Axie Infinity: what it is and what role it plays
Axie Infinity is a blockchain game where players battle, breed, and collect NFT creatures called Axies. It runs on the Ronin sidechain with AXS tokens.
Vahe HakobyanEditor-in-chief
Updated Oct 6, 20263 min readFact-checked
On this page
- Axies are NFTs for battle and breeding.
- AXS governs; SLP is for breeding.
- The game runs on the Ronin sidechain.
- Sky Mavis launched the game before Ronin.
- The FBI blamed North Korea for the Ronin hack.
Its role is to turn a battling game into a player-owned economy, where Axies are NFTs and two tokens handle breeding and governance. Sky Mavis built the game and later the Ronin sidechain.
What do players do in the game?
Players collect Axies, each an NFT. They use those creatures in turn-based battles, complete quests, and breed new Axies. The game rewards players with SLP tokens, and SLP is also spent on breeding.
- Collect Axies as NFTs.
- Battle other players or computer opponents.
- Complete quests to earn SLP.
- Breed two Axies, which costs SLP and AXS.
How do AXS, SLP, and Ronin work?
AXS and SLP are separate tokens with different jobs. Ronin is a sidechain that handles the game's transactions and links to Ethereum. AXS holders can vote on proposals and stake their tokens to earn more AXS, the project says.
How is Axie Infinity different from other crypto?
General-purpose cryptocurrencies aim to be money or a platform for many apps. Axie Infinity is a game ecosystem with its own NFTs and tokens. AXS holders vote on decisions instead of only developers.
Who created Axie Infinity?
Sky Mavis created Axie Infinity. It launched the game in 2018, before building the Ronin sidechain in 2021.
What happened in the Ronin bridge hack?
In March 2022, attackers exploited the Ronin bridge that connects the sidechain to Ethereum. The FBI attributed the hack to North Korea. The bridge was rebuilt later, and the game kept running.
Frequently asked questions
In Axie Classic, you need Axies to battle and earn SLP. Axie Origins added free starter Axies.
Yes. The IRS treats crypto as property, so tokens you receive as income are taxable at their value. Trading one crypto for another is also taxable.
AXS and SLP can move through the Ronin bridge. Most Axies live on Ronin, but they can also be moved through the bridge.
Axie Classic is the original battle game. Axie Origins is a newer version with free starter Axies and a different battle format.
