NFT platform V2 - Last update, aug 2026

What are NFT Games? – Meaning, Types, and Example

Sean· Published January 10, 2022
What are NFT Games? – Meaning, Types, and Example

The NFT revolution brought many innovations and changes in how things work. One such arena is gaming. There emerged an entirely new class of games that offer super excitement and ever-increasing fun – NFT games.

This blog delves into what are NFT games, how they work, what are associated costs, and more.

Let’s get started.

What are NFT Games?

NFTs led to a new passion which became an addiction for many worldwide. The NFT games. The burning combination of gaming and finance resulted in an absolutely novel gameplay model – Game-fi. The traditional online games revolve around searching, winning, and breeding characters in the game.

The new prototype of NFT games incentivizes the whole concept of gaming by giving away crypto tokens, special privileges for crossing some levels in the game, and offering ways of earning a good passive income and more opportunities.

How do NFT games work?

Similar to an NFT that uses a smart contract to derive its utility, the technology underpinning NFT games is also the same – a smart contract. Well, so how do the NFT games work? Unlike the other digital collectibles or artwork NFTs which we can store in wallets, this isn’t true with NFT games.

NFT games use NFTs in different scenarios – game rules, different levels, player interactions, and more. NFTs in an NFT game could be an avatar, a rare character or some ornaments, gems, or something of value, and so on. Moreover, players may trade NFTs with each other to make a profit. The new gaming model of Play-to-Earn helps players to earn a passive income through these gameplays.

What are in-game NFTs?

Yet, another way to earn good income from NFT games is through in-game NFTs. So, what are in-game NFTs? Well, they are NFTs representing any collectibles, characters, or other items in the NFT game. The worth of in-game NFTs generally depends on the rarity or utility of the item within the game.

One marvelous example of in-game NFTs is CryptoKitties. The modern-day NFT games usually offer both models of gameplay – Play-to-Earn and in-game NFTs.

What is the Play-to-Earn Model of NFT games?

In the Play-to-Earn model, the players earn income through playing the game. The longer they play, the more tokens they receive, along with some NFTs occasionally. The tokens have utility within the game. However, they can be sold in exchanges. The core benefit of playing the P2E model games is that you keep earning tokens and, sometimes, NFTs.

One play-to-earn model NFT game that became very popular is Axie Infinity. Others include Tamadoge, Battle Infinity, and Decentraland.

Some popular NFT games

Most present-day NFT games are built on Binance Smart Chain and Ethereum. Let’s check out some of the emerging games.

Axie Infinity

Axie Infinity is an NFT-based blockchain game where the players need to collect special creatures called ‘Axies’. The game lets its players breed, battle, collect and build kingdoms for Axies. Axie Infinity is a player-owned gaming model where players can buy, sell and trade the resources that they earn while playing or making contributions to the Axie ecosystem.

Gods Unchained

Gods Unchained is a tradeable NFT game on the Ethereum network. Players build decks with the powers and forces they hold and enter into combat with other players. As they win, they earn in-game assets they can use or sell.

Sandbox

Sandbox is an Ethereum-based Play-to-Earn game. It has made blockchain mainstream in the gaming arena. Sandbox uses cryptocurrency, DeFi, and NFTs in the 3D metaverse. Players can interact with the virtual items to create and customize games. In addition, NFTs can be sold in the Sandbox Marketplace in exchange for SAND tokens.

Final thoughts

NFT games are the next-gen version of gaming models. Play-to-Earn and In-game NFTs are the most popular gaming formats. Got a glimpse of what are NFT games? Play them and rock!

Want to try it yourself? Build a collection from your own artwork with the layer-based NFT generator, or describe your idea in a text prompt and let the AI NFT generator draw it. Both are part of the iMintify NFT creator.

Sean
Education lead

Legt de basis uit: wat dingen zijn, hoe ze werken en waarom ze bestaan, zonder jargon.

Related articles

What Is a Liquidity Pool? Crypto Liquidity Explained
education

What Is a Liquidity Pool? Crypto Liquidity Explained

What is liquidity in crypto and what is a liquidity pool? How pools and AMMs work, why liquidity matters for your token, when to add it, and impermanent loss explained.

Are NFTs Dead in 2026? An Honest Look at Where They Stand
education

Are NFTs Dead in 2026? An Honest Look at Where They Stand

Are NFTs dead? The hype cooled, but NFTs are still widely used for memberships, gaming, tickets and loyalty. An honest look at what changed and where NFTs stand now.

How Do NFTs Work? Blockchain, Minting and Ownership Explained
education

How Do NFTs Work? Blockchain, Minting and Ownership Explained

How do NFTs work? An NFT is a unique token on a blockchain that points to your artwork and proves who owns it. Learn about minting, metadata, storage and smart contracts.

What Does NFT Mean? (NFT Stands for Non-Fungible Token)
education

What Does NFT Mean? (NFT Stands for Non-Fungible Token)

What does NFT mean and what does NFT stand for? NFT stands for non-fungible token, a unique digital item you own on the blockchain. Here is what that means, in plain English.

Arweave vs IPFS for NFTs: Which Storage Is Truly Permanent?
education

Arweave vs IPFS for NFTs: Which Storage Is Truly Permanent?

IPFS keeps NFT files online while pinned; Arweave stores them permanently for a one-time fee. Here is the full comparison, and why iMintify offers both.

How to use the AI NFT Generator
guides

How to use the AI NFT Generator

Turn a written idea into finished NFT artwork, from a single piece to a full collection with matching traits. No design software, no drawing skills.

iMintify in 2026: New Site, Upgraded App, Still Free
nft news

iMintify in 2026: New Site, Upgraded App, Still Free

iMintify has a new website, revised blogs and fresh 2026 guides, and an upgraded app that is free under fair use. A community project with free credits to start. Long live NFTs.

How to Create a Token on BNB Chain (No Code)
guides

How to Create a Token on BNB Chain (No Code)

Create a token on BNB Smart Chain with no code. Reach a huge retail audience, add liquidity on PancakeSwap, and launch cheaply with post-deploy tools and an Anti-Rug badge using iMintify.

Create your NFT, free