How to Download and Play Axie Infinity in 2023: An In-Depth Guide

Axie Infinity has revolutionized the gaming industry by pioneering the play-to-earn model, allowing players to collect, battle, and trade adorable creatures called Axies while earning real money. Launched in 2018 by Sky Mavis, Axie Infinity has exploded in popularity, particularly in developing countries where it has provided a new source of income amidst the economic challenges of the pandemic.

The Rise of Axie Infinity

Axie Infinity‘s growth has been nothing short of remarkable. Here are some key statistics that highlight its rise:

• Axie Infinity‘s native token AXS surged from $0.14 in November 2020 to an all-time high of $160 in November 2021, a staggering 114,000% increase. (Source)
• The game reached a peak of over 2.7 million daily active users in October 2021. (Source)
• Axie Infinity generated over $1.3 billion in revenue in 2021, making it one of the highest-grossing blockchain applications. (Source)
• In some countries like the Philippines, many players have been able to earn an income higher than the local minimum wage by playing Axie Infinity full-time. (Source)

Axie Infinity monthly revenue. Source: Token Terminal

While the hype has cooled off since the peaks of 2021, Axie Infinity still maintains a substantial player base and is working on major upgrades to improve the gameplay and economics. If you‘re looking to dive into this leading play-to-earn title, here‘s a comprehensive guide on how to get started.

Understanding the Axie Infinity Economy

Before we get into the specifics of downloading and playing Axie Infinity, it‘s important to grasp the basic economics of the game. Axie Infinity runs on the Ethereum blockchain, with two primary tokens:

1. AXS – Axie Infinity Shards, the governance token that gives holders a say in the future of the game. AXS can also be staked to earn rewards.
2. SLP – Smooth Love Potion, the in-game currency earned by playing and used to breed new Axies. Players can cash out their SLP earnings on exchanges.

Players need to own a team of 3 Axies to start playing. These Axies are essentially NFTs (non-fungible tokens) that can be bought, sold, and traded on the Axie marketplace. The price of Axies varies based on their stats, body parts, and rarity.

Here‘s a breakdown of the typical costs to get started with Axie Infinity as of April 2023:

• Floor price (cheapest) Axies: ~$10-15 each
• Cost for a basic team (3 Axies): ~$30-45
• Gas fees (transaction costs) to purchase Axies: Varies based on Ethereum network congestion, ~$5-20

So in total, expect to invest at least $50-100 to buy your starter team and cover fees. Of course, you can spend a lot more on premium Axies if you want to be more competitive. Some top players have Axie teams worth thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.

Once you have your Axies, you can start playing the game to earn SLP. The primary ways to earn are:

1. Adventure mode – PvE battles against NPC monsters
2. Arena mode – PvP battles against other players
3. Daily quests and challenges

The amount of SLP you can earn depends on your skill level, the strength of your Axie team, and the amount of time you put in. Top players can earn 200+ SLP per day, which at current prices equates to around $10-20. However, most casual players should expect more modest earnings in the range of 50-100 SLP per day ($2.50-$5).

It‘s important to note that Axie Infinity‘s economy is complex and constantly evolving. The developers are working on updates to balance the SLP economy and make it more sustainable long-term. As with any crypto-based project, earnings can be highly volatile and are not guaranteed.

Challenges and Controversies

While Axie Infinity has undoubtedly had a positive impact by providing a source of income to many players in developing countries, it has also faced its share of challenges and controversies.

One major issue is the high upfront cost to start playing, which prices out many potential players. This has led to the rise of "scholarship" programs, where Axie owners loan out their Axies to players in exchange for a cut of their earnings. While scholarships have made the game more accessible, they‘ve also been criticized for perpetuating wealth inequality and power imbalances.

Axie Infinity also suffered a major setback in March 2022 when its Ronin blockchain was hacked, resulting in losses of over $600 million. The developers have since reimbursed affected users and implemented stricter security measures, but the incident shook confidence in the platform.

From a regulatory standpoint, there are also questions about whether Axie Infinity and other play-to-earn games should be classified as securities, gambling, or employment. Different countries have taken different approaches, with some like the Philippines embracing Axie Infinity and others cracking down on it.

