With 36% of games being played on smartphones, it’s no wonder that play-to-earn games have become as popular as they have! You may have heard or seen ads claiming that if you play this game, you can earn money - and maybe you thought that it was the most obvious scam you’ve ever seen..but what if it isn’t? 

The Basics of Play-to-Earn Games

Play-to-earn games are games that individuals can play and win money in the meantime. Most of these games are mobile games, and they do indeed pay money to their players. However, as grandiose as the idea sounds, it’s important to clarify a few common misconceptions. 

Money

Yes, you can absolutely earn money by playing play-to-earn games, but wait a minute before you jump for joy about this new “work from home opportunity”! Many of these games require you to either be impressively skilled or only pay you a few cents per win. So naturally, it takes time before you can make any sort of money that can cover even a cup of coffee from Starbucks.

However, that being said, in third world countries, even this little bit of money can make a big difference. For example, in Vietnam, the average cost of going to the movie would be around $3.90 according to this website. In other countries, the cost of living is much lower than we are used to in the U.S. and therefore even what would be considered very little in the U.S. could possibly feed a family of four elsewhere. That shouldn’t be underestimated. 

Skill

Many of these play-to-earn games operate under the premise that the best players will be rewarded money. That requires you to be skilled if you want to earn money. In order to be skilled, you most likely have to dedicate a good amount of time, as building a skill does take time. So thinking this will be a cakewalk, may be presumptuous. 

Rewards

Money isn’t the only reward typically offered in a play-to-earn game. There are also in-game rewards in form of different tokens that can then be applied to participate in more games. Not all games are usually associated with winning real money, and those that do often require a certain participation fee in form of an in-game reward or currency. These can either be earned or purchased to play in other games with higher stakes. 

Scam or not?

Even though people are quick to scream scam, play-to-earn games (at least most of them) aren’t a scam. You ARE able to earn real money, it just may not be as much as you hope for. Most games do have reputable payment processors, which are then used to withdraw the money. That being said, as with every industry, beware any signs of foul play by doing your own research.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for another way to earn money, play-to-earn games may not be the best solution for you unless you live outside of the U.S. However, if you’re looking for a fun new game to play and wouldn’t mind making a little money on the side that you can buy your coffee with every few months, then this is perfect for you.