Translation: Blockchain in Vernacular
In recent months, the Web3 space has witnessed an unprecedented trend that is driving the expansion of blockchain games. Telegram, which has over 900 million users, has leveraged its massive platform to launch Mini App Games on its native blockchain network, TON. These blockchain-powered games are directly integrated into the Telegram application, allowing users to play the games without additional downloads or installations. This convenient access has played a key role in driving its rapid adoption and widespread popularity.
1. Explosive growth of Web3 games on TON
The TON network has become fertile ground for Web3 games, with games like “Catizen” and “Notcoin” achieving significant popularity. “Catizen” has 23 million users, while “Notcoin” attracts 40 million players. Overall, the TON network now has 500 million users, and its native cryptocurrency, Toncoin, has a market cap of $19.4 billion, making it the eighth largest crypto project.
2. Game Changer: Hamster Kombat
Building on the foundation laid by Notcoin, Hamster Kombat has not only captured the imagination of gamers around the world, it has also set a new standard for engagement in Telegram Mini App Games.
With over 200 million players worldwide, Hamster Kombat's meteoric rise is no accident. The game combines engaging, addictive mechanics with deep strategy that keeps players coming back. Its community-driven design fosters interaction and competition, creating a vibrant and dynamic player base.
1) How Hamster Kombat enchanted a nation
Two months ago, Iran was in the midst of political turmoil. The country's president, Ibrahim Raisi, died in a helicopter crash, forcing the government to urgently elect his successor. However, in the midst of this chaos, something unexpected happened. According to senior Iranian military officials, millions of citizens were too addicted to their phones to pay any attention to the political situation. What was it that so thoroughly captured their attention? It was none other than Hamster Kombat.
Hamster Kombat launched on Telegram’s Open Network (TON) in March and quickly became a sensation. Its influence was so profound that Vice Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, Iran’s deputy military chief, described it as part of the West’s “soft war” against Iran. The game’s appeal to millions of people, who were distracted from important political events, underscores its extraordinary influence and wide reach.
2) Broaden your horizons: Yescoin, Catizen, Blum, Pixelverse, and more
Building on early success, a slew of new projects have adopted the Telegram Mini App Game strategy. Games such as Yescoin, Catizen, Blum, and Pixelverse have collectively attracted over 30 million players, each offering a unique gaming experience that enhances the diversity and depth of the Telegram Mini App Game ecosystem.
3. The impact of Telegram Mini App Games on Web3
Seamless integration: A key advantage of Telegram Mini App Games is their seamless integration with the messaging platform. This direct integration allows users to easily access and play games within the Telegram app without the hassle of additional downloads or installations. This convenience is critical to driving widespread adoption.
Massive community participation: Games are inherently social, fostering interaction and engagement. Telegram Mini App Games provides a space for users to compete, collaborate, and communicate, fostering active and thriving communities. This high level of engagement is critical to helping Web3 projects build strong, loyal user bases in Telegram groups, channels, and social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
Drive Web3 adoption: The growing popularity of Telegram Mini App Games has significantly boosted the adoption of Web3 projects. As more users participate in these games, they become familiar with blockchain technology and its applications, lowering the barrier to entry into other Web3 services and driving wider adoption and innovation.
Monetization and Rewards: Many Telegram Mini App Games feature blockchain-based rewards and incentives, such as points that can be converted into tokens during token generation events. These rewards provide tangible benefits to players, encouraging their continued participation. This gamified reward system has proven very effective in retaining users and promoting long-term success.
4. The appeal of simple and interesting games
TON games are known for their simplicity and appeal, attracting users who would not normally engage with blockchain technology. Its success is partly due to Telegram's wide reach around the world, especially in Europe and Asia, where the app has more than 900 million users.
1) Seamless user experience
The user experience (UX) of TON Games is exceptionally smooth. Unlike many Web3 projects that suffer from cumbersome interfaces, TON Games are intuitive and easy to navigate, making them attractive to a wider audience. This user-friendly design has led DeFi analyst David Zimmerman to call TON "the killer app in crypto."
2) The appeal of real rewards
Games like "Hamster Kombat" offer more than just entertainment; they offer real rewards. Players can earn cryptocurrencies and other digital assets through gaming, which can sometimes be converted into real money. This play-to-earn model drives significant engagement and growth within the TON ecosystem.
5. Looking to the future
While some skeptics, such as Zimmerman, have expressed concerns about the sustainability of these games, citing the example of Axie Infinity, TON’s current growth and user engagement are undeniable. Its advantages in user experience and distribution may provide it with a solid foundation even if market dynamics change.
Telegram's TON has successfully built a Web3 gaming giant, led by "Hamster Kombat", which combines addictive gameplay, real-world rewards and seamless user experience, attracting the attention of millions of people around the world, including politicians and military officials. Although it remains to be seen whether this growth can be sustained in the long term, there is no doubt that TON has had a significant impact on the Web3 gaming sector.
The rapid growth of Telegram Mini App Games bodes well for a bright future for the Web3 space. As more projects adopt this strategy, we can expect to see greater progress in the innovation and diversity of gaming experiences. The integration of gaming with blockchain technology will continue to develop, opening up new opportunities for monetization, engagement, and adoption.
