Hamster Kombat, the popular Telegram-based clicker game associated with an upcoming crypto token launch, has come under scrutiny for its excessive use of social pressure tactics.

Growing Concerns

Despite the game’s viral success, some are concerned about the mechanics driving user engagement. Andrew Hayward, Culture Editor and Hub Operations Lead at Decrypt, highlighted these issues in a recent post. He suggested that the game’s success might reach a saturation point for its hundreds of millions of players unless they have a constant stream of friends to recruit.

Social Pressure Dynamics

Hamster Kombat follows the trend set by the original viral Telegram crypto game, Notcoin. Players tap the screen to accumulate in-game coins and invest them into a fictional hamster-operated crypto exchange. The game strongly encourages users to invite friends to join, resembling multi-level marketing tactics.

The game frequently introduces new exchange upgrade cards promising higher earnings. These cards are often tied to the game’s “daily combo,” which rewards players with 5 million in-game coins for using specific cards. However, many of these cards can only be unlocked by persuading friends to start playing through referral links. Players who cannot recruit new participants may find themselves at a disadvantage.

Hayward’s Analysis

Hayward pointed out the challenges of sustaining continuous growth without offering new incentives and benefits. He warned that the hype might cool, and developers may be pushing too hard to maintain interest before the planned token drop in July.

Popularity in Iran

Hamster Kombat has seen a surge in popularity in Iran, with local users eagerly anticipating the token launch. The game’s developers recently announced that it has amassed 200 million players, a significant portion of Telegram’s 900 million users. This figure is up from 150 million players reported on June 14.

Upcoming Token Launch

The developers plan to launch a token on The Open Network (TON) in July. Hamster Kombat follows in the footsteps of Notcoin, a similar clicker game that attracted 35 million players and released its NOT token on TON in May. Notcoin experienced a peak market capitalization surpassing $2 billion shortly after its launch.

TON Blockchain Performance

Telegram’s The Open Network (TON) blockchain has been consistently outperforming Ethereum in terms of daily active addresses this month, driven by the Hamster Kombat craze.

Conclusion

While Hamster Kombat’s rapid growth and viral success are noteworthy, the game faces criticism for its reliance on social pressure tactics. The upcoming token launch and the game’s sustained popularity will be critical in determining its long-term success. As the developers push to maintain momentum, it remains to be seen whether they can balance engagement strategies with the need for continuous innovation and player satisfaction.

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