Play-to-earn gaming companies are here

We previously looked at major players in the metaverse, which could end up being worth trillions of dollars in the near future. Of course, play-to-earn gaming will play a massive role in the future of the metaverse, as well. 

Let’s look at some of the biggest and most influential P2E gaming companies.

Sky Mavis

play to earn gaming companies axie infinity for decentral publishing

https://skymavis.com/

If there is one company synonymous with play-to-earn gaming, it’s Sky Mavis. Sky Mavis is the Vietnamese company behind Axie Infinity, an online game featuring “Axies,” creatures that double as in-game NFTs. Players can earn and trade Ethereum-based cryptocurrencies, which they can exchange for fiat if they choose.

Axie Infinity does require an initial investment for in-game NFTs, but then allows players to earn new NFTs through playing the game successfully (battling with other “Axies”). Axie boasts 2.8 million daily active users, and its Ronin Layer 2 sidechain processes more transactions than many Layer 1 blockchains. Is this further proof that gaming can provide an accessible gateway to the metaverse?

Sky Mavis recently raised $152 million at an almost $3 billion valuation, and you can expect that number to grow throughout 2022 as play-to-earn companies and the metaverse gain more traction.

Mythical Games

play to earn gaming companies we are mythical for decentral publishing

https://mythicalgames.com/

Axie Infinity might be considered the “poster child” of play-to-earn gaming companies, but Mythical Games isn’t too far behind. Mythical Games is the Los Angeles gaming company behind Blankos Block Party, a free open-world multiplayer game. The game features “Blankos,” Funko Pop-style characters that are NFTs. 

Mythical Games is already valued at a whopping $1.25 billion and is backed by Andreesen Horowitz, one of the most powerful VC firms in the world. Mythical Games also just recently acquired Polystream, a startup offering 3D-streaming capabilities in the metaverse.

Immutable

play to earn gaming companies immutable x for decentral publishing

There are many P2E companies that can shape the future of the metaverse, but Immutable is a bit different from other play-to-earn companies. That’s because Immutable, a Sydney-based company, has done more than just create games. Immutable is the organization behind Immutable X, the “first Layer 2 for NFTs on Ethereum.”

Immutable is also the creator of Gods Unchained, a popular blockchain-based trading card game. Each trading card is also an NFT with real-world value. Immutable also launched a $GODS token for the game last year.

Immutable doesn’t just have one hit P2E game. They’re also responsible for Guild of Guardians, a game so anticipated that its token sale was oversubscribed… 82 times over.

Will play-to-earn gaming dominate the metaverse?

It can be tough to predict what will happen with respect to P2E gaming companies. We’ve seen situations where one hit game can cause a company’s valuation to skyrocket, and one viral P2E game can turn the tables for any of the companies mentioned above.

Billions of people already play video games. Play-to-earn gaming companies will continue to succeed because they revolutionize the gaming business model, allowing gamers to earn money while enjoying themselves. While some may attempt to dismiss it as a fad, play-to-earn gaming will undoubtedly remain one of the most important metaverse trends in the short-term future.

MichaelHeadshot
Michael Hearne

Michael Hearne is the CEO of Decentral Publishing and the host of the Uncensored Crypto docuseries.