Australians already spend billions each year on video games, from console blockbusters to mobile apps downloaded on the morning commute. But what happens when gaming collides with cryptocurrency? Instead of racking up points that vanish when you switch off the console, players can now own in-game assets that carry value outside the game itself.

That’s the significant shift behind crypto gaming. Gaming has evolved from being a source of entertainment to being a source of digital ownership. Whether it’s a weapon in a fantasy role-playing game or even a virtual piece of land, crypto games let players buy, sell, and trade these items with real-world value attached. For gamers in Australia, this raises a simple but intriguing question: if you’re already playing, why not explore what it means to play and earn at the same time?

Of course, with every new trend comes uncertainty. Are crypto games legitimate or just hype? How much can you realistically earn by playing? And what are the best gaming cryptos driving this new wave of digital worlds? Together, we’ll deep dive into what crypto games are, how they work, and why Australians are paying attention.

What Are Crypto Games?

A Simple Definition

Crypto games are video games that use blockchain technology to give players actual ownership of digital items. Instead of renting or licensing assets inside a closed system, gamers can buy, sell, and transfer characters, skins, cards, or even parcels of virtual land across platforms.

This ownership model shifts the value of gaming. A rare sword isn’t just pixels in a fantasy quest anymore; it could be a token in your wallet that can be traded on a marketplace for real-world value.

How Do Crypto Games Work?

At the heart of every crypto game is the blockchain. It’s the system that records who owns what, in a way that can’t be faked or quietly altered by the game developer.

Here’s how it usually comes together:

• Ownership tracked on-chain: Items, characters, or tokens are linked to unique records on a blockchain.
• Wallets as the key: Players connect a crypto wallet to the game to store and use their assets.
• Tokens for play: In-game coins or tokens may be used to buy upgrades, trade items, or even take part in game governance.

For Australian gamers, that means moving from being a “user” to being a “participant.” Instead of leaving your digital achievements locked in someone else’s server, you actually hold them in your own account.

Want to understand how these tokens connect back to broader digital assets? Explore What Is Cryptocurrency for a simple foundation.

Types of Crypto Games Australians Are Exploring

Play-to-Earn Models

One of the most talked-about categories is play-to-earn (P2E). These games reward players with tokens for time and skill spent in-game. The idea took off with titles like Axie Infinity, which, at its peak, allowed some players to earn meaningful sums just by battling and breeding digital creatures.

Can you earn crypto playing games?

Yes. Some crypto games reward players with tokens that can be traded or sold. The exact earnings vary widely and depend on the game’s popularity, token value, and how much time you put in.
While the model has evolved since the Axie boom, the concept remains powerful: your time spent in-game could result in assets with real-world value.

NFT-Based Games

In NFT-based games, the spotlight is on digital ownership. Skins, weapons, land parcels, or characters aren’t tied permanently to one game account. Instead, they exist as tokens you can transfer, sell, or showcase on different platforms.

Imagine unlocking a rare weapon and being able to sell it on a marketplace like OpenSea or a built-in exchange. For many gamers, this is the first time their virtual collections feel truly theirs.

Hybrid and Free-to-Play Onboarding

Not every crypto game requires a significant upfront investment. A growing number of developers are rolling out hybrid or free-to-play models. You can jump in and play for fun, while blockchain features like owning or trading items are optional add-ons.
This approach helps overcome one of the biggest hurdles in crypto gaming: the entry cost. Instead of needing hundreds of dollars to get started, you can play for free and decide later if you want to buy, trade, or collect in-game assets.

Interested in learning more about crypto and blockchain technology in gaming? Check out our blog Revolutionising Gaming.

Popular Coins Powering Crypto Gaming

The Best Crypto for Gaming (Examples)

Ethereum (ETH) remains the backbone for much of the crypto gaming world. Many of the largest NFT-based titles and ecosystems use its smart contracts to run in-game economies, even if ETH itself isn’t classed purely as a “gaming coin” but rather a “smart contract” coin.

On top of that foundation, several projects have carved out strong reputations in the gaming space:

• Immutable (IMX): Immutable has become a global leader in scaling Ethereum-based games. It powers popular titles such as Gods Unchained and Illuvium.
• Axie Infinity (AXS): Known for pioneering play-to-earn models, Axie showed how players could earn tokens through battles and breeding digital creatures.
• The Sandbox (SAND): A metaverse-style game where players create, own, and monetise digital land and experiences.
• Gala (GALA): Built with a focus on community-driven development, Gala gives players governance and ownership within its ecosystem.
• Illuvium (ILV): A high-production value role-playing game (RPG) being developed in Australia, aiming to blend traditional gaming quality with blockchain ownership.

Fun Fact: Immutable (IMX) is based in Sydney, positioning Australia at the centre of the global gaming crypto movement.

What Is the Best Gaming Crypto?

There isn’t a single “best” coin for gaming; it depends on what matters most to you:

• Transaction costs: Some projects focus on reducing fees and speeding up transactions to make gameplay seamless.
• Game adoption: Coins like AXS and SAND are tied to widely played games with strong communities.
• Ecosystem growth: IMX and GALA are building partnerships with developers and publishers, strengthening their long-term prospects.

For players and investors alike, the most promising gaming coins tend to be the ones backed by active communities and real games in development, not just speculation.

Are Crypto Games Legit or Just Hype?

Addressing Concerns

Scepticism around crypto games is natural. Stories of rug-pulls and overhyped projects have made headlines, but that isn’t always the whole picture. When players stick to regulated exchanges and titles backed by recognised studios, the experience can look more like traditional gaming, with blockchain technology under the hood.

Studios across the world, including in Australia, are experimenting with blockchain integrations. Immutable is one of the most visible examples, partnering with international publishers to bring familiar game formats into the crypto space. This signals that the sector isn’t limited to small experiments; larger players are taking it seriously, too.

Risks and Considerations

That said, there are clear risks. Tokens linked to games can rise and fall in value quickly, making in-game earnings unpredictable. For someone new, that volatility may feel overwhelming compared to the more stable economies of mainstream gaming.

Australia also has regulatory considerations. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) treats many gaming tokens like other digital assets, which means that buying, selling, or trading them may create taxable events. It’s important to factor that into decision-making if you plan on experimenting with crypto gaming.

Like any emerging technology, crypto games require both curiosity and caution. They may not suit everyone, but for those willing to explore, they represent an evolving corner of both gaming and blockchain.

Playing Crypto Games in Australia

How to Play Crypto Games

Getting started with crypto gaming feels surprisingly familiar if you’ve played online games before. The main difference is the addition of a wallet.

Here’s the typical flow:

• Sign up for a game account — choose a title that supports blockchain, whether it’s a play-to-earn battler or an NFT-based trading game.
• Connect your digital wallet — this is how you prove ownership of in-game assets. Many games guide you through linking a wallet during setup.
• Get the in-game asset or token — some games give you free starter items, while others require you to buy or earn an NFT or token before you can fully participate.

How Much Can You Earn Playing Crypto Games?

Earnings vary widely. Some players receive token rewards or trade rare NFTs, while others may not see much return at all. It depends on factors like:

• The popularity and longevity of the game
• The value of the associated token
• How much time and effort you put into playing

It’s important to note: there’s no guaranteed income. Tokens may provide rewards or incentives, but they are subject to market movements. For many Australians, crypto gaming is approached more as an engaging hobby with potential upside rather than a replacement for regular income.

If you’re new to wallets, see our Crypto Wallets 101 guide for a beginner-friendly breakdown of how they work.

The Future of Crypto Gaming in Australia

Adoption Trends

Gaming has consistently been one of the largest drivers of blockchain wallet activity worldwide, and Australia is no exception. Local studios are beginning to experiment with blockchain mechanics, while global publishers are exploring ways to integrate player-owned assets into mainstream titles. Investors are also paying attention, funnelling resources into projects that combine entertainment with digital ownership.

So, is crypto gaming the future? It may play a role in how the next generation interacts with both games and money. For Australians, this could mean games that let you trade items more freely, carry achievements between platforms, or even turn time spent gaming into token-based rewards.

Challenges to Overcome

Despite the momentum, crypto gaming still faces hurdles before it can hit mainstream adoption:

• Usability — wallets, onboarding, and terminology can feel technical, especially for newcomers.
• Regulatory clarity — governments, including Australia’s, are still shaping frameworks around digital assets, which may affect how games operate.
• Fun-first focus — successful titles will need to prioritise gameplay and enjoyment, not just token speculation, if they want to attract broad audiences.

In short, the path forward looks promising, but crypto gaming in Australia will need to balance innovation with accessibility and compliance.

FAQs About Crypto Games in Australia

What are crypto games?

Crypto games are video games that use blockchain technology to let players own, trade, or transfer in-game items, characters, or tokens. Unlike traditional games, assets can sometimes move outside the game and onto marketplaces where they have value.

Are crypto games legit?

Yes, many crypto games are published by recognised studios and supported by regulated exchanges. That said, as with any emerging technology, players should research projects carefully to separate genuine titles from short-lived or low-quality ones.

How to earn crypto by playing games?

Some games reward players with tokens or NFTs for completing challenges, trading items, or participating in community events. These tokens may provide rewards or incentives, but they’re not guaranteed income.

What games can you play to earn crypto?

Examples include play-to-earn style titles like Axie Infinity or trading-card games such as Gods Unchained. Availability changes as new projects launch, so it’s worth checking Australian exchanges like Digital Surge to see which gaming tokens are supported.

Is crypto gaming the future?

Crypto gaming may play a growing role in how players interact with games, especially as adoption of blockchain wallets and digital ownership expands. The future likely depends on balancing entertainment with usability and clear regulations in Australia.

Crypto and Gaming: A Growing Connection

Crypto games blend two worlds Australians already know well, gaming and digital ownership. From play-to-earn titles to NFT marketplaces, this space is showing how entertainment and blockchain can overlap in ways that are both innovative and engaging.

For Australians curious about the next wave of gaming, the opportunity is there to explore responsibly, learn as you go, and stay focused on projects with strong communities and solid foundations.

Ready to explore gaming coins? Sign up with Digital Surge, Australia’s trusted crypto exchange, and access 400+ digital assets today.