The Axie Infinity Craze: Legit or All Hype?

Hop on or hop off?

Whether it’s a means to overcome boredom or stress, it’s interesting to know that there has been a significant surge in gaming in the past year, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic that compelled people to stay at home. Since people are spending most of their waking hours indoors, it’s no surprise that many are passing the time through new and old hobbies.

Like most people, you may have found yourself immersed in game streaming or playing a team-based game with a few friends. But these days, games like Axie Infinity have been taking over social media, with the attention mostly coming from the youth. But what exactly is Axie Infinity? And what’s this hype all about?

Before we make any wild conclusions, here are some things you may want to know about the game!

What is Axie Infinity? How does the game work?

Axie Infinity is classified as a Non-Fungible Token (NFT)-based online game that rewards players with actual money as they play.

To get on board, you’ll have to download the game from their official website and sign up for a digital wallet such as MetaMask. Once you’re done, you’ll need to purchase a cryptocurrency called Ethereum (ETH), which you can easily get from trading platforms such as Binance. Afterward, the game will require you to download Ronin Wallet, another online wallet where you can use ETH to purchase Axies from the game’s marketplace. 

Axies are small and cute creatures that you can breed and use to battle with other players. Similar to titles such as Pokémon, it’s a turn-based game that requires you to build a strong team of Axies and think strategically. During battles, both players are given cards, which they can choose for the action their Axies will be doing for a particular turn. Each Axie has four cards that are randomly distributed for every battle and to play those cards energy must be used.

Unlike most RPGs and turn-based games, Axie’s battle system doesn’t allow you to choose which units to attack. The Axie you’ve commanded will randomly target one of your opponent’s Axie (normally the one closest to it) and paired with the random distribution of command cards this adds an element of luck and unpredictability to every skirmish.  

If you win a battle, you gain points that will increase your matchmaking rating and earn a cryptocurrency called Smooth Love Potion (SLP). But in the unfortunate instance that you lose, you’ll be glad to know that you’ll only lose matchmaking points! As you spend more time on the game you can use the SLP you’ve earned to breed, collect, and trade for Axies, or you can choose to cash it out for real money. As of the time of writing, 1 SLP can be converted to ₱3.79. 

Is it legit or all hype?

To answer the question above: Yes! Axie Infinity is legit. 

While the usual concept of farming, breeding and turn-based battling is present, the game’s nature is far more complex. It can be deemed revolutionary in the modern gaming scene since it has gamified the trading experience of crypto enthusiasts. Unlike traditional titles that were solely made for entertainment and stress relief, the earning potential of the platform makes it a sound investment option for many, especially gamers. 

Fortunately, you can play for free and earn a decent sum by registering as a scholar. But if you’re looking to dive in and build your own team, you’ll need to purchase three expensive Axies in an ever-changing marketplace. To show you how active the game’s economy is, the most expensive Axie sold for approximately ₱6,620,000 late last year. 

But much like any other financial instrument, you need to be careful with how you handle your assets. To be clear, we are not financial advisors and this article is not meant to provide financial advice in any way. Similar to other cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, SLP’s price is extremely volatile so there is a real risk of losing money. 

Setting trends aside, taking a moment to step back and evaluate your financial capabilities will be very important. Knowing how much you’re willing to spend can be a good way for you to figure out if diving into the game will be worth it. In case you decide to push through, doing so will also allow you to determine your game strategies more effectively and make it easier for you to maximize your investment.

Game on with Globe!

Being stuck indoors has given people more free time on their hands. Apart from streaming movies with reliable prepaid WiFi promos, the country’s youth—and even the kids at heart—often spend their days playing games. If you want to rank up and climb the leaderboards, you’ll need to power yourself with strong broadband connectivity.

Reach out to Globe today and get a hold of some of the best broadband plans in the country! Stay up to date with the latest gaming news and updates by liking Globe /GGWP!.