Reaching 150 million users in the tech industry is a significant achievement, reserved only for the most successful platforms. The emergence of Hamster Kombat as one of the most captivating stories of 2024 attests to this fact.
Pokemon GO, an augmented reality mobile game from 2016, took 33 days to reach 150 million users, holding the record until Threads, Instagram’s competitor to X, accomplished the feat in just six days in the summer of 2023.
Despite Threads setting a high bar, the newly launched Telegram-based game, Hamster Kombat, claims to be the third fastest app in history to surpass 150 million users. The game boasts of gaining 200 million users in just three months.
According to Sébastien Borget, co-founder of The Sandbox metaverse, the rapid growth of Telegram-based games like Hamster Kombat highlights the speed of innovation in the industry. He believes that games such as Hamster Kombat are revolutionizing the play-to-earn game approach.
Described as a “crypto exchange CEO simulator,” Hamster Kombat distinguishes itself from traditional clicker or tapper games. The game’s player base has expanded exponentially over three months through various gaming and social mechanics.
Players aim to collect as many virtual coins or points as possible, either through dedicated tapping or strategic management. They anticipate future airdrops as a reward for their loyalty, similar to the rewards offered by Notcoin, Hamster Kombat’s predecessor.
Hamster Kombat’s in-game mechanics are closely linked to its YouTube content and social media platforms, with its YouTube page surpassing the subscription numbers of Mr. Beast, the platform’s top channel globally.
The game’s revenue from advertising on YouTube is estimated at $11 per 1,000 views. Since its inception in May, the channel has amassed over 473 million views, earning $5.2 million. The channel’s daily views over the past two weeks suggest daily ad revenue payouts of $230,000.
Hamster Kombat is not just a clicker game. Players begin as bald hamsters who take on the role of a cryptocurrency exchange CEO. The game’s primary mechanic involves tapping on the hamster avatar to earn coins, but it also incorporates strategic elements such as purchasing upgrade cards for the exchange.
Influencers and websites share daily cipher and combo cards, offering players additional opportunities to earn in-game points. These features have become popular among players and content creators, providing a potential source of income within the game’s community.
The success of Notcoin has paved the way for Hamster Kombat’s unprecedented growth in player numbers. The game developers have announced plans to launch the Hamster Kombat token on the TON blockchain, with an airdrop date yet to be confirmed.
While the game attracts millions of players, there are concerns about bots and duplicate accounts impacting user numbers. Despite this, the game continues to thrive, with the TON blockchain aiming to establish itself as the go-to network for GameFi projects.
The rise of Hamster Kombat and the success of similar games on Telegram highlight the growing potential of blockchain-based gaming and its impact on user engagement and community building.