Play-to-Earn (P2E) games have gained traction as a legitimate way for individuals to earn income, especially in developing regions. Here are some real-life stories of people who have found success or sustenance through P2E games:

1. Axie Infinity Players in the Philippines

• Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Filipinos turned to Axie Infinity as a source of income when traditional jobs were lost.

• Earnings: Some players earned upwards of $200–$300 a month, a significant amount in areas where the average income is much lower.

• Impact: Entire families participated, with younger members playing while older    ones managed wallets and transactions. Earnings were often used for daily    necessities like food, medicine, and school fees.

• Challenges: Earnings fluctuated with market prices, and many players faced    difficulties as the value of Axie’s tokens dropped.

2. Venezuelan Gamers on Decentraland

• Background: Venezuela's economic crisis led many to explore alternative income  streams. Decentraland, a virtual world where players can earn cryptocurrency by buying, selling, and creating virtual real estate, became a lifeline for some.

• Earnings: Players made money by trading virtual properties or designing items for  others, earning cryptocurrency that could be converted into real money.

• Impact: For some, this provided a higher income than traditional jobs in their  country.

3. Youth in Indonesia Using CryptoBlades

• Background: CryptoBlades, a blockchain-based RPG, gained popularity in Indonesia Players earn by completing battles and crafting in-game items.

• Earnings: Players reported earning $10–$20 a day during the game's peak, a    substantial supplement for students and young workers.

• Impact: The additional income was often used to support education or household    expenses.

4. Gamers in India with Zed Run

• Background: Zed Run, a digital horse racing game, allowed players to buy, breed, and race virtual horses for cryptocurrency.

• Earnings: Some Indian players bought low-cost horses, raced them for small winnings, and gradually scaled up to more profitable strategies.

• Impact: Earnings were used to fund small businesses or as a secondary income    source for families.

5. Gamer Guild Success Stories

• Scholarships in P2E: Organizations like Yield Guild Games (YGG) and Merit Circle have provided scholarships to players in low-income regions. These programs    give players access to expensive NFTs required to play certain P2E games.

• Example: A single mother in Brazil used her earnings from a scholarship in Axie    Infinity to pay rent and buy food for her children. Over time, she saved enough to invest in her own Axie team.

Lessons from Their Experiences

• Benefits:

• Provided income opportunities for underserved communities.

• Introduced people to cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies.

• Challenges:

• High volatility in token values.

• High entry costs for some games.

• Regulatory uncertainty in many regions.

These stories highlight the potential of P2E games as a supplementary income source, though sustainability and long-term viability remain concerns.