The Iranian government officials and hardliners have expressed strong criticism towards the increasingly popular blockchain game “Hamster Kombat,” claiming that it is a tool of soft power used by Western nations. Deputy Chief of the Iranian military, Habibollah Sayyari, stated that the game was designed to divert the attention of the Iranian population away from the upcoming elections. Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi, a religious authority, further denounced cryptocurrencies as fraudulent.
However, these comments fail to acknowledge the dire financial situation faced by many Iranians due to Western sanctions and high inflation. To illustrate the severity of Iran’s economic problems, the current exchange rate stands at 1 U.S. dollar to 580,000 Iranian rial.
In fact, these challenging economic conditions have contributed to the rise of blockchain games in developing countries. The NFT game, Axie Infinity, serves as a prime example of this emerging trend. At its peak, players of Axie reported earning up to $1,300 per month, which is a significant source of income in developing nations.
While the initial cost of entering games like Axie may be steep, organized gaming guilds have found ways to help players offset these expenses while still generating substantial profits for guild members.
However, it is important to note that blockchain gaming still has a long way to go before it achieves mainstream adoption. It lags behind traditional gaming and faces challenges such as low awareness and understanding among potential players. A recent survey revealed that 52% of respondents were unaware of blockchain gaming, while 32% knew about it but had never played. These figures indicate a significant untapped market but also highlight the need for improvements in token utility and gameplay mechanics to rival console and PC games.
In conclusion, the criticism of “Hamster Kombat” by Iranian officials overlooks the economic benefits that blockchain gaming can bring to developing countries. It also underscores the ongoing challenges that the industry faces in terms of awareness and gameplay quality.