Blockchain gaming models have gone through a phase of dramatic shifts in recent years. Play-to-earn remains a fundamental building block for most Web3 games, but developers are constantly working to implement more accessible and inclusive models that lower the barrier for a wider audience. The most recent iteration has been the Tap-to-earn model, gaining massive popularity this year for all the right reasons.

Tap-to-earn games are simple. The core mechanic involves players repeatedly tapping or clicking on the screen to perform particular actions like mining resources, collecting items, or completing simple tasks. This simplicity means these games are for everyone, with no accessibility barrier, learning curve, or onboarding complexities. With each tap or completed task, players earn in-game rewards, which can be in the form of points, tokens, or other digital assets.

Despite their surging popularity, these games are not without criticism, and there is lingering skepticism about their long-term value.  The simplicity of these games often serves as little more than a gimmick. What’s the purpose behind users constantly tapping their screens? What’s the engagement factor, and what value does it add? Without meaningful engagement or value creation, the current T2E model risks being unsustainable in the long run.

TapSwap, one of the biggest tap-to-earn games in 2024, has recognized this issue and is actively working towards a sustainable solution.

TapSwap's Play-Generate Value-Earn Model

In response to these challenges, we are pioneering a new approach to T2E gaming that seeks to redefine how value is generated and distributed within these platforms. So, what is this "Play-Generate Value-Earn" philosophy? It pulls attention away from mindless tapping to interactions that can now yield real value, for the players as well as the platform.

TapSwap will achieve this through the "Win-Win Monetization" business model. Players will win general rewards for their tapping actions and activities as per usual, but a certain portion of their earnings will be contributed back to the TapSwap platform. So, both the players and the project will be under a profit-sharing agreement, where both parties benefit from the game’s success. This will ultimately lead to a more sustainable and mutually beneficial ecosystem.

This “Win-Win Monetization” model specifically addresses the challenges plaguing most tap-to-earn games, as they tend to lack perpetual value due to a single payout per customer. TapSwap incentivises long-term player payouts through the relative value of players' earnings on the platform. We motivate them to continue using the platform, inevitably increasing our player pool and jackpot values. This leads to a more engaged community and ensures a healthy financial structure for the platform.

Partnerships and AI Integration: Enhancing the Earning Model

To amplify the "Play-Generate Value-Earn" philosophy, we collaborate with top AI and data companies. When the next TapSwap iteration rolls around, users will engage with different elements of a game that exists as buildings inside a virtual space named Tappy Town. Among these interactions are real-world tasks like walking a particular distance or using the app to map out specific locations. Players complete these tasks to earn tokens, creating a direct dependency between in-game activities and their corresponding value. This improves the gaming experience and ensures that every tap means something.

As players engage with different tasks, AI algorithms will monitor their behavior and preferences to generate personalized activities that align with individual interests or capabilities. With this level of personalization, it is guaranteed that users always get to play those things they like in the most suitable manner for them. In addition, applying AI to the platform's economy can balance supply and demand, avoiding inflationary pressures seen in other tap-to-earn games.

TapSwap’s Commitment to True Value

The long-term sustainability and expansion of tap-to-earn games come down to creating value. One of the most difficult issues for mass-market tap-to-earn titles is how they keep growing over time. Without a sense of purpose, these games will become redundant and fall out of the trends, much like several other Web3 gaming genres in recent years.

That’s why our "Play-Generate Value-Earn" approach puts real value creation first. The project collaborates with third parties to incorporate real-world tasks into the game, ensuring that player activities are enjoyable and contribute to building a sustainable ecosystem.

In addition, TapSwap is dedicated to providing transparent communication with their community. Players are informed and engaged with regular updates regarding new features, partnerships, and development. This helps build trust and nurtures an active community ready to support the platform's growth.

Final Thoughts

‘Play-Generate Value-Earn’ is a promising direction for the future of tap-to-earn games. Adopting a profit-sharing mechanism helps us create a fairer distribution of rewards that encourages sustained user engagement. This approach addresses one of the key challenges similar gaming models face: maintaining long-term interest and preventing user attrition.

For TapSwap, the combination of continuous updates, the introduction of new features, and strategic partnerships will help secure the project’s future and keep the game dynamic and engaging, avoiding the stagnation that has affected other play-to-earn models. This approach can potentially set new standards for sustainability in the tap-to-earn genre, offering insights that could benefit the broader GameFi sector.