An issue that Web3 games constantly run into is maintaining a flow of new players. Fresh investments keeps the games market and token economy circulating! if the stream of players stagnates then the currencies and tokens associated with that game tend to drop to a point where it isn't worth it to invest and play the game, creating a dead dApp that is on the blockchain (Technically) forever.

Axie Infinity, (IMO) seems to be a sort of 'Landmark' in the history of 'Web3' and 'play2earn' games. It has gone through the life cycle of a Web3 game and still has an active player base. While it is playable, there is no 'financial' reason to buy into it (Unless the concept/gameplay aspect interests you!). Splinterlands is a good example to look at when discussing the functionality and versatility of a single 'NFT' and it's access to different dApps.

Play2Earn is seen as a scam and that is understandable with the overflow of 'Click and wait' games on dApp listing sites with little to no actual gain. But what is the alternative? Follow something similar to the Enjin blockchains model of 'Play and Earn' and all items in-game are virtual until a player mints an item turning it into an NFT?

Developers will probably have to use a different term when talking about a game on the blockchain. 'Web3 gaming' and 'Play2Earn' tend to leave a bad feeling in peoples minds and something to not associate with. This is an evolving platform though and it looks like we are just barely getting out of 'Phase 1' for Games on the Blockchain.

Thanks for your post! It was an interesting read.