptocurrency. 

However, adding blockchain technology to your game by yourself can be a challenging task. That’s why having your game developed or adding blockchain technology to your game with the help of the best software company can give you better results. 

You can contact the Idea user for a free consultation to discuss the plans for your gaming project. Idea Usher is a company that builds websites, apps, and blockchain projects. The company also provides marketing support for their clients so their project can attract more customers.    

FAQ

Q. How much does it cost to develop a P2E game?

A. Developing a P2E game can range from $50,000 to $300,000+. The complexity of the game, team location, and features all affect the final cost.

Q. How do you build a P2E game?

A. Building a P2E game requires expertise in blockchain development, game design, and economics. Consider hiring a development team or starting with a simpler concept if you’re new to the space.

Q. Is P2E the future of gaming?

A. P2E’s potential to reward players and create new economies is exciting, but it’s still early days. Whether it becomes mainstream depends on overcoming challenges like game quality and sustainability.

Q. Can you make money with P2E games?

A. Yes, some players are earning money through P2E games. However, it’s not guaranteed and can be volatile. Treat it more like a hobby with earning potential than a reliable income source.