Hamster Kombat, the well-known tap-to-earn game hosted on Telegram, has announced its decision to establish a layer-2 network on The Open Network (TON). This move comes after the game’s DAO community voted in favor of creating a dedicated blockchain to enhance the utility of its native token, HMSTR. The forthcoming blockchain, expected to be called Hamster Network, will serve as the cornerstone of a broader ecosystem known as the Hamsterverse.
The development team has revealed that work on this network is already in progress. They plan to present a detailed roadmap and strategic plan to the DAO in the coming weeks, outlining how this initiative will bolster Hamster Kombat’s presence within the decentralized gaming landscape.
Community Support for Expansion
The decision to launch the new blockchain underscores strong community backing for Hamster Kombat’s growth. Past initiatives, such as events featuring a staggering $1 billion prize pool for token holders, have demonstrated the enthusiasm of its user base. These efforts reflect the platform’s broader ambitions to solidify its position in blockchain-based gaming.
Despite this, the tap-to-earn gaming sector has experienced a significant decline in interest over recent months. Reports indicate an 80% drop in engagement between June and December 2024, a trend visible in TON’s on-chain activity. The number of monthly active wallets on the network has halved since October, highlighting a broader challenge for games relying on this model.
A Mixed Year for Hamster Kombat
Hamster Kombat gained widespread recognition in 2024, particularly for its integration of NFTs, which led to a dramatic 400% increase in Telegram’s NFT activity in October. However, the platform encountered challenges following a failed airdrop, resulting in a substantial loss of users and token value. Over three months, the user base plummeted from 300 million to 41 million, while the HMSTR token saw a 60% decline in value.
In response, the development team announced a revamped second season in November, introducing new gameplay features. Players will now have opportunities to manage virtual game studios, create personalized spaces, recruit team members, and conduct tests—signaling a significant shift in the game’s dynamics.
Challenges Ahead for Tap-to-Earn Gaming
The decline in interest surrounding tap-to-earn games is often attributed to their lack of meaningful utility and repetitive gameplay mechanics. This poses a challenge for Hamster Kombat as it seeks to reignite enthusiasm within its community. The introduction of the Hamster Network layer-2 blockchain, along with the revamped gameplay, could mark a turning point for the platform.
Whether these changes will successfully capture the attention of users and address the waning appeal of tap-to-earn games remains to be seen. The upcoming launch represents a pivotal moment for Hamster Kombat, offering both opportunities and challenges as it aims to redefine its place in the evolving Web3 gaming space.