Sandbox vs. Axie Infinity vs. Decentraland

Whether you're looking for a new game to dive into or a game token to invest in - we're comparing three of the top DeFi games to help in our Sandbox vs. Axie Infinity vs. Decentraland guide.

What is Sandbox?

The Sandbox is a decentralized, blockchain-based virtual world where users can create, own, and monetize their gaming experiences. Developed by Pixowl, it provides players with tools to design immersive 3D environments, characters, and games. Players can explore this metaverse, purchase land, and interact with others. It merges user-generated content with blockchain technology to offer a unique experience that blends gaming and real estate on a digital level.

Sandbox’s main attraction is its LAND system, where users can purchase digital plots of land to develop as they wish. The platform utilizes voxels, or 3D pixels, to give players creative freedom, letting them design everything from avatars to entire cities.

How popular is Sandbox?

The Sandbox is one of the most popular blockchain-based games. Its partnerships with well-known brands and celebrities like Snoop Dogg and The Walking Dead have helped attract players throughout recent years. Additionally, the game has sold out its virtual land offerings multiple times, with major events hosted in the game drawing tens of thousands of players.

As of 2024, Sandbox has over 16 million registered users, and thousands of active daily users.

What is SAND?

SAND is the native cryptocurrency of The Sandbox. It is an ERC-20 token used as the primary utility within the ecosystem. Players use SAND to purchase in-game assets, digital real estate, and participate in governance decisions through a DAO. SAND holders can also stake their tokens to earn rewards and gain access to premium features in the game.

The token has seen significant volatility in value, but remains a popular asset among play-to-earn gamers, with a market cap of more than $600 million.

Read next: Best Play-to-Earn Games

What is Decentraland?

Decentraland is another decentralized virtual world that allows users to create, explore, and trade in a 3D environment. Like Sandbox, it offers a virtual real estate component where users can buy parcels of land, but with a greater focus on social interaction and digital content creation.

Built on the Ethereum blockchain, Decentraland encourages users to create everything from interactive experiences to artwork and even entire businesses within the platform. Players can explore different areas, attend virtual events, and interact with other users in its fully immersive, blockchain-based world.

How popular is Decentraland?

Decentraland has also gained a substantial user base since its launch. Though its user count has fluctuated, the platform has held a steady place in the blockchain gaming market, particularly due to the popularity of its digital real estate model. Major events like Metaverse Fashion Week and collaborations with artists and brands have drawn significant attention.

As of 2024, Decentraland had more than 1 million registered users and thousands of active daily users.

What is MANA?

MANA is Decentraland’s native token, an ERC-20 cryptocurrency used to buy virtual goods, land, and services in the game. MANA is also involved in the game’s governance, allowing players to vote on updates and proposals within Decentraland’s DAO.

In addition to its use within the ecosystem, MANA has become a speculative asset for investors interested in the growth of the metaverse. The price of MANA, much like SAND, can be volatile and is subject to market trends and the growth of blockchain-based virtual worlds.

Read next: How Does Tax in the Metaverse Work?

What is Axie Infinity?

Axie Infinity is a blockchain-based game inspired by Pokémon, where players collect, breed, and battle creatures called Axies. Unlike Sandbox and Decentraland, which focus on world-building, Axie Infinity is a play-to-earn game centered around competitive gameplay and digital pet ownership.

Developed by Sky Mavis, Axie Infinity requires players to own three Axies to participate in battles. Players earn in-game tokens and rewards by winning matches and completing challenges. Axies, which are NFTs, can also be traded on the open market, with some rare ones selling for high prices in previous bull runs.

How popular is Axie Infinity?

Axie Infinity became one of the fastest-growing blockchain games in 2021, with millions of daily users at its peak. Its play-to-earn model, which allowed players to make real money by playing, attracted a global audience, particularly in countries like the Philippines where players were earning substantial amounts compared to local wages.

However, after a major security breach in 2022 and fluctuations in the price of its tokens, the game saw a decrease in user numbers. As of 2024, Axie Infinity has around 80,000 active daily users.

What is AXS?

AXS (Axie Infinity Shards) is the governance token of Axie Infinity and an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum network. Players earn AXS through gameplay and can use it for staking or governance. In combination with SLP (Smooth Love Potion), another in-game token, AXS helps fuel the Axie ecosystem.

AXS tokens are crucial for breeding new Axies and participating in governance decisions about the game's development. Like other metaverse tokens, AXS has seen significant market volatility, with value spikes and dips based on game popularity and broader crypto trends.

Read next: What are NFT Trading Cards?

Sandbox vs. Axie Infinity vs. Decentraland: Which is best?

Each of these games has unique features, so the best choice depends on what you're looking for:

• Sandbox is ideal for those interested in creating and monetizing 3D content or exploring a digital world with a focus on real estate and partnerships with major brands.

• Decentraland appeals to users who enjoy social interactions and creative digital experiences with a larger focus on virtual events, art, and commerce.

• Axie Infinity is best for those who want a more traditional gaming experience with a competitive edge, focused on battling and collecting creatures, while also earning money through gameplay.

From a financial perspective, Axie Infinity was historically the most profitable for individual players due to its P2E model. However, it's important to note that Axie Infinity suffered from the Ronin Bridge hack in 2022, where around $600 million worth of crypto assets were stolen. While the platform has since improved security, the hack shook investor confidence.

Both Sandbox and Decentraland are more geared toward those looking to invest in virtual real estate and digital assets. While they offer P2E elements, they focus less on competitive gameplay and more on content creation, social interaction, and digital ownership.

Don't forget, your play-to-earn rewards are taxable

It's important to remember that any earnings from these play-to-earn games, whether from selling NFTs, tokens, or other in-game assets, are considered taxable income in many countries. You can use a crypto tax calculator like Koinly to help you stay on top of your tax bill, while you focus on gaming. Try it free today.