Earnings for players vs. revenue for developers
Earnings for players vs. revenue for developers
by Maximilian 02:22pm Jan 09, 2025

In Play-to-Earn (P2E) games, the earnings for players and the revenue for developers can be quite different, as they operate in distinct ways. Here's how they typically compare:
Earnings for Players
Players in P2E games can earn in a variety of ways, often involving blockchain-based assets like NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) or cryptocurrency. The earnings can come from:
Selling In-Game Assets: Players can earn valuable assets like NFTs, rare items, characters, or virtual land by completing tasks, winning battles, or creating content. These assets can be sold on marketplaces for cryptocurrency or real money.
Staking and Yield Farming: Some P2E games allow players to stake their in-game assets (e.g., NFTs or tokens) to earn passive income in the form of rewards or additional tokens.
Rewards from Competitions or Events: Players may participate in in-game events or tournaments where they can win prizes in the form of cryptocurrency, NFTs,or other valuable items.
Trading and Speculation: As assets like NFTs become more desirable, players can speculate on their future value and trade them for a profit. This involves buying low and selling high, similar to stock market trading.
Revenue from Community Participation: In some cases, players can create content (e.g., custom games, virtual items, or assets) and sell them to other players. This creates an income stream for content creators within the game ecosystem.
Revenue for Developers
Developers of P2E games can earn revenue in several ways, many of which are tied to the in-game economy and blockchain integration:
Transaction Fees: Developers typically take a percentage of each transaction made in the game, such as sales of NFTs or in-game assets. These fees can come from:
Marketplace transactions (e.g., when players buy, sell, or trade assets).
Gas fees (fees for executing transactions on blockchain networks, often paid by players but collected by developers).
Initial Sale of NFTs or In-Game Assets: Many P2E games sell NFTs, in-game assets, or virtual land during the initial launch or as part of ongoing events. This can generate substantial revenue upfront.
Token Sales (ICO/IDO): Some P2E games launch their own native tokens (e.g., game currencies) through Initial Coin Offerings (ICO) or Initial DEX Offerings (IDO). This allows developers to raise capital by selling tokens to investors or early players.
Partnerships and Sponsorships: Developers can generate additional revenue through partnerships with brands, advertisers, or other companies in the metaverse or gaming space. This might include in-game advertising, branded content, or sponsored events.
Game-Related Services: Developers may offer paid services or premium features such as subscriptions, battle passes, or special access to exclusive content. This helps generate a steady income stream beyond just the in-game economy.
Royalties from Secondary Sales: When players sell NFTs or other digital assets, the developer may receive a royalty percentage from each secondary sale. This means that even after the initial sale, developers can continue earning as assets change hands.
Players: Earn primarily through in-game activities like selling NFTs, completing tasks, or competing in events. However, earnings can be highly variable and dependent on market demand, the rarity of items, and skill level.
Developers: Generate revenue through transaction fees, the sale of in-game assets, token offerings, and other business models. Developers typically have more stable, consistent income from these sources, especially in the early stages of the game or if they manage to attract significant attention and investment.
For Players: The earning potential can be uncertain. Not all players make a profit, and earnings are often dependent on the value of in-game assets, the game's popularity, and the overall market for NFTs or cryptocurrency.
For Developers: While the potential for revenue is high, developers face challenges in maintaining player engagement, ensuring the in-game economy remains balanced, and avoiding issues like market manipulation or inflation of in-game asset prices.
Key Differences
Challenges
In summary, while players can earn significant rewards in P2E games, the revenue for developers often comes from transaction fees, token sales, and ongoing economic activities tied to the game's ecosystem. Developers typically have more predictable and sustained revenue streams, whereas players' earnings can fluctuate based on gameplay, asset value, and market conditions.
