NFT games are different to mainstream titles as any items players buy or earn can be sold or traded for real money or for other in-game items. Most NFT games feature an internal marketplace to buy and sell items on a blockchain, but this means they can also be traded on NFT marketplaces outside the game too, potentially allowing players to make money from their gaming. While it’s still early days in this exciting new digital genre, there are still some great games out there that are well worth checking out.
Gods Unchained
Founded by brothers James and Robbie Ferguson, this trading card NFT game is based on the play-to-earn model. It gives players complete ownership over their in-game items, meaning they’re free to sell, trade, or use their cards anyway they choose. It’s also free to play, with new players getting 140 cards to set them on their way.
Each card has unique powers/skills based on rarity, tribe, mana cost, God, and set, which determines their success in battles. You can also collect cards by purchasing them from other players or winning PVP games. To win, you need to build decks that can combat the different tactics your opponent’s use.
Gods Unchained is also home to a thriving NFT marketplace, allowing players the chance to buy and sell gaming cards.
Pros:
Lots of ways to make money
Free to play
Cons:
Game modes are limited
Not exactly ground breaking
Splinterlands
Splinterlands is similar to Gods Unchained and allows gamers to earn as they play. The main difference between the games however, is that you have to buy your own pack of cards before you can start playing.
When you do, you will receive a set of cards, each with a different stat, mana cost, level, experience, ability, and Splinter/rarity. Cards have multiple uses, including restoring health, reducing speed, inflicting double damage and much more. More cards can be earnt from battles, quests and tournaments.
Players cards can be traded or rented out to other players and are compatible with some third-party marketplace platforms such as Monster Market, PeakMonsters, and Open Sea. Duplicate cards can also be fused to improve their powers.
Classic card battle game
Lots of trading platforms
Cons:
Have to pay to play
The Sandbox
Built on the Ethereum blockchain, The Sandbox started life as a game-builder simulator on Steam, but in 2018, Animoca Brands took over the title and moved it to the blockchain. The game is now a gigantic virtual metaverse with decentralized land parcels that players can develop, trade, and monetize.
Likened to Minecraft, this community-driven NFT platform allows users to create and animate their own assets, which can then become NFTs that are traded on the marketplace. These NFTs can then be integrated into games players create.
The Sandbox is widely regarded as one of the main drivers in the growth of virtual real estate demand and has partnered with major IPs and brands including Warner Music Group, Ubisoft, The Rabbids, Gucci Vault, Snoop Dogg, Adidas, Atari, and more.
Pros:
Users govern the metaverse themselves with total ownership over their digital assets
Lots of ways to make money
Cons:
Not so much a game as a world for creatives
Can be expensive to play
The Parallel
The Parallel is a virtual world trading card game set in a science-fiction universe. The real-life simulation game system allows players to produce materials and engage in monetization, entertainment, and networking activities with other users.
The games USP is focused around user connections and social gaming. While other titles see players compete against each other, Parallel aims to give immersive experiences to players of all social classes, independent of age, gender, occupation, or social level.
The hope is that players work with others to develop an endless universe of The Parallel and see it grow into a huge and diversified world of endless opportunities. There are lots of games within the game itself, including The Rune Hunter Series and Ascension, as players join the quest to save the human race.
Pros:
Build you own unique NFTs
Great social gaming
Cons:
Social features not for everyone
Sorare
Sorare is a fantasy football game where users can trade players, enter tournaments and compete for prizes worth thousands of pounds every week. Using their cards, players create team line-ups and devise strategies, as they compete against other managers in weekly tournaments.
Just as in fantasy football, points are based on the real-life sports performances of the players in the user’s deck. Cards are sorted into four levels of rarity: limited, rare, super rare, and unique. When you sign up you get 10 Free Cards. These can be traded with other players or sold in the open marketplace.
In 2023, Sorare began a partnership with the English Premier League, meaning the franchise now has the endorsement of 141 football clubs with more promised. However, what sets Sorare apart from the competition is the prizes, its use of official blockchain cards, and the support this game gets from major gaming brands, including ConSensys, Ubisoft, and Opta.
Pros:
Great for football fans
Lots of prizes to be won
A new take on fantasy football manager
Cons:
You will need to buy the most unique cards if you want to progress
