Introduction
Welcome to the exciting world of Axie Infinity, where gaming and finance intersect in a groundbreaking way. This play-to-earn (P2E) game has left a significant mark, especially in countries like the Philippines, where it once captivated 40% of its players. During the pandemic, Axie Infinity emerged as a lifeline, offering economic opportunities when they were needed most.
In this guide, we’ll explore Axie Infinity’s gameplay, earning potential, and investment opportunities. We’ll also delve into the risks and rewards, providing a comprehensive overview to help you navigate this innovative digital landscape with confidence.
We also offer you a podcast version of the article. If you're unable to read right now, feel free to listen to the podcast below.
What is Axie Infinity?
Axie Infinity is a popular play-to-earn game where players can collect, breed, and battle digital creatures called Axies. These unique creatures are NFTs, meaning players own them and can sell them for real money. Inspired by Pokémon, Axie Infinity was launched in 2018 by Vietnamese developer Sky Mavis and quickly gained popularity in Southeast Asia as a way to earn extra income.
How Does Axie Infinity Work?
Earn Real Money
Axie Infinity operates on a play-to-earn (P2E) model, where players can earn in-game tokens like Smooth Love Potion (SLP) and Axie Infinity Shards (AXS) by battling, breeding, and completing quests. These tokens can be traded on cryptocurrency exchanges for real-world money, offering players the chance to make financial gains based on their success in the game.
Own Your Digital Assets
In Axie Infinity, you truly own your in-game assets, like Axies and virtual land. These assets are represented as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the Ethereum blockchain, meaning you can buy, sell, or trade them securely outside the game. With blockchain technology, this ownership gives players control over their investments and the potential to profit from their in-game activities.
Join a Thriving Community
Playing Axie Infinity also means becoming part of a vibrant and supportive community. Players can connect through forums, Discord channels, and social media, sharing strategies and experiences. Community events and tournaments add a competitive and social dimension, making the game more engaging and fun.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
Axie Infinity's scholarship programs make the game accessible to players who can't afford to invest in Axies. Experienced players can lend their Axies to newcomers, promoting inclusivity and allowing players from diverse backgrounds to participate and earn. This approach helps broaden the player base and fosters a more inclusive gaming community.
How to Get Started with Axie Infinity?
Whether you want to play Axie Infinity for fun, earn money, or invest, this guide will walk you through the steps to get started.
1. Create a Ronin Wallet Account:
The Ronin Wallet is a digital wallet designed to store and manage digital assets on the Ronin blockchain, a sidechain of Ethereum. You can create your Ronin Wallet using a browser extension or mobile app by the following links, and choose between generating a secret recovery phrase or using a social login for easier access.
| Browser Extension | Mobile App |
|---|---|
| Google Play | |
| Firefox | APP Store |
| Edge |
2. Acquire Your Axies:
Once your account is set up, you need to obtain Axies. Visit the Axie Marketplace to purchase at least three Axies to start playing. You can also minimize costs by participating in scholarship programs, where a manager lends you Axies, allowing you to play without upfront costs.
3. Download the Axie Infinity Game:
After acquiring your Axies, download the Axie Infinity game on your device (available for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS) and log in using your Ronin Wallet account to begin your adventure.
4. Complete Tutorials:
Play through the in-game tutorials to familiarize yourself with the mechanics and user interface. Complete at least level 6 of the single-player Adventure mode to unlock player-versus-player (PvP) battles.
How Much To Start Axie Infinity?
When starting your Axie Infinity journey, one of the key considerations is how you'll acquire your Axies. Let's weigh the pros and cons of the traditional and scholarship methods to help you decide which path is best suited to your goals and circumstances.
Traditional Method vs Scholarship Method
| Factors | Traditional Method | Scholarship Method |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment Required | A few hundred dollars (~$50 for each Axie) | No upfront cost; Axies provided by a manager |
| Earning Potential | Earn SLP and AXS through gameplay | Earn SLP and AXS, but share profits (typically 20-50% to provider) |
| Long-Term Ownership | Full ownership, retain Axies for future value | No ownership of Axies; must return them |
| Risks Involved | Financial loss if Axies' value decreases | Dependence on the performance of the scholar |
Initial Investment Required:
- In the Traditional Method, players typically need to invest a few hundred dollars. To start, they usually need at least three Axies, with common Axies priced around $50 each. The cost can vary based on rarity and demand.
- In a scholarship program, players do not need any upfront investment, which means you can play Axie Infinity free. Instead, they are provided with Axies by a manager, allowing them to begin playing without the financial burden of purchasing Axies.
Earning Potential:
- Players who own their Axies can earn Smooth Love Potions (SLP) and Axie Infinity Shards (AXS) through gameplay and keep all of their earnings. There are no profit-sharing obligations.
- While players in scholarship programs can still earn SLP and AXS, they usually have to share a portion of their earnings (typically between 20-50%) with the Axie provider. This sharing reduces the overall earnings for the player.
Long-Term Ownership:
- Players who purchase their Axies have full ownership of these digital assets. This ownership allows them to retain Axies for future value, trade them, or use them in future gameplay, potentially benefiting from any increase in value.
- Players in scholarship programs do not own the Axies they use. Once they complete their gameplay or leave the program, they must return the Axies to the manager. This limits their ability to benefit from any potential appreciation in the Axies’ value.
How To Play Axie Infinity?
To get started, it is important to be familiar with how the game mechanics in Axie Infinity operate. The core gameplay revolves around three main components: breeding, battling, and farming.
Breeding
Players can breed Axies to create new offspring with unique traits using Smooth Love Potions (SLP) and Axie Infinity Shards (AXS). Each Axie can be bred a maximum of seven times, and the breeding process results in an egg that hatches into a new Axie after five days. The offspring can be used in battles or sold in the marketplace, allowing players to expand their collections or generate income.