Despite these challenges, the Axie Infinity community remains passionate and optimistic about the future of the game. The developers have ambitious plans to expand the Axie universe with new gameplay modes, a full decentralized exchange, and even land ownership.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Download and Play Axie Infinity

Now that you understand the basics of Axie Infinity, let‘s walk through the process of actually downloading and playing the game step-by-step.

Prerequisites

Before getting started, make sure you have the following:

1. A PC, iOS, or Android device that meets the minimum specs (more on this below)
2. A crypto wallet to store your Axie NFTs and tokens (Ronin wallet recommended)
3. Ethereum or WETH to purchase Axies and cover gas fees
4. A Mavis Hub account to download the game client

Step 1: Set Up Your Ronin Wallet

The recommended wallet for playing Axie Infinity is the Ronin Wallet, a custom-built Ethereum sidechain designed for fast transactions and low fees.

1. Go to the official Ronin Wallet website at https://wallet.roninchain.com/
2. Click on "Get Started" and follow the prompts to create a new wallet
3. Securely backup your seed phrase (write it down and store it safely)
4. Deposit Ethereum or WETH to your Ronin wallet to cover Axie purchases and fees. You can do this by bridging from the Ethereum mainnet or purchasing from an exchange like Binance.

Step 2: Create a Mavis Hub Account

Mavis Hub is the official launcher for Axie Infinity that makes it easy to download and update the game client.

1. Go to https://axieinfinity.com/mavis-hub and click "Download"
2. Open the downloaded installer and follow the prompts to install Mavis Hub
3. Launch Mavis Hub and click "Register Now" to create a new account
4. Enter your email address, set a password, and complete the registration process
5. Verify your email by clicking the link sent to your inbox

Step 3: Download and Install Axie Infinity

1. Log into your Mavis Hub account
2. Click on the "Games" tab and locate Axie Infinity
3. Click "Install" to begin downloading the game client
4. Once the download is complete, click "Play" to launch Axie Infinity for the first time
5. Log in with your Mavis Hub account and complete the tutorial

Step 4: Purchase Your Axie Team

Before you can start playing Axie Infinity for real, you‘ll need to purchase a team of 3 Axies. Here‘s how:

1. While logged into Axie Infinity, click on the "Marketplace" tab
2. Browse the available Axies and use the filters to narrow down your search based on class, body parts, stats, price, etc.
3. Once you find an Axie you want to purchase, click on it and then click "Buy Now"
4. Confirm the transaction in your Ronin Wallet and wait for it to process
5. Repeat the process until you have a full team of 3 Axies

It‘s a good idea to do some research on Axie classes, body parts, and stats before making your purchases. The Axie Infinity Discord server and subreddits are great resources for getting advice from experienced players.

Step 5: Start Playing and Earning

Congratulations, you now have everything you need to start your Axie Infinity journey! Here are some tips for getting started:

• Complete the daily quests and challenges to earn bonus SLP
• Start with Adventure mode to level up your Axies and get a feel for the combat system
• Move on to Arena mode once you have a good grasp of the gameplay and a decent team. You‘ll earn more SLP here but the competition is tougher.
• Consider joining an Axie guild or mentorship program to connect with other players and get advice
• Continually invest in upgrading your Axie team as you earn more SLP and ETH
• Be patient and consistent – it takes time to become a top player and reach the highest earning potential

Remember, while it‘s possible to earn money playing Axie Infinity, never invest more than you can afford to lose. The crypto market is highly volatile and there are no guarantees. Always prioritize your financial security first.

Conclusion

Axie Infinity has undoubtedly made a splash in the gaming and crypto worlds, offering a unique blend of fun gameplay, collectibility, and earning potential. While it‘s not without its risks and challenges, it‘s an exciting glimpse into the future of gaming and digital ownership.

Whether you‘re looking to play casually and earn a bit of side income, or dive in full-time and climb the competitive leaderboards, we hope this guide has given you a solid foundation to get started with Axie Infinity. As always, do your own research, start small, and most importantly, have fun!

Disclosure: The author holds investments in AXS and other cryptocurrencies. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial advice.