## Why P2E Games Attract Beginners: Earning Mechanics and Risks

When I first encountered P2E games in 2021, it was Alien Worlds. It seemed simple: log in, press a button, receive tokens. The first two months were golden — NFT drops worth hundreds of dollars, new gear helped increase income. But then everything collapsed. Developers blocked accounts, reduced NFT drop chances, liquidity vanished. That’s when I realized the main rule of P2E: entering at the very beginning is 80% of the success.

### How P2E actually works is through projects

Developers create an in-game token and tie it to a real cryptocurrency through a liquidity pool. You perform actions in the game, earn tokens, and exchange them for crypto. It sounds simple, but there’s a catch: the liquidity pool is not a black hole. It’s supported by the players (buying items with tokens) and developers. If everyone starts just selling, the price will fall and liquidity will disappear.

That’s why many projects either die or turn into scams. The market is full of people looking to make easy money by launching another P2E game.

### Different Games, Different Models

The range is very broad. From simple button presses (like Alien Worlds) to complex quests and metaverses. Take Sandbox — that’s a completely different level. New locations appeared every day, where you had to complete tasks, gain experience, and climb the rankings. Rewards were substantial: if you’re in the top 10,000, you get $60 just for completing a map. The season lasted 60 days, after which you could claim rewards and buy a pass for $500.

But Sandbox is an exception. Most projects collapse within 2-3 months.

### Main takeaways for those who want to try

**Check before entering.** Fraud is everywhere here. Study the mechanics, look at price charts, and understand where the income comes from.

**Time trap.** Entering late — either you won’t earn anything anymore, or it will be extremely difficult. Early birds catch the worms, others watch.

**Don’t hold tokens.** Withdraw profits gradually, don’t wait for the price to crash. Many lost all their savings holding tokens until the end.

**Don’t waste time.** If the game is already in decline and income is minimal, leave and look for a new project.

P2E is still a high-risk game, but the window of opportunity opens only in the first few weeks. The main thing — don’t cross the line between calculation and gambling.