How does one make money by playing Axie Infinity?

Axie Infinity is a blockchain-based game that is allegedly inspired by Pokémon. What is it all about?

Adorable creatures called Axies (Photo from Axie Infinity)

More than a crypto game? 

Playing video games is one of the well-known hobbies that boomed during the long-term lockdowns. The gaming realm even had a surprising growth because of a new type of game that has been giving many players the opportunity to earn just by simply playing. Yes, we are talking about Axie Infinity.

Vietnamese developer Sky Mavis created the game way back in 2018. Basically, it's a turn-based RPG that allows users to buy, sell, trade, trade, breed, and battle cuddly digital pets dubbed as "axies". 

These axies are non-fungible tokens that entirely prevailed in the crypto space over the past few months. Because of this, various news outlets reported how the game has become a source of income for several gamers. It also brought possible investment opportunities for crypto traders.

Aside from this, Sky Mavis allows external third-party developers to develop artworks, characters, and tools that players can use to improve the gaming experience. According to Axie Infinity's website, most of the players of the game are college graduates, parents, and even grandparents who are looking for alternative means of income during the pandemic.

What are the game mechanics of Axie Infinity?

Currently, the game is playable on desktop or mobile through Google Play Store. It is still on the beta version for Apple devices. To begin, you must have to sign up first and have an Ethereum wallet.

You must have three Axies to play the game

After this, you now have to choose three Axies and purchase them to play the online game. Every Axie is a non-fungible token (NFT) with different attributes. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are Ethereum-based digital tokens that prove ownership of unique collectibles.

Note that Axies can range from 0.065 ETH and above. You need to have a strategy in selecting Axies and not just settle for the inexpensive ones. Why? The more pricey the Axies, the stronger they are in battles on advanced levels.

Lunacia,  the Axie homeland,  is divided into tokenized plots of land which act as homes and bases of operation for their Axies. Plots can be upgraded over time using a variety of resources and crafting ingredients that can be found when playing the game. 

How can you earn from playing Axie Infinity?

The Axie Infinity’s play-to-earn mechanics has an important role with fellow Filipino players. Clearly, the game operated on Ethereum and uses its cryptocurrency Ether. Players can exchange Ether into real-world currency.

Axies can be used to battle monsters in the Axie Infinity Adventure Mode or battle other players in the game's Arena. By battling Axies a player can earn in-game rewards, which can then be exchanged for real-world value.  You can also play and compete in battles to win leaderboard prizes.

Moreover, you have the option to breed Axies, possibly result in strong ones that you can use for battle or sell on the marketplace. To make more money, you can level up them up so you can sell for a competitive price on the marketplace.

Other players farm and collect Small Love Potions (SLPs) which are used to breed Axies. These SLPs can be sold on the marketplace as well. 

Meanwhile, players have begun lending Axies to players who cannot afford them so they can try out the game. In turn, those who borrow Axies will give commission to the lenders. This is called Axie scholarships.

A common criticism of the game is the volatility of cryptocurrencies. Since players "sync and swap" their money through Ethereum, the price action makes some players worried. 

However, there are some people testifying how Axie Infinity became a huge help in their financial woes. There's a short documentary on YouTube showing how people in Cabanatuan City. 

Crypto consulting firm Emfarsis and gaming company Yield Guild Games called "Play-to-Earn" follows several Filipino people who play Axie Infinity. One gamer in the documentary named Art Art said, 

At first, I’m not convinced that this game is actually earning by playing, but I tried it. Due to the pandemic, we have no means of earning money. That’s why it spread here in Cabanatuan City.

There is no way to guarantee a positive outcome for any investment because many factors can affect the price. You can play and invest in Axie Infinity but at your own risk. Aside from that, you must be aware of how volatile Ether is before splurging money on some cute Axies. 

Keep in mind that Axie Infinity is a strategic battle game. This means you have to devote enough time to learn how it works and come up with a winning game plan.

Sources: Axie Infinity, Coindesk, CNBC