How play-to earn gamers make thousands of Naira online

Ademide was a Hyper gamer, who identified himself by his first name. He was on his fifth round of the day. He was playing “Hunter Killer” in challenge mode on Hyper. Hyper is the game finance app (GameFi) owned by Metaverse Magna a Nestcoin portfolio. Ademide claimed to have made N8,000 by the end of his gaming session. Ademide is a Hypergamer and has been for two months. He considers himself to be skilled. He enjoys challenging his friends to peer-to-peer battles (P2P) in his favourite games and sometimes competing in tournaments organized by the app.

He said, “I play this game every day to earn a little money as a hobby.” Some games are more difficult than others and some earn him money, while others do not. Ademide is among the 100,000 active players on Hyper, a hypersocial play-to earn (P2E), app where users can play games and earn real money.

It is a way for many gamers to earn some extra cash. But games like Hyper were built upon the popularity and hype surrounding crypto-based P2E.

The rise in crypto-based P2E gaming

Crypto P2E dates back to 2017. The first major crypto bull market began in 2017. Cryptokitties has become a popular platform where gamers can earn real money. Axie Infinity became a popular crypto-based P2E in 2021. Crossing one million global users.

In Nigeria crypto-based P2E gaming took off due to two major factors: increased online gaming activity, and the second big crypto bull run in 2021. Online gaming became a popular pastime. Battle royale games such as Call of Duty Mobile(CODM) or Garena Free Fire drew a large number of players, who formed communities around them.

A wide crypto bull ran was taking off and it spread to other digital coins. The price of $AXS was the in-game cryptocurrency token of the Axie Infinity video game. The number of people using cryptocurrency P2E platforms has reached a record high by 2021.

People began to form gaming guilds similar to communities and hubs to share resources and maximize earnings on these crypto P2E platform.

The popularity of crypto P2E in Nigeria was largely due to the existence of guilds. These collectives offered players access to game assets, community, and training, especially in the early boom days. Local examples include MVM Guild and African Gaming GuildThey helped new players to participate in crypto P2E platforms, without having to spend money on expensive non-fungible tokens and game skins. Metaverse Magna, originally launched as Nestcoin (MVM), managed over 1,200 players across Africa. Yield Guild Games, a global company, also enabled thousands of players to earn money through games such as Axie Infinity. But many of these guilds no longer exist today. The main problem was unsustainable tokenomics. Games produced massive amounts of tokens/NFTs without building player demand, leading hyperinflation.

As more tokens entered the market, player earnings were rapidly devalued. For example, Axie Infinity’s $AXS token The value of the token has dropped by 98% since its peak in 2021.

As the price of crypto tokens fell, so too did enthusiasm. Volatility and speculative economies made consistent earnings almost impossible. These realities forced a change of thinking.

But, from the ashes of this era, a new paradigm emerged. Hypersocial games are a direct result of crypto-based P2E gaming. These platforms retained the idea of earning money while playing online games but dropped the fragile Tokenomics is the study of cryptocurrencies.

The rise of “hypersocial” gaming

These games were based on skill, earning stability and simplicity. This attracted users from all corners of the world, lured by the chance to earn real cash. Hyper is today the most visible of these games. The app, developed by Metaverse Magna, after it split off from its guild-based model, hosts over 20 games including popular titles like Kong Climb and Hunter Killer. Players can play with friends or random strangers, create challenges links, and take part in daily tournaments.

Gameplay cut of Hyper’s game “Monkeys in Cars”. Image Source: Hyper/TechCabal.

The network effect is created when players challenge themselves through P2P gameplay. The more gamers that play, the greater the chances to win and the more attractive this platform becomes.

Hyper invites Web3 developers, as well as indie game creators, to submit their games for the platform. It’s a great offer for developers: Hyper has a large, active user base and offers instant exposure without needing to start from scratch with a huge marketing budget.

Unlike the P2E predecessors of Hyper, HYP Coins are not cryptocurrencies. They are instead stable in-app credit that can be redeemed for real money. One HYP coin is equal to N5, with the exchange rate fixed by region.

Hyper’s design avoids the tokenomics traps which have sunk many crypto-based P2E Games. There is no inflationary risk, no need to constantly add new users to maintain value, and no volatility that can slash player earnings overnight.

Ladi Coker is one of Hyper’s Nigerian Community Moderators. She said, “We do not offer crypto rewards to gamers due to the country’s cryptocurrency law.” “Hyper is a platform for gamers who want to compete and be paid. The focus is on skills. The more skilled you become, the more money you can earn.

Hyper’s 5,000 member Telegram community includes members from different parts in Africa. Users must complete a full Know Your Client (KYC), including ID and bank verification. Hyper is a game that focuses on fairness and fun. The platform can be accessed on smartphones with entry-level specs, and players are encouraged to improve their skills by practicing. It’s a win for gamers: invest a little money, play games and improve your skills. The more you improve and play, the more money you can earn.

Gamers earn thousands of naira.

According to Coker, beyond Ademide, dozens more gamers have reported using their Hyper earnings to cover essentials such as phones, transport, and daily expenses. A side hustle that brings in N8,000 per week is essential with Nigeria’s rising cost of living.

Gamers can earn anywhere between N2,000 and N8,000 per week, and on average N48,000 per month, depending on their performance, said Coker. Leaderboard rankings determine payouts for tournament game modes. The model is transparent, as tournament rewards and the winners are publicly displayed.

Some set daily earning goals of N1,000 or higher. The model rewards consistency over luck, even though not everyone is a top earner. Gamers can play solo or join tournaments. These tournaments often feature pools where the highest scorers get the largest share.

Gamers can also take advantage of in-app security features, including two-factor authentication (2FA), ID verification, and personalized dashboards. The leaderboards encourage healthy competition, while nicknames provide anonymity.

Future of P2E Games

While crypto-based P2E has been on the decline over the last three year, a new model that is not crypto-tied is benefiting from hype created by predecessors. Platforms such as Hyper are leveraging this momentum by providing players with tangible returns, without relying upon volatile tokens.

But, this does not mean that crypto-based P2E gaming is dead. Some Web3 projects prefer to launch crypto-based games in order to create awareness for their tokens, even though they are now relegated into the background. In April, SCOR Foundation launched a new set of titles on the TON Blockchain to allow users to earn $SCOR tokens and play games online in anticipation of its release.

It has over 15 000 weekly players/Image Source: Screenshot from Ring Rumble App via Telegram.

Crypto based P2E games promised wealth-building and decentralisation, but their economics was unsustainable. Inflation, bots, poor gameplay and the collapse of token value left many gamers burned. Hypersocial platforms, on the other hand, are a more grounded platform, with simple games, real competition and stable earnings.

Instead of betting on the next crypto-token, players now compete to win fixed rewards. Instead of being limited by NFT or token volatility they win by being great at the games.

Coker said, “We want people to think of Hyper when P2E is discussed anywhere in Africa or the world.” “P2E gaming has gained momentum.” Soon, [gaming] it will evolve into live leagues and competitions, just as in America and the similar.”

When that future arrives, players like Ademide will be already ahead of the curve — smartphones in hand, battle ready, and only one high score from another cashout. Mark your calendars for

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