Top 5 Play to Earn (P2E) Games

The gaming industry is undergoing a transformation where players are no longer just participants but stakeholders. Play to earn games have introduced a new paradigm, enabling gamers to convert time, skill, and creativity into tangible value. For studios and entrepreneurs exploring play to earn game development, the current market leaders offer vital lessons in design, monetization, and scalability.

From immersive MMORPGs to competitive card battlers, the following five titles – EVE Frontier, Hellmaster, Moonveil, RavenQuest, and Forgotten Runiverse; show how diverse the P2E model has become. Each game highlights unique approaches to player ownership, retention, and ecosystem growth, setting benchmarks for the next wave of P2E game development projects.

The Top 5 Play to Earn Games Driving the Future of P2E Game Development

Let’s take a closer look at the top 5 play-to-earn games making waves in the industry today and uncover the strategies behind their success that can inspire your own play to earn game development journey.

1. EVE Frontier – Building Economies in a Sci-Fi Sandbox

Developed by CCP, the creators of the legendary EVE Online, EVE Frontier is designed as a hardcore sci-fi survival MMO. It emphasizes crafting, exploration, and economic simulation, giving players opportunities to construct stargates, build infrastructure, and manage vast in-game markets.

Unlike traditional P2E models that focus narrowly on token farming, Frontier empowers players to create value by actively shaping the environment. Seasonal content cycles, mission-based rewards, and emergent social structures make it more than just a game; it’s a living economy.

Key lessons for play to earn game development:

• Design value-creation loops where players build, trade, and innovate, not just extract.
  
• Use seasonal mechanics to maintain engagement and ensure sustainable token circulation.

2. Hellmaster – Competitive Gameplay Meets Web3 Rewards

Hellmaster by Dante Games blends tactical card strategy with RPG progression. Set in a dark fantasy world inspired by the nine circles of hell, players collect and battle cards while climbing competitive ladders. Rewards are distributed in $DANTE tokens and USDT, paired with large prize pools that attract serious players.

By launching on Google Play, Epic Games Store, and Immutable, Hellmaster bridges the gap between mainstream accessibility and blockchain-backed rewards. This approach ensures that the game remains fun-first while gradually integrating Web3 mechanics.

Key lessons for P2E game development:

• Competitive ladders and tournament structures drive recurring engagement and establish eSports-style dynamics.
  
• Multi-platform publishing reduces entry barriers and broadens the player base before introducing blockchain layers.

3. Moonveil – Ecosystem-Centric P2E Innovation

Moonveil isn’t just one game; it’s a whole ecosystem. Players can take part in quests, mini-games, and community events to earn Moon Beams (points), which can later be converted into the $MORE token.

What makes Moonveil different is its focus on fun first. It runs on its own Layer-2 blockchain, making rewards, identity, and gameplay all work together smoothly. Instead of overwhelming players with tokens upfront, Moonveil builds an enjoyable gaming experience where blockchain features quietly support the action.

Key lessons for play-to-earn game development:

• Points-to-token systems allow developers to control token emissions and avoid “farm-and-dump” issues.
  
• Cross-game identity and reputation models create a sticky ecosystem where players remain engaged across multiple titles.

4. RavenQuest – Risk-to-Earn Dungeon Crawling

RavenQuest takes the roguelike approach to P2E. Players dive into procedurally generated dungeons, facing escalating risks for higher-value rewards. Unlike grind-heavy farming titles, RavenQuest thrives on short, high-intensity gameplay sessions where skill and decision-making directly influence outcomes.

Its “risk-to-earn” system resonates with players looking for meaningful challenges and replayable loops. By focusing on shorter session gameplay, RavenQuest attracts both casual gamers and competitive enthusiasts.

Key lessons for P2E game development:

• Short session-based gameplay with risk-reward mechanics is ideal for broader audience appeal.
  
• Procedural generation enhances replayability while keeping economies dynamic.

5. Forgotten Runiverse – Fantasy MMO With Creator Ownership

Built on the Ronin blockchain, Forgotten Runiverse is a fantasy MMORPG inspired by the Forgotten Runes Wizard’s Cult universe. It emphasizes land ownership, player-driven economies, and content creation. Players can craft, build, and even monetize their own in-game assets.

What sets Runiverse apart is its Web2-first onboarding; gamers can start playing without a wallet or crypto knowledge. This drastically reduces friction, making it easier for mainstream adoption while still offering blockchain-backed ownership for advanced users.

Key lessons for P2E game development:

• User-generated content (UGC) multiplies retention by letting players co-create value.
  
• Hybrid onboarding (play first, wallet later) is essential for reaching non-crypto audiences.

Why These Games Matter for Businesses and Developers

The P2E landscape is shifting from speculative farming to sustainable ecosystems. For studios, investors, and entrepreneurs considering play to earn game development, the following takeaways are critical:

• Accessibility First: Mobile apps, app stores, and free-to-play entry points remain the best way to onboard players before introducing Web3 features.
  
• Economy Design Over Token Hype: Balanced reward loops, sinks, and emissions ensure your project doesn’t collapse under inflationary pressure.
  
• Skill and Strategy as Core Drivers: Games like Hellmaster and RavenQuest show that rewarding mastery builds communities that last.
  
• Ecosystem Thinking: Platforms like Moonveil prove that linking multiple titles under one reward system future-proofs engagement.
  
• Ownership with Utility: Land, items, and reputation systems only matter when connected to meaningful play.

Conclusion

The evolution of P2E proves one thing: fun is the ultimate utility. The most successful projects are those that integrate P2E game development into robust, engaging experiences that prioritize player retention, accessibility, and real ownership.

If you’re planning to build in this space, don’t just follow trends; study the leaders, borrow their mechanics, and design ecosystems that make players proud to invest their time and creativity.