Last night, I made $43 playing a game on my phone while waiting for my takeout. Last month, that number hit $650. Here’s how you can do it too.
The Play-to-Earn Revolution Is Here
I still remember being yelled at as a teenager for “wasting time on those damn video games.” If only my parents could see me now.
Gaming has completely transformed since those days. What was once considered a time-sink is now a legitimate side hustle for thousands of people like me who’ve discovered play-to-earn (P2E) apps.
I’ve been tracking this space obsessively, and the numbers are mind-blowing. The P2E market exploded from $3.29 billion in 2022 to what analysts project will hit $8.85 billion by 2028. This isn’t some crypto bro fantasy – it’s real money changing real lives.
Let me guess: you’re probably pretty comfortable with technology, you’ve played games most of your life, and you’re always on the lookout for smart ways to boost your income. Sound about right? Then you’re exactly who needs to be paying attention to this space in 2025.
Why Play-to-Earn Apps Are Different
I’ve spent thousands of dollars on traditional games over the years. Buy the game, spend on in-app purchases, rinse and repeat. All that money just… gone. Sound familiar?
That’s why P2E games blew my mind when I first discovered them.
These games completely flip the script. Instead of just draining your wallet, they fill it. Every hour you spend playing actually builds your digital net worth through blockchain-based assets that have real value outside the game.
I explained this to my girlfriend last week, and she just stared at me like I was speaking Klingon. So let me break it down in plain English:
- You actually OWN your stuff: When you earn or buy items in these games, they’re truly yours as NFTs – not just rented from some game company that can delete your account
- Your rewards have REAL value: The cryptocurrency you earn can be converted into actual money
- Multiple ways to earn: I’ve personally made money through gameplay, trading items to other players, staking (like digital interest-earning), and more
- Players have actual power: Many of these games let us vote on future development, which is honestly refreshing after years of being ignored by traditional game companies
Top Play-to-Earn Apps of 2025
I’ve tested dozens of these apps over the past year (my phone looks like a digital arcade at this point), and I’m going to save you a ton of time by sharing what actually works. These are the apps I personally use and recommend to friends – especially the ones that don’t require upfront investment.
1. Axie Infinity: The OG Money-Maker
Axie Infinity is the granddaddy of P2E games, and it’s still king for good reason. I was skeptical until my buddy Jake showed me his earnings – he cleared over $900 last month just playing on his commute and lunch breaks.
What you can earn: $200-1500 monthly (I’m averaging about $550) Where to play: Android, iOS, PC Startup cost: Zero with the new free starter Axies
The game is basically Pokémon meets crypto – you collect these adorable little monsters called Axies, breed them, and battle other players. Every win earns you SLP tokens that have real value.
What’s been a game-changer this year is their “Origins” mode that gives new players free starter Axies. Back in 2021, you needed to invest hundreds just to start playing, which was a massive barrier. Now anyone can jump in without spending a dime.
2. Illuvium: For The Serious Gamer
If you’ve ever thought “these crypto games look like garbage compared to real games,” Illuvium will shut you up fast. This thing is gorgeous. I literally gasped the first time I booted it up – it looks like a AAA console title, not some janky blockchain experiment.
What you can earn: Varies, but I’m seeing $300-800 monthly from dedicated players Where to play: PC and Mac (mobile just launched in beta and it’s surprisingly good) Startup cost: Free to start playing
Illuvium is basically what would happen if Pokémon had a baby with Final Fantasy and raised it on crypto. You explore this alien world collecting creatures called Illuvials, each with unique powers and abilities. The battle system is super deep – I’m still learning new strategies after months of playing.
The best part? The 2025 version lets you start completely free. You can earn the game’s ILV token just by playing and completing quests. I’ve been pulling in about $15-20 a day just playing for an hour after work.
3. The Sandbox: For Creative Types Who Can’t Draw
I’m about as artistic as a drunk toddler with crayons, but I’ve still managed to make money in The Sandbox. If you’ve ever enjoyed Minecraft or Roblox, you’re going to feel right at home here.
What you can earn: Wildly variable – some creators make $50 monthly, others $5,000+ Where to play: PC primarily, mobile app works surprisingly well Startup cost: Zero (free creative mode)
The Sandbox is basically Minecraft if your creations could pay your rent. You build games, environments, or digital art pieces on virtual land, and when other people visit or interact with your stuff, you earn SAND tokens.
The game-changer this year was the introduction of completely free creative mode. Before, you needed to buy LAND (virtual real estate) which could cost hundreds of dollars. Now anyone can start creating and earning without spending a penny upfront.
4. CropBytes: Perfect For Chill Gaming Sessions
Full disclosure: I play CropBytes while watching Netflix. It’s my wind-down game, and somehow I still make decent money from it.
What you can earn: $100-300 monthly for casual play Where to play: Android, iOS, Web browser Startup cost: Free with the new starter farm package
CropBytes is basically what would happen if Farmville had a baby with Bitcoin. You grow crops, raise animals, and sell your produce for cryptocurrency. It’s surprisingly addictive – I started playing “just to test it” and somehow I’m still managing my virtual farm six months later.
The 2025 update was a total game-changer with their “Starter Farm” package. New players get free land and seeds to start earning immediately. No more upfront investment needed.
What I love about CropBytes is that it’s perfect for multitasking. I can check in a few times a day, manage my farm while watching TV, and still make about $200-300 a month. It’s got over 650,000 players globally, and the community is super helpful to newbies.
5. Arcadia Chess: For The Thinking Player
I’ve played chess since I was a kid, but I never thought I could make money from it until I found Arcadia Chess. If you’ve got even basic chess skills, you need to check this out.
What you can earn: Totally depends on your chess skills – from $50 to $1000+ monthly Where to play: Android, iOS, Web Startup cost: Zero (free matches available)
Arcadia Chess is exactly what it sounds like – chess, but you earn crypto for winning. The beauty is in its simplicity. You can play in free tournaments to earn smaller amounts, or once you’re confident, stake crypto on matches where the winner takes all.
I’m a decent but not amazing chess player (Elo around 1600 if that means anything to you), and I’m averaging about $280 a month just playing during my lunch breaks. The 2025 version added AI matching that pairs you with similar skill levels, so you’re not getting crushed by grandmasters when you start.
Best Play-to-Earn Apps That Won’t Ask For Your Credit Card
A friend texted me last week: “I want to try these games but I’m broke until payday.” I get it. Not everyone has spare cash to invest in gaming. Good news though – these apps let you start with absolutely nothing but time:
1. Splinterlands: Hearthstone But You Actually Own Your Cards
I was addicted to Hearthstone for years until I realized I’d spent hundreds of dollars on digital cards I didn’t actually own. Splinterlands scratches the same itch but lets me earn money instead of just spending it.
Where to play: Works on literally everything – Android, iOS, any web browser How you earn: Tournament winnings and selling cards you earn What makes it special: The free starter deck in 2025 is actually competitive
If you enjoy strategic card games like Magic: The Gathering or Hearthstone, you’ll feel right at home. The difference is that every card you earn is an NFT you can sell or trade. I started with the free deck and won a rare card my first day that sold for about $30. Not life-changing money, but hey – that’s dinner and drinks I didn’t have before.
2. Alien Worlds: The Perfect “While You Work” Game
I discovered Alien Worlds during a particularly boring Zoom meeting, and now it’s my go-to background game when I’m doing mindless tasks.
Where to play: Browser game works on anything, dedicated apps for Android/iOS How you earn: Mining virtual resources (TLM tokens) and finding NFTs What makes it special: Zero barrier to entry – just connect a wallet and start
Alien Worlds is brilliantly simple – you’re basically a space miner exploring different planets, extracting resources, and occasionally finding valuable NFTs. Each mining operation takes a few minutes, so you can set it up and check back later. Perfect for multitaskers.
