Iranian players are rushing to engage with the Telegram-based crypto game Hamster Kombat as they eagerly await the launch of its token. The game has gained immense popularity in Iran, with local users showing great interest in this tap-to-earn game.
In a recent report by the Associated Press, it was revealed that Hamster Kombat has become a sensation among players who enjoy the simple gameplay of tapping the screen to manage a fictional crypto exchange as a hamster CEO.
The developers of the game announced that they have already attracted a remarkable 200 million players, a significant number considering the total of 900 million Telegram users. This figure has seen a rise from the previously reported 150 million players just a few days ago. While screenshots of internal data support these numbers, they have not been verified by public sources.
One of the most striking aspects of Hamster Kombat’s success is its massive social media following. The game boasts the largest Telegram channel with almost 44 million subscribers, surpassing its closest rival, TapSwap, by a significant margin. Additionally, Hamster Kombat has seen a surge in followers on platforms like YouTube and Twitter, indicating its rapid growth.
Despite its popularity, the Iranian government seems disapproving of the game’s impact. Some officials view it as a form of Western influence that distracts Iranians from pressing issues like inflation, limited job opportunities, and sanctions. Iran’s deputy military chief expressed concerns that games like Hamster Kombat are part of a broader strategy to divert attention from important events like the upcoming presidential election.
As Iran prepares for a new leader following the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi, the government and state-run media have criticized the increasing interest in Hamster Kombat. They argue that the game promotes unrealistic expectations of quick wealth and discourages hard work and entrepreneurship.
In July, Hamster Kombat is set to launch its token on The Open Network (TON), following the success of similar games like Notcoin. Notcoin saw significant success earlier this year, attracting millions of players and achieving a market capitalization of over $2 billion before launching its token on TON. However, the price of the NOT token has since dropped by 52% after reaching its peak.
It is worth mentioning that TON’s blockchain has been surpassing Ethereum in terms of daily active addresses, indicating the immense interest and engagement generated by the Hamster Kombat phenomenon.