Battling
Players form a team of three Axies and strategize by playing cards that represent their Axies' abilities. Each Axie belongs to one of nine classes, each with specific strengths and weaknesses, which influences battle outcomes. Understanding the Class triangle is crucial for optimizing team composition and maximizing effectiveness in combat.
Farming
Farming in Axie Infinity allows players to earn in-game tokens like SLP through various activities, including completing quests and winning battles. These tokens can be used for breeding new Axies or converted into real money, providing players with multiple avenues for generating rewards within the game.
How to Earn Money in Axie Infinity?
The Axie Infinity ecosystem provides multiple avenues for players to earn money through gameplay. Here are the primary methods:
1. Gameplay Rewards
- Daily Quests: Complete daily tasks to earn Smooth Love Potion (SLP) tokens. The amount earned depends on the quest's difficulty.
- Adventure Mode: Earn up to 50 SLP per day by completing battles in Adventure Mode, even with a less powerful team.
- Arena Battles: Compete in the Arena to earn SLP based on your performance and rank. Higher ranks yield more rewards.
- Breeding: Breed Axies by paying with AXS and SLP tokens. You can sell bred Axies for profit, creating a demand for SLP.
2. Marketplace Trading
Players can engage in marketplace trading to profit from their Axies:
- Buying and Selling Axies: Purchase Axies from the marketplace and sell them for a profit, especially if they have rare traits or are well-bred.
- Renting Axies: Rent out your Axies to other players through the marketplace, earning rental income.
3. Scholarships
Axie Infinity scholarships allow players to earn rewards without investing in their own Axies:
- Scholarship Programs: Experienced players lend their Axies to new players (scholars). Scholars earn SLP by playing, which is split with the Axie owner.
- Becoming a Scholar: Apply through the Axie Infinity Discord or contact scholarship providers to start earning SLP without an initial investment.
4. Staking
Players can earn rewards by staking their AXS tokens: Staking involves locking up tokens through the staking dashboard, where players can accumulate rewards over time. Depending on where you stake, you could earn up to 31% in rewards annually.
The Future of Axie Infinity
Axie Infinity has announced several new and upcoming features that may significantly impact gameplay:
- Part Evolution: Players can now level up their Axie parts, boosting their in-game stats and making them more powerful.
- Gauntlet Mode: A new game mode where players face increasingly difficult opponents to earn Smooth Love Potions (SLP).
- Rogue-like PvE: A challenging roguelike mode featuring battles against chimeras, testing players' skills and strategies.
- Competitive Seasons: Seasons with AXS prize pools for ranked matches and tournaments.
- Avatar Mode: Personalize your in-game avatar with unique customization options.
These updates are likely to attract new players and retain existing ones by offering new challenges, rewards, and customization options. As the game evolves, potential developments could include:
- Axie Infinity could explore partnerships with other blockchain games or platforms, opening up new opportunities for cross-overs and collaborations.
- Axie Infinity might introduce groundbreaking new features or game modes that redefine the genre.
- With the introduction of competitive seasons, Axie Infinity could become a major player in the esports scene.
Conclusion
Axie Infinity is more than just a game; it's a gateway to a new digital economy. By playing Axie Infinity, you can earn real money, own unique digital assets, and join a thriving community.
Ready to explore? Create your account, get your Axies, and dive into the world of Axie Infinity. Remember, as with any investment or game, values can fluctuate. Play smart, stay informed, and enjoy the adventure!
Axie Infinity FAQ
How can I earn money playing Axie Infinity?
There are several ways to earn money in Axie Infinity:
- Gameplay Rewards: Complete daily quests, participate in Adventure Mode and Arena battles, and breed Axies to earn SLP tokens, which can be exchanged for real-world currency.
- Marketplace Trading: Buy and sell Axies on the marketplace, profiting from their rarity and breeding potential. You can also rent out your Axies to other players for passive income.
- Scholarships: Experienced players lend out their Axies to new players (scholars) who earn SLP through gameplay and share a portion of the profits with the Axie owner.
- Staking: Earn rewards by staking your AXS tokens, contributing to the network's security and receiving a share of the generated rewards.
How do I get started with Axie Infinity?
- Create a Ronin Wallet: This digital wallet is specifically designed for Axie Infinity and is needed to store your assets.
- Acquire Axies: Buy at least three Axies from the Axie Marketplace or join a scholarship program to borrow them.
- Download the Game: Download Axie Infinity on your preferred device (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS).
- Complete Tutorials: Learn the game mechanics and unlock PvP battles through the tutorials.
What are the main gameplay mechanics in Axie Infinity?
Axie Infinity's gameplay revolves around three key elements:
- Breeding: Breed your Axies to create new offspring with unique traits, using SLP and AXS tokens. Each Axie can breed up to seven times.
- Battling: Strategize and battle using cards that represent your Axies' abilities. Understanding class strengths and weaknesses is crucial for victory.
- Farming: Earn SLP tokens by completing quests and winning battles, which can be used for breeding or exchanged for real money.
What is the difference between the Traditional Method and a Scholarship?
- Traditional Method: You own the Axies and keep all the profits but need an initial investment to buy them.
- Scholarship: Requires no initial investment, as you borrow Axies from a manager. You earn SLP but share a portion of the profits with the owner.
Is Axie Infinity a good investment?
As with any investment, Axie Infinity carries risks. The value of Axies and SLP tokens can fluctuate. It's essential to research, understand the gameplay, and be aware of the potential for both profits and losses. Playing smart and staying informed is crucial.