I leave it running on my second monitor while working, clicking every few minutes. Somehow I’ve made about $180 last month doing practically nothing. Not going to retire on it, but it paid my power bill!
3. Big Time: For Actual Gamers Who Like Action
If you’re rolling your eyes at simplistic P2E games, Big Time will be a breath of fresh air. This is a legitimate action RPG that happens to have crypto elements.
Where to play: PC primarily, mobile in beta (runs surprisingly well) How you earn: Finding and selling valuable gear/NFTs during adventures What makes it special: It’s actually fun regardless of the earning potential
I’ve been a gamer my whole life, and Big Time is the first P2E game that doesn’t feel like work. It’s a fast-paced action RPG with time-travel elements and genuinely fun combat. The fact that I can sell rare items I find for real money is just the cherry on top.
Last month I found an ultra-rare cosmetic item during a dungeon run that sold for $115. For doing something I would have done anyway just for fun!
Android-Friendly P2E Apps That Don’t Suck Your Battery
I’m an Android user (sorry Apple fans), and I’ve tested dozens of P2E apps specifically on my Samsung. These three run smoothly, don’t murder my battery, and actually pay out consistently:
1. League of Kingdoms: Like Clash of Clans With a Paycheck
Remember staying up until 3 AM to protect your Clash of Clans village? League of Kingdoms channels that same addiction but actually rewards you for it.
This game lets you build and expand your own medieval kingdom, form alliances, and wage war against other players. The twist is that the territory you control earns you crypto tokens through resource production.
I was skeptical at first – most strategy games on mobile are just elaborate cash grabs. But after playing for about three months, I’ve withdrawn around $340. Not getting rich, but it’s paid for my coffee addiction and then some.
2. Thetan Arena: Perfect for Competitive Players
If you have even basic MOBA skills (think League of Legends or Mobile Legends), Thetan Arena will feel instantly familiar – except you earn Thetan Coins when you win.
I’m painfully average at this game but still earn small amounts daily. My neighbor’s kid, though? He’s making around $25-30 daily just crushing people with his insane reflexes. Teenagers and their reaction times, man.
The esports angle makes this one particularly exciting. There are regular tournaments with prize pools, and the skill ceiling is high enough that you can continuously improve and increase your earnings.
3. CryptoGem: Mindless Mining That Adds Up
CryptoGem runs on Solana’s blockchain, which means two important things: transactions are lightning fast, and fees are minimal.
The gameplay is pretty simple – you mine for gems, upgrade your equipment, and expand your operation. What makes it special is how responsive it feels. No waiting around for blockchain confirmations or paying absurd gas fees like on some other networks.
I set my character mining before bed each night, and by morning, I’ve usually earned a few dollars worth of crypto. Not life-changing, but it adds up to about $120-150 monthly for basically zero effort.
How I Tripled My Earnings (And You Can Too)
When I first started with P2E games, I was making pocket change. Now I’m earning enough to cover my car payment each month. Here’s exactly what changed:
- I stopped putting all my eggs in one basket My first mistake was going all-in on a single game. When that game’s token crashed, so did my earnings. Now I spread my time across 3-4 different games and blockchains. When one is down, the others often make up for it.
- I joined a guild (and you should too) This was a game-changer. I joined the “Crypto Crushers” guild in Axie Infinity, and suddenly I had mentors, resources, and a team helping me optimize my strategy. Yes, they take 10% of my earnings, but I’m making 3x what I did solo, so it’s more than worth it.
- I set up Discord alerts for market changes The difference between selling at the right vs. wrong time can be massive. I set up price alerts in the main Discord channels for my games, so I know exactly when to hold or sell my earnings. Last month this alone saved me from a 30% drop in one game’s token.
- I started reinvesting (but strategically) Instead of cashing out everything, I reinvest about 30% of my earnings into premium assets that generate passive income. My Axie breeding operation now makes money while I sleep – literally.
- I actually practiced (shocking, I know) Sounds obvious, but treating these games like a skill rather than a slot machine made a huge difference. I spent two weeks just practicing battle strategies in Axie Infinity, and my win rate went from 50% to nearly 75%. More wins = more earnings.
Where Is All This Headed? My Predictions
I’ve been obsessively following this space for years, and here’s where I see things going next:
- AI is coming for P2E (in a good way): I’m already testing a few games that use AI to create endless, unique quests and dungeons. This means content never gets stale, and earning opportunities don’t diminish over time.
- Your NFTs will work across multiple games: I recently bought a sword NFT that works in THREE different games. This trend is exploding – why buy separate assets for each game when you can own items that work across entire ecosystems?
- Real-world perks are becoming a thing: Last month, I used my game tokens to get a discount on my Spotify subscription. This real-world utility is just starting, but I predict in a year, you’ll be paying for coffee with gaming earnings.
- The environmental guilt trip is ending: I used to feel conflicted about the energy usage of blockchain games. Now, with many games moving to proof-of-stake and energy-efficient solutions, that concern is rapidly fading. My favorite new games use less energy than streaming a movie.
Questions My Friends Always Ask Me About P2E Games
“Wait, these games are actually legit? Not some crypto scam?”
I get this one a lot. Yes, legitimate P2E games absolutely exist and operate on verifiable blockchain technology. That said, there are definitely scams out there too (just like in any space where money is involved). Stick with established games that have active communities, transparent development teams, and proven track records of payments.
I always tell friends to check a game’s Discord server before starting. If it’s active with real people discussing strategy (not just spamming “to the moon!”), that’s a good sign.
“How much are you ACTUALLY making from these games?”
This is super variable and depends on your time, skill, and which games you choose. I’m pretty serious about it and cleared about $1,200 last month across all my games. My casual friends who play a couple hours on weekends typically make $50-200 monthly.
The most dedicated player I know – a guy who treats this like a full-time job – consistently pulls in $3,000-4,000 monthly. But he’s playing 8+ hours daily and is extremely strategic about it.
“Do I need to be a crypto expert to understand this stuff?”
Absolutely not. When I started, I barely knew what Bitcoin was. Most modern P2E games have simplified the process dramatically. Many now have in-game wallets and user-friendly interfaces that hide all the complex blockchain stuff behind the scenes.
You can literally download Axie Infinity today, create an account, and start earning without understanding a single thing about how blockchain works. You’ll pick up what you need to know naturally as you go.
“Can I play these on my ancient phone/laptop?”
Surprisingly, yes! Most mobile P2E games are designed to run on even basic smartphones from the last 3-4 years. For PC games, anything with integrated graphics can usually handle games like The Sandbox or CropBytes just fine.
The exception is Illuvium – that one’s a graphics powerhouse and needs at least a mid-range gaming PC to run smoothly.
“What’s the catch? There’s always a catch.”
The main “catch” is market volatility. The tokens you earn can fluctuate in value, sometimes dramatically. I’ve had days where my earnings suddenly dropped 20% in value overnight.
There’s also the risk of games losing popularity over time, which impacts both token value and earning potential. This is why I emphasize diversifying across multiple games.
Final Thoughts: Why I’m All In On Play-to-Earn
I clearly remember the moment everything clicked for me. I was cashing out my first $200 from Axie Infinity, and it hit me – I just got paid real money for something I would have done for free anyway.
Gaming has been part of my life since I was seven years old. I’ve spent thousands of hours and dollars on games that gave me nothing tangible in return. Now those same hours generate income.
Is it going to make you rich overnight? No. But can it turn your “wasted” gaming time into a legitimate side income? Absolutely.
The best part is that we’re still early. The P2E ecosystem of 2025 is just the beginning. The technology is improving