26 July 2021

Drew Cattanach for The Conversation about how earn as you play games are transforming online gaming

Drew Cattanach, Lecturer on the Computer Games Development BSc course, wrote an article for The Conversation about how Axie Infinity and other earn as you play online games are transforming online gaming.

Person wearing headphones playing online video game on desktop computer
Credit: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com

In the article, Drew Cattanach wrote about a new class of games emerging where playing is an investment opportunity, and potentially even a way to earn a living. He wrote: “What they have in common with many previous classics is that they include complex economic ecosystems…But in these older games, the in-game currency had no value in the real world.”

Discussing the leading earn as you play game ‘Axie Infinity’, he added: “The game revolves around cute furry creatures called Axies, which players breed, acquire, train, use to complete challenges, and do battle with online. The object of the game is to obtain small love potions (SLPs), which can be used to breed new Axies that can then be deployed within the game.

“SLPs double as cryptocurrencies that can be bought and sold on a crypto exchange. Top players are reportedly earning SLP1,500 (US$435/£317) per day from their Axies, though the price against the US dollar is constantly changing. It has broadly been rising since 2020, so there is an argument for hanging on to them – or alternatively, selling while the going is good.”

In his concluding remarks, he said: “Now that games like these are possible, it seems likely that they are here to stay. Many games have sustained online communities in the past, but by adding the ability to make financial gains, play-to-earn games will potentially lead to even more successful communities in the future.”

Read the full article on The Conversation’s website.

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