Hamster Kombat , once the largest mini-game on Telegram, captivated millions, reaching 300 million registered accounts by August. 

However, the game’s fortunes seem to have shifted dramatically. According to recent data from Protos, the game now counts just 41 million monthly active users - 86% fall from its all-time high.

Early Hype and Massive Growth

Hamster Kombat launched with significant fanfare earlier this year. Telegram’s CEO even described it as the “fastest-growing digital service in the world,” positioning it as a new frontier for mini-apps and blockchain adoption.

The game’s appeal was rooted in its unique model: integrating blockchain technology within a simple gaming platform accessible via Telegram. Key highlights included:

• Tap-to-Earn Mechanics: Players earned cryptocurrency tokens by engaging in repetitive, easy gameplay.

• Crypto Incentives: The HMSTR token launched at a value of $0.009993 on September 26, attracting users eager to earn and trade rewards.

• High-Profile Endorsements: Prominent figures in tech, including Telegram’s CEO, promoted the game as a breakthrough that could bring blockchain to mainstream audiences.

Despite the initial enthusiasm, these features haven’t been enough to keep players engaged long-term.

Monotonous Gameplay

While Hamster Kombat enjoyed rapid growth, the game’s design and mechanics soon became points of criticism. Players found the game’s AI-generated art to be hurriedly put together, with visuals that lacked polish. 

The tap-to-earn gameplay, though easy to grasp, also turned out to be overly repetitive. For many users, the novelty wore off quickly, and the incentives weren’t enough to counterbalance the lack of engaging content.

The Token Airdrop Fiasco

One of Hamster Kombat’s biggest missteps was its token airdrop. Originally presented as a reward for active players, the airdrop became a significant point of frustration for many users due to several issues:

• Delayed Distribution: The game frequently postponed the airdrop, leaving players uncertain and dissatisfied.

• Anti-Cheat Measures: In an attempt to curb fraudulent activities, Hamster Kombat implemented a sudden anti-cheat system that led to mass disqualifications. Reports indicate that 2.3 million users were banned and 6.8 billion HMSTR tokens were confiscated.

These actions, although intended to maintain fairness, led to significant backlash. Legitimate players were caught off guard, losing both their tokens and trust in the platform.

In Nigeria, where local media closely followed the game’s progress, many players expressed disappointment with the HMSTR token airdrop. Users reported that after months of in-game effort, they could only sell their tokens for minimal value, leaving them feeling cheated. 

Controversies and Government Scrutiny

As Hamster Kombat struggled to retain its user base, it also attracted government scrutiny in multiple regions. 

Iran’s military deputy chief claimed the game was a “soft tool” used to distract voters and challenge Iran’s religious government. In Russia, the chairman of the State Duma Committee went as far as to label it a scam, advocating for a ban on the game. 

Adding to the controversy, Hamster Kombat recently issued a public disclaimer distancing itself from Gotbit, a firm charged by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with “market manipulation as a service.” 

The fallout from these controversies has been reflected in the declining value of the HMSTR token. Since last month, the token price has dropped from $0.0051 to $0.0023, representing a 55% loss. The market cap stands at $152 million, at the time of writing.