Greetings readers in Hive, After taking a long break, I’m back with a new article. Will I be writing frequently? I’ll certainly try - though like many of us, I’m balancing work and family responsibilities.
In this article I wanted to write about a topic that keeps coming up in the gaming and Web3 space: Play-to-Earn.
When blockchain gaming first burst onto the scene, it promised to change everything. Many of us wanted to make quick and easy money from it rather than only playing for fun like the conventional web2 games where players actually put in a lot of money for fun and progression instead.
But somewhere along the way, with many projects failing miserably to keep up to the false promises. Many gamers started to ask - Is Web3 gaming just another scam?
That’s where Splinterlands stands out. Splinterlands has been quietly building, evolving, and rewarding players for over 7 years. I myself is part of it for almost 4 years now.
Before I share more thoughts on why Splinterlands lasted for so many years, let’s first look at the problem with Web3 gaming as a whole.
The Web3 Gaming Problem
If you’ve been in the Web3 space for even a short while, you’ve probably seen the same story play out again and again:
This must be looking familiar, right? Let me explain the lifecycle in gold old bullet points.
- A flashy new “Play-to-Earn” game appears.
- It promises life-changing income, early rewards, and a thriving future.
- The tokens pump, speculators rush in…
- And within months, the economy collapses and the game disappears.
As a result, for many players, Web3 gaming has become synonymous with scams, rug pulls, and broken promises.
So the big question is - Can Play-to-Earn actually work?
Enter Splinterlands
Launched back in 2018, Splinterlands wasn’t just another Play-to-earn game. It was built as a strategic trading card game with blockchain features added without compromising the gameplay experience. Now, more than seven years later, Splinterlands continues to attract players, maintain an active community, and evolve with new features. So what makes Splinterlands different?
Gameplay Comes First
Splinterlands is a strategy card game at its core. Deck-building, new abilities, and counterplay make battles fun which keeps players engaged long-term.
Sustainable Economy
Let's admit that there were flaws in the economy especially during the Chaos Legion era when the game grew exponentially but the team took action to improve the situation and we have a very sustainable economy now.
Multiple Ways to Earn
Splinterlands isn’t limited to a single income source. Instead, it has developed an ecosystem of opportunities for both active and passive players: Free-to-Play Modes - Players can start with Campaign and later Frontier, earning NFTs and slowly building a collection without even purchasing a Spellbook. SPS Rewards - By competing in Modern, Wild, and Survival modes, players earn SPS cryptocurrency. Staking SPS - Holding SPS tokens can generate passive income through staking and APR. Tournaments & Brawls - Competitive players can participate in events to win additional SPS rewards. Land Ownership - Land assets generate ongoing passive income. Card Rentals - Even if someone doesn’t want to play actively, renting out cards and other assets provides consistent returns.
Strong Community
Splinterlands has an active DAO and player community that helps guide the game’s future. Players don’t just consume content — they contribute, vote, and shape the ecosystem.
Continuous Innovation
The team has always listened to community feedback and delivered consistent updates and new features and new card sets adding to the complex yet fun gameplay strategies.
The Future of Splinterlands With more than seven years of consistent growth, an active community, and features like Land expansion, Frontier mode, and ongoing governance, the game continues to evolve and is well positioned for a very bright future. One of the most forward-thinking initiatives is the recently announced Crypto Gaming Recovery Fund (CGRF). Backed by $500,000, this program is designed to help players who lost value in failed web3 gaming projects. By compensating them with claimable credits and inviting them into the Splinterlands ecosystem, the CGRF does two important things: 1. It restores confidence in Web3 gaming by addressing past failures. 2. It onboards new players into Splinterlands in a way that feels fair and community-driven.
Conclusion
Web3 gaming has seen more than its fair share of hype, scams, and failed promises. For many, “Play-to-Earn” has been nothing but disappointment. Yet Splinterlands proves that it doesn’t have to be this way. By putting gameplay first, building a sustainable economy, offering multiple ways to earn, empowering a community-driven ecosystem, and continuously innovating, it has survived and grown for more than seven years. With forward-looking initiatives like the Crypto Gaming Recovery Fund, Splinterlands is not only sustaining its own future but also helping rebuild trust in the broader Web3 gaming space. For anyone still skeptical about blockchain gaming, Splinterlands stands as proof that a well-designed game can thrive, reward players, and adapt over time.
Ready to see for yourself? Start playing free today