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This Telegram-based game, which lets users grow a virtual hamster crypto exchange by tapping on their screen, has skyrocketed to 150 million players in just one week, according to the game’s developers. That’s a staggering 50% surge from the prior week when Hamster Kombat celebrated hitting the 100 million user milestone.
What is Hamster Kombat?
Hamster Kombat is an incremental or “clicker” game available on Telegram. Players click a circular picture of a hamster to earn in-game coins. The broader theme is that players act as the CEO of a crypto exchange and the goal is to be successful in this role. The game operates as a mini-app within Telegram, eliminating the need for additional downloads.
The meteoric rise of Hamster Kombat is fueled by the broader crypto craze. Putting it in perspective, around one in five Telegram users have now signed up to play, incentivized by the opportunity to earn real crypto rewards by building up their imaginary hamster exchange. Players can spend coins on boosting the tapping process or increasing the energy limit, which adds depth to the gameplay mechanics and progression.
Hamster Kombat: Popularity and Reach
Hamster Kombat’s spiritual predecessor, Notcoin, paved the way for its success. Notcoin, another crypto-themed Telegram game, gained a loyal following through its clever token airdrop mechanic. The airdrop, which took place on May 16, caused Notcoin’s token (NOT) price to surge in the last two weeks to a $2 billion market cap, as reported by CoinGecko.
Riding this wave, Hamster Kombat is now the most popular channel on Telegram, boasting over 35 million subscribers. Its reach extends well beyond the messaging app – the game’s YouTube channel has amassed 23 million subscribers, while its Twitter account has gained 7.7 million followers, with both experiencing substantial growth just in the last week.
Influence on Other Crypto Games
The thriving ecosystem around Hamster Kombat and Notcoin has caught the attention of other aspiring crypto games. Tapswap and Tescom recently announced plans to launch on Telegram with similar token airdrop ambitions. Meanwhile, established players like PixelTap are taking note of Hamster Kombat’s tap-to-earn model as a potential new direction for crypto gaming.
Telegram’s “The Open Network” (TON) blockchain, which was originally set to launch in 2018 but faced regulatory hurdles, appears to have benefited from Hamster Kombat’s success as well. The token hit an all-time high price of $8.13 on Friday, marking a 26% increase in the last two weeks.
Future Prospects
As Hamster Kombat’s user base continues to swell, it’s undeniable that the game is tapping into huge interest within Telegram’s global audience. With a token airdrop in the works for July, all eyes are on whether Hamster Kombat can sustain its incredible momentum and solidify its place as crypto’s next killer app. One thing is certain: in the unpredictable world of crypto, Hamster Kombat has proven that even the most whimsical concepts can strike gold when they capture the community’s attention.
Featured image by Caspar Camille Rubin